| Homeschooling is an education option that is | | | | In the public school setting kids are relatively |
| widely debated by comparing and contrasting it to | | | | unsupervised during activities such as lunch, |
| public school. There are always two sides to | | | | recess, changing classes, gym class, bus trips, |
| every story, and there are many topics that | | | | assemblies, etc. Anything goes to get what they |
| always seem to come up in these discussions. | | | | want. They quickly learn that manipulation of |
| This article will focus on one of the popular | | | | various forms works to get the attention they |
| questions: socialization, by sharing our family's | | | | seek. However, if they aren't one of the "group" |
| experience as it relates to this discussion. | | | | they may suffer verbal and sometimes physical |
| Home school Kids Don't Have Socialization | | | | abuse that causes them to withdraw and not |
| This one pops up a lot. I find it hard to understand | | | | want to seek communication or relationship with |
| what people mean when they say this, or why it | | | | anyone. It only brings pain. Kids can be so cruel to |
| is usually the first thing they think of when the | | | | one another. |
| topic of homeschooling comes up. If they mean | | | | If you wanted your child to learn how to bowl |
| that sending your child to spend 8 hours a day | | | | would you send them to a group of kids their |
| with a bunch of kids their age in relatively | | | | age, or would you seek a mentor who knew how |
| unsupervised conditions is going to help develop | | | | to bowl? The skill of socialization is the same as |
| their socialization skills, I am baffled even more. | | | | any skill. They stand to learn a skill quicker and |
| Kids need much attention. When they are in a | | | | more complete when mentored by a few that |
| public setting, especially on their own, they feel | | | | are more mature in that skill. Kids learn more how |
| the need for attention, but learn to seek it the | | | | to "survive" than how to properly socialize in a |
| way their peers do by example: whining, | | | | public school setting. They are more likely to get |
| screaming, manipulation, hitting, etc. I'm not saying | | | | more loving, supportive attention at home than in |
| that my kids never whine, scream or hit, but we | | | | a public setting. If you communicate with your |
| make it unfruitful for them to do so - they don't | | | | kids in a truthful mature manner they will learn to |
| get what they want. To be consistent with | | | | get and receive attention the same way. |
| denying their whining or screaming until they ask | | | | My wife and I both attended public schools |
| in a normal tone of voice or accept that no is | | | | growing up, and we have been enjoying the |
| your final answer may take 5 or even 15 minutes | | | | advantages of homeschooling our children for |
| - for the immediate battle and a weeks to win | | | | over 10 years. We understand that homeschooling |
| the war. This requires a flexible environment that | | | | is a choice, and that it is may not be for |
| is rarely available in a public setting. Our | | | | everyone. Hopefully this helped you see both |
| experience is that being consistent in denying | | | | sides more clearly. We hope to address some |
| whining and screaming is that they quickly learn | | | | more of the debated questions in future articles |
| not to do it. Reinforcing this over time it then | | | | by sharing more benefits to homeschooling. |
| becomes a way of life. | | | | |