Ok, now that I have your attention!! LOL! Oh, this is such a hot topic, isn't it?
Anyway, I'm not really here to get into a typical socialization discussion, but I have some ponderings on something that sort of pertains to that subject. Everyone who uses that argument against home schooling, seems to think that you are all just holed up somewhere and never get out. I know that's not true, but in the interest of helping my kids to not feel that way either, I've always made quite an effort to get out and do stuff with other home school families or groups and even a Bible study. Not in a manner that over-schedules us so that we're constantly running all over the place, but to let the kids meet other home schooled kids and have some friends! Is this pretty much "normal?" Do most of you do similar things? Are there any of you who really tend to keep to your own family and don't get out with others much (by choice, not by location - i.e. you live in a very rural area with nobody else around).
I'm actually at a point of debating whether or not to attend a Bible study this year. I've gone many years in the past, and they have grown to the point of offering age-appropriate classes for the many home schooled kids that come with their moms. I initially thought this would be a good idea, a chance for the boys to get out and meet other home schooled kids. The flip side of it is, it would take up a full morning every week (and I tend to be most organized in terms of getting studies done, in the morning), and actually give all of us yet more work to do. I will have my hands full keeping the boys' school work prepped (we use Konos, if that tells you anything...!) and wonder if I could keep up with the Bible study home work. Also, in using Konos, we get a Bible verse every week and each unit studies a Biblical characteristic, so it's infused throughout their studies.
I'm writing this as much for mental therapy for myself as I am to get opinions (sometimes it just helps to write out something you're trying to decide, and see it in print!). But I would love to know how much other hs families "get out" and what types of things you do.
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• Saturday, August 25, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Now, I look at socialization in a different light. It is not so much about having my children have friends their own ages. Rather, I want them to be able to be comfortable with and to socialize with people of all ages. So, with that in mind, we invite other families to dinner a couple nights a month. Sometimes, these are empty-nest couples, sometimes families with young children (mine are 15 and 17), sometimes there are families with children their age. And my children are comfortable with all these people and can converse with them. Also, we serve another homeschool family two Tuesdays a month. She has 5 children, ages 12 to 5, and we have been doing this for 2 years. We babysit so that the mom can get her hair cut or go to the doctor or go to the grocery, etc. My children have to play with and minister to younger children, and they do just fine with that. I would actually say they are more socialized than most other teens that I know...because they can converse with and feel comfortable with any age, not just their peers.
All that to say, I have grown comfortable with being home more. For many years, I had to be the most popular, most sociable person on the planet, and my kids had to be that way too. We have learned to be content with not being that way.
Blessings upon you,
Patti