Be Ye Separate

Socialization while Homeskilling:)

Blessings!

   It has come to my attention that socialization while Homeskilling is like a brood of hens or a dopping of ducks. (Yes those are real terms, I didn't make them up:P)

   I am certain that the majority of you who have chosen to home educate your children have met with this very same question and felt the fear and guilt over the answer..."What about socialization?" Believe me, your children will NOT turn into inept social twirps who cannot carry on an intelligent conversation or know how to treat another human being their age (or older/younger) just because they are not "socialized" by society's standards. So on with my point:)

   My children have spent their entire educating career (sounds unnatural doesn't it?) learning to socialize in one way or another. They don't HAVE to be exposed to the outrageously worldly to be able to socialize at an acceptable level. In fact, I have found that most of the home educated children I've met are thoroughly delightful. They are respectful, they share with others, they don't try to manipulate the others and they even listen to others well. (I mean listen as in, showing real interest in what someone else is saying).

   How do that do that without having "outside socialization?" I'll tell you how...family! Yep...it's as simple as that...family! Home family, church family, extended family, it's all a part of socializing and healthy both emotionally and spiritually:)

These are our wonderful dopping of ducks. Notice the white one at the end of the line. She was our first and she's the oldest of all of them. All the rest were in the same shipment and 2 days old when they arrived here. Adelaide was already 7 months old and laying! While most folks told us that the others wouldn't accept her because she was a different color, we found this to be silly. (Or maybe we are the acception:P) In any case, These ducks do everything together. They eat together, sleep together, play together, wander around together and when frightened they run together! Just as our children are raised together so are these ducks. And just like each of our children taking turns at being the leader, so do these ducks. Adelaide isn't ALWAYS at the end. In fact, sometimes she's in the middle and sometimes she's the leader:) They squabble now and then but it's never serious and when someone from the outside comes to interfere they defend each other:)

   These are 13 of our 25 hens. Notice how they are all interested in the same thing? We threw them some grain and they all wanted some. They aren't fighting over it, they aren't pushing and shoving. In fact, they are sharing! Oh they might try to grab at a piece at the same time but if one gets it first the other simply finds another piece:) They don't like to be alone, they even spend time with the ducks throughout the day. Whenever it's time to walk outside to do anything for any of the other animals, those chickens (usually all 25) are hot on our heels:) They will follow us into the goat pens, the horse stall, the barn even the lower field. They don't fight for first place they don't push and shove. They simply want to be in the same place together. And when frightened they will run together and huddle. The theory is that they make themselves look bigger when a predator is near so that it will be frightened off:)

   I use these two as examples for socialization that doesn't require that I take them next door to visit the neighbors chickens or ducks. They don't need to go to the hatchery or poultry farms to get their socializing in so they feel better about themselves. Just as our children know, these animals know they are safe here. Love, cared for, protected.

   Here we believe in public displays of affection:P

Personal space and alone time:P

And creative outlets:P

   Don't worry if your children are getting enough socialization. Believe me, they are getting plenty. And the nice part is it's all positive and you don't have to worry about the type of influences they are being subjected to. If it's not what you like then you can put an immediate stop to it...

And most importantly, create stronger family:)

a few of my family front to back and left to right...Sister Lori, Keri (28), my mother and father to the left behind me, Brother Craig, Sarah (14), Theron (2), Mary-Ann (17),  J.R. 23 (a friend of Keri's) and Matthew Robert (19). Missing are Nathanial (23), Matthew Paul (20), Jonathan (24) and grandson Morgan (6) (yes we have two Matthews:P)

   Isn't family wonderful? Isn't socializing with your children a blessing? Aren't you glad you decided to home educate? I now I am!:)

   With all the church activities like fellowship meals, weddings, quilting frolicks, church cleanings, and other Christian home educating friends, I would have to say that our children are probably better "socialized" than most government educated children. :) Notice I said MOST. This is not to say that some families who choose to have their children in government education aren't good at teaching their children good morals and values. But today most of society really don't value their children. I applaud those who have taken the chance on the government system and won. Sadly not all well meaning families can say that they succeeded. Those influeces are so strong and so negative they've been known to turn even the most devout christian child into one of them (as it were).

   For those of you who are questioning your choice to home educate. Don't lose heart. Your children are doing just fine in the socializing department. Just watch your children play. It speaks volumes:)

God be with thee!

Sister Lori

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{ 03:44, Thursday, September 27, 2007 } { Posted by Sweetmama2 }

Very nice post.
Sweetmama

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{ 05:02, Thursday, September 27, 2007 } { Posted by gokings13 }

You are so blessed to have a large and loving family AND a church family to boot!!
How blessed your children are!!
Laura

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{ 05:44, Thursday, September 27, 2007 } { Posted by morningsunshine }

I like this post. htank you for sharing!

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{ 07:04, Thursday, September 27, 2007 } { Posted by haflinger }

Sister Lori you couldn't of said it any nicer. My sons are all grown up now and if things were crazy back then like now I would of home school with out even thinking about it. Very nice looking family! Blessing haflinger

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{ 07:44, Thursday, September 27, 2007 } { Posted by Kitty }

Words of encouragment, as usual. I have been on both sides of that fence. My two older kiddos went to public school and I now hs my youngest ds who is 14. My older son fell into the "world" of what he felt was what he had to do to keep up with his peers. By the grace of God I have him back. I pulled my youngest out of the school system when he was 9 and don't regret one second of it. I felt a little guilty one day when I was looking through a scrapbook that I had made for my daughter and saw her many school dance pictures with her and her friends. I was wondering if my youngest would be missing out on things of that nature. I asked my oldest two if they can tell me what were the highlights of their high school years, they both said "getting out of school" (dd graduated and ds dropped out). So apparently the dances, football games, standing in line for lunches, cheerleaders, many many friends, ect. left no lasting effects. I realized at that moment that my youngest son will be just fine.
Blessings to you my friend. PS loved the pictures.
Kitty

Edited by Kitty on Thursday, September 27, 2007 at 09:45