Schedules - Pam?

[Mickey]

I think you may be the only other home schooler here now, Pam, so I'm hoping to get your thoughts regarding the home schooling part of this, but I'm wondering what others think (even though most people with kids in school don't have a choice with regard to school schedules).

Pam, you mentioned in today's daily thread that your kids did school work last night and it made for an easier morning. Well, I've been thinking of doing the same thing, but I was thinking of doing it because ds is just NOT a morning person. He sits on his own and does work at night (I don't ask him to, he just does it), but in the morning, it's a huge struggle most days. It's like he's agitated and just can't concentrate in the morning. But in the evening, he thinks really clearly, is much calmer, and is very productive.

The reason I struggle to let him do school at night is the whole "schedule" thing and dh is home at night and I'd like for us to relax and have family time then. Also, dh thinks ds needs to be on a "normal" schedule--he thinks he needs to be in bed early and up early in the morning. He's usually up by 7 or 8 at the latest, but ds is a complete night owl (I was actually wondering if the moon and sun have some kind of effect on him).

But ds is truly at his best at night--he's content, happy, engaging, relaxed, clear-thinking, etc. I'm tempted to go with that and make the most of the best time of the day for him, but I'm conflicted over the schedule thing. Dh has made comments that makes me think he really thinks ds needs to be on the schedule of school kids, but I see this as another advantage of home schooling--being able to make the most of the best time of day for your child. I just believe that when they are most receptive of information, they will learn it and retain it better. But, if we did school in the evening, that would most likely mean that ds and I will be in another part of the house while dh is on his own. I know, I'd like for dh to join us and be involved with school, too, but I don't see that happening after a long and extremely stressful work day for him (and they are all like that, unfortunately)--he really needs to unwind and relax, so that's how it would most likely be (ds and I working in the other room while dh is hanging out on his own, probably working on the computer). I would definitely make sure that they had their music time together, though (they play guitar, drums, and keyboard together most evenings--kind of a jam session), but maybe I could still do school in the evening, while dh watched the news or did some work on the computer.

Pam, have you experienced anything similar with any of your kids? Do you know other home schoolers who have odd schedules?

What are your thoughts on this? Do you believe you can truly change someone's pre-disposed tendency with regard to natural circadian rhythm? Or should you just embrace it and realize that he will probably just grow up to be someone who works swing shift and love it?

[PamE]

None of my kids are night owls, but good friends of ours homeschooled (earlier grades) in the evening and loved it that way. In my opinion, the beauty of homeschooling is that you can tool it to meet your child's and your family's needs and desires. Maybe your dh wouldn't mind a trial run of schooling in the evenings, or maybe your ds could do his most difficult subjects in the evening when he's at his best. At least you know that he *can* work and function on a "normal" day-time schedule, but that he does better later in the day.

What time does your dh usually get home from work, Mick? Does your ds work better in the afternoons as well as evening? I hear you about not wanting to be away from your dh when he's home. Yes, I do think that your ds can be "re-programmed" to be a morning person (heck, I figure if I can do it, anyone can, LOL!), but, how necessary is it?

I'd say, tweak the schedule around for a while and find what works best for you all. Who cares what anyone else says or thinks! My girls are up by 6:30 and (on their own) start their schoolwork by 6:45. We're usually done by lunchtime (neither of them like taking breaks). That works okay for us, but it would be nice if they could be done with most things by about 9:00, then finish up after dinner at night. I'm thinking of trying that for a while, just to see how we like it. Some days it won't work that way, but some days will. We'll see.

[Mickey]

Thank you, Pam! That's a great idea to at least do his toughest subjects at night--that would definitely be helpful!

Dh gets home around 7 most nights. Which I really don't like because I don't like to have dinner that late. Ds is definitely much better when it's dark--doing school around 5 would work well in the winter, but the summer will be a bit trickier. But, again, it would be good if he could at least do his most challenging or least favorite subjects at night.

I think I will give it a try--I need to let go of my reservations, though. I do occasionally agree to let him do something at night and then when he does his work well and finishes it, I ask him to please jump right in an do his work nicely in the morning--and he agrees (and I do believe he intends to do it when he says it), but then the next morning comes and he fusses and pleads to do it later. If I just completely give in to it, and make it the schedule, I think it will work better than doing it half-heartedly and intermittently.

Thank you, again, Pam! I truly value your opinions and I really appreciate your thoughts on this!

[Mickey]

...My girls are up by 6:30 and (on their own) start their schoolwork by 6:45. We're usually done by lunchtime (neither of them like taking breaks). That works okay for us, but it would be nice if they could be done with most things by about 9:00, then finish up after dinner at night. I'm thinking of trying that for a while, just to see how we like it. Some days it won't work that way, but some days will. We'll see.

Wow! That's great that your girls are so into it and do what they need to do! I think there will be days when we will have to tweak the evening schedule (like evenings when there is practice for sports, we go out to dinner with friends, etc.), but I think it will work most nights without a problem--and we can always do the work earlier that day if we have plans or do it on the weekend if the outing is impromptu.

[PamE]

It's hard sometimes to change things from they way we've always done them, or seen them done. For the longest time I didn't homeschool... I public-schooled at home! It took me a long time to be able to relax a bit and be able to just go with the fact that not all kids are the same and not all kids thrive on the same schedule.

Let me know how things work out for you and ds on this schedule. I'm still wishy-washy on having the girls do some school in the evenings. I need to get dh's feedback on it (he usually sees things that I don't, pro or con) and go from there.

[Mickey]

I'm feeling more hopeful that it will be good for us. He really isn't learning as well as he could when he's fussing and resisting like he does in the morning. I will definitely let you know how it's working out for us! Let me know what you decide to do, too!

Thanks, again, Pam!

[PamE]

Hey Mick! Just wondered if you've been trying out the new schedule and how it's working for you. With Baby B here now you'd be a miracle-worker to get school in this soon after her arrival! (that's jmho, lol)

The night schedule doesn't consistently work for us. The girls will occasionally get some subjects done in the evening if we're going somewhere the next day, or if they feel like they need a lighter day, but it's not a daily schedule. I'm a bit bummed, but hey... whatever works, right?