I suspect that making the transition from a public or Christian school to homeschooling is probably one of the most challenging things a parent can attempt. Whereas before you just bought the children some new clothes, a few pencils, and a book bag—and dropped them off at school (I know, Mom. It’s not quite that simple.) now all the mysterious stuff that happened at school is up to you.

While I am in a suspecting mood, I also suspect that many parents, in trying to set a daily schedule for their home school, don’t look much past the public or Christian school for a model. Is there any other way? You don’t want to appear disorganized. It has to be OK if most folks do it that way, right?

Well…no.

Public and Christian day schools have very similar schedules in the nature of the case. They have multiple rooms, multiple teachers, scores of students, and usually several extra-curricular activities. Those considerations, rather than what might be best academically for the students, dictate the relatively rigid and unchanging schedule. It just gets too complicated to let other, perhaps higher, motives rule.

It just doesn’t have to be that way in your home school. Your schedule can be more organic, and by that I mean that it can fit into your normal household routine. You can actually think outside the day school box here. If, on a particular day, you want to do a bit of school in the early morning, then another bit later in the day—do it. If you want to let Johnny do his grammar “homework” right after the lesson and while the material is still fresh in his mind—do it. If a certain day becomes packed with doctor’s appointments or other necessary tasks, consider canceling “class” that day, particularly if it will reduce stress. At home, it is not necessary that every day look the same. While you want to maintain some sense of regularity in your schedule, nothing awful will happen if you aren’t rigid about it. It is actually one of the beauties of homeschooling that you can leave the day school schedule behind.

I think most of us dream occasionally, usually while at work, about being in charge of our own schedule. Well, Mom, here’s your chance. As a home school teacher, your schedule is up to you. Enjoy the freedom!