by Mary C. Long
This is part of a series of classes I teach creative writers (kids ages 10-18) at my home each week.
by Claire Richoux Herbert
"What about socialization?" "Don't you want your child to have friends?" "You don't want your child to be socially awkward, do you?" These are just a sampling of questions that homeschooling parents (myself included) face quite often. Some of the questions come from a place of well-meaning, a desire to understand something unknown. Other times, these questions feel like an inquisition conducted by self-proclaimed socialization experts. It is easy to feel defensive in such situations, allowing venom-laced sarcasm to ooze from your pores. I get it. I have been there, done that. The socialization question is typically the first follow-up question once someone finds out I homeschool my son. It comes with the territory. I whole-heartedly admit that in answering such an intrusive question during a cross-examination encounter with strangers (and non-strangers) I have more than once answered back with "Well no, I don't want my child to be socially awkward like you appear to be." Maybe not the nicest way to respond, but my decision to homeschool my son and his subsequent social skills are not up for debate. With that being said, my son is very social. He will talk to anyone and everyone. He makes friends wherever he goes. The homeschool children I have met are the same way. We are involved in a large homeschooling community with like-minded individuals, from all walks of life. We show up to an event, the adults stand back, and the kids just start playing together. Amazing, I know. Not only does my son have activities at least 4 times a week with other kids in a variety of ages, but every time my son is in public he interacts with other people while practicing his social skills. Granted, not every encounter is productive nor pleasant, but those situations are used as learning experiences. This is made possible by the fact that the world is our classroom. How you handle the socialization issue is your personal choice. You can explain yourself as little or as much as you want to others. Keep in mind that most people are satisfied with a quick, simple explanation of your situation; others, not so much. The point is, do what works best for you and don't allow yourself to get bogged down by other people's issues on this matter. just remember, a little sarcasm dipped in honey goes a long way.
by Mary C. Long
I teach lots of classes to the kids, particularly writing classes. And THIS is turning out to be one of my favorites! They're geared toward ages 10+ typically, and I have anywhere between 10-20 kids who regularly show up. More come during the actual "school year." About the series: Exceptional writers all have one thing in common: a distinct voice. What is a writer’s voice? It’s something that is unique to each writer mastering it, as described below: He was just finishing second grade when I realized this wasn’t going to work for him – for us. School.
After agonizing over it, battling my own worries about the choice I was contemplating, and then pushing HARD to convince both my little and big guy that there was another option, and we could do it, we very hesitantly committed to TRYING homeschool. For a little while. Until we sorted something else out - till we found a school that was a “good fit” like the one he’d attended in California. I knew that THAT school didn’t exist though. And if it did, finding it was going to destroy his love of learning and a good bit of who he was in the process.  Hey y'all! I'm Dani Dickie. I have one child, a daughter who is now 7. She's never been to school. When I thought about sending her, it seemed like so much fruitless effort. Being tied to that schedule growing up was torture for me and I don't want to do that again. I was so relieved to realize I don't have to. There's nothing she would learn in school that she couldn't learn at home and there's so much she could miss. Also, she's hilarious. I'm not missing out on that.
And never stop! #hsheroes #livetolearn #neverstoplearning #unschool #lifeschool
Self-directed learning is the heart of unschooling. Make yourself unstoppable! #freetolearn #thisishomeschool #hsheroes #unschooling #lifeschool #education
If you're reading this, you're likely considering homeschool and feeling a mix of hope and fear. Your reasons for considering homeschool don't really matter, but let's list a few:
Thought I'd jump right in with a "day in the life" of an "unschool homeschool" day. Seems only right as I've started a group on the topic and all, hmm? Today wasn't exceptionally fascinating, but I think that's probably a good way to start, as I'm not trying to make anyone feel insecure about their own homeschool days - and TRUST me, some of our days are next level learning, yo!
But not today. Today we had a pediatrician appointment and a little guy feeling ouchy, so we let him go back to sleep for a bit. And then he woke up and we did things! Yay! Allow me to tell you a bit about it! |
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