The one thing that I hear so often when we say, "We Homeschool" is "What about socialization?" Really? Do you think that they are allowed to socialize with one another in a class room setting? NO! They come in, sit at their desks, remain quiet for the most part and do their work. Talking and socializing is for before and after school (with lunch and recesses included).
Really, my son is far more social then I am. He's not afraid to speak up in a crowd, to get up in front of people and preform, to tell you plainly what is on his mind and what he believes. He knows how to interact with various age groups, not just those in his own age range. He can sit and play with a baby, have a in-depth discussion with an elderly gentleman from church, talk to an adult about an interest of his with great passion, he can debate his point of view (respectfully most of the time) with someone he disagrees with.
He loves going next door to our elderly neighbors and talking about model planes, birds, the weather, dogs, trains and the list goes on. He's been doing this since he was 3. He'll sit for hours and just talk with his friend. Age doesn't matter to him, he just doesn't see it.
He also doesn't see disability verses ability. He's not afraid to befriend a child about his age with a feeding tube and diaper at the water park, to talk and listen patiently to someone with a stutter, to play with a child who hums and zones out. He just enjoys being with people and interacting with them.
His only great frustration with people, especially children his own age, is bullying. He doesn't tolerate it. He will be the first to stand up for someone who is being picked on, to tell the bully to leave him alone. However in the other hand, he's also been know to just sit and take it from the bully so the bully will pick on him and not on someone else.
Chivalry isn't dead! We've taught him that all women are to be treated like princesses (even those who don't act like it or deserve it). He'll open doors for ladies and pick things up for them that they have dropped. He addresses his elders (even when they are rude about it) with Ma'am and Sir out of respect, not sarcasm. He's been taught to have manners and tries his hardest (he's not perfect by any means --- after all he is a child and ALL boy) to use them with love and respect with all those that he comes in contact with on a daily basis.
He's protective of his friends, respectful of his elders, treats a lady like a princess and tries his hardest to understand and "love" his enemies.
I have the privilege to belong to a well organized Homeschool Co-op. The mom's teach classes, organize field trips, parties and other activities to enjoy together. I can tell you that my son isn't the only homeschooler who dispels the "Homeschooling = No Socialization" myth. These kids probably know their peers better than those in public school do. They learn to deal with all sorts of situations with the guidance of those who love them best. I can't say we haven't had bullying, because we have. Typically though, it is taken up by the parents of both parties and loving handled. We guide our children through those awkward experiences in social world. No we aren't up there guiding the every move. We stand back, watch and act only when absolutely necessary. We talk with our children about what we saw and now to better the situation. We praise them for doing the right thing. We give them the positive feed back about situations at the time that they happen so they know what that they are moving along the right path. Most times then naught they are up asking us about things, if they are concerned. There's a beautiful open communication not just between a family unit but also with all the peers no matter the age gap.
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