I can't believe I'm starting another blog
but I'm pretty excited about having a gathering
place for homeschool moms!
Since time is short...all the time,
I probably won't post more than once a week.
However, what I'd love to see is,
for those of you needing encouragement,
answers to questions, suggestions, etc., etc....
anything homeschool-related,
to leave a comment.
Then, it would be great for other HS moms
(ok, dads too), to check in and leave
a comment answering questions or giving suggestions.
Make sense?
So, PLEASE check back frequently
to read and leave comments.
We'll see how that works for a while!
I plan to continue gathering info regarding
all of you out there who would like to
contribute.
Let's start with this topic:
Socialization.
The most frequently asked question that I get
is..."but what about socializing for your kids?"
I.hate.this.question.
Why is it that in public schools, people constantly
complain about large class sizes,
yet a class size of about 4,5,6...10,
(Mom and kids),
is so anti-social???
Give me a break!!
Don't get me wrong...kids need friends.
They need activities (limited).
But day by day I can't think of anything more
important than the one person on earth
who loves these precious kiddos more
than anyone (ok, dad too),
teaching them and pouring into them
God's goodness.
How do you answer the question of
socialization??
but I'm pretty excited about having a gathering
place for homeschool moms!
Since time is short...all the time,
I probably won't post more than once a week.
However, what I'd love to see is,
for those of you needing encouragement,
answers to questions, suggestions, etc., etc....
anything homeschool-related,
to leave a comment.
Then, it would be great for other HS moms
(ok, dads too), to check in and leave
a comment answering questions or giving suggestions.
Make sense?
So, PLEASE check back frequently
to read and leave comments.
We'll see how that works for a while!
I plan to continue gathering info regarding
all of you out there who would like to
contribute.
Let's start with this topic:
Socialization.
The most frequently asked question that I get
is..."but what about socializing for your kids?"
I.hate.this.question.
Why is it that in public schools, people constantly
complain about large class sizes,
yet a class size of about 4,5,6...10,
(Mom and kids),
is so anti-social???
Give me a break!!
Don't get me wrong...kids need friends.
They need activities (limited).
But day by day I can't think of anything more
important than the one person on earth
who loves these precious kiddos more
than anyone (ok, dad too),
teaching them and pouring into them
God's goodness.
How do you answer the question of
socialization??
11 comments:
Ahh, yes, the big "s" word - socialization. How do we get our socialization in? The bigger question for our family is how did we get so social? I hear this from many of the families in our homeschool group.
For any one in Kansas - Lawrence, Topeka, Southern KC - check out what our group has to offer on our homeschool website/blog - http://teachhomeschool.blogspot.com
The site is complete, we still have a few more activities and pages to add, but it gives an idea of what an active group can do.
This is a great way to connect - I hope to read some great posts from those who walk in the same trenches as I do.
Happy Homeschooling Everyone!
I think people use this as an excuse to say something negative about homeschooling. A lot of the "socialization" kids get in school is negative (peer-pressure, bullying, disrespect, etc). I don't want my children learning how to get a long in society by kids at or below their level. I would like them to learn from Godly example modeled by parents and older siblings. That being said, they do get plenty of time to practice social skills with children their age from ss, VBS, co-ops, and playdays.
Isn’t it funny that socialization is the first thing that pops into most peoples minds when they hear someone is homeschooling? It is so funny when we are out during the school day and someone says to my kids “Why are you not is school?” My kids all shoot me a deer in the head lights look because the are expecting the dreaded socialization question.
I am often asked this question at sports practices where my kids are obviously “socializing” with peers. I usually say something funny like “I would love to talk about the lack of socialization homeschoolers get. But, I need to get Leanne to cheer, so Cameron is not late for football and I can make it to Justin’s gymnastics class on time and Katie doesn’t miss tumbling tonight.” We are over socialized if you ask me. Each of the kids does 1-2 activities a year and we are always on the go. As a homeschooling mom I am just in more control of the people/children my kids socialize with. I think this a wonderful thing and what the Lord would have me to do with my children. I just try not to let peoples comments bother me.
I think homeschooled kids have a great advantage over public schooled kids in the area of socialization. My kids and all of the other homeschoolers we know are able to socialize with kids of all ages as well as adults. I have been complimented many different times about how interesting/funny/smart my kids are by people they talk to when we are out. The lady who does my assessment has the funniest article on socialization and homeschooling. I will see if I can find it online. It is perfect!
We have so much family around and so many friends who homeschool that I try to avoid rolling my eyes when I hear this question. We also travel with my husband when he goes for work, so my kids are getting a lot of socialization, just not with the same group all the time.
I read an answer somewhere (I'm sure it was online, but I can't remember where; my apologies to the original poster) that I loved: "We're very concerned about their socialization, so once a week we beat them up and take away their lunch." Just a bit of a reminder that a lot of what people are referring to as "socialization" is actually not a very good version of it.
ok, this really bugs me too!! I get it from family too. I wish I could have on video all the amazing times when my kids SHOW their ability to socialize. We recently had a situation where Dad took a few big kids to a work picnic. I stayed home with two littles who were not feeling well. When they got back, kids went in their seperate directions, Dan said, hey, our son made a really great impression. One of the guys Dan works with met our boys, and the oldest jumped in and stuck out his hand first and said, "Hello, I am Riley, and This is my brother Elijah." The man asked how old Riley was, he said, "I just turned 12!" The guy said, "you know how to make a great first impression! I have seen grown men who can't handle themselves so well. You can go far in the business world with confidence like that." Needless to say, Dad was proud, kid puffed up a tad. . . But I was so excited too. My kids can all be very social(we do have 2 shy ones but they are still fairly social). They can talk with people of ALL ages with confidence. They can communicate well. They can talk about a very wide range of subjects. They can handle babies compassionately, older people with respect and gentleness, and their peers with self confidence. They don't know what it means to be bullied, or to feel peer pressure. I like that. They DO get the opportunities to be with kids their own ages. We DO activities like Dance, Baseball, and Children's theater. . . So they get some time with their peers. My brother teases about Prom. . . lol he just keeps laughing about that. Brothers taking sisters and they dance in the living-room. Well laugh it up bro-- if THAT's the only worry. lol they probably would have been missing prom anyway!
I would answer the socializing question with one word - church. Children's programs and youth groups are a great way for homeschoolers to interact with others in a safe and fruitful environment. Our church is always going somewhere to play miniature golf, laser tag, watch a movie, a skating party, etc.
I just ask people if they think the "socialization" at public school helped them. Hearing a lot of cussing, kids making fun of other kids, bullying or getting bullied, and being herded around in unnatural groupings of kids all the same age is not my idea of great socialization. And that was a lot of years ago. It's way worse today. Socialization is a healthy thing when it is lovingly guided by the parents. And I have found an interesting thing has happened. My kids are often the friendliest ones at the neighborhood park. Kids at school are so used to being around the same kids all the time, that they aren't as good at making friends. And my kids have no inhibitions when it comes to how old other kids are. Whoever is there is a potential playmate. I have been pleasantly surprised by how very social they are!
I like to say, "What part of socialization that your public school child learned at school are you truly proud of?" They usually do not have an answer and it ends that topic of conversation.
I have homeschooled for 9 years, but this coming year, I will have all 3 of mine in public school for various reasons, but socialization is NOT one of them! :)
I hope you have a great year with your family!
Great points, all the things I would have said, negative socialization, school gives little exposure to varied age groups, etc. Another thing I think about, is the moral decline of our society and how it is related to socialization. It gets me started on a whole other soap box, working moms, daycare, what latchkey kids are doing and seeing on TV, then those kids take that info to school and you get more negative socialization---a vicious circle. Of course I want my kids to be and well rounded and we have many social connections, but if I had to take one over the other, I'd rather be hermits than expose my kids to all the junk.
OK--so I do not say all that when asked, luckily my kids look too young for school, and too old for school, so I do not get that question much.
After 15+ year of homeschooling I don't even answer that question anymore. We have even cut back on our outside activities to focus on some of the school work during the HS years. Social activities do not need to take place in a school filled with children who don't respect teachers and their peers!! My 13 year old dd was just recognized by a large organization for small business oweners because she began her own dog walking business and is doing quite well!! She had to go up and answered questions before a huge group of adults!! We were very proud of her and I'm glad she can socialize with any age group. :)
I just say that if I did send my kids to public school it would not be for "socialization"
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