If someone tells me one more time that socialization...

[5knights3maidens]

is good for homeschoolers, I'm going to scream! What in the world? Do they think homeschoolers sit in their houses and never come out? Please. I have a family of 10...do they really think we don't know how to "socialize"? Oh brother.

 

This was said to me after I was told that their daughter just could not homeschool their kindergartener with a baby, it was horrible!

 

The mother didn't like the k teacher so she homeschooled that year. She just couldn't do it. I said, At least kindergarten is easy to teach. Response...welll, the curriculum was just intense. Really.................

 

AHHHHHHHHH!!!

 

Thanks for letting me vent. ;)

[Jean in Newcastle]

LOL. I actually told one lady at a birthday party (who had just commented with surprise on how social my kids were) that I had let them out of the basement for the day. She looked at me in shock and then comprehension dawned and she laughed. She said, "Oh, I guess they do have friends and activities, don't they." Uh-huh.

[5knights3maidens]

I just kept my mouth shut. Maybe I should say something like that! :lol:

[anneofalamo]

I cut it off before they bring it up and ask them:

 

"Public School? Aren't you worried about socialization?"

 

then laugh crazily and twitch

[stripe]

I was told I needed to have my son go on play dates so he would learn to share.

 

I guess having a younger sibling didn't require sharing 24 hours a day!

[wy_kid_wrangler04]

LOL a few weeks ago I had a situation at a grocery store (we went during public school hours- gasp- when it is not busy) and 7 people asked me why my kids were not in school. Well 1 actually said to me "Why on Earth would you homeschool? Kids need socilization" So I said to her " I don't like my kids to have friends, they might teach them bad habits. And I don't want them around to many other people, ya never know what they could be told. We like living in our house and not getting out its much safer that way" So after her looking at me like :blink: and :eek: for a few seconds I started laughing and told her how it was. I had to- it was fun. I never did that before but I bet she will never say that to a homeschooler again :D

 

(Yes I was able to keep a straight face for a few seconds also LOL)

[MomOfOneFunOne]

If someone tells me one more time that socialization...

is good for homeschoolers, I'm going to scream!

 

AHHHHHHHHH!!!

 

;)

 

And then she nods knowinly at her neighbor, "Didn't I tell you?"

 

And then we'll read about you in the papers: Unsocialized Homeschool Mom Goes Berserk!

[Julie in Austin]

I wish I never had to leave my house. :glare:

[Scarlett]

I cut it off before they bring it up and ask them:

 

"Public School? Aren't you worried about socialization?"

 

then laugh crazily and twitch

 

Oh my word! This is my favorite thing I've heard ALL DAY! Thank YOU!

[Scarlett]

I wish I never had to leave my house. :glare:

 

I know right? Just one day of staying home ALL DAY.

[3and3]

Personally I believe the socialization that children get in PS is not realistic. Really when else in real life are you only exposed to people that are only your age and that live in your neighborhood. :glare:

My children are exposed to children of different ages and adults from all over the world just at our church let alone the homeschooling activities. I believe that prepares them for the real world better than PS.

 

Just my 2 cents

Jenny

[livingnlearning]

I just told someone yesterday that I prefer my kids learn socialization from someone with some experience instead of another 5 year old! :D

 

Just the word socialization makes my palms itch anymore...:glare:

[livingnlearning]

I cut it off before they bring it up and ask them:

 

"Public School? Aren't you worried about socialization?"

 

then laugh crazily and twitch

 

Oh my, I can't wait to use that one in real life! Can I borrow it?

[Nakia]

I hate the socialization conversation. :glare: My daughters' 19 year old swim teacher told me that she really thought it was important for my daughters to go to public high school so they would be able to learn socialization. I asked her to please point out where my kids' social skills were lacking. She had no response to that.

[anneofalamo]

Oh my, I can't wait to use that one in real life! Can I borrow it?

 

due to my anti socialization skills, I stole from another, please use, but remember the shock horror on their face that you would interfere in the raising of their child? and tell us here!!

[CLHCO]

LOL. I actually told one lady at a birthday party (who had just commented with surprise on how social my kids were) that I had let them out of the basement for the day. She looked at me in shock and then comprehension dawned and she laughed. She said, "Oh, I guess they do have friends and activities, don't they." Uh-huh.

 

Oh, I am soooo using that! :lol: Would modifying it to say I let them out of their boxes or cages be over the top? May get a phone call made...

[CLHCO]

This is my son's favorite sweatshirt.

 

[GWOB]

Isn't it funny how we almost always get those comments in public places with other people around? The other day I was at my dd's soccer practice. Another mom brought up the socialization argument. I stared at her, mouth wide open, and said "Um... What do you think they're doing right now?" She has avoided me ever since.

[mcconnellboys]

Sometimes I really do think that's what is in their minds. And it makes no sense whatsoever. How many people do you know who never come out of their houses these days?

[Annie Laurie]

I've also heard things like "They won't know how to stand in line or take turns." I remembered that one when I took my 6, 8, and 9 yr olds to the magic show at the library, and left the 9 year old in charge. I watched from afar and saw they all somehow managed to figure out standing in line and waited their turn to go in the room for the show very patiently. I guess we stand in line at other places besides school and don't need lessons beforehand. Amazing! :001_smile:

 

Then ds16's PS friends keep telling him he'll have so much trouble in college finding his classes and getting up for class on time. Him and I joked about how we'll have to have a training course on setting his alarm and following a map and signs, since he's never done that before. :tongue_smilie:

[Carol in Cal.]

is good for homeschoolers, I'm going to scream! What in the world? Do they think homeschoolers sit in their houses and never come out? Please.

 

Why, no, actually they believe that homeschoolers keep their children sitting in their BASEMENTS or garages all day, and never let them see the sun or anyone outside the family. Don't you do that? You don't? Are you SURE? Well, then you're not really a NORMAL homeschooler, are you. Oh, wait, homeschoolers CAN'T be normal, really, can they?

 

Bwahaha...

[cdrumm4448]

Why, no, actually they believe that homeschoolers keep their children sitting in their BASEMENTS or garages all day, and never let them see the sun or anyone outside the family. Don't you do that? You don't? Are you SURE? Well, then you're not really a NORMAL homeschooler, are you. Oh, wait, homeschoolers CAN'T be normal, really, can they?

 

Bwahaha...

 

I actually had my neighbor tell me that I SHOULD keep ds in the basement. He told me to build him a schoolroom in the basement and not let him out until he was done with all his work.

 

The neighbor had seemed like a kinda normal guy, too.

[5knights3maidens]

Just a little note. My 2 youngest 7 and 5 are in a lego "class" at the library. I was in shock, well not really, at how rude and loud the other children were. They were climbing all over the chairs while the "teacher" was yelling for them to get off. You could hear her across the whole library.

 

(I peek in the window to check the kids) ;)

[mcconnellboys]

I also hear folks at field trips complaining about them not raising their hands and waiting to speak. Yeah. Like that happens every day in *real* life, right? That's a skill we'd better drill into them NOW.....

[bethben]

Then ds16's PS friends keep telling him he'll have so much trouble in college finding his classes and getting up for class on time.

 

Thank goodness my children don't have to experience the stress dreams I have of being in high school and not knowing my schedule and forgetting where all the classrooms are! I have talked to quite a few people who have just this sort of dream. Sure- the changing classroom thing really helps in my day to day life. After all, most adults in most work situations have to change location after 55 minutes.:lol:

 

Beth

[FaithManor]

My standard response is, "School is an abnormal environment. No where in the work world does one encounter an age segregated, skills segregated, must raise your hand to speak, must raise your hand to use the bathroom, must stand in neat straight lines in order to move to your next destination....where no one can move on to their next task until everyone else has their task done, etc. environment. School is the least preparative for adult life than any other educational activity a child may encounter. It is also no sign of mental health that people should believe that appropriate socialization should include physical assault, verbal abuse, drug dealing, and fear of reprisal from the "herd" for achievements made, all of which have become part and parcel of the American school experience."

 

I mean honestly, not one time in all of DH and I's work experiences have we had to raise our hands to use the bathroom, wait for the drug sniffing dog to get done snorting around our desk or personal file drawers, endure physical assault from bullies, and only occasionally have we had to deal with verbal abuse. Of course, as mature adults, we were quite capable of not internalizing the verbal abuse, unlike youngsters.

 

I have also said, "OH really, you do know that the rules that schools place on students ie. not being able to get a drink or use the restroom except at specifically prescribed times unless one is willing to lose recess or take detention, is against US labor laws for employers to do to their adult employees. Schools can eliminate recess, but there are mandatory breaks by law for every working adult. So, just exactly what does the school teach the child in terms of socialization? Because you are little, we can allow you to be physically abused, verbally abused, hold your bladder until you are in pain and may wet your pants, prevent you from getting a drink of water even though every medical professional will tell you that thirst means you are dehydrating, and force you work above or below your skill set so that everyone is doing the same." Yep, that sounds like adult life to me!

 

That usually silences the individual. It is the speech I gave to our last pediatrician right before I fired him!

 

Faith

[Mrs Mungo]

Just say "well, that sort of socialization obviously didn't teach YOU any manners!"

[In2why]

I have only met one family that I think somewhat deserves the "socialization" label. But sadly they are the family anyone and everyone will remember when it comes to ALL homeschoolers.

[LazyDazy]

Just say "well, that sort of socialization obviously didn't teach YOU any manners!"

 

*Hee hee hee* I will remember this one for future reference! Funny thing is my boys were in ps and they finally have time for socialization now that we hs.

[Photo Ninja]

Then ds16's PS friends keep telling him he'll have so much trouble in college finding his classes and getting up for class on time. :tongue_smilie:

 

LOL A high school student told my ds (then in 11th grade) that he needs to go to ps high school so he will learn how to choose and sign up for classes so he would be prepared for college. My ds laughed and said that he had been registering for college classes and taking them for two years already, so that obviously was not a problem. Their conversation then turned to how amazed the boy was that my ds was taking community college courses and how he wished he could do that, and the boy decided that hsing has benefits.

[DarlaS]

I wish I never had to leave my house. :glare:

 

:iagree:

[mcconnellboys]

And people don't understand the simple concept of "keep right" anymore when walking in crowded places! Sometimes when we're in a busy city we can hardly make our way through the mess....

[mcconnellboys]

CAN I, pretty please, stow my mouthy, naughty pre-teen in the garage for about the next 6 years? Please? I'll still feed him - promise....

[NanceXToo]

I know, it makes me laugh because when my daughter WAS in public school, there was really no "socialization". And I'm talking Kindergarten through most of third grade.

 

The all day desk work started right in Kindergarten and my daughter at 5 was CONSTANTLY losing some or all of her recess for "talking too much."

 

So they were not allowed to talk in the classroom.

 

Okay, you might say, "Well, a 5 year old can wait until lunch." Except that they weren't allowed to talk at lunch. They had "silent lunches" and got in trouble if they talked. They had to wait until recess.

 

Except that "recess" only lasted fifteen minutes tops. And by the time it came around, my daughter had already lost some or all of it.

 

Socialization, my foot!

 

She gets WAY more socialization and social opportunities now that she's homeschooled than she ever did in public school!

 

Maybe by middle school there would have been more "socialization" in public school- but something tells me I'd have wanted nothing to do with socialization of THAT sort!

[Belacqua]

Okay, you might say, "Well, a 5 year old can wait until lunch." Except that they weren't allowed to talk at lunch. They had "silent lunches" and got in trouble if they talked. They had to wait until recess.

 

Good gravy. What's the reasoning behind "silent lunches"? Was it some kind of punishment, or was that standard?

[NanceXToo]

Good gravy. What's the reasoning behind "silent lunches"? Was it some kind of punishment, or was that standard?

 

It was standard. They didn't want the kids to talk at lunch because it might distract them from eating their lunches. They had to just be quiet, so they could eat quickly and on schedule, so they could hurry out for that lousy fifteen minutes of recess, so they could hurry back to their classrooms for more seatwork...

 

...It sure wasn't like the Kindergarten *I* knew and loved.

 

It's a shame, really!

 

P.S. Just google "silent lunches" and look at what comes up! Apparently it often IS punishment in some schools. In ours it was just a standard rule.

[Heather in AL]

is good for homeschoolers, I'm going to scream! What in the world? Do they think homeschoolers sit in their houses and never come out? Please. I have a family of 10...do they really think we don't know how to "socialize"? Oh brother.

 

This was said to me after I was told that their daughter just could not homeschool their kindergartener with a baby, it was horrible!

 

The mother didn't like the k teacher so she homeschooled that year. She just couldn't do it. I said, At least kindergarten is easy to teach. Response...welll, the curriculum was just intense. Really.................

 

AHHHHHHHHH!!!

 

Thanks for letting me vent. ;)

 

Oh, the timing of this post! Yesterday, we were with a group of homeschoolers at a local pumpkin patch on a tour. There were about 15 kids ages from around 3-15 and about 7 parents. The tour guide was shocked that we homeschooled and asked all sorts of questions (his youngest child is 15 years old). Of course, the "S" word came up.... "what you do all do for socialization?" We all looked around at each other (the kids and adults ) and nearly at the same time, we all replied "things liks this!" Then we launched into our schedules of 'normal things' like soccer practices, dance lessons, 4-H, Boy/Girl Scouts, cc classes, etc., and I guess the poor guy felt a bit silly for asking! We parents, however, all said that we would like less socialization and more time at home!

 

No matter how many times I get asked about the "S" word, I find it funny. But you know, I think most people just don't think about what it is that they are asking, you know? On the other hand, some people are just plain rude about what they say!

Edited October 13, 2010 by Heather in AL
for clarity

[SOCKSINFOX]

Funny.... I distinctly remember teachers telling us we weren't at school to socialize.

[keptwoman]

Funny.... I distinctly remember teachers telling us we weren't at school to socialize.

That's what I tell people who ask about socialisation. I was told that by my teachers on a daily basis. In fact my socialising cost me quite a bit of time missing my education by being made to sit outside the classroom door.

[Joanne]

My all time favorite personal anecdote about this was a year after I moved to Texas. We were at a Little League baseball game where my oldest was playing on the team and my other 2 were running around with the other non baseball siblings.

 

The parents were talking about public school complaints. I watched the game.:D Until a parent asked me where my kids go to school.

 

"We homeschool"

 

A Dad actually asked me "What about sports and socialization?" :lol::lol::lol:

[RanchGirl]

Thank goodness my children don't have to experience the stress dreams I have of being in high school and not knowing my schedule and forgetting where all the classrooms are! I have talked to quite a few people who have just this sort of dream. Sure- the changing classroom thing really helps in my day to day life. After all, most adults in most work situations have to change location after 55 minutes.:lol:

 

Beth

 

oh my goodness, I have a similar dream and I never realized these types of dreams were common. In mine, I realize I have been forgetting to go to one of my classes for months, I can't remember where it is, I will never catch up by the end of the semester, etc. I wake up in a cold sweat!

[nono]

My stock answer is, "Oh, don't worry. Next week, I'm throwing her in the coat closet and stealing her lunch money."

 

Works every time. And, it's nice to be able to grin with the person, as I often feel more inclined to whack them over the head with the information. :tongue_smilie:

[brightside]

And people don't understand the simple concept of "keep right" anymore when walking in crowded places! Sometimes when we're in a busy city we can hardly make our way through the mess....

 

Oh, my. This is my biggest pet peeve. :confused: Especially when I am stared down by a child and I have to move out of their way and they are on the wrong side.

[mcconnellboys]

"Eat"? They don't have time to eat! They have to inhale their lunch in about 15 minutes (or less). If they talked, they'd never even get one bite swallowed before time to line up again.....

[keptwoman]

And people don't understand the simple concept of "keep right" anymore when walking in crowded places! Sometimes when we're in a busy city we can hardly make our way through the mess....

LEFT! It's keep LEFT. Honestly, you unsocialised Americans :D

[JessReplanted]

At least kindergarten is easy to teach. Response...welll, the curriculum was just intense. Really..............

 

FWIW, I did find homeschooling K to be really challenging! It was my first year homeschooling, and we used ABeka - and it was intense! My son learned to read that year, but it was not an easy process.

 

Now that my son is in 2nd grade though, I can look back at K and see that I stressed way too much. :tongue_smilie:

[NanceXToo]

My all time favorite personal anecdote about this was a year after I moved to Texas. We were at a Little League baseball game where my oldest was playing on the team and my other 2 were running around with the other non baseball siblings.

 

The parents were talking about public school complaints. I watched the game.:D Until a parent asked me where my kids go to school.

 

"We homeschool"

 

A Dad actually asked me "What about sports and socialization?" :lol::lol::lol:

 

That's hilarious! You should have given him a solemn, thoughtful look and said seriously, "Good point. I never really thought about that. Maybe I'll start taking him to some Little League games." And then just gazed directly at him until he realized what a bozo he sounded like. :D

[3lilreds in NC]

I asked her to please point out where my kids' social skills were lacking.

 

This is exactly what I say, usually to my father, who likes to tell me that my children are missing out on "essential life experiences." Yeah, whatever.