Kids and Friends

[kisezr00k]

I'm not sure if this is where I would ask this, but I need some help, and I figure if you're a Disney fan like myself, than you're ok!

I am thinking of home schooling my 6 year old son because I feel the local public school is behind the curve and in talking to other parents is seems like I could get him to learn more with a focused home school program.


I have been lurking on the forums and got good information, but my main concern is that although he would get (in my opionion) a better education at home, I am worried that socially he would be missing some very important development and a chance to interact with friends.

Anyone have some experience with this issue?

 

[Pixiedust34]

We homeschool and our kids have plenty of friends.

School isn't the only place your ds can meet other kids. He can make friends in the neighborhood, at homeschool co-ops/clubs, various sports teams, church if you go, at the pool if you frequent a pool in the summer, at the community college if there are youth classes there to take, etc.

It's funny. Socialization seems to be a concern for those unfamiliar with homeschooling, but for many homeschoolers it's not an issue at all because our kids get out frequently and do socialize a lot.

 

[mom2rb]

My boys have a ton of friends. I agree that socialization is only an issue to parents that don't home school. My kids get so much playtime that their traditional school friends are begging their parents to let them home school.

 

[laurie31]

There are lots of threads here on this subject

I agree that if you have any concerns about the quality of your public school that your son would get a better education at home. My dd certainly is. I'm teaching her subjects they don't offer at all in our public school.

I also can't think of much your ds will miss out on. Surely he has friends now. My DD had some "casual" friends from school (she went to public school for 3 years before we started homeschooling) but she wasn't close to them.

Most of her friends are the friends of MY friends in other words, the people DH and I socialize with. She has very good friends at church, and she is meeting lots of new friends in our homeschool activities. For example, she attends a dance class with 40 kids her age. She is also in homeschool band. Our homeschool group has school dances, yearbook staff, Keyclub, school plays, etc. All the social things you can do in public school. I homeschool because our public school is inadequate, not to shelter her from the world.

There are LOTS of opportunities for a homeschooled child to be with other kids his age. The primary focus of school is to learn, not to make friends. If you don't think he will get a good education at your local school, then homeschool him! He can be with other kids through your homeschool group, or through activities that any kid would do - sports, church, etc.

My dd has activites every single day of the week outside the home. This is her choice, though. Last year we didn't do as much. If she were in public school, she wouldn't be able to do so many extracurricular things. She does ballet, tap, jazz, ballroom dance, flute lessons, band, church choir, horseback riding, and the school play, along with some community theater. Plus other church activities (volunteering at nursing homes, etc).

Trust me, your DS will have no lack of friends simply because he homeschools. He may miss out on being bullied, or learning how to make offensive noises with his armpits, but that's about it

 

[Barb D]

I homeschooled my teens when they were in elementary school, and my current 9yo is in public school. My older kids did have plenty of friends and social interaction when they were that age, and they were able to adjust socially when they started public school. My younger one is thriving in public school. Either way can work well socially.

Education-wise it was better for my oldest to be hsed, considering the school system we were in at the time. If we'd lived then where we live now, the public schools would have been fine for him.

Also, FWIW, my 15yo is currently hsing online (after doing middle school in public school), and has decided to go back to public school, partly because she misses her friends and the social interaction.

 

[dimimi]

I wouldn't worry about socialization. Although I am a public school teacher and all of my kids are...I know home schooling works!

But...remember, you need to be self disciplined. You need to know if you and your child will work well together so it is a possitive experience for both of you.

Our community has a lot of programs for homeschoolers. We have nature activities, gym activities, art classes, etc. If your child participates in scouts or sports or church, he'll meet plenty of kids.

Try and find a good curriculum to use at home. You also might want to think about how long you would be able to homeschool? Do you have the ability to to teach all of the subjects or will you need to team with another homeschool parent?

Good luck! Your child is lucky to have you on his side!

 

[koolaidmoms]

My DP's favorite answer to those who ask the question about socialization for homeschooled children is that if public schools are responsible for proper socialization of children then the school district owes her for 3 years of therapy for the socialization she received! The great thing about homeschool socialization is you are a bit more in contol of the children that yours will interact with. If there is a group that doesn't have the same values or morals then you can chose to remove them from the activity and find a new one closer to your liking.