[seeemilywrite]

For those of you that homeschool, how do you make sure that your children get the social interaction that they would have gotten while they were in school? With the absense of other children in your "class" how do you kids go out and meet new friends?

[hennypenny]

My daughter was homeschooled for a while, now she goes to public school. She already had friends before we started, we always joined a really friendly homeschool social group which was awesome! Also hobbies, sports, music classes etc are great too

[seeemilywrite]

The friends I have who homeschool all have their children in sports. It just seems like a one-two day a week event is hardly a filler for a weeks worth of interaction with others. Do you do lots of different events with your children that involve others?

[hennypenny]

We did have, but like I said, she now goes to public school. It must be noted that homeschoolers aren't trying to replace or 'fill' in what school is like, they are trying to better it.

[WordsAplenty]

My kids have many more opportunities for socializing than if they were in school. They see people of all different ages, religions, backgrounds, etc. If they were in school, they would only see people of their age. They would be sitting quietly in a classroom most of the time. Now, when they see other people, they are free to speak and play and get to know them. I work out at the YMCA 2 hours a day-- they spend that time in Kid Watch with other kids. We are part of a homeschooling girl scout troop. They take ice skating and gymnastics. In addition, we have park days w/ a homeschooling group.

[twinzplus3]

Originally Posted by seeemilywrite

It just seems like a one-two day a week event is hardly a filler for a weeks worth of interaction with others.

To answer your first question, we go all over the place. We go to the park, my kids do sports, art, dance, and are involved in neighborhood clubs. BUT not because I feel like they need to socialize with others. They do it because they want to. If and when someone comes home and doesn't want to do something, they don't have to. (Regarding outside activities of course--chores on the other hand are not optional )
The idea that kids get "socialized" in school seems weird to me. First of all, they aren't allowed to talk in school except during recess. (Many schools even require silent lunches so the kids will eat more quickly.) They aren't interacting with others all day. My kids on the other hand are talking about ideas with me, their dad, and their siblings all day long.
I think kids learn socialization at home regardless of your schooling choices. Kids take their cues from their parents--they watch how we respond and treat others, how we speak etc. and respond to that.

[momoflots]

My son has been homeschooled since kindergarten and his social calander is busier than my daughter's, and she is in public school. He even has days when he comes home and hides so he can get a few hours of alone time. These are friends he went out into the neighborhood and found. These are not the ones he sees in Homeschool group. He makes friends of all ages and backgrounds based on common interests. He is much more comfortable in social situations than his sister who attends public school.

[twinzplus3]

Originally Posted by momoflots

My son has been homeschooled since kindergarten and his social calander is busier than my daughter's, and she is in public school. He even has days when he comes home and hides so he can get a few hours of alone time. These are friends he went out into the neighborhood and found. These are not the ones he sees in Homeschool group. He makes friends of all ages and backgrounds based on common interests. He is much more comfortable in social situations than his sister who attends public school.

Yep! This is consistent with findings in research as well. Homeschooled kids tend to be much better "socialized" than their schooled counterparts. I have written a blog on it in homeschooling.

[Brandie]

Originally Posted by seeemilywrite

For those of you that homeschool, how do you make sure that your children get the social interaction that they would have gotten while they were in school? With the absense of other children in your "class" how do you kids go out and meet new friends?

We just make friends the same way other kids make friends outside of school! Neighbors, through sports activites, park district activities, children of friends dh and I had before having children, at church, playing in the park, and then at some homeschooling functions.
My kids have all had friends prior to school age, as I assume most kids do. And we make friends just like you and your children do minus meeting people at school.

[Brandie]

Originally Posted by seeemilywrite

The friends I have who homeschool all have their children in sports. It just seems like a one-two day a week event is hardly a filler for a weeks worth of interaction with others. Do you do lots of different events with your children that involve others?

Some weeks we get out a lot, other weeks we don't get out so much. I mean even kids who go to school have down weeks (during breaks or summer). It's all a part of the ebb and flow and living these days.
My kids are all pretty normal kids and if you chatted with them you would have lovely conversations and you probably wouldn't think twice about how much they are "socialized." They are kids, like any other kids, they just don't go to school!