I hate that you are in this tough situation! I agree with all that has been said, as well.
I do work part-time, and it is VERY difficult. Every year, I wonder how I will be able to do it AND Homeschool well AND be a good Mommy and a good Wife. I feel like I don't do it well at all! But, because my husband truly doesn't feel like we can make it financially without me working, I do. I drive a public school bus, which is difficult because it is a split shift. Mornings aren't so bad, but the afternoons about kill me! I feel my children have suffered in their schoolwork, have gotten behind in certain subjects, etc. I fit in what I feel is most important....Bible, History, Character Training and such, and then when I leave, they are left to try to tackle the 3 R's without me. It has been a struggle!

I've switched curriculums numerous times since having to work the last 3 years, trying to find CM friendly, yet rich curriculum but still struggled to fit it all in. LA, MATH and Reading have been the most difficult as they NEED a teacher for those. I finally found a math program that works, mostly without me (unless they are struggling with a particular concept). LA and Reading has remained a struggle. What happens is that I will get them started, but have to leave mid lesson and they lose interest or are unmotivated to finish because 1) they don't understand it or 2) they don't have the accountability of me being there to make sure they are working on it. Then, when I get home, we are all DONE. No one wants to do school that late in the day, and besides, my husband prefers that the kids be done with school before he gets home.
I have 3 children. One is 13 and going into 8th grade, one is 10 and going into 5th and one is a preschooler. I was and still am very concerned about the upcoming school year, as I'm adding my 3rd child into the homeschooling mix. Previously, I pieced together my own curriculum, and wrote my own lesson plans in order for it to be as CM as possible. This just added to the stress!

Then, the Lord led me to HOD. I will be TRYING to do 3 guides this fall and working P/T. I'm not sure how it's going to work, but atleast I will not have to write my own lesson plans!

I think the hardest part has been not being able to have the flexibility that most homeschoolers have. We don't get to sleep in, we don't get to do many field trips (because we live in the country 45 minutes from the city where the "action" is, and trying to fit things in between route makes it unenjoyable/stressful) and the interuption of our day with the afternoon route just really bothers me and the kids.
In the mean time, my husband is trying to find another job. The reason I had to go to work after 10 years of not working, was because my husband took a full - time youth ministry position. Our income was reduced by more than half, and it has been a struggle. We do ok, but I do work. Now that we have been here for 4 1/2 years, my hubby is feeling that it is time to focus on our own family (we have been in youth ministry since we got married 17 1/2 years ago - just in a part -time position until the last 4 1/2). We honestly just need a break from ministering to others for awhile. He has been looking for another job for a year, and has had some interviews, even second interviews (more than once) but has not gotten another job yet. Until he does, I will continue to work. I am glad that I found HOD, because I'm hoping it will free up some time and still allow us to get more school in. Especially in the areas of the 3 R's.
I say all this to let you know that IT IS POSSIBLE! It is hard, but it can be done. My kids took an achievement test this year just to ease my mind. They did much better than I thought!

My son scored lower than I'd like on his reading, but I knew he would. My daughter scored lower in Reading and Math than I'd have liked, but I knew she would with her math, especially. They did, however, do much better than I thought they would in English and my son scored off the charts in math, so I have to say, it can be done!
It takes alot of prayer to get me through, especially on some days. But, I wouldn't give up homeschooling for anything. I am praying that HOD really lessons my stress! (And, that we all LOVE it!) I've already started my preschooler on LHTH and she does love it!
I will be praying that you don't have to work, but that if you do, the Lord will get you through!
In Christ,
Dena