Friends, Socialization and Homeschooling

Socialization is the most common worry of parents considering homeschooling. However, socialization is not a problem for most homeschooling families.

If you live in a city of any size, the socialization opportunities for your child are virtually endless. And remember, all socialization doesn't have to be with people the same age as your child. It's great for your kids to interact with children younger than they are, the same age, older and adults.

Whether you live in a city or a remote rural area, your kids often have more hours available for getting together with others. Here are just a few ideas:

Volunteering.

Taking workshops and community college classes.

Meeting with homeschooling groups.

Joining local organizations like 4-H, Boy/Girl Scouts, Campfire, etc.

Having a part-time job.

Going to camps.

Attending homeschooling support groups.

Developing friends online.

If you live in a very small town or far out in the country where there are limited opportunities to meet with others, have your child get involved, as much as possible, with online friends (taking the usual precautions, of course). Connect them with instant messaging and email contacts with other homeschoolers.

Other ideas if you live in an isolated area:

Attend state conferences.

Try to find someone reasonably close who is homeschooling and set up regular meetings.

Send your child to homeschooling camps.

I homeschool my kids and they've worked with Habitat for Humanity and Search and Rescue, taken classes in ballroom dance, chess, cooking, sign language and much more. They attend homeschooling teen groups including dances, proms, slumber parties, etc. For many homeschoolers, there are so many socialization opportunities that we have to figure out what to say "no" to!