Socialize Like a Homeschooler
- rstinson10
- Jan 4
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 26
Hello! Welcome. We are veteran homeschoolers. We invite you to browse our website for more articles about navigating the homeschool world, encouragement when making friends, limiting screen time for your family and more.
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When homeschooling there are many opportunities to make friends, be around other kids, and socialize. Here's what you need to know.
Socialization is one of the great benefits of homeschooling because you, as parents, get to direct and influence your child's interactions from the earliest age. There are no bad influences, bad teachers, or bully's in your child's life because you have freedom of association. However, we have an increased responsibility to intentionally seek out and create healthy and safe social opportunities for our children and for us parents. And although (most) kids are provided with socialization opportunities in public schools as well, its the kind of socialization that matters. Prisoners in criminal justice system are "socialized" also and there are strong similarities to how inmates in a correctional facility are socialized when compared with students in the public school system.
When homeschooling it is important to attend and host meetups, and maintain your friendships off social media, especially with other homeschool families.
The socialization that occurs in the public school system is not in any way equivalent to what happens in the real world. The socialization that children are exposed to into the public school system is forced association. Saying your child is friends with their classmates is like saying the person standing behind me in the grocery store is my "friend". Some of your child's classmates might be bullies, the adult in charge might be a predator and there are many seemingly safe situations that could turn tragic due to this lack of freedom.
Obviously, children get hurt in situations outside of a school setting, but we have significantly more control over our child's safety and social situations due to this freedom of association. Because we homeschool, we can detect the behaviors of bullies, delinquents, predator adults and then take the appropriate action. We can just leave and not return. You have no such capability when your child is in the public school system, because you are simply not present.
Friendships in the homeschool world (that is to say, real friendships) are different. Children may be friends with children who are different ages than they are. Friends may live in their town or in one nearby. We are also friends with the family, not just the one child. It makes birthday parties extra fun when siblings are also there to celebrate and play. And because your child is voluntarily choosing to play with and become friends with other kids, it's real friendships that are being formed.
There are many opportunities to socialize when homeschooling. Here are some examples:
Homeschool specific opportunities
Co-ops: A (Co-operative) is a parent run education program. Generally speaking, they meet once a week in a public place like a church during the school calendar year Sept-June. Each parent will have a job or be on a rotation to teach classes. They do field trips. Not a drop off program. Age brackets, curriculum, cost, time frames all vary.
Micro-school: This is a drop off program for homeschool kids. It is set up like a daycare/ preschool, but it's for school age children. Age Brackets, curriculum, cost, time frames all vary.
Hosting things yourself
Organizing your own events is important. Does your child like Chess, but there is no Chess club in your area? Do you have a teenager, but there are few teen activities near you? Set something up! Organize a field trip or on a local trail for a mini hike. Organize a board game meetup at your local game cafe. Set up a valentines day card exchange. Host a playdate or a moms' night with friends. You get to set the time schedule, activity and the guest list. It is also an important when maintaining your friendships to initiate an activity with them sometimes.
Moms' night out: Homeschooling is an unique experience. Fellowship with other homeschool moms is important too. Here are some tips to make yours great.
Fellowship with other moms is very important.
Playdates: Inviting your child's friends over to play a board game, play with toys, or ride scooters in your driveway while the moms chat over coffee is a gift. Here are some tips to make yours safe and successful.
Extracurriculars
Sports: Baseball, Marshal Arts, Ballet, Soccer and any other class is an opportunity to make friends and have other teachers in your child's life. These classes also count towards instruction time as "P.E".
Other extracurricular activities: American Heritage Girls, Trail Life, STEAM classes, Art classes, music lessons and other classes are great for socialization and having other teachers in your child's life. Sometimes, businesses will offer classes for homeschoolers during school hours. These classes also count towards instruction time.
Church: Many homeschoolers are involved in youth group, Sunday school and other religious activities during the week.
Field trips: Going to the zoo, museum or national park as a family or with other homeschool families is another opportunity to socialize. These activities also count towards instruction time. Many businesses offer tours and activities for small groups like schools or scouts and are also great to do as a homeschoolers. They require an appointment to set it up. Get a few families together for a field trip soon!
A close knit family: Having a close, healthy relationship with extended family and siblings is a great benefit of homeschooling. It is an important part of anyones social circle, not just homeschoolers. Grandparents often provide childcare support and teach lessons to their grandchildren. Having a large family is sometimes easier than people think because our kids are friends with each other and enjoy playing together during their leisure. If you do not have a close extended family, we want to encourage you to break that cycle and be the amazing family and be the loving future grandparents.
Socialization as a life skill: Healthy friendships don't happen by accident. Maintaining friendships and teaching our children to take turns, have good manners, conflict resolution, honesty, boundaries, sharing their toys and helping people is part of our homeschool education. As homeschool parents we have the opportunity and responsibility to make healthy socialization a priority in our schedules; to text friends back in a timely manner, arrange meetups and keep in touch.
Networking on social media. finding local co-ops, micro-schools, homeschool events, and hosting your own homeschool meetups is easy with social media.
Make new friends! Homeschooling is a unique situation and it is important to meetup with other families who share this experience. Meeting people online in homeschool social media groups is one way to make friends. Here are some tips for "friendship blind dating".
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