...or, how homeschooling works in suits or sleepwear.
My friends are shocked when they arrive at my home and I'm still wearing jeans. My usual household fare is "comfy pants" -- soft shorts or sweats or pj bottoms -- pretty much anything my wife would urge me not to wear outside. I just don't see the point of chillaxin about my abode in anything not maximally comfortable.
But I always dress up for church (khakis and a button-up shirt). I typically wear a polo and jeans to work. I shower regularly.
And I grew up homeschooling in my pajamas.
My friend Mrs. C shared about how jammies are the up and coming problem in the homeschooling community. The dozens of comments on the original post are divided. On one side, there are people like me: Dress for the occasion, and the beautiful, flexible, enjoyable part of learning at home is best reflected in comfy sleepwear. On the other side, there are people who find it disrespectful and deleterious to learning to not show up each day in a suit; learning is too valuable to hinder by winging it after rolling out of bed.
Which Kind of Homeschooler are You?
If you're "not human" until after you've showered, had coffee, completed a workout, and had a quiet time with the Lord, do it. Dress to the nines and be productive and focused throughout your day.
But I don't have any trouble focusing in comfy pants. In fact, I've been writing and producing videos for years in the most relaxed wear I own. And while I appreciate a shower to help me wake up, I wrote a first draft of a book directly after rolling out of a bed and being blasted by my computer screen's searing blaze on my sleepy eyes. From what I've read, it's more about mindset and habituation than the formality of the fabric covering my legs.
Come over to my house some time. And while we sit around and chat, you can tell me if you think I'm
a) shirking responsibility
b) lazy and not really doing anything
c) just plain weird
Sitting there in my comfy pants, I'll give you a hint: "c" is the correct answer. Homeschoolers are strange. But I was also strange in college. And if you ask me, any guy who can show up to class in a bathrobe and graduate magna cum laude may be really odd, but his choice of clothes aren't hindering his education.
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Guardian
P.S. I went to college in California, so it was too hot to go to class in sweats and a bathrobe most days. I tended to wear shorts and a t-shirt.
Totally makes sense, Stephanie. And, yes: Dress appropriately for the occasion. And while we pj-loving people may complain about having to dress up (or, even, officially get dressed), I think we learn through church and sports and band and whatever-else how to choose correct attire. Thanks for sharing!
~Luke
I've tried it both ways with my now 14 year old son. Quite honestly, I didn't see much difference in how well he learned whether he was wearing jeans, khakis, sweats, or pajamas. So we typically do school now in pajamas or sweats. Which means Mom gets to dress like that too. I like being in my comfy clothes while at home. But if we go somewhere, we most definitely will get dressed in jeans or other regular clothes (no pajamas in public and rarely do I allow sweats!). They hate it and usually complain, but my boys are learning to dress according to what they're doing, where they are going, and who they'll be with. I feel that in one's own home, however, comfy clothes are usually just fine and definitely do not hinder the learning process.