📢 How I Structure My Day as a Homeschooling, Working Mom

Hey, mama! 💛 If you’ve ever wondered how in the world a homeschooling mom can balance a full-time job, daily lessons, and family life—while still finding time for herself—I’m here to tell you: it’s possible! 🙌

It’s not always easy, but with some strategic planning (and a little creativity!), I’ve found a rhythm that works for my family—even while living on Eastern Time but working on Pacific Time! 🕰️

☀️ My Current Daily Schedule

(Living in EST, Working in PST Time Zone)

✅ Morning (8 AM - 11 AM EST) – Breakfast, core homeschool subjects, and independent reading.
✅ Midday (11 AM - 1 PM EST) – Snack & outdoor play (while I catch up on work emails/slacks!).
✅ Nap & Quiet Time (1 PM - 3 PM EST) – I deep-dive into work calls while the little ones rest.
✅ Afternoon (3 PM - 5 PM EST) – Hands-on learning, activities, or more outside play.
✅ Evening (5 PM - 7 PM EST) – Dinner prep & family time before my West Coast meetings.

I won’t sugarcoat it—most days feel like a whirlwind! But I’ve learned that prioritizing structure while staying flexible is key.

✨ Big Changes Coming: Welcoming Our Au Pair!

Before we embarked on this homeschooling journey, my husband and I knew we'd need more support long term so we reallocated a fraction of our previous daycare budget to find a method of childcare that benefits our homeschooling lifestyle. We started looking beyond traditional childcare and found an in-home solution that works for our family’s unique needs: an AU PAIR! 🎉

At first, the idea felt out of reach—was this even affordable? Would it work for our schedule? But after researching, we realized that an au pair is actually a cost-effective alternative to daycare or hiring a full-time nanny.

Here’s why we made this decision:
✔️ Our Kids Stay Home – No rushing out the door, no long commutes to daycare.
✔️ More Flexibility – Our au pair will support after-homeschool learning time, snacks, and outside play while we work.
✔️ Budget-Friendly – When compared to traditional childcare, an au pair actually made more financial sense for us.
We have 3 kids under 5 and daycare was costing us close to $40k/year whereas and an au pair is almost half that cost.

Once our au pair arrives, our day will look something like this:
⏳ Morning: Mom and Dad typically tag-team mornings for our 3 boys.
7-8a: Breakfast (Dad)
8-9a: Get ready for school (Mom and/or Dad)
9-12p: Homeschooling starts with our co-op group Monday-Thursday (Mom)

⏳ Afternoon: She’ll take the kids outside while I focus on meetings.
12-1p: Lunch (au pair) / Mom starts working
1-3p: Nap or Quiet Time (au pair) / Heads down work for Mom
3-4p: Outside and/or Play time for the boys (au pair) / Mom prep dinner

⏳ Evening: More family time with the peace of mind that work is done. 4-5p: Indoor play time for the boys (au pair) / Dad finishes up his work day
5-7p: Boys start winding down / Mom's work day winds down
7-8p: Dad starts bedtime & Mom joins

Sounds like a lot, right? But the extra help will benefit my husband and I tremendously, we don't ever get any breaks or time alone, but now we'll have more opportunities to rediscover our hobbies, spend quality time together, and enjoy work knowing our kids are safe at home with us. 💕

💡 Thinking Outside the Box for Childcare

I’m sharing this because I want you to know that daycare isn’t the only childcare option! If you’re struggling to juggle everything, here are some creative childcare alternatives to consider:

✔️ Au Pairs – A cultural exchange program that brings childcare into your home.
✔️ Homeschool Co-Ops – Parents trade off teaching days to share the load.
✔️ Part-Time Nannies – Flexible options without the full-time cost.
✔️ Work & Learn Groups – Team up with other homeschooling parents for shared teaching time.

You don’t have to do this alone, mama. There are options! And if bringing in help means you can be more present, less stressed, and have the energy to enjoy homeschooling AND working—then it’s worth considering.

💬 Let’s Chat!

I’d love to hear from you! Are you considering alternative childcare options? What does your homeschool/work schedule look like? Hit reply and let’s chat! 💛

With grace and grit,
Imani ✨