Socialization, Do We Need to Go There?

Many people unfamiliar with the homeschooling lifestyle, have preconceived notions that homeschoolers are somehow missing out on building social skills because they are not among large groups of kids their own age for eight hours or more a day, five days a week. The rapid rise in popularity in homeschooling as led to a growth in awareness both in the public and private sectors of society. Businesses and local organizations embrace and welcome homeschool families. In fact many of them are creating customized learning programs tailored just for homeschooled students. Opporutnies for learning in groups, clubs and social events abound. I catch myself needing to hold back from over extending our activities to be sure we are not constantly on the go and allowing our academics suffer. The freedom of homeschooling opens you to a world of mass opportunity and self mastery through self control.

Don’t allow yourself to be overwhelmed as you receive the onslaught of brochures, announcements and handouts about this class or that club; this play or that.  It’s easy to want to participate in it all. You know that you will learn new things, make new friends, and reconnect with old ones. Just remember to not become a slave to your schedule by overbooking. You can’t “do it all.”

Here are 8 questions to help you determine if an activity is aligned with honoring you and your children allowing you to make a good choice:

• 1.       Who wants this activity, my child or is it mostly my idea?
• 2.       Is this activity aligned with my child’s learning and purpose, gaining more from it than the time spent?
• 3.       Am I attracted to the idea that rewards, trophies and accolades will bring happiness to my children?
• 4.       Is there a chance that adding this activity may impact the well-being for my family?
• 5.       Will my children continue to have some free-play time every day?
• 6.       Will my children continue to get enough sleep?
• 7.       Will we be able to manage eating dinner together as a family at least 5 nights or more a week?
• 8.       Will this new activity add stress to my already full plate or what can I remove from my plate?

It’s okay to be selfish with your self-care and wellness. It’s okay to have extra time on your hands. You don’t have to fill every moment of every day. The years with your young family are precious. What will you remember? All the fun time spent together or the chaos of always going somewhere, doing something? 

Families should honor themselves with time to relax, contemplate, and play together. This is how strong family bonds are established. A family that plays together stays together.

When you can find an activity of great interest that respects the family as a whole fulfilling the above criteria it will be well worth it. Now you and your family can enjoy it to the fullest remaining balanced and well.

Now go play!

© copyright 2010 Donna Vail

All rights reserved.

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