Why Exactly Are We So Concerned About Socialization Anyways?

**Note: For the purposes of readability, “Americans” in this blog refers to those who were born and raised in the United States and who grew up under our public education system. It is in no way implying that those who live here, but were born and raised in a different country are not Americans. The point is to note the cultural differences in how the two groups in general view the purpose of education and to do that it’s easier to refer to one group as such. Some of you already know that the community in which I live could … Continue reading →

The Freedom To Be Socially “Awkward”

Last week I had the opportunity to watch my oldest daughter’s ballet class. It’s very interesting to watch her. She is not the most gifted in the class. But she works and she works really, really hard and it has definitely paid off. She follows instructions and listens very intently. She is one focused young lady. What was most interesting to me though was watching the scenario unfold at the end. The teacher wanted the girls to just do some ‘free’ dancing. The pianist began to play a classic piece from “The Nutcracker” and this group of tween girls stood … Continue reading →

Ask a Homeschooling Blogger: Is Homeschooling Sexist?

Question: I’ve been recently reading that some homeschoolers are emphasizing in their home education programs that girls are to be wives and men are to be the leaders. As a teacher I am concerned about this trend and want your opinion. Is home schooling inherently sexist and do you think something should be done to legislate how these families are teaching? It seems to me that homeschoolers may well raise a generation of women who aren’t well educated. There indeed has recently been some buzz about sexist home education. Since I have four daughters, I do of course have thoughts … Continue reading →

Teaching Socialization in a Structured Environment

Some of you may know that I have jury duty this week. You always meet interesting people on jury duty. Yesterday I met a women who warned me of the serious psychological damage I’m doing by not allowing my children to socialize in a structured environment. Generally when people ask the socialization question I prattle off a list of the kids’ activities. The socialization thing is ignorant people’s way of asking if the kids stay home all day. Do they have any friends? It’s a sign that they’re longing to get a glimpse into the homeschooler’s life. Most people thus … Continue reading →

Homeschool Questions: Social Development and Academics

I received some email questions last weekend from a student who is researching homeschooling. This student had some very good and informed questions, and so I thought I would present some of his questions here, with my answers. The first questions involve my decision to homeschool. Another question asked about criticism and support. Here are some of the other questions that were asked: The debate over whether homeschooling stunts social development is the focus of many criticisms, yet it has been show to not be a problem for homeschoolers. What do you feel contributes most to developing social skills at … Continue reading →

Homeschoolers Tend to Be Withdrawn?

I hear or read on a regular basis about how homeschoolers tend to be withdrawn. They are not used to talking with other kids their age. They are clueless when it comes to what is in, or what is out. They have no social skills. This is just not true. According to the homeschool newsletter, Free Homeschool Stuff, one parent writes, contrary to what some might think, my children have become LESS withdrawn and more outgoing and confident. I have seen this in one of my own children. My son is definitely the strong silent type. He generally has nothing … Continue reading →

Will staying in school make your child a better person?

This question is from a comment on the education blog about homeschooling. One of the questions asked by a mom who was considering homeschool was why her friend felt that the troubles her child is having in public school would make him a better person. Many homeschool opponents say that dealing with the rigors of public school will make a child a better person. They have several reasons. Socialization: “The act of learning to take social cues from children of the same age group will ready you for dealing with peers in adulthood.” Somehow, however, these opponents neglect to look … Continue reading →

Trusting Your Instincts: Know When to Say No

My 15 year old and I were talking last night about instincts, so I thought I’d share in a guest blog. We have fought hard to maintain our children’s innocence, knowing that once it’s gone, there’s no way to restore it. But part of that means keeping them away from bad influences. Children who go to government school learn at an early age about trust and deception through trial and error. Those errors can sometimes dog them throughout their whole lives. They are, however, often able to better tell a “Danger Stranger” than most of the homeschoolers I know. We’ve … Continue reading →

Homeschooled Kids Will Still be Kids

My 10 year old daughter sang White and Nerdy to me today. I thought it was funny until I read the lyrics and got down to the second to last paragraph. It talks about getting personal with bubble wrap. (White and nerdy is a parody of the popular rap song “Ridin’ Dirty”. The parody is written and sang by Weird Al Yankovic,who by the way,hasn’t aged a day in 20 years, though his lyrics have kept up with the times.) My 12-year-old son explained a bit of IM shorthand to me today. Apparently, POS is an impolite term meaning, “piece … Continue reading →

Are Homeschooled Children Over Sheltered?

I guess I have to think one of our families.com members, for giving me some fodder for this blog post. In my blog post, Can You Homeschool through College Too? Comments I wrote about the possibility of homeschooling past middle and high school into college. One families.com blogger, Valorie thinks the same way I do, that my kids who will very likely start college early, will do it through correspondence (and possibly community college) until they are 18. At that point, I will be packing trunks, breaking dishes, and sending them off to college! Another blogger commented that her 23 … Continue reading →