Socialization is not about a group of kids all the same age always being together. True socialization doesn't happen in a bubble and is about people of ALL ages interacting with one another. When kids are feeling alone, then getting out into the world can provide the socialization they are craving.

How to encourage homeschool socialization.

Homeschool socialization. That seems to be a topic that is talked about at length when the topic of homeschooling is brought up. And, yet, we homeschoolers know what others outside of the homeschool arena don't - that socialization is usually the least of our worries. In case you need some ideas, here are some that I used with my boys.

What do you say about homeschool socialization?

You and I know that homeschool socialization isn't a problem. But, what do you do when people ask you about the socialization of your children? How do you answer them? Do you blow them off with a flip answer, or have you had any good conversations where people 'see the light'? I asked a few of my friends what kinds of experiences they've had with this question, and they shared some of their stories below.

"My husband is military and last summer brought a move; our first move since we started home schooling. As fall came and school started up, my 8th grader joined the Chapel Youth Group. Their first meeting was a fun night; bowling and ice cream. My husband drove, and hung in the background to check things out. At the end of the evening, the young woman who runs the group asked if Lauren was home schooled. My husband answered yes, but thought, "what now." Her response: "I could tell that she is. She is confident in who she is, polite, and engaged in conversation not only with the other youth but also with the adult chaperones." This young woman herself had been home schooled, and encouraged us in our journey! It was such a blessing!"

- Melissa



"I am a former paraprofessional from the school in our neighborhood. I resigned 6 years ago to homeschool our children, and I get bugged all the time about the socialization aspect of my children's education. My favorite story relating to this topic is when I was on a field trip with our homeschooling group. A few teenage girls were talking about how it annoys them when people question them about the socialization factor. One girl said that one time some one asked her how they made friends, and she said, "I do it just like you do. I smile and say hello." I thought that was great!"

- Shelly



"My mother took our 3 kids (13, 11, and 8 yrs) and I to a posh small tea room for Devonshire tea (cup of tea with scones, jam and cream). The tea came out piping hot, so I showed them how my grandma used to put some tea onto the saucer to cool it down and give it to me as a child to drink from the saucer. The 2 younger children (the boys) then proceed to drink their entire teapots of tea via their cup then saucer (much to the embarrassment of their 13 year old sister!). My sister dropped into the shop weeks later, and heard that my children impressed the lady serving the tea. She commented on their good manners, sitting up to have their tea. They were the best-behaved children she had had there!!! All I can say is I reckon the bar is not set very high, and I think we will make and surpass it no worries."

– Allison



Have you seen my Disapproving, Insensitive Relatives Translator (DIRT)? It's a translation guide to help homeschool parents deal with disapproving, insensitive relatives. You know the type…the relatives who make you feel like DIRT, hahaha!

