BrandenburgStudies

Last week I blogged about moving your Homeschool into the 21st Century.  The amazing thing about homeschooling: Most homeschool families are one-income families with very limited budgets.  Most Public Schools get (State and Federal money) $9000+/year / student.  (What we wouldn't give to have a "portion" of that!!  The things we could do!)  But even on our limited budget, we are getting results.  And we have options that most Public Schools would greatly envy:  we can tailor curriculum for each of our students; we tutor one-on-one with each student; we can move along within a curriculum at a pace that fits our student(s) -- slower if need be; or move faster.  We can enrich a curriculum as much as we want.  It is no wonder that our kids do so well.

That's all fine and good, opponents say, but what about socialization?  Aren't our children living in closets without a clue how to function as adults in the world when they graduate?  When I hear these questions, I have a very difficult time restraining myself -- from laughing myself silly.  I try to remain composed and answer their "pointed" questions. 

First, I remind the person(s) I am talking to that the classroom is for learning, not socialization, and that it is the "free" time after school when most students socialize.   Nevertheless, I then tell them about our Homeschool Band and Choir; Homeschool Physical Ed Classes; the Clubs my children belong to (AWANAs, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, etc); the Bible Quizzing teams my kids compete on; the youth groups my kids attend (2 a week); helping downtown with the homeless on Saturdays; attending Church and Sunday School on Sundays; and the jobs that the older ones have.  (That usually quiets people down).  I then tell them how my kids begin Dual Enrollment at the Community College once they begin their Sophomore year; how they usually graduate early from High School; the scholarships they have earned; how 100% of my graduating classes have gone on to college and beyond -- so I guess my kids do have a "clue" how to function as adults in society. 

Finally, the last time I heard this question asked to me, was when I was enroling my son in a Driver's Ed class at the Public High School.  We were in the Principal's office filling out the paperwork.  While I was reassuring the Principal about the above, 2 police officers brought in a student in handcuffs who was selling drugs, and there were 5 "young people" sitting outside his door to be the next to come in --they were bloodied and disheveled from a brawl that had broken out in the hall as the student were changing classes.  I didn't say anything, but it was an obvious contrast to the trials and tribulations of the normal school day at the Public School. 

So hang in there.  Open your home for your kids to have friends over.  Get involved in activities (in your Homeschool Group and in the Community).  And don't worry -- your children are more socially adjusted and better able to function as adults in this world, than most of the kids that are their peers.