Facebook
Twitter
RSS
One of the perks of homeschooling is the ability to stay in pajamas all day long. And my kids and I have taken advantage of that perk on more occasions than I can count. It's just easier to stay in those comfy pj's, right?
But what I've finally come to grips with is that for our family, wearing pajamas while we homeschool just doesn't work. Sure, it's easy to be lazy and not bother changing. But I've noticed that when we do stay in our pj's all day long, we don't accomplish things as quickly as when we're dressed in our street clothes.
Now I don't entirely understand the psychology of it, and I haven't conducted any scientific experiments related to pj-wearing homeschooling vs. non-pj-wearing homeschooling, but I'm convinced that staying in our pj's does not do us any good. So from now on I'm just going to have to be less lazy and force myself and my kids to get fully dressed before we start our school day. I know we'll be glad we did.
How about you? Are you pj-homeschoolers or non-pj-homeschoolers. And why?
Joy is the wife of 
I agree with you. I have to get up and dressed in the morning and I make the kids also. We get so much more done.
[Reply]
We used to have pajama day once a week. We were still able to get as much accomplished, but now my schedule is too active. We have to get dressed!
.-= Rhen @yestheyareallmine´s last blog ..God gave us Bill Cosby for a reason. =-.
[Reply]
It kind of depends on our day. Most days we do get dressed but it may not be something we would wear out in public. Like I hate-loath-despise bras but it is indecent for me to not wear one in public. I also won't wear yoga pants in public but they are comfy for around the house – but that could count as pajama wear.
.-= Christi´s last blog ..homeschooling according to their bent =-.
[Reply]
If it's a day that I know we don't have to be anywhere we stay in our jammies. We are just as productive in jammies as we are in street clothes. My kids still want to do their projects and whatever we have planned for that day.
.-= Rana´s last blog ..To vaccinate or not? =-.
[Reply]
We need to get dressed for a variety of reasons-unexpected company, or if something comes up, we can be ready to roll that much more quickly. Also, we have different 'levels' of day wear, ie, clothes we wear messing around the house, and 'town' clothes, clothes that fit well, aren't stained or ripped and have appropriate logos (if any). With 3 boys and a toddler, it just saves my sanity.
[Reply]
I was homeschooled K – 12th grade, and no, we couldn't wear PJs. We had to be dressed, beds made, dishwasher emptied & put away before breakfast. We also had to go outside: feed, water, brush, and clean up the yard (after the dog) before breakfast, which was between 7 – 7:30, so obviously we wouldn't be outside in our PJs at 6:45 AM.
But I'm thankful looking back.
I never really imagined it any other way! I remember as a child, thinking it was weird when my friends said 'i wish I were homeschooled! Then I could sleep in and wear PJs all day!' That was never my experience.
Now that you mention it (relating to homeschooling) I can see what a difference it would make!
Now as a pregnant SAHM of a 2yo and 1yo, those mornings when I don't shower & dress first thing, I feel like my day is all wrong, right from the start!
Definitely not as productive for me–but I know everyone is different.
.-= Becky´s last blog ..More Mara-Speak =-.
[Reply]
I loved hearing from Becky…so true. I don't necessarily believe it has to do with PJ's… as it does a morning routine. If our morning dosn't start right…we drag all day long. We do own "comfy" clothes for off days.
[Reply]
This is only my first year of homeschooling, but I am definitely against doing it in PJ's so far. I get up and get completely ready, as if I were taking them to school. They have to be dressed and ready, too. We have a start time and an end time, as well. Works for us!
.-= everydayMOM´s last blog ..Single digits =-.
[Reply]
@Christi, Maybe I should clarify that it feels indecent to be without a bra in public but then my generation wore underwear and didn't show off the underwear – well, except Madonna.
.-= Christi´s last blog ..homeschooling according to their bent =-.
[Reply]
No PJ's here. Everyone – including me – has to be dressed and ready for the day by 8am.
[Reply]
@Tammy, Since I teach piano lessons almost everyday starting at 3, if I'm not dressed at the beginning of the day, I feel like I have to stop the school day by 2:00 or 2:30 so we can all get presentable for my students. So I guess that's yet ANOTHER reason for us to forget about wearing pj's all day long
[Reply]
We have a specific time to be at the table, ready for school. The girls need to have teeth brushed & dirty laundry down. I don't particularly care about the pj's. I'm usually in them until silent reading time. Then I shower while they read.
I leave it up to them. But if I see a decline in work when pjs are on, I would absolutely have them get dressed in street clothes before starting. Right now it's probably 2 out of 5 days that they leave their pjs on.
.-= mandy´s last blog ..I can always count on Tim Hawkins for a laugh =-.
[Reply]
I stopped by your blog to verify that you were still hosting your Thursday "theme day".
In case you aren't sure why I would do that, please first go here: http://thehousethatlovebuilt.xanga.com/712911712/today–/
and then read this one:
http://thehousethatlovebuilt.xanga.com/712911311/sept-theme-days/
I see that you still are, so I shall leave you on the lists
For what it's worth – have you visited a local high school lately? "pajama pants" are every-where!!
THANKS!!!
Cheryl B.
.-= Cheryl B.´s last blog ..Boo and the Gatorade bottle =-.
[Reply]
I like to be dressed before we start our "school" day. But sometimes my daughter jumps right into her schoolwork before she even brushes her teeth, and before I know it, it's 11o'clock and we're both still in pj's with bedhead. All that to say, sometimes we ARE effective doing schoolwork in jammies.
.-= MamaHall´s last blog ..soccer sweetie =-.
[Reply]
We usually get dressed immediately. At least the kids do. Lately I've been showering after breakfast, and that works OK, but not as well.
Annie Kate
[Reply]
We don't do pj's either. I feel like part of my job is to prepare my kids for the world. If they are in the habit of getting dressed before school, then that is one less thing they will have to change when they are old enough to get a job.
I bet, though, that my kids will be the ones working from home! LOL
.-= Tracy´s last blog ..Why I Homeschool =-.
[Reply]
Absolutely agree with you. We may eat breakfast in jammies, but school must be done DRESSED. That makes it even more special when we stay in PJs until 2 PM on a Saturday.
.-= Jimmie´s last blog ..Patriotism for National Day =-.
[Reply]
Hahaha, feeling like the rebel here after reading all the responses above. But no, we don't get dressed before tackling any school work..unless we want to or have to be some place before "schooling". Why should we? Isn't that just like being in public school which is NOT what I am wanting for my kiddos. They know they must be dressed to go someplace outside the home (ie. jobs, etc), but to us homeschooling is just as much about relaxing as it is about learning and relaxing is something that can only happen at home. A very big reason that my kids are NOT in public school. IMHO
[Reply]
Great post Joy! 100% agreement. P.S. love the "new" look.
.-= Amanda @ Better is Little´s last blog ..Court orders Christian homeschooled girl to attend public school =-.
[Reply]
we usually don't wear pjs when we homeschool beause of the same reasons you stated. We end of having a more laid back day and don't get as much done. What we do is every once and awhile (a day when there is not much to do) we will have a pj day. It makes pj days more special.
.-= Kelly W´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: Sharing a good book =-.
[Reply]
Every Monday is "PJ Day" in our home. If the kids wish, they can stay in their pj's all day long. It started when my kids were very young and for whatever reason loved their pj's. They asked every day if they could wear their pj's. Rather than answering the question over and over, we created their own special pj day and it's gone on ever since. It works since we don't usually have appointments or company, being that it's the first day of our week. Any other day, and it's "up and at 'em" with our regular clothes on.
[Reply]
I like to get dressed and be ready for the day. I would not like seeing my kids in pj's all day. I do think it would influence your mindset and mood.
However, I do allow them to do it sometimes in the winter, when it is cold and snowy out. We snuggle in blankets and read with hot chocolate and such.
[Reply]
We get dressed every day. It's just part of the routine. And if we don't do the routine, then the day just never seems to work right. We don't always pull off a perfect morning or a perfect day (rarely) .. but I try to focus on having a Productive Day. I found a lot of help for my highly distracted oldest daughter through Flylady and the Maxwells.
.-= Rachel R´s last blog ..Kendra's Art Project 1 – Shading =-.
[Reply]
We get more done in our pjs! No feeling to run errands, and to get dressed-you have to finish your work first…it seems to work for us
We get started faster and finish quicker
[Reply]
We have 5 children & have been homeschooling for 6 yrs. We didn't use to get dressed either, but I found out the same thing, we seemed to drag all day if we didn't! Now we all have to be dressed, teeth brushed, hair combed, & chores (beds made, rooms straightened, animals fed) done before we start. We usually don't start until around 10:30 a.m. but it works out great for us. We do not set our alarm in the morning, either, usually we are up between 8:30 or 9:00, but I feel that is one of the many blessings of homeschooling…..we can sleep in!! lol
[Reply]