Dear Friends, Family, Neighbors and people I have met at the Grocery store and other places:
Each of you at different times, whether you know me or not, upon hearing of my decision to homeschool my children, usually all have the same question, “What about Socialization?”
I realize now how kind and caring this question is. You are showing care and concern for my children. I am not sure however what answer you expect me to give. Do you really think that I am going to say “I let my children out of the closet for a half an hour a day, and they seem to be just fine.” Or maybe you think I am going to say “My children’s socialization stinks, but I want to control and shelter them, and therefore I will continue to homeschool them.” Or maybe you just think that I will be defensive, knowing deep inside that homeschooling is the worst thing for my children, and yet I insist on it anyway.
You will have to forgive me, if I am sometimes a little annoyed by the question. Especially on those times when you ask me right after one of my children has just finished explaining to you about the mating habits of tree frogs, or the various battles during the Revolutionary War. He maybe even just explained all that was involved in the science project that he just finished, drawing all of the iron out of high iron cereals using a Neodymium Magnet.
So let me tell you the truth about the socialization of home school children. According to all of the studies that have been done, home schooled children actually have better social skills. They can relate to people of all ages, not just those of their same age. They display more self confidence than their public schooled peers. They do not succumb to peer pressure in the ways that public schooled children do. They often thrive so well in college, that large Universities are rumored to seek them out. The list goes on.
I know that home schooling is not for everyone. I won’t judge you in the way that you have judged me. But I do ask that you respect me and my decision.
Sincerely,
Coleen
