How to Balance Life and Teaching with a Tutoring Business
As teachers, it’s easy to get lost in the comparison game. There are so many perfectly curated “Pinterest Classrooms.” It’s enough to make you feel bad about yourself.
I was recently talking to another tutor and she asked me:
“How do you juggle tutoring prep with everything else?”
I was humbled that she feels like I handle it all well. There are definitely days where I feel like I am flying by the seat of my pants.
Her question had me reflect on how I am balancing life, work, and a tutoring business. Teaching first grade full-time definitely consumes most of my day. My free time is left to family, responsibilities and tutoring.
I’ve made sure to say no more often. I’m currently at my limit for the number of kids I can tutor. If one more family were to ask for my services right now, I’d have to decline and put them on my waitlist.
A few years ago, I would’ve tried to make it all happen. What I’ve learned as I entered my 30’s, is that family is more important than other obligations. When I say yes to someone else, I’m saying no to my family.
Bottom line, don’t feel like you have to do it all. Whether you are tutoring 10 kids or just 1, it has to be on your terms and work for your life.
Starting a tutoring business is a great way to use skills you already have as a teacher without quitting your day job.
Too many teachers work side jobs that require crazy hours and low pay. Believe me, I’ve been there.
I’ve narrowed it down to just a few tips for successfully balancing time in your tutoring business. I think you’ll be surprised how simple they are yet effective. You can grow your business and still set boundaries around your personal life.
Keep it Simple
So often we want to make things fancy or overthink everything! Keeping your tutoring prep simple not only frees up your time, but it also saves you a headache. If your student is working on a specific skill, then focus on that skill. For example, kids who need extra help learning to read do well with this 30 minute session structure: 10 minute word word, 15 minute reading, 5 minute game. Overthinking or overplanning only punishes you and in the end, overwhelms your tutoring client.
Have Supplies Ready Ahead of Time
Making sure you have a wide variety of activities for your tutoring niche is important because it helps with saving time. That’s why I recommend tutoring in a specific content area so you aren’t constantly trying to cram or get creative with something you aren’t comfortable with. Don’t be afraid to have games prepped and ready for students. Kids like playing games and when they’re playing a game, they don’t even know they are learning.
Batch Prep a Few Weeks at a Time
It takes multiple sessions to learn something new let alone achieve mastery. You might be thinking that each tutoring session requires something new and exciting. IT DOESN’T. You might also have heard the quote “Repetition is the mother of skill.” This is 100% true. You don’t have to be Mr./Ms. FUN each and every time. If you allow the last 5-10 minutes of a tutoring session to include a game, then don’t get caught up thinking you have to have brand new material every session.
The ultimate goal is to spend less time prepping your tutoring sessions, so you can spend more time with your family and recharging your batteries!
A book that changed the way I plan my week out is The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. If you’re looking to take your business and life to the next level, I can’t recommend this book enough!
If you find yourself spending too much time on prep, take a few minutes and write down all the things you are doing for prep. What can you cut out? What ways are you being too hard on yourself? Let me know in the comments.
If you’re a tutor and feel like you are ready to take your side hustle to the next level, I’d love to help! Schedule your free business audit right now.
