Wanting to home educate but stuffed by the system...how do you work and HE?

[SamanthaFox]

I've wanted to HE my children for a long time, and was hoping to start when ds2 reaches school age in a year or two, if not sooner going by how ds1 is currently at school.

The thing is I know it's likely I'll have to find work when they are both school age, and I am trying to think of something I could do that would still allow me to educate them at home. Apart from addressing envelopes, is there anything someone with only a few A levels and no further qualifications can do from home? Or is there something I could maybe qualify to do, in the time between now and then?

I'm not averse to working but would really like to HE.
I'd appreciate any ideas or experiences...thankyou.

[AnnaSergeyevna]

become a teacher

[TeenyTinyToria]

If you have a partner, or childcare, you could do almost anything in the evenings.

Or how about selling things from home - Usborne Books, Avon, Kleeneze? Do you have any skills in things such as web design or computer related stuff that you could do as and when you have time?

[itsstillgood]

Firstly think seriously whether you really do need to work. I know many home ed families who manage on very little money. They go without cars/holidays abroad, grow much of their own food etc. Assuming you do there are ways of working and home eding.

Working outside the home is possible by working different times to dp assuming there is one or by using childcare or sharing childcare with a friend. Remember home ed does not have to happen in the usual allotted school day. Nothing wrong with working 9-5 3 days a week and spending the rest of the time with your kids. It is possible to find childminders who take home educated kids (you just have to make it clear that they are not responsible for their 'education').

Brings me to next suggestion - childminding, I know lots of home educating families who do this.
Internet provides lots of opportunity for earning money at home (I work for a kids activity website). You can tout for freelance jobs through sites like this www.elance.com/
Or these sites provide details of jobs/business opportunities
www.workingmums.co.uk/
www.mumandworking.co.uk/careers-advice-and-info/work-from-home /

Jobs that you can take the kids along such as selling books Usborne or Barefoot books fit well with home ed. Running classes aimed at kids either after school or preschool age can also be an option.

[SamanthaFox]

Thankyou for all the ideas and thoughts.

Unfortunately I don't have a partner, but could probably sort out childcare if I make the effort! I will have to work as a single parent, otherwise would be happy to get by on not very much but there would be nothing at all if I didn't work. At the moment I get income support which is very helpful, but it'll change once they are school age.

I also want to have the self respect that comes with doing something proper, but that's secondary to wanting them not to have to deal with school - especially secondary, though that should be easier to manage because they'll be older and thus more capable of being left alone sometimes.
I know ds1 can manage primary school, though it is difficult, but I worry that ds2 won't like it, in which case I will want to give him another option.

Down to actual jobs, well, being a teacher would be going against everything I feel in the usual sense, but if it would mean teaching kids at home I guess that would be different. I don't have any particular skills, not good enough to teach I don't think - and not very good at computers, sadly. But that's not to say I couldn't learn. That's why I'm thinking about it now so perhaps I could do a course and then try and get a job once I need to.

I hesitate to post much more because this thread was picked up and discussed on a political thread, and totally misread as well, so forgive me if I leave it now - but I will take the ideas you have given me and have a think about them.

Thanks very much for your help.

[piscesmoon]

Why not get a job as a TA at your DCs school-that way you can be involved and see that they are happy.

[MrsWobbleTheWaitress]

"I also want to have the self respect that comes with doing something proper,"

Well, your practical problems aside, why do you not feel that parenting your children full time is a respectably proper job?

[SamanthaFox]

I do...I just meant something in its own right, that isn't about them, and shows other grown ups what I can do. iyswim

because being honest, I'm not that great at being a parent! I have other skills that are worthwhile to people and it would be good to have an outlet for them - it's just finding something that will use them.
And I'm not even sure what they are! You know when you get random compliments, 'Oh you are so good at this, you should try doing it for a living' type of thing. But I can't think what it was about, now..

[SamanthaFox]

Pisces, I've thought about it...thanks for suggesting it. In many ways it would be lovely to be around them, but firstly I wonder how easy it is to get a job as a TA - particularly in the school/class you want, and whether they would even allow you to work in your child's class - I think they'd play up! And secondly, I am rubbish with children.
I mean I'm not too bad with them if we are playing and stuff, but when you need to have authority, well tbh I struggle with that even with my own kids. I don't think I would cut it.

I'll think of something - maybe seeing a careers advisor or doing some kind of questionnaire thing, that assesses your skills and directs you to a suitable job...I dunno.

[piscesmoon]

Not too sure why you want to HE in that case Samantha! They wouldn't let you work as a TA in your DCs class. However you could go in and volunteer and then work in your DCs class-they are always glad of help.
I would strongly suggest getting the career advice. I got some for free with online questionaire, but I can't remember where I went now. Google it and see what comes up-put in the word free. It might throw up things that you haven't though of. To me parenting is a full time job and I have no time for people who think that paid employment is superior, other than the salary,if you can't view it like that then being at home might not be the best place.
Can I ask (don't answer if you don't want to)are you keen to HE for the positive benefits or is it because you had negative experiences of school?