Socialization!
It's a such a big word and people have definite ideas and opinions on what socialization is. Whether you're a newbie or a veteran homeschooler, I'm sure you've heard the questions about socialization!
What will your children do for friends?
How will they ever learn how to talk to people?
Aren't you worried that they'll be lonely?
You're child will be a social outcast!
Then they go on and on about that one, weird homeschooler they met and how he could't talk to anyone and just stared down at his feet. He was awkward, was dressed weird and they felt so bad for him. The poor dear.
Well, after 12 years of homeschooling, I have to say I'm no longer worried about the lack socialization homeschoolers supposedly get or don't get. Sure we've had some years when things were slower than others, but there have been years when we were too busy.
It was almost impossible to fit school in!
So what have we done over the years for socialization?
Well, you're in luck. Today I'm going to share a few ways we've found over the years.
1. Homeschool Support Groups
When we first started homeschooling, I joined two different support groups. One was a secular group, while the other one was part of a local Catholic church. Both groups offered field trips, park days, and parties to attend. This was a great way for the kids to just get out and play with their friends. Sure park days may stop when the kids get older, but they can till get together for field trips and to play a round of kickball. Over the summer both kids enjoyed hanging with their friends at the pool. I have already joined an local group that is planning field trips just for high school students. A local mom asked if there was any interest and she received quite a few yeses. So far, the field trips she has planned look great!
2. Homeschool Co-ops
We've participated in 4 different co-ops over the years. In fact, we joined a new one this year for the kids to take a science class and a few other classes as well. Over the years, the kids have learned art, music, science, history, government, etc. Some of the classes were large and met all day, while others were small and only met for a few hours a week. All you need is a few friends to get together to hold a class. It's not that hard to organize and get started.
3. Sports
This is an easy one if your child is into sports. Over the years, the kids have participated in our counties sport programs. Soccer, baseball, and swim have been taken. Therese even did a year of ballet! Now both kids are part of nationwide shooting team. If you look hard enough, you'll be able to find something your child will like. Karate, bowling league, cross country, and so on. Our kids don't participate, but in our area there are 2 homeschool sport leagues. They play other homeschoolers and private schools in our area. Kids can play volleyball, soccer, basketball, cross country, flag football, and track and field.
4. Religious Education Classes
Take part in the classes your church has to offer. Our kids attended classes in order to make their First Penance, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. If they start in the younger grades, the kids will be with the same kids for 8 or more years. Life long friendships can easily be made or just a few acquaintances to socialize with can be made too. Both my kids are out of the classes now, but they are now volunteering to help with the classes.
5. Clubs
Here the options are endless. Drama club, choir, 4-H, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, American Heritage Club, Troops of St. George, Blue Knights, Little Flowers, Debate team, Speech club, etc. There are so many out there, I could never list them all. If you don't have a club near you, maybe think about starting up one. A few years ago, I helped lead a St. Zita's Home Ec. club for our girls. It was geared for young ladies in grades 5th-8th. We played games, did crafts, baked yummy goodies, planned tea parties, and learn morals and values. The girls had fun and were able to see their friends.
6. Church Youth Group
You'll find that most churches now offer some type of youth group for the kids in middle and high school. My kids have been part of our church's youth group for a few years now. They spend time in prayer, visit with seminarians, watch up-lifting movies, listen to Catholic speakers, attend the Pro-Life march, have cooking challenges, outdoor game night, go on trips (hikes, tubing, amusement parks), and attend Mass together. This summer, Michael attended the week long work camp with over 800 teens from our diocese. They helped fix up people's homes and spread the word of God. Youth group is a great place to find friends and grow in their faith.
7. Volunteer Work
This can be done almost anywhere. Both Michael and Therese have volunteered at our local library. Michael shelved returned books. Therese helped with the toddler hour and signed young readers up for the summer reading program. They volunteer ever June with our church to hand out food from our local food bank. This year both of them are helping with our churches religious education classes. Michael is an usher and altar server at church. Look into summer work camps, Vacation Bible school, or just help an elderly neighbor do yard work. Friends can be made with people of all ages.
8. Old-Fashion Pen Pals
When the kids were little, they had pen pals they wrote. We found them through a homeschool pen pal group. I can't remember what it is now and I'm not sure if it even exist anymore.With all the online homeschool communities finding a pen pal should be easy. My kids wrote back and forth for about a year (maybe two). They were so young the friendships just didn't progress, but they enjoyed it at the time. What child doesn't like getting mail?
9. Family and Friends
This seems so obvious, but I think we often overlook what is right in front our faces. Family parties and holiday dinners, cousins hanging out, family vacations together, cookouts with friends, etc. Many of our children's friends are the children of our friends and family. Who doesn't have fond memories of Sunday afternoons with their cousins?
If you're lucky enough to have neighbors, kids can easily make friends with the kids in the neighborhood. This hasn't been a real option for us. Therese did have a little girl that lived nearby, but she moved away a few years ago. Now we have lots of little kids. Maybe she should offer a babysitting service.
10. Part time work
We haven't quite ventured into this one yet. Next year, we will though. We'll have to wait and see what they choose to do. Will they work at a summer camp or give fast food a try.
Well, after 12 years of homeschooling, I have to say I'm no longer worried about the lack socialization homeschoolers supposedly get or don't get. Sure we've had some years when things were slower than others, but there have been years when we were too busy.
It was almost impossible to fit school in!
So what have we done over the years for socialization?
Well, you're in luck. Today I'm going to share a few ways we've found over the years.
1. Homeschool Support Groups
When we first started homeschooling, I joined two different support groups. One was a secular group, while the other one was part of a local Catholic church. Both groups offered field trips, park days, and parties to attend. This was a great way for the kids to just get out and play with their friends. Sure park days may stop when the kids get older, but they can till get together for field trips and to play a round of kickball. Over the summer both kids enjoyed hanging with their friends at the pool. I have already joined an local group that is planning field trips just for high school students. A local mom asked if there was any interest and she received quite a few yeses. So far, the field trips she has planned look great!
2. Homeschool Co-ops
We've participated in 4 different co-ops over the years. In fact, we joined a new one this year for the kids to take a science class and a few other classes as well. Over the years, the kids have learned art, music, science, history, government, etc. Some of the classes were large and met all day, while others were small and only met for a few hours a week. All you need is a few friends to get together to hold a class. It's not that hard to organize and get started.
3. Sports
This is an easy one if your child is into sports. Over the years, the kids have participated in our counties sport programs. Soccer, baseball, and swim have been taken. Therese even did a year of ballet! Now both kids are part of nationwide shooting team. If you look hard enough, you'll be able to find something your child will like. Karate, bowling league, cross country, and so on. Our kids don't participate, but in our area there are 2 homeschool sport leagues. They play other homeschoolers and private schools in our area. Kids can play volleyball, soccer, basketball, cross country, flag football, and track and field.
4. Religious Education Classes
Take part in the classes your church has to offer. Our kids attended classes in order to make their First Penance, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. If they start in the younger grades, the kids will be with the same kids for 8 or more years. Life long friendships can easily be made or just a few acquaintances to socialize with can be made too. Both my kids are out of the classes now, but they are now volunteering to help with the classes.
5. Clubs
Here the options are endless. Drama club, choir, 4-H, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, American Heritage Club, Troops of St. George, Blue Knights, Little Flowers, Debate team, Speech club, etc. There are so many out there, I could never list them all. If you don't have a club near you, maybe think about starting up one. A few years ago, I helped lead a St. Zita's Home Ec. club for our girls. It was geared for young ladies in grades 5th-8th. We played games, did crafts, baked yummy goodies, planned tea parties, and learn morals and values. The girls had fun and were able to see their friends.
6. Church Youth Group
You'll find that most churches now offer some type of youth group for the kids in middle and high school. My kids have been part of our church's youth group for a few years now. They spend time in prayer, visit with seminarians, watch up-lifting movies, listen to Catholic speakers, attend the Pro-Life march, have cooking challenges, outdoor game night, go on trips (hikes, tubing, amusement parks), and attend Mass together. This summer, Michael attended the week long work camp with over 800 teens from our diocese. They helped fix up people's homes and spread the word of God. Youth group is a great place to find friends and grow in their faith.
7. Volunteer Work
This can be done almost anywhere. Both Michael and Therese have volunteered at our local library. Michael shelved returned books. Therese helped with the toddler hour and signed young readers up for the summer reading program. They volunteer ever June with our church to hand out food from our local food bank. This year both of them are helping with our churches religious education classes. Michael is an usher and altar server at church. Look into summer work camps, Vacation Bible school, or just help an elderly neighbor do yard work. Friends can be made with people of all ages.
8. Old-Fashion Pen Pals
When the kids were little, they had pen pals they wrote. We found them through a homeschool pen pal group. I can't remember what it is now and I'm not sure if it even exist anymore.With all the online homeschool communities finding a pen pal should be easy. My kids wrote back and forth for about a year (maybe two). They were so young the friendships just didn't progress, but they enjoyed it at the time. What child doesn't like getting mail?
9. Family and Friends
This seems so obvious, but I think we often overlook what is right in front our faces. Family parties and holiday dinners, cousins hanging out, family vacations together, cookouts with friends, etc. Many of our children's friends are the children of our friends and family. Who doesn't have fond memories of Sunday afternoons with their cousins?
If you're lucky enough to have neighbors, kids can easily make friends with the kids in the neighborhood. This hasn't been a real option for us. Therese did have a little girl that lived nearby, but she moved away a few years ago. Now we have lots of little kids. Maybe she should offer a babysitting service.
10. Part time work
We haven't quite ventured into this one yet. Next year, we will though. We'll have to wait and see what they choose to do. Will they work at a summer camp or give fast food a try.
Just this week someone assumed my children could not be socialized because they didn't go to school. They were quite surprised when the children started listing off all of the ways that they socialize.
ReplyDeleteI find this a strange thing that so many people are worried that my children, who won't stop talking to other folks, are unsocialized. You gave some fabulous ideas of great answers.
ReplyDelete