Are Homeschoolers Unsocialized? // Socialization in Homeschool// How I Socialize My Homeschool Kids 

Your perspective is new to me. I actually agree with you. I felt guilty that my only child, who is speech delayed will be "robbed" from socializing in public school. You gave us great insight 👍 thank you.

This was a great collaboration, you guys gave me some great talking point! And yes.... parenting!

World view, characters and well being should be priority. Socialization comes naturally.

Yes! Socialization is such an issue I run into when I ask for help or look for tips. I get instant defensiveness instead of help. I get the pushback because it's a stereotype that we have to deal with all the time from people who don't understand. There's a lot of things that we, as homeschoolers, don't often think about and so won't ever teach and our kids don't really have a chance to learn. They're masters at math but what good is that if they can't hold a conversation with someone? I'd LOVE a video exploring this further, or even a list of important social skills our kids should know if anyone has one.

You handled this topic beautifully💜

Thank you so much for joining in on this collab! So thankful for you!!

I agree my kids have a cousin who is 10 and he is a little bit of a bully and a troublemaker. My kids are 8 and 6. I had this same conversation and said I think it's good that they have play time and are surrounded by him sometimes because it will toughen ours kids up and honestly they can learn what not to do as well

The difference won't be so obvious until the kids are much older. Little kids are great at going up to each other and asking to be friends and playing. In middle school is when the shift starts to happen. A well "socialized" kid will be able to approach anyone and make a friend or have a friendly conversation. A homeschooler who is getting their kids out there with others (whether in sports or co-ops) this will be no problem for the child. A public school kid (IMO) takes some time to warm up. A homeschooler who doesn't have extracurriculars will struggle. As the child reaches high school, the divide becomes greater. Especially if the public schooler or homeschooler has electronic devices (both of these groups will be anti-social). A homeschooler who has no device and has been in extracurriculars will have no problem. The other huge difference is that older homeschoolers (14 to 18 yo) will include and have respect for younger kids they do not know. They will include them in games and conversation. Public school kids will not do this if they are in high school. They may entertain it for a moment, but they will wander off trying to get away. A homeschooler who has not been in any extracurriculars on a regular basis will be socially awkward. Public schoolers may think homeschoolers are weird if they don't know the slang phrases. There are exceptions to the rule, but this is what I've witnessed. This conversation is much more relevant as the child gets older. I agree that socialization is secondary, and I also think that awkwardness in a homeschooler can be overcome as they get jobs and become adults. Kids IMO are more likely to be like their parents. If the parent seeks socialization, then so, too, will the child and vise versa. I think "socialized" homeschoolers are more mature because the parent is there to correct and have conversations about the social event to help guide their child to be a better friend or to handle a situation differently. The homeschool parent just has more opportunities to do this more often than a public school peer. This would be comparing boys to boys and girls to girls of the same age. An older homeschooler may appear weird to a public schooler because the older homeschooler still has a "play" drive. They are more likely to run around and play tag and play the younger kid games.

Yes! Those simple skills like eye contact and speaking clearly are important in our household too.

Collaboration is such a great point! I think one way we have practiced this not really thinking about it, or an idea for others to help incorporate this would be when we do unit studies together. We once made a solar oven, my kids worked together on building it together, or once when we built a model of a Roman aqueduct, they collaborated together to build it. My kids also love to make up plays/performances to perform for us which is really fun too. They go in a bedroom and make up a script and they make props. I think adding in group projects if you have more than one child is such a great way to help them practice collaboration. Also getting together with other homeschool friends to do something as a group would be good too. :)

I like how you pointed out things on both ends of the spectrum.

I homeschool for my kids not to socialize..people don't like me so I stay way from people as much as I can...they will go to school when they are ready to be in a sit for a long time..

Yes, eye contact is something we are always working on with my son. I really like how you explained socialization in this video. I agree with so much!

Such good points! I loved hearing your thoughts!

The eye contact thing is so true! I can say this is an issue across in all grades, in both public school and private school! It drives my husband crazy too! And the thanking-I feel like our husbands would get along great! 😆

"Stretch the skills"👏👏

Primary and secondary, yes👍

Yes, parenting! And I like your idea that world view, emotional well-being etc being primary focus! So true. I have a kiddo on the spectrum, so I understand how difficult eye contact is for him (and the growing number of kiddos out there). But I agree, when there aren’t neurodevelopment issues, eye contact is so important to teach! Although I wouldn’t expect it from a child I don’t know, (there are so many kids that simply can not, and have invisible disabilities). 🙂

You are doing a great job, Momma. Intentionality with commitment and purpose ❤️

Parenting - it's so true ... such great thoughts here mama!