What about socialization? This is a question Homeschool moms get asked all the time and I know a lot of the newbie moms have this on their minds too.
I wanted to share my own experience (provided by Lilet Gillen and her families homeschool experience) and thoughts in the hopes that it will help someone else!
I am a relatively new homeschool mom. This will be my 4th year homeschooling. I pulled out my oldest half way through 7th grade to homeschool. I was nervous and had a lot of worries about everything including socialization.
I know a lot of us feel like socializing means being around a lot of kids most of the day. I remember being worried that taking them away from a traditional classroom setting was going to isolate them. I wish I hadn’t worried about it so much or I probably would have started homeschooling my kid’s earlier!
My Search for Homeschool Friends
I was overwhelmed by all the groups, co-ops, commonwealths etc. and I didn’t know where to start!
What really helped me was to figure out what my intention was.
- Did I want a group to go to parks so my kids could play with other kids?
- Did I want them to take classes to meet kids with similar interests
- or did I want something else?
Most groups/coops/classes/commonwealths etc have a purpose or something they focus on and finding one that is a good fit for your family can be such an amazing thing–and it may not be the first one that you try. Just keep trying, you will tell when you have found what works for your family.
What Does Homeschool Socialization Look Like?
I have come to realize that it really is the quality not the quantity of socializing that matters. My kids do not see lots of people every day, instead they see a few friends a couple times a week, but the quality of those relationships are so much better than anything that they had going on at school. They have meaningful connections and relationships with friends and that has really been life changing for us.
Anyway, I just wanted to share and let the newbies know that there is a huge homeschool community out there and you will find your people! And you don’t have to figure everything out right now, you’ll probably try lots of different curriculum/ideas/groups/activities/classes etc until you find something that works for your family. I wouldn’t say that homeschooling is the easiest thing I’ve ever done but it has definitely been the best thing I’ve ever done for my family and that’s made all the anxiety I had over doing it been worth it! Please reach out and ask questions about anything, there is a huge community of people that are willing to help you!
Where to Find Homeschool Socialization Groups
- Go to homeschool events
- Search HSLDA Support Groups: https://my.hslda.org/groupsearch
- Attend distance learning activities at a charter school
- Join local homeschool Facebook groups
- Sign kids up for activities/sports
- Go to kid-friendly places during school hours and make friends
- Ask around at church or neighborhood
More Info on Homeschool Socialization
Homeschooling and Socialization by Homeschool.com
Tackling Homeschool’s “S” Word by PBS
Socialization–The Biggest Non-Issue in Homeschooling by Time4Learning
Homeschooling and Socialization by Responsible Homeschooling
(This post was provided by Lilet Gillen and her homeschool experience. Thank you for sharing with us.)
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