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by Cindy 1 Comment

Smart Socialization for Homeschoolers

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Why do homeschoolers hear socialization questions more than any others?  I’ve met lots and lots of homeschoolers and very few of them seem unsocialized.  Heck, very few of them are home long enough to be unsocialized!

What about socialization?  | Our Journey Westward

The S-Word: Socialization for Homeschoolers

When I was writing the chapter on socialization for Homeschooling Gifted and Advanced Learners, I came across the following quote from a newspaper journalist.

            “When my wife and I mention to our friends that we are strongly considering homeschooling our children, we are without fail asked, ‘But what about socialization?’  Fortunately, we have found a proven method by which our kids can receive the same socialization that government schools provide.  On Mondays and Wednesdays, I will personally corner my son in the bathroom, give him a wedgie and take his lunch money.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays, my wife will make sure to tease our children for not being in the in-crowd, taking special care to poke fun of any physical abnormalities.  Fridays will be Fad and Peer Pressure Day, in which we will all compete to see who has the coolest clothes or the loudest, fastest and most dangerous car-all while dying our hair and ripping our jeans.” ~Alan Brymer

OK, so maybe that’s a tad overboard when it comes to public school socialization, but you get the point, right?

Seriously, though, who made the “rule” that socialization is only acceptable if it involves a large group of same-aged children randomly thrown together on a daily basis in a place we call public school??

What about socialization? | Our Journey Westward

I see SMART socialization from a completely different perspective.

“Would you believe homeschooling is socially more like real-life than that of a classroom setting?  As an adult, can you remember at time where you have been asked to do something with people who are within one year of your age?  Probably not.  You live, work, worship, volunteer, shop, attend events, and even play sports with a large variety of ages.  And, one of the beautiful facets of multi-age activities is that younger or less experienced people learn from older or more experienced people.  The same is true of homeschoolers.  They have many, many more opportunities to be part of multi-age events, and in turn, become part of the “real” world more quickly.” ~from Homeschooling Gifted and Advanced Learners

Smart Socialization for Homeschoolers How-To

Don’t feel pressured into socialization opportunities.  Your children will be fine if you don’t say yes to each and every class, field trip, lesson, special event, etc. that comes along.  Do only what works for your family – interests, gifts, talents, special needs, time constraints and more.  Seriously consider…”Is this new social activity going to really benefit our family or will it be a burden?”

Aim for multi-age activities over those that only involve children the same age as yours.  I promise, you’ll see the maturity level in your children improve greatly!

Be aware.  Most of us are homeschooling to protect our children from one thing or another.  Don’t assume that just because something is run as a homeschool event that it will be safe.  Just like you shouldn’t assume that just because something is run as a church activity that it’s automatically safe.

Some socialization should be educational – co-ops, camps, plays, museums and more.  Don’t forget the moments of plain old fun and relaxation, too!  Not everything homeschoolers do has to be jotted down in the lesson plan book.  Just let your kids make and be friends sometimes.

Most importantly, don’t underestimate the power of family socialization through all generations!

What about socialization? | Our Journey Westward

Smart Socialization: Our Favs

Creation Club for Group Nature Study

Field Trips for Learning, Socialization and Fun

Service Projects to Socialize with New People

Keepers At Home Group for Handicrafting

Don’t just take my word for it!  Several other veteran homeschool moms have written on the very topic of socialization for homeschoolers on their blogs today, too!

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Last Updated: April 30, 2020 Filed Under: Creative Homeschooling Tagged With: Co-op, homeschool group, socialization

Previous Post: « Creative Homeschooling: Don’t Say No!
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  1. channonsworld says

    December 1, 2014 at 3:03 pm

    Great ideas! I am struggling trying to find a balance between meaningful social activities and just ‘hanging out’. Thank you for this post, very timely 🙂

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Happy birthday to my favorite girl in the world! L Happy birthday to my favorite girl in the world! Love you, @mahaylawest_1! 🥰
The breath of God produces ice,⠀ and the broad The breath of God produces ice,⠀
and the broad waters become frozen.⠀
He loads the clouds with moisture;⠀
he scatters his lightning through them.⠀
At his direction they swirl around⠀
over the face of the whole earth⠀
to do whatever he commands them.⠀
He brings the clouds to punish people,⠀
or to water his earth and show his love.⠀
Listen to this, Job;⠀
stop and consider God’s wonders. ⠀
⠀
Job 37:10-14⠀
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Winter isn’t my favorite season, but an icy landscape is truly incredible to see. ❄️⠀
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Click the link in my bio for science curriculum to help you take advantage of snow and ice. ⠀
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When my boys were little, I loved reading these “letters from God” to them as blessings to start the day.
As I was sorting bookshelves earlier this month, I stumbled across this sweet book again. I decided the blessings are still as pertinent today for my bigger boy as they were years ago. So, we’re starting our day yet again with a quick, but powerful “letter from God” before jumping into our daily Bible studies.
Do you do anything special to start your day off on the right foot? I’d love to hear about it!
Click the link in my bio for a link to the book.
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Winter homeschooling can be tough in normal years. Winter homeschooling can be tough in normal years. It’s cold, the days are dark, and everyone’s cooped up together 24/7. That’s a recipe for the winter blahs to march right into your house and wreak havoc on attitudes and motivation.⠀
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This year’s winter is unlike any other and those blahs may have actually settled in long before now. If you or your children are feeling down, anxious, or bored with school, are “at” each other constantly, bouncing off the walls, or tears and fighting are the norm…the blahs are there.⠀
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Let’s get you, your children, and your homeschool back on track. I’ll be teaching a Homeschool Masterclass on Thursday afternoon to help you kick the blahs to the curb. If you can attend live, come! If you can’t attend live, catch the replay!⠀
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Oh, what peace this quote brings to my soul. It’ Oh, what peace this quote brings to my soul. It’s true, you know. I’ve told my children for years that it only takes a nature walk to see God through His handiwork and to know that His promises are true.⠀
⠀
When the world seems to be falling apart around you, the sun never stops shining. The seasons never stop moving. Without a single, solitary effort of human hands, the woodlands still buzz with life.⠀
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A student of nature can see the consistency in cycles and notice the incredible and creative intricacy of even the smallest specimen and be in awe that we truly serve a God who isn’t unaware of even one tiny detail in our world right now. ⠀
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Life kind of seems overwhelming, though, I know. Remember when I said my motto lately has been to just put one foot in front of the other to do the next right thing? Nature walks (even when it’s cold) never fail me as a right thing. ⠀
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Breathe, friend. Take a nature walk today and let God speak to your soul.⠀
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It might seem trite to post a winter picture book It might seem trite to post a winter picture book list right now, but I’m a big believer in keeping things as normal as possible in my home when things aren’t so normal otherwise.⠀
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It’s the principle of putting one foot in front of the other as you simply do the next right thing. Good books almost always can be a “next right thing” choice.⠀
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Even though I’m not homeschooling younger children anymore, I’ll probably never stop sharing wonderful picture book ideas with you. 🤓 I’ve spent way too many hours reading and collecting to ever stop loving them!⠀
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Eli and I may not be using these books right now, but they are still some of my favorites for winter reading. Whatever may be going on around you, the winter months are always a good time of year to get in lots of extra reading. Snuggling and hot chocolate are optional, but encouraged.⠀
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Click the link in my bio to find a blog post about these books + some of our favorite winter chapter books, too!⠀
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We celebrated a 14th birthday over Christmas break We celebrated a 14th birthday over Christmas break! 🎉🎁🎂🏀🥰
I love being auntie to a sweet baby again! 😍 I love being auntie to a sweet baby again! 😍

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