School at Home vs. Homeschool

You may read the title of this post and ask, "What's the difference? Aren't they the same thing?" I would have thought that same things when I started. Coming from the public school I wanted to "school at home." I pictured desks in neat rows and me at the board going through lessons with my kids. Schedules and timers, recess and lunch, all according to the clock were part of my plan. What I found out was that the public schools use a model because they have 20+ kids in each classroom and they need that rigid structure to make their day work perfectly. I'm a mom with 4 kids of all varying ages and when I try to do that, it fails. I do have a flow to my day but it's not on a specific time schedule. That's one of the awesome benefits of homeschooling. Life happens. The baby needs to be fed. I try to keep my kids going and feed the baby. The toddler throws a tantrum, so maybe we wait until nap time to finish school. It's a gorgeous day outside, so maybe we cut the day short and go enjoy nature instead. It's all about flexibility and freedom. I'm in the driver's seat, not my schedule.

When we homeschool, we have the individual child's needs in mind. I can skip lessons or dive deeper. I can spend more time on a specific concept. The reality of public school is they don't have the time to do that unless the majority of the students are struggling with a concept. They need to teach to the middle. It's not anyone's fault. It's simply the way the system works.

So before you go buy desks, bells, and type up a schedule by times and subjects, consider that your homeschool doesn't need to look like the public school, nor should it. It should fit your family! I know families who have a spouse that works 2nd shift, so maybe they alter their schedule to fit his so they can spend more time with him. Maybe you have little ones and they are a distraction, so instead you may homeschool while they nap. Maybe you work part-time, so you do school on the weekends to make your week less stressful. There is no one-size-fits-all. I encourage you to look at what your family needs. Read our post Encouragement for Your Homeschool Journey for some more encouragement!

Jessica