Setting Boundaries as a Working Homeschool Mom

As a working homeschool mom, setting boundaries for your business or job is crucial for success in both areas. It is important to set personal and professional standards with your children and clients regarding workload, timelines, and even payments to present yourself as a professional and responsible (mom and) worker.

This post is part of my Help for Homeschool Mompreneurs Series of 10 posts full of
valuable resources and tips for working homeschool moms.

Help for homeschooling mompreneurs series.

The Importance of Setting Boundaries

Setting Boundaries for Business When You Homeschool text overlay on image of an open laptop, cup of coffee and planner on a desk

Contrary to popular belief, boundaries should be set for yourself just as much as for others. In fact, recent research from Purdue University suggests that setting work-life boundaries as remote workers positively impacts physical health, reduces stress, and plain makes us all happier.

Without setting boundaries, you’ll possibly fall into the trap of trying to do all and be all. And that can have devastating long-term health consequences when your plate is full as a working, homeschooling mother.

Boundaries help you stay on track with tasks, activities, and goals. It’s a great idea to establish boundaries for every area in life – especially business – to prevent you from getting stressed and burnt out.

How to Set Boundaries for Business When You Homeschool

Mom with laptop and daughter reading sitting on couch. — It can be tough to set boundaries around work and homeschool. Photo credit: Canva Pro.

Although the suggestions made below pertain particularly to business, the principles can be applied in every area of life.

1. Create a contract

Not only do contracts protect your business and work, but you can also use them to communicate your work hours, mandatory time off, payment specifications, and any other information about how you conduct business.

When clients sign your contract, they agree to all stated (unless they say otherwise); therefore, make sure you abide by what’s stated. Don’t get into the habit of working beyond your set hours. Speaking of which…

2. Setting boundaries includes establishing a work schedule

If you haven’t done so already, create a working homeschool mom schedule. Your work schedule can be divided into time blocks and then filled with the day’s tasks that need to be completed. Remember that your work hours can differ from your correspondence hours.

Schedule times to answer emails, take calls, conduct meetings, and so on. Make sure your schedule flows with everything else you have going on in life. Set your work schedule and then your homeschool and extra curricular schedule.

3. Keep communication lines open

Keep communication lines open with your clients, colleagues, and family members. Photo credit: Canva Pro.

If you find yourself having to miss a deadline, let your client (or boss) know. If you need to reschedule something, let them know. Need more time on a project? Ask.

When communication is open, it makes for a stronger work relationship and shows your willingness to be honest. At the end of the day, we are all human. Things will happen, and changes will happen.

4. Use a planner to stay organized

Lack of organization is one of the top reasons work and life boundaries break. Part of keeping those boundaries in place is always knowing what you’re doing, what is expected of you, and what is expected of others.

This includes keeping track of times, due dates and deadlines.

Use your planner to note all things business-related. Some moms use one planner for work and homeschool, while others (like myself) use two separate planners. I record important and need-to-know dates that affect one or the other in both planners, but most are separate.

5. Remove any distractions

This includes turning your phone off or on silent and staying focused. While you’re at it, make every effort not to mix working while homeschooling. This means no answering emails from your phone while your children seem occupied with an assignment or vice versa.

If you have your own home office, shut the door!

Whatever boundary you want to get set, you have to be intentional about creating the habit around it. If you train yourself to multitask, you will be less productive.

Setting boundaries is a healthy thing to do for yourself, your business, and your homeschool. Don’t hesitate to move them as you see fit and keep everything properly prioritized.