No, it's not that "s" word. There is a word that people use when they talk about homeschoolers. Socialization. If we homeschoolers/unschoolers didn't know any better, we would think that they were referring to the overabundance of activities, outings, playdates and ventures out into the real world, with people of all ages, almost every day. (We do need to spend some time at home, ya know...especially for the introverted moms.)
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| What does this look like to you? |
In fact, we spend so much time on activities, outings, playdates and ventures out into the real world that we reach a point that we say to each other, "let's just have a day at home alone". We try to do that at least one day a week.
I decided to forgo posting the definitions of the word, because those who use the word have their own definition. I'm just not sure how home/unschoolers don't meet the criteria. Thoughts?
I would venture a guess that people in traditional schools have that concept about home/unschoolers. I know I did until I starting befriending all you home/unschooler bloggers! NOW...lol...I wish I would have gone that route with my own kids. I really do. But they turned out very well. I attribute that to their first 8 yrs of school being Montessori. Or, as I like to call it...homeschooling for those without patience, lol.
ReplyDeleteMaybe everyone concerned about socialization should start reading home/unschooling blogs. ;) The thing is, they'd have to do it with an open mind. Not everyone is as open and evolved as you. My neighbor made a comment the other day about socialization. She's a teacher. Enough said?
ReplyDeleteMontessori is great! I went to a Montessori school for a few years and loved it. And I think you would have been a great homeschooling mom. :)
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ReplyDeleteI was just in the middle of a hissy fit about stereotypes of unschoolers/homeschoolers when I paused and read your blog. I get tired of answering the socialization question. Like you said, home educated children get exposed to all ages of people all the time, and it's often difficult to press aside our activities to take down time! Traditionally educated children spend their days with a lot of children the same age and how many adults around?? Do we learn to be adults from other children or from adults? Okay, I'll stop my rant now. Also, I loved what you said about listening to your intuition. It's reminded me to listen to my three year old a little better! - JJ
ReplyDeleteJJ, feel free to rant here anytime! ;) Like Sheila posted above, when people get to really see what home/unschoolers do, they will see things differently. If I were to post my calendar and list the people we spend time with in a week, I can't see how anyone could say our kids lack socialization. Wait, I think that may be an upcoming blog post! :)
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