Blog #2: Socialization

There is so called perceived lack of socialization for homeschooled children. This is often just a huge misconception. As a homeschooled child myself, I can attest to the vibrant social lives we were able to cultivate.

Sure, we didn't have the built-in peer groups that come with traditional schooling. But my parents made sure we had ample opportunities to interact and form friendships with other children. They arranged regular playdates and outings with the kids of their close friends, who were of similar ages. We also had a large community at our church, where we bonded with lots of children our age and older. This was through youth groups, Sunday school, and social events.

Beyond that, our extracurricular activities opened up even more avenues for socialization. Whether it was sports teams, arts classes, or community clubs, these hobbies allowed us to make friends with kids who shared our interests. And when we travelled, we'd often strike up conversations with the neighbors' children, quickly making new buddies to play with.

So, while the structure of our social lives may have looked a bit different from traditionally-schooled kids, the reality was that we had no shortage of interaction and companionship. In fact, I'd argue that the quality of those friendships was even stronger since they were built on shared values and genuine connections, not just proximity.

Furthermore, being homeschooled with my two siblings was an incredible experience. Our close-knit bond and lifelong friendships grew stronger through all the years we spent together. Navigating the homeschooling journey side-by-side created an unbreakable connection between us. I cherish the memories we made and the support we provided one another along the way.

My friends and my siblings, along with me, had always loved music, and one day, we decided to take the plunge and create our own band. There were six of us, and we had been close friends since childhood, and we knew that starting a band together would be an incredible adventure.

We spent countless hours practicing, trying to perfect our sound. It was hard work, but we were driven by our passion for God, music, and the joy of creating something together.

As our band started to gain skills and experience, we knew we wanted to take it to the next level. So, my parents created an opportunity for us to perform overseas, and we jumped at this chance. Hence, the six of us, along with our parents, packed our bags and set off on these incredible journeys.

Performing in front of international audiences was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking, but we gave it our all. As we stood on those stages, surrounded by new faces, we couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and camaraderie. This was our dream, and we were living it together.

But the trip was about more than just the music. It was about serving the local community.

We were also sent several times to help serve the underprivileged children. It was a humbling and eye-opening experience, and it reminded us of the value of human life.

As we worked with these teams and children. We taught them about music and helped them find life skills.  As we helped them find their own voices, we found ourselves forming unexpected friendships, with team mates and those we served. These kids, from a world away, became our friends, and we became their inspiration. We learned as much from them as they did from us, and we left those internship with our hearts full and our minds expanded.

The bonds we forged on that trip - with each other and with the people we met - have stayed with us long after we returned home.

The memories of those distant shores and the faces of our new friends will always hold a special place in our hearts.

My parents were very intentional about facilitating these social opportunities. They understood the importance of socialization for our development, and they made sure we had outlets to connect with our peers. Whether it was coordinating playdates, driving us to activities, or chaperoning field trips, they went above and beyond to nurture our social lives.

Looking back, I'm grateful for the rich social tapestry they helped weave for us. The friendships I formed during my homeschooling years have endured to this day, and I know the same is true for many of my peers. We learned valuable lessons about communication, empathy, and building meaningful relationships - skills that have served us incredibly well, both in school and in our adult lives.

So, I would encourage any homeschooling parents out there not to worry about the socialization aspect. With a little creativity and intentionality, you can provide your children with a vibrant social experience that goes far beyond the limitations of a traditional classroom setting. The key is tapping into your local community and your own networks to facilitate those connections. It may look different, but the end result can be just as enriching, if not more so. Today, we can easily interact  and engage with people of any age and any religion or race.