{Day 7} How Do Homeschooled Children Make Friends?
{For an overview of all 31 Days of Homeschooling click HERE.}
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If you’re one of those people who thinks homeschool families sit at the kitchen table all day, think again. I’ve said it a thousand times — homeschoolers are some of the busiest families I know.
Though “busy” isn’t always a good thing, remaining active outside of the home does present some advantages. Among them is the chance for homeschooled students to meet different people all the time– at the library, at the supermarket, on field trips, during classes, at lectures, and so on.
No longer is homeschooling unusual — it has become a highly acceptable and main-streamed way to for kids to go to school. Those worried about a shortage of friends must remember, there is no shortage of homeschoolers anywhere, any more. Remember, homeschooling grows by some 8-20% each year, depending on what you read. Therefore, dozens and dozens of homeschooled youth fill every community room, every local event, every workshop, every recreational sports league, and other place that families go. Don’t forget, they populate the neighborhoods and playgrounds of America, too, making running into other homeschoolers a regular occurrence.
That is, should parents want to limit friendships to those within homeschool circles.
Of course, this is not always the case.
Keep in mind that homeschooled students traditionally take great advantage of community resources. By registering for classes at local museums, community centers, high schools, internship programs and college campuses, homeschoolers met many different people in their daily lives — homeschooled and not. In fact, the superior level of maturity and socialization observed in homeschooled youngsters is often attributed having frequent contact with many people of all ages and all backgrounds.
Finally, do homeschool parents “screen” their kid’s friends? This common assumption may or may not be true — I don’t think anyone knows definitively. My gut, however, says many do encourage homeschool friendships, at least to some degree, whether realizing it or not. But just as any parent may question the major influencers in their child’s lives, so may homeschool moms and dads. Since homeschool families have the flexibility to get out during daytime “school hours”, the other young people they meet during the day are often homeschoolers, making this easily possible, should this be an area parents want to control. Because homeschool families choose the activities that are right for them, places that don’t seem suitable for one reason or another just don’t make the cut.
Overall, homeschoolers are met with a great many opportunities to get to know other people. Though family relationships are reinforced and par for the course, most children get out for many different reasons throughout the week. And for those who do not, online groups for youngsters exist, too.
Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. A homeschooling pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever. A liaison for regional school-to-home organizations, a homeschool leader, and a women’s life coach, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, The Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool Network, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT, Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide. Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.
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