Warning: This post contains pro-homeschool commentary and verbage. If this does not interest you in any way, please check back another day.
Thank you. :)
Perhaps the biggest question or concern I face when people find out that we homeschool is on the topic of socialization. I can't tell you how many women have told me that homeschooling seems nice but it's something that they could never do. Others seem to think that because they only have one or two children, they really want their kids to be more socialized and have the opportunity to be around other kids. Here's my response to both of those concerns...
1. Yes you CAN do it! Believe me, I started out thinking the very same thing. It's easier than you think and if you have a genuine desire to make it a focused priority, you will be amazed by the results and the precious time you share with your kids. If you have even the slightest inkling towards it, I would strongly suggest that you pray about it and ask God to reveal what His plan might be for you and your family. The key is to be open enough to hear what He might say. :)
2. Socialization is actually one of the biggest benefits of homeschooling!
I think there is a lot of misconceptions out there as to what socialization really means. The "real world" doesn't have us grouped together by age and learning mostly from our peers in a confined, classroom setting. The real world involves interacting with people of all ages and problem-solving as you become exposed to real-life situations and circumstances. That's not to say that homeschoolers don't sit at the table to do their school work. Countless studies have indeed shown that average homeschoolers test high academically. After all, it was only 200 years ago that virtually everyone was homeschooled. In your opinion, in the last 200 years, has our society at large become morally stronger or weaker? When we look at things like the rise in teen pregnancy, drugs, hate crimes, bullying, teen suicides, divorce rates, broken families, sexual promiscuity, etc.- I think the answer is pretty obvious.
Think about it this way... Like it or not, our children are being taught by someone. More often than not, they are being taught by the world and their peers. Unfortunately, in today's classrooms, there are sometimes 20-35 children in one room/per one adult teacher. I mean no discredit to our teachers but so many children are being left behind, learning to fend for themselves, and developing behaviors and attitudes about themselves and others at a time in their life when they need the most guidance and discipleship. If you look honesty into your own schooling years, I bet you can recall numerous times where you could have used more guidance, discernment, and loving boundaries. I know for me, so many of my schooling days were preoccupied with the wrong thing (i.e. measuring up, fitting in, being popular, pretty, over-acheiving, and wearing the latest fashion).
I think for so long, "lack of socialization" became the common crutch for those of us who wanted a way to explain those "weird" people who homeschool. Those "weird" people were also what I would call "free-spirits" or the "super-religious." Over the last 2 centuries, since Americans have been sending kids to conventional schools, we have naturally come to associate our "childhood years" as being synonymous with "school". In turn, we started to form opinions about the outsiders who didn't go to traditional school, without really knowing anything about what goes on in their daily life as a homeschooling family.
Through some friends, I have come across a book that totally debunks the myths about socialization and homeschooling. This book is a must read for anyone who has ever considered homeschooling or anyone who wants to have a better understanding about a loved-one who does. In the first few chapters alone, you will be enlightened and educated at the social benefits of homeschooling. Most importantly, I think the book easily articulates the real reason why we parents choose to homeschool. We have all traveled a similar but different road and came to the conclusion that we are not settling for what society says is normal. We are creating our own version of normal and we are passionate about giving our children the best. And what better way to do that, than by the people who care most about not only their education, but equally if not more, about their spiritual and moral upbringing?
I realize that homeschooling isn't for everyone and I'm certainly not saying that children who are homeschooled are any better than those who go to conventional school, or vice versa. I am simply doing what is right for our family and along the way, I have become a staunch supporter for all those parents that make a similar, informed decisions for their families. This book will help close the gap for those that believe that homeschoolers lack social opportunities and are missing out in some way. It will easily show you how and why a great many homeschoolers are reaping enormous social and academic benefits from homeschooling.
With our first year almost under our belt, I am certainly no expert on the subject. I have to say though that I am so encouraged to hear about more and more moms who are choosing to homeschool. When we first began, I knew a total of 4 or 5 women in my circle of friends/community that homeschooled. Just under a year later and I now know 15-20 friends or acquaintances who have made the choice to begin homeschooling. That's HUGE! In my community there are many resources available for homeschooling families. In fact, through our city, they have even started a sports program specifically for homeschoolers.
Whether you are currently homeschooling, have ever thought about it, or have a friend or relative that homeschools and you just want to get a better understanding about their choices, please go out and read this book. You can buy it used on Amazon for about $5 or you can borrow it from your local library. This book would also be great for those of you who have family members or spouses that are less-enthused about your ideas on homeschooling. Ultimately, our loved ones want to support us and what better way to do that, than to get a clearer understanding of our choices.
Perhaps the biggest question or concern I face when people find out that we homeschool is on the topic of socialization. I can't tell you how many women have told me that homeschooling seems nice but it's something that they could never do. Others seem to think that because they only have one or two children, they really want their kids to be more socialized and have the opportunity to be around other kids. Here's my response to both of those concerns...
1. Yes you CAN do it! Believe me, I started out thinking the very same thing. It's easier than you think and if you have a genuine desire to make it a focused priority, you will be amazed by the results and the precious time you share with your kids. If you have even the slightest inkling towards it, I would strongly suggest that you pray about it and ask God to reveal what His plan might be for you and your family. The key is to be open enough to hear what He might say. :)
2. Socialization is actually one of the biggest benefits of homeschooling!
I think there is a lot of misconceptions out there as to what socialization really means. The "real world" doesn't have us grouped together by age and learning mostly from our peers in a confined, classroom setting. The real world involves interacting with people of all ages and problem-solving as you become exposed to real-life situations and circumstances. That's not to say that homeschoolers don't sit at the table to do their school work. Countless studies have indeed shown that average homeschoolers test high academically. After all, it was only 200 years ago that virtually everyone was homeschooled. In your opinion, in the last 200 years, has our society at large become morally stronger or weaker? When we look at things like the rise in teen pregnancy, drugs, hate crimes, bullying, teen suicides, divorce rates, broken families, sexual promiscuity, etc.- I think the answer is pretty obvious.
Think about it this way... Like it or not, our children are being taught by someone. More often than not, they are being taught by the world and their peers. Unfortunately, in today's classrooms, there are sometimes 20-35 children in one room/per one adult teacher. I mean no discredit to our teachers but so many children are being left behind, learning to fend for themselves, and developing behaviors and attitudes about themselves and others at a time in their life when they need the most guidance and discipleship. If you look honesty into your own schooling years, I bet you can recall numerous times where you could have used more guidance, discernment, and loving boundaries. I know for me, so many of my schooling days were preoccupied with the wrong thing (i.e. measuring up, fitting in, being popular, pretty, over-acheiving, and wearing the latest fashion).
I think for so long, "lack of socialization" became the common crutch for those of us who wanted a way to explain those "weird" people who homeschool. Those "weird" people were also what I would call "free-spirits" or the "super-religious." Over the last 2 centuries, since Americans have been sending kids to conventional schools, we have naturally come to associate our "childhood years" as being synonymous with "school". In turn, we started to form opinions about the outsiders who didn't go to traditional school, without really knowing anything about what goes on in their daily life as a homeschooling family.
Through some friends, I have come across a book that totally debunks the myths about socialization and homeschooling. This book is a must read for anyone who has ever considered homeschooling or anyone who wants to have a better understanding about a loved-one who does. In the first few chapters alone, you will be enlightened and educated at the social benefits of homeschooling. Most importantly, I think the book easily articulates the real reason why we parents choose to homeschool. We have all traveled a similar but different road and came to the conclusion that we are not settling for what society says is normal. We are creating our own version of normal and we are passionate about giving our children the best. And what better way to do that, than by the people who care most about not only their education, but equally if not more, about their spiritual and moral upbringing?
I realize that homeschooling isn't for everyone and I'm certainly not saying that children who are homeschooled are any better than those who go to conventional school, or vice versa. I am simply doing what is right for our family and along the way, I have become a staunch supporter for all those parents that make a similar, informed decisions for their families. This book will help close the gap for those that believe that homeschoolers lack social opportunities and are missing out in some way. It will easily show you how and why a great many homeschoolers are reaping enormous social and academic benefits from homeschooling.
With our first year almost under our belt, I am certainly no expert on the subject. I have to say though that I am so encouraged to hear about more and more moms who are choosing to homeschool. When we first began, I knew a total of 4 or 5 women in my circle of friends/community that homeschooled. Just under a year later and I now know 15-20 friends or acquaintances who have made the choice to begin homeschooling. That's HUGE! In my community there are many resources available for homeschooling families. In fact, through our city, they have even started a sports program specifically for homeschoolers.
Whether you are currently homeschooling, have ever thought about it, or have a friend or relative that homeschools and you just want to get a better understanding about their choices, please go out and read this book. You can buy it used on Amazon for about $5 or you can borrow it from your local library. This book would also be great for those of you who have family members or spouses that are less-enthused about your ideas on homeschooling. Ultimately, our loved ones want to support us and what better way to do that, than to get a clearer understanding of our choices.
I think what I love most about homeschooling is the fact that we get to be together as a family and it becomes a way of life for us. Every homeschooling family looks a little different and that's perfectly okay and normal. It gives us flexibility and time. It allows me to experience life with my children in their crucial years. Years that you can't get back and years that create the foundation for who they become.
Lastly, here are a few quotes that I liked on the subject...
"We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character- that is the goal of true education. The complete education gives one not only the power of concentration, but worthy objectives upon which to concentrate."
Lastly, here are a few quotes that I liked on the subject...
"We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character- that is the goal of true education. The complete education gives one not only the power of concentration, but worthy objectives upon which to concentrate."
-Martin Luther King Jr.
"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society."
"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society."
-Krishnamurti
"Another merit of home is that it preserves the diversity between individuals. If we were all alike, it might be convenient for the bureaucrat and the statistician, but it would be very dull, and would lead to a very unprogressive society." -Bertrand Russell
"Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught." -Oscar Wilde
"Another merit of home is that it preserves the diversity between individuals. If we were all alike, it might be convenient for the bureaucrat and the statistician, but it would be very dull, and would lead to a very unprogressive society." -Bertrand Russell
"Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught." -Oscar Wilde
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