Homeschooling It is probably the most common question asked by people who have never met a homeschooler or by people who are interested in homeschooling.
“But what about my child’s socialization?”
“Will they ever interact with peers their own age?”
“Will my child have friends?”
“Won’t their social skills suffer from being home all the time?”
Today I want to share with you why socialization should not intimidate you from homeschooling your children. Your children really will turn out okay! After all, I did, and I am a homeschool graduate! I was homeschooled from kindergarten through 12th grade, beginning in the late 80’s. My parents had decided to homeschool us for religious reasons—many of the same reasons my husband and I have decided to homeschool our daughter. I don’t know if my mom was ever concerned about us “not having friends” by being homeschooled. I remember, as a child, going to the library, hanging out with other families from church, and also attending our local homeschool co-op meetings. I also grew up with a close group of other homeschool families. We would get together on a weekly basis for field tips or just to hang out. A small group of us also started hosting weekly, healthy living and cooking classes in one of the families’s homes. That led us to an opportunity to record 6 cookings shows for the 3ABN satellite station. It was an amazing experience and one that I know none of us will ever forget! Talk about the ultimate field trip experience! Technology was not what it is now. We did not have a computer in our home until the very late 90’s. Once we did, I immediately began writing my own print newsletter. I ended up sending out about 80-90 copies a month of this newsletter to my subscribers, most of whom were the 100+ pen-pals I wrote to from all over the world! This was before the word “blog” was even invented! We didn’t have Internet until the early 2000s. Once we did, my brother and I took advantage of all the instant messaging and forums for homeschoolers. Of course, all of this was closely monitored by my parents and we were only allowed to talk to people we actually knew. Many of my snail mail pen-pals started becoming online chat buddies and we kept in touch for a number of years! My closest and best friend I actually met in one of these online forums. I was introduced to her by a mutual friend and we ended up meeting in real life a year later. We have become like sisters, and now we are raising our families together! We get together for family vacations and text and chat regularly! So why am I telling you all this? Because homeschooling and having a social life is possible! I know many homeschool moms that I talk to actually say they have to cut back on social engagements because they would never be home if they didn’t! Here are some ideas:
- Church (Sunday/Sabbath school, youth groups, moms & tots, MOPS)
- Club groups (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, American Heritage Girls, Adventurers, Pathfinders)
- Sports activities (Community teams, public/private school teams—check with your local public or private school to see what options are available for homeschoolers)
- Community programs (library, theater, orchestra, etc.)
- Music classes
- Dance/Ballet Gym or gymnastics programs
- Community college classes (for older, high school age children—I took community college classes starting at age 16).
- Homeschool co-op groups
- Group field trips
- Play groups
There are honestly so many options out there for homeschoolers that if you tried to do them all, you would probably run yourself and your family ragged! But that is what is wonderful about homeschooling, you are in complete charge of your schedule! My mom always said I grew up with more friends than she ever did and she went to public school. Many of my friends from back in “high school” are still close friends. Don’t let homeschooling and the “s” word intimidate you! You’ve got this! Blessings, Heather
Heather Greutman is a Christian wife, mother, homeschool graduate, blogger, and Occupational Therapy Assistant, striving to be a Proverbs 31 woman with all her “words fitly spoken like apples of gold in settings of silver” (Proverbs 25:11). She writes at Growing Hands on Kids about Christian Montessori-inspired homeschool with an Occupational Therapy twist! You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google +
Great article…we actually have to say no to activities, field trips, & get togethers so we can get schoolwork done 🙂
That seems to be a common theme I hear! But I’m sure the kids wouldn’t mind! 😉
I was homeschooled from the fourth grade through high school, beginning in the 80’s also. I also made a print newsletter through high school and sent them all over the world, too! How hilarious! You know, I never thought of it as a blog, but it sort of was! That’s a great connection!!!
“Socialization”….never a problem! AT ALL!!!
That is too hilarious!! It was definitely the thing back then I guess! I know all my homeschool friends were sending them out too! And you are right, socialization is definitely never a problem!!
My favorite is when someone comments on my kids social skills such as “Wow, they are so polite” “Wow, they are so well behaved”, “They listen so well”, and so on and then as soon as they find out they are homeschooled…..”Well how do you socialize them?”. Ummm…..well you were just impressed with how they were acting in public so they must be ok. LOL!
That is what I was thinking of when I read this. Most people think about socialization in terms of having lots of acquaintances or doing lots of activities, but I don’t think that is nearly as important as what you have said, April. Friends are great, and I am thankful that we have so many opportunities like Heather mentioned in the post, but I think it’s much more than that!
I know. I do think friends are important but social skills to me are more about how you go about the day to day tasks that involve other people. If you get that right you will be able to make friends and have a good social life.
With our kids , there doesn’t seem to be a problem at all. Church has so much going on that those friends seem to have about the same back ground as ours do. They seem to weed out the ones that don’t match up with themselves as times goes on. Other activities seem to just fall into place. They are all in summer sports, swimming, baseball,etc. Birthday parts, and graduation seem to all fit into places . I can’t see where they miss anything. Maybe bad language, and being rude. (Thank Goodness) and your right they learn so much more at home,respect,being polite,manners,the right grammer.ect. They are better off, and so am I knowing what they are being taught and how.