Socialization

When we first started homeschooling, we got asked a lot about “socialization” and how our kids would learn to be “socialized.” (Mr. Pete use to say, we keep cigarettes in the bathroom to teach them socialization!)

So now twelve years into our homeschool experiment, I thought I’d take a look at how socialized my kids really are.

My oldest has held down a job since last summer. He is very friendly with his co-workers and even met a young lady at work that he took to homecoming. He has his own MySpace and talks to a lot of his homeschooled friends and public school friends as well as friends from work through that. Although he was somewhat of an outsider on the local public school swim team, it seems that they see him as just another team member now and made the adjustment quite easily.

My three middle children finished their Cross Country season yesterday. Watching them at the party afterwards I don’t think any one would have picked them out of the pack as being different or odd. They had a good season, ran hard, made friends and celebrated each other’s accomplishments. Sam and Gabe also are regular fixtures on their soccer teams. No one refers to them as “those homeschooled kids,” or any other derogatory labels. They are simply other players, and other friends.

If living in the neighborhood is any indication, then my kids have certainly passed socialization 101. The neighbor kids call, or come over here everyday to play, so mch so that I have had to limit what time they can come over and how long they can play. Next year I’m also going to have to insist that they stay in the front to allow my backyard some time to recover from the beating it took this summer with all the kids tramping the grass way.

But perhaps the area of socialization I am most proud of, is the socialization they have with each other. My kids truly are best friends for each other. They enjoy each other’s company, and they know how to play with each other. They even include the baby in their games and bring it down to her level when they have to. Childhood friends come and go. Truly best friends are a special gift. Siblings however, you are more or less stuck with. What a blessing it has been for them to have this time to spend together, playing, learning, studying, eating, sleeping, quarelling and making up. They know each other the best and always will for their whole lives. That truly is the ultimate socialization.

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