The Lonely Homeschoolers
Last night I had the chance to sit and enjoy the company of a group of amazing women. One brave soul finally organied a local homeschool meeting that didn’t require driving out of town to attend and we were all shocked by how many did show up. There were old hands as well as newbies. Moms with kids in public schools who worried about pulling them out and moms who took their kids out and never looked back. They talked, they shared, they discussed, I stood out of the way because I had kids to chase and I’m almost painfully shy. LOL
So this weekend’s “Ask the homeschoolers” question seemed to have fit in perfectly. I couldn’t have timed this one any better and I can’t wait to hear everyone’s answers to this.
I am going to be homeschooling my children this year and I am worried about their interaction with others. There are no other homeschooling families here that I can find. It is a very small area and nearly everyone sends their kids to the public schools. Should I be worried? I read about other homeschoolers doing fieldtrips and having playdays and huge get-togethers but it seems that won’t be us.
homeschool, homeschooling, socialization, friends
August 3rd, 2007 at 10:16 am
Summer-
I dealt with this very question this past week here:http://home-school.contentquake.com/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=68
Short answer is that we need to understand what socialization actually means and what it looks like. It is vey hard to have children that are NOT socialized in our society unless you live on an isolated farm miles from anywhere and have an only child. Even then socializtion happens. It is like asking, How can I help my child learn to walk?
August 3rd, 2007 at 10:18 am
what an idiot..I totally messed up that link.. grr. This would be the correct link
http://home-school.contentquake.com/2007/07/31/what-about-socialization/
August 3rd, 2007 at 10:24 am
After last night, my only advice would be: if you plan it, they will come!
August 3rd, 2007 at 10:55 am
I am very interested in this aspect. Just last night I was talking with my sister about my plans to do homeschooling preschool for my eldest son. She was worried that I was going to turn him into a creepy lonely little boy *rolls eyes*
August 4th, 2007 at 9:50 am
Relax, there are plenty of other places for kids to interact with other kids besides at school. Scouting, church groups, park district programs, 4-H, whatever your kids’ interest is, get them involved in a club or a group and they will meet other kids.
Our family lives in an area where we are fortunate to have a pretty big homeschool “pool” to choose from, yet, we never do get involved in the big field trips or meetings, or whatever, preferring to stay home and actually school, and preferring small get togethers with just the kids’ best friends.
What do kids in your area do during the summer months when school is out? If they are in sports or park district programs in the summer, it is a good time to meet the kids (and parents) and work out playdates during the school year.
If you really want to meet other homeschoolers, keep your eyes open. When you go to the library during school hours, do you ever see a parent with kids? Ask them if they homeschool. Your librarian may also know of others in your area. Keep you eyes open other places too. I know I like to run errands, like grocery shopping, etc., when school is in session and people are at work, so I can avoid crowds. We often meet others who homeschool doing the same thing.
Don’t overlook the internet as a source of networking and support as well. There are numerous yahoogroups where homeschoolers can meet and network with others that might be just one town over. For some who are truly isolated, the internet can be a valuable source of support from your virtual homeschooling friends.
Best of luck to you
August 4th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
[...] for the Lonely Homeschoolers August 4th, 2007 by Summer Minor Friday’s question was written by a mom who was worried about not having a good homeschooling community around her to [...]
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