If you've homeschooled for even 6 months, you've heard it. "What about Socialization?" I have to say that even typing it gets me a little riled up.
The next time someone asks you that, will you ask them exactly what they mean? Then write it down and send it to me, please.
Because I don't really think they know. I don't think they've thought about what they are asking.
Do they think because we stay home for school that we stay home for everything, secluded from everyone? They wouldn't be talking to you if you were.
The reality is there is a stigma, which is hopefully falling by the wayside, of what homeschoolers are like. I'm not even sure what that is, but apparently it has something to do with being socially awkard. Have you ever met a public or Christian schooled kid who was socially awkard? Of course, you have. 'Nuff said.
There are so many people making the move to homeschooling that there can be a never-ending list of social activities. You actually have to be careful to keep yourself at home. There are co-ops and fieldtrips and one-day-a-week homeschooler schools!
Here we are on a field trip to a worm farm. This is maybe a third of the homeschooling families we get to do things like this with.
...the process of inheriting norms, customs and ideologies. It may provide the individual with the skills and habits necessary for participating within their own society.
Who do you want teaching your kids what normal should be? Who do you want teaching your kids their ideologies 35 hours a week?
When you keep them home, YOU get to teach them this. When you send them to school for hours on end, their peers teach them. Their teachers, who don't love them nearly as much as you do (I don't care how sweet they are), teach them this. I don't want my kids acting like their peers. Or probably like their teachers either.
A wise, seasoned homeschooling mama told me that the character issues you want to work on in your children can be addressed quicker and more often when you have them home with you. You are able to see growth in those areas much sooner than when they are away from you. When you send them to school, you're constantly retraining what gets undone while they're gone all day.
Just something to think about.
The second "S" question on a lot of people's tongues is, "What about Sports?"
Really? I've made it almost 36 years without playing a sport. I went to public school and wanted to cheer. But my parents didn't want to spend the money on the uniforms. I'm pretty sure I'm not scarred for life! Although I bet there are a bunch of psychologists who'd love to try to prove otherwise. Worldly wisdom, people! Worldly wisdom.
What is the big push about getting kids into sports these days anyways? I'm not saying there's anything wrong with sports, but what does it have to do with life?
I had a dad tell me he wanted his sons to play sports because he learned so much from playing when he was a teen. His coach really taught him a lot. That's great but that wasn't the coach's job. It was his parents' job! And it's not that other adults can never teach our children anything, but we shouldn't relegate the responsibility of teaching sportsmanship, team work, or anything else to anyone else.
God has called us to train up our children. To teach them to love God and love others. To teach them about God and all that He created. He created language, math, science, geography. Who better to relate all of that back to this awesome God than us?
We had a hallelujah service in math class one day! It was awesome.
But again, there are so many opportunities if you want your kids to play sports. That question is not even practical any more. By the way, Upward Sports is a great program if you are interested.
I've got a busy week but hope to get at least one more post in about homeschooling. I have plenty rolling around in my head. If you have questions or are just curious about homeschooling, leave me a comment. I'll be glad to answer them.
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