My children must be isolated from the Real World.
“Why don’t you want your kids to live in the real world? They will never be able to make it if they don’t.”
This has to be the hardest question to combat with a total stranger. I mean, think about it. The person obviously has their own preconceived ideas about homeschoolers. When they see my children and I out IN the Real World, it doesn’t even occur to them that the traditionally-schooled children are the ones who are kept away from it.
The myth of the socially-inept homeschoolers does have some truth to it. I have seen some homeschoolers who really were socially awkward and unable to fit into a group of same aged peers. Not many, but some. The vast majority, however, are simply NOT like that. Mine certainly aren’t!
My kids have always been very busy, socially speaking. From the early years, when we did pizza & bowling on Thursdays (Homeschool Bowl time, $2 for 3 hours!), to the days of twice weekly swimming lessons and then swim team, at the YMCA. Let’s not forget Missionettes and Royal Rangers on Wednesday nights, and volleyball and indoor soccer practices and games.
These days, with they boys it is also twice weekly swimming lessons, and Royal Rangers. Soccer or basketball (Upward, not at the Y) are coming up and the boys want to play. Homeschool bowling and art classes will be starting up again soon too. There are PLENTY of group activities around here to keep ANY kids, and their families, quite busy in The Real World.
And just for fun, here’s a video about the difference between being Homeschooled and being a Homeschooler.
Nothing makes me happier than to have an adult come up to us and remark on how well behaved, or talkative, or kind one of my kids are. And when that son is able to make eye contact, smile, and thank them or even initiate conversation (Gasp! With a stranger!), so much the better. They can join in bike riding or ball with the neighborhood kids, hold babies in the church nursery, and play pool with the teenagers in the youth group. My kids aren’t even close to being isolated from the real world. They are in it every single day.
Funny, I was at Starbucks the other day working while our daughters were at gym. This is my hangout on long, gym days. I was sitting near someone whom I recognized as a “regular” and he asked how the children were doing. He turned and told his friend that our kids were the most well-behaved and polite children. He continued by explaining they were homeschooled. Both people agreed that homeschooled kids were usually very polite and well-adjusted. They attributed this to the fact their parents were around and constantly “teaching” them. I thanked them for their kind words and smiled as I walked away.
We have been homeschooling our four children for 3 years and all of them have a busier social lives than my husband and I did at their age. Between soccer, church, gymnastics, Lego league, school friends, homeschool friends, and neighborhood activities, they stay in touch with the “real world.” According to the Starbucks guys and others, they are polite and well-adjusted too! So, in short, I agree this myth has been totally BUSTED!
Great post and look forward to reading others. Good luck with a wonderful school year!
I’ve observed that same conversation about my kids too, except in the grocery store, between a cashier I’ve gone to for years and a customer in line. I just LOVE that! Thanks for the visit & comment– I’ve been to your blog before but it’s been a while. I’m stalking you now.
That was GREAT video! I love it.
-FringeGirl
Tricia: I wish that I could take credit for the video, but unfortunately I don’t know the girl. I just LOVE that video because she is very well-spoken and honest!
Thanks for the link & comment!
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LOL. I’ve seen this video before. Such a clever girl.
Amber @ Classic Housewife recently posted..I Wish I’d Seen This BEFORE the Summer!!
Oops! What I mean to say was, I’ve seen it before but enjoyed watching it again. (Didn’t mean to apply that it was old news or something.) =)
Amber @ Classic Housewife recently posted..I Wish I’d Seen This BEFORE the Summer!!
LOL okay Amber, thanks for the clarification.
I love the video! I don’t know that girl but I’d like to meet her. I love homeschooled teens.
Fabulous! I hope my kids grow up to be like her.
What people don’t seem to understand is that some kids will be socially awkward no matter where they are educated – implying that the only way that happens is through homeschooling is a gross oversimplification.
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