Both parents work outside the home in nearly half of all two-parent families with school-age children. This scenario will greatly limit the ability of these families to homeschool. My family has homeschooled for 20 years and we’ve lived to tell about it! Let’s challenge the two-income paradigm. Ready, set, go!
Why do both parents work?
As this trend has grown since the 1970s, we can see parallels in our culture: bigger homes, faster cars, longer vacations to better destinations, nicer clothes, more technology, more toys, fancier food, designer labels, boujee services for hair, nails, skin, eyelashes…need I go on?
Of course, we want all this. Who wouldn’t when marketing firms are so good at promoting a life that is “extra”! I want to be extra, don’t you? Being extra costs money. Or does it?
John 1:12-13 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
Well, that’s pretty extra! To be adopted into God’s family! We are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) and God is our heavenly Father! Can you feel the weight of this? This should be a balm to our soul and satisfy our heart knowing how “extra” we truly are!
Where do you derive your worth?
All the glitz and glam in the world isn’t going to make your heart satisfied. Deep inside I think we all know that. Reach out to God to be satisfied with his good gifts:
Matthew 7:11
11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Matthew 7:11 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Why do we need so much stuff?
Even those who truly understand their value in Christ end up in lifestyles with so much stuff! Endless trips to The Goodwill reveal how much we inventory in our homes and how much of it we don’t need. The minimalism trend sweeping across America is a testament to that!:
No matter how you slice it, the bottom line is this:
We get accustomed to a lifestyle standard and don't want to make any sacrifices.
I do want to recognize that some families are in truly unique circumstances that can’t be avoided and both parents working is required. This article is for families who can make a different choice.
“Wait wait wait! We both have to work to eat and pay bills! We aren’t going on any fancy vacations over here!”
I totally understand. Things are so expensive! Have you and your spouse ever sat down and taken a good hard look at your financial picture? Do you have a budget? Do you know where all your money goes? Are you getting fancy coffee shop drinks several times a week, eating out at restaurants occasionally, buying a few luxury items here and there? I know it doesn’t feel like you are living the high life, but hidden expenses are…hidden! Do you know where yours are?
What can you do without?
This is a crucial question. What things are truly important to your family, and what things have you been conditioned into thinking are non-negotiable?
This requires digging into your expenses and lifestyle. Some families may find they have things that are relatively easy to cut out and do without, and homeschool is possible on one income.
Are you willing to do this? If you have been wanting to homeschool and live a different life, are you willing to sacrifice your current standard of living to make it happen? How important is homeschooling to you and your children?
Other families may have to make some really tough decisions to live on one income so a parent can homeschool.
Are the sacrifices sustainable? Is one parent giving up too much to make it happen? What is being given up? How important is homeschooling to you and your children?
These questions will guide you to the answers. No one has the answers but you. I do know that if God has called you into homeschooling, he will equip you to do just that!
Hebrews 13:21a [Now may the God of peace] 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ,
These questions will guide you to the answers. No one has the answers but you. I do know that if God has called you into homeschooling, he will equip you to do just that!
Is all this worth it?
Yes. Unequivocally yes. At the end of your life, will you regret not working more and having more things, or not homeschooling? Not everyone wants to homeschool, and that’s OK. We all get to live our own lives and make our own choices, and no one gets to judge another family for theirs.
If you feel a heart desire (you know that little nudge deep inside?) to homeschool, but only see the obstacles, it’s time for a new vantage point.
It’s time to pray God reveals to you all the open doors you aren’t seeing and to stop walking into all the doors he has shut. That’s why you always have a big bump on your head!
We are certainly conditioned in our day and age to think the two-income family is the only “normal” way we can exist, but it just isn’t true.
Our family has struggled and done without all the extras, but God always provides what we need. Maybe this is a chance to see God show up for your family? I wonder what he has in store?
Case in point
I had a good friend at co-op who was working multiple jobs to be able to take a fancy vacation each year. The family loved the vacation and looked forward to it. Although mom loved the vacation too, she was completely burned out. I could see it in her face each week at the co-op.
One day when we were talking, I asked her if all the hours working and being tired and pulled in so many directions was really worth a few weeks away each year? I asked her what life would be like if she quit all the extra jobs and didn’t take a vacation.
Months later she told me she did just that! And…she has never been happier! It was worth it to give up the vacation to have less stress and more time available all year long. She gave up jobs she enjoyed, but nothing compares to balance in life and investing in what matters most!
Could that be homeschooling for your family?
What concerns do you have about living on one income?
Leave a comment below and join the conversation?
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Thank you so very much! I’m delighted you enjoyed the post! I’m putting out content almost every day so you won’t have to wait long! 🙂 If you have any thoughts on a post that would be helpful I’m open to suggestions! I’m here to help! God bless you, my friend!