| As a homeschooling mom, I get asked on a | | | | "socializing", rarely relaxed, and was never alone |
| regular basis by "professionals" everywhere from | | | | with my loved ones during that time- I'd be a |
| the doctor, the therapist, church leaders, even | | | | mess. |
| perfect strangers what my children do for | | | | I thought school was invented for educating? |
| socialization. When was the last time any of them | | | | When did we get to this point where it is more |
| has ever looked me in the eyes and asked, | | | | important for children to socialize than to be |
| "What do you do for socialization?" I am sure I | | | | educated? Maybe some may say that isn't so, but |
| would remember it, because, man -forget the | | | | then why is that the first question out of |
| kids, I need more socialization! | | | | everyone's mouth? |
| The average homeschooling mother spends many | | | | What is the big deal with excessive socializing of |
| hours a day with the kids educating, mentoring, | | | | the children anyway? They end up spending more |
| and inspiring. Add to that the meal planning, | | | | time fighting over belongings, food or drinks, |
| preparing, and eating. Housework is multiplied with | | | | running off on their own, or forming cliques. When |
| the family "living" in the home twenty-four hours | | | | they finally make it home from all this socializing |
| a day. | | | | they are over-stimulated, exhausted and irritable. |
| We can't forget the man of the house. He needs | | | | Seriously, I think it's a little backwards. All kids |
| quality time with his wife. Oh, then there are the | | | | want to play and most get their playtime with |
| necessary evils of grocery shopping, | | | | playmates after the school (home or public) and |
| appointments, errand running, and any groups or | | | | chores are finished. Throw in a church activity and |
| activities the family participates in. | | | | a music lesson, and that is plenty of socialization |
| The second the van pulls into the driveway- the | | | | for any one person. Take the mom, she is |
| kids want to be off fulfilling their needs to play, | | | | working hard all day and up most of the night |
| unwind-and socialize! Where is mom? She is lugging | | | | catching up or taking care of kids who wake up, |
| the baby and the groceries inside and collapsing on | | | | won't go to bed, or are up puking. She wakes up |
| the couch from exhaustion. | | | | haggard and worn, ready to rinse and repeat! The |
| Really sit down and add it up. If I, instead of the | | | | mom is the one who needs more socialization. |
| children, got eight hours a day in a school | | | | Unlike children, socialization for a battle-worn mom |
| environment plus outside activities filled with | | | | is refreshing, revitalizing, and stimulating. She |
| socialization, honestly I'd be exhausted and just | | | | returns home after an enjoyable time with friends |
| plain overwhelmed. I would be irritable and | | | | ready to face the giants-or um little giants. |
| over-sensitive to what people think of me. I | | | | Instead of worrying excessively over whether or |
| would definitely start worrying too much about | | | | not junior is socialized enough, let us keep on |
| what I was wearing every day. Social pressures | | | | doing what we are and worry more about |
| shouldn't bother me to that extent, but if I were | | | | whether poor, tired MOM is getting enough |
| put in an environment where I was always | | | | refreshing social time. |