I came across this interesting article, “Confessions of an Unsocialized Public Schooled Child”, by Eliza De La Portillia, via HuffPost Parents at thee perfect time. For weeks, I have planned (in my head) the words to write for a post of my own on it’s very subject…
Socialization.
For the first time in my homeschool journey, (a whopping 7 months now), I was asked about socialization. It was by a well-meaning, dear friend, who I have known since grade school. City girls, she and I watched our single moms work 2 or more jobs to provide for us outside of the home. School/Career/ Work was our immersion program.
Getting married and having children were rarely apart of our childhood or young adult conversations, although we both are married with kids now. Much less, staying home with our kids. Much, much less, (like never) HOMESCHOOLING! Who?! is going to do What?! The tradition of school and friendships are ingrained in us. After all it was through school that we met and remained friends these many years. So I understood her reaction to “homeschool” with a question about socialization.
Yet, I felt unprepared and offended.
Feelings of defensiveness rose. I replied to her query in my best matter-of-fact, nonchalant way. The truth is socialization never really played apart in my husband and I decision to or not to homeschool. It is a non factor. It is something I read about on other homeschooler’s blogs but never concerned myself with personally.
This direct question about socialization and the timely HuffPost Parent article was my call to action. Not as you may suspect. It woke me up to the need to educate myself on this subject further for the sake of those who are allowing it to be the elephant in their homeschool rooms or on their long distance phone conversations, as it related to me. It’s probably the #1 question any given homeschooler is asked by a new, non or anti-homeschooler. It’s time to demystify this reactive argument that is often bait for anxiety and worry.
There’s a popular saying: “The way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time”. While I work on cutting up that elephant, why don’t you take a gander at Confessions of an Un-Socialized Public Schooled Child originally posted on www.TheTattooed Homestead.com. Perhaps you will be inspired by her perspective on socialization as I am.
Thanks for reading.
altesa
simple with a twist 