FR Homeschool Haven

June 28, 2004 | LadyShallott

[LadyShallott]

This thread is for those who homeschool, those who want to homeschool, and those who support homeschool families. I know that we face many obstacles, and this is a place for support. Let's create a true "haven" for us to gather and discuss homeschooling within our FR home.

This weeks topic is: The "S" Word

I know that many if not all of us have heard the socialization argument voiced by friends and family. Many of my friends that have recently started homeschooling have been at a loss in terms of what to say or how to handle this. Some who have been homeschooling for years find themselves on the defense because of this topic. Many don't realize that we have chosen to homeschool because of the type of social interaction our children would/will face in the public school system. What are your thoughts on this? What positive social impact has homeschooling had on your own children? How do you personally handle the topic when it is brought up? I assumed if my homeschooling group is dealing with this, others might be as well. Hopefully this will help some that may be dealing with the same issue(s). God Bless! Have a great Monday!

[LadyShallott]

*FR Homeschool Haven Ping*

* If you would like to be added/dropped from this list please let me know. I'm sorry I didn't post last week, we were camping. :)

[LadyShallott]

*FR Homeschool Haven Ping* :)

[ZGuy]

Here is the proper response to that: "Well, we understand that socialization is important, and we've decided to socialize them not to be rote followers but to be the leaders who will lead your children into the future."

JUST KIDDING!
(A true leader is a servant)

Actually, I do two things when this comes up :

I tell them that homeschooled kids have plenty of social interaction through playgroups, church, Awana, sports (t-ball, soccer. etc) as well as a homeschool band that is in our area. But more importantly, I use this as an opportunity to be an "evangelist" for homeschooling -- informing them of just why we aren't sending our kids to public schools. By the time I'm done, they usually want to get their kids out of the government schools too.

[LadyShallott]

Here is the proper response to that: "Well, we understand that socialization is important, and we've decided to socialize them not to be rote followers but to be the leaders who will lead your children into the future."

Excellent!!! LOL. I usually respond in the same way that you do. Most of my non-homeschooling friends are actually talking about homeschooling now. I never thought that would happen. The more we talked the more they listened, and they agreed on most of the issues that I addressed. If I could just get my mother to quit calling me about the supposed horror of homeschooling.... I guess that's another thread. :)

[Knute]

I did not homeschool my children. I was unaware of the "movement" until 1994 and at that point my son was already graduated and my daughters were in High School.
My observation since has been that "by and large" most of the homeschooled kids that I meet are very gifted in the social realm and able to converse with adults as well as their peers at a level beyond that of their public schooled friends. I also add the caveat that there ARE some people who should NOT homeschool. The dedication and creativity needed to do it well are not present in all parents. I have seen a few kids that have really fallen behind in their academics because of parents who are not 100% involved in the process.

[Proud 2BeTexan]

At what other time in life are we in a group surrounded only by people our exact age?

In a homeschool setting, children deal with real life, and learn to interact with people of all ages, not just their peers.

Most homeschool children I know get PLENTY of socialization!!! Church, homeschool support groups, scouts, sports, church youth groups, Sunday School, on and on and on! Unless you keep your children home 24/7, and keep them locked in their rooms, or something, I don't see how the big S word is even an issue.

[dd5339]

Please add myself and vic3o3 to the ping list.

Thanks and Semper Fi

[LadyShallott]

Unless you keep your children home 24/7, and keep them locked in their rooms, or something, I don't see how the big S word is even an issue.

It's not really an issue for those who do homeschool, myself being one of them. I don't know any families who aren't involved in at least some of the groups that you listed (sunday school, sports, etc). It's the outside opinions of those who choose not to homeschool who repeat it ad nauseum. It gets tired after awhile. So the issue is more to enlighten those around us, not to enlighten those who are already homeschooling.

[LadyShallott]

Will do! Consider it done. :)

[T. P. Pole]

Q-"How do you handle socialization?"

A-"But we don't want our kids to be socialists."

[Max Combined]

Ask them to compare the average home school student with the typical public high school student. By their fruits you shall know them.

[Vic3O3]

Proud2betexan stole my line! ;)

At what other time in life are we in a group surrounded only by people our exact age? In a homeschool setting, children deal with real life, and learn to interact with people of all ages, not just their peers.

[T. P. Pole]

Actually, we have had this conversation with many of our teacher friends. I remember one case where I had dropped my son off at cub scouts and was chatting with a teacher who was also waiting for her kids. Just didn't quite understand how stupid the "how about socialization" sounded while our kids were playing together down the hall.

After a length chat, it seems that her concern was that my kids would not be exposed to the bullies and such, and therefore would not know how to handle them. I considered promising that I would beat up my kid in the bathroom at home, or that I would be sure to let him play at her house, on order for him to get his fill of bad behavior.

But I just grinned.