Comments on: Homeschooling and Socialization

By: Jenny Davis

Jenny Davis — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 01:09:47 +0000

Consider this: socialization when looked up in the dictionary means to fit or train for a social environment… The adoption of the behavior patterns of the surrounding culture.

I certainly don’t want this for my child! I have never been the kind of person who is a follower of the crowd… I tend to go the opposite direction in fact. I’ve always been a bit of a rebel I guess…

~Jenny

By: Why Homeschool? « Cancer Changes Everything

Why Homeschool? « Cancer Changes Everything — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 02:08:08 +0000

[...] For an argument on socialization that will rock you, see this! [...]

By: Kimberly @ Raising Olives

Kimberly @ Raising Olives — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 13:38:44 +0000

I’m good with banning the “s” word from the homeschooling discussion.

Since I was homeschooled as a child, I have a great comeback for that issue. I simply remind them that I was homeschooled and ask if they find me socially awkward. Really puts them on the spot and they never bring it up again, at least not with me.

By: Kate @ Bliss & That

Kate @ Bliss & That — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 19:51:44 +0000

I came here looking for this post, because it seemed as if I’d read it here before and needed refreshed. My husband and I have almost made the decision to homeschool starting in the fall, and just today had the talk with my mom. What’s the first thing that came out of her mouth other than being “concerned” that I would be too busy/stretched thin/etc?? “What about socialization? Do you think that when they’re older, they’ll be accepted by kids their age from schools?” (This also came from my MIL too when my DH and I talked to her, just a bit more gently, though…) I tried to eloquently say just about everything that I know, as stated here, but I’m just afraid it didn’t come across strongly or that I wasn’t taken seriously. I guess it’s just the first time of many, many times I’ll have to stick up for homeschoolers and their children. Can’t the “s” word just be banned from homeschooling discussion!?

By: Kimberly @ Raising Olives

Kimberly @ Raising Olives — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:42:44 +0000

Thanks Melanie, for taking the time to let me know.

Blessings to you as you begin your homeschool journey. May it be joyful and wonderful as you build those relationships with your children.

By: Melanie

Melanie — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:18:24 +0000

Thank you for this post. I have just recently decided to homeschool. I feel that God is leading me in that direction and has been for some time but I foolishly tried to fight him on it! I feel such peace now that I have made this decision and your posts are a great inspiration and a great resource for me to answer the typical questions received by homeschoolers! THANK YOU!!

By: Angela

Angela — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 01:54:14 +0000

I could not have said it better. Being the only homeschoolers in our family, we get ALOT of questions. Especially with their God-mother being a public school teacher. I have even had spouts of weakness that I thought.. maybe they would excel in a ps setting. Those are usually washed away by my wonderful and wize homeschooling friends. Thank you again for the reminder. I am constantly told how friendly and outgoing my kids are. I guess being “sheltered homeschoolers” has not been extremely detramental to their social life after all. They just are not socalizing with 25 roudy kids their same age every day. They get to talk to everyone arround them, like Tara said. Well put everyone!

By: Seth

Seth — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 04:06:44 +0000

Hey now, you are taking away my excuse for being a sheltered unsocial homeschooler. I would be afraid to look at the other charts and graphs, that would show me bringing the average way down.

By: Kelli

Kelli — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:09:49 +0000

Hey-I’m glad you posted this. This is something I have thought a lot about. I love the comment, too, about children interacting with other adults-the grocery bagger, the man in the park. It really is pretty funny, when you think about it, that we would think a room full of 5 year olds, or whatever age, is exactly what our children need

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 03:21:37 +0000

Wow! Since my daughter has expressed a desire to homeschool her children I naturally brought up the socialization issue. She answered with all the same info. and reminded me of a homeschooled family we knew from church. I soon felt much less “worried” about the kids being homeschooled. (It is not my chioce how my daughter educates her children it is hers) I fully support her decision after reading so many blogs of homeschooling moms. What a great support system there is to help a parent along and I see the wisdom in it. It will be exciting to see how things progress. I personally hated public school and would have probably thrived in a homeschool environment. Back in my childhood that would have been seen in the same light as moving to a commune! How times have changed…and for the good!

By: Raising Olives

Raising Olives — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 23:42:29 +0000

Wow, thank you all. As I stated in the post, it has always bewildered me that people think that children won’t be socialized unless they are in a classroom.

Michelle mentions in her post on this topic, that as our kids get older people can see that homeschooling does not create social misfits. Great point. It does seem that as more homeschooled children grow up that people are beginning to see the light, so to speak and to realize that the classroom is not necessary for socialization.

Blessings,
Kimberly

By: tara lacayo

tara lacayo — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:04:19 +0000

what a great post!!!! THis is still the issue I have to explain over and over when talking to others about why we homeschool! The fact is, that children who homeschool learn to socialize with all ages. I have seen children, not all, but some children in school who only know how to relate to other children! Homeschool children get real life socialization (i.e. the grocery bagger, a teenager, the man in the park, the little old lady across the street, etc.) Thanks for sharing!

By: Shari

Shari — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:04:00 +0000

We get these questions and ‘looks’ all the time from our family. We are the only Christians who are saved in our family so they don’t ‘get it’. I love homeschooling and it is such a privilege afforded to us! Thank you for posting this.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:15:38 +0000

P.S. – I linked to your post!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:02:10 +0000

I love it! I agree 100%, and you said it perfectly!

God bless,
Michelle

By: Heather McFadden

Heather McFadden — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:34:17 +0000

What a great post!!! Thanks!
Heather

By: Cardamoms Pod

Cardamoms Pod — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:37:11 +0000

As always, Kimberly, this is an excellent post! I think now I don’t have to write about homeschooling at all! I’m going to link to this series on my blog… -Kimarie