Hi Natalie,
I homeschool my ds12, along with his siblings. If my children’s interaction with other children were my primary concern, there are many places to achieve that goal besides a brick and mortar school setting. This, however, is not my primary goal for my children. I am not interested in having him learn to deal with dozens of kids his own age. I much prefer him getting the experience of working with people of many ages and backgrounds. Volunteering at our church’s nursing home birthday party and being a student leader at our church’s AWANA program are examples of this. In these settings he interacts with people from ages 5 – 105, including other student leaders within his own age category. He is learning to serve, have patience with difficult small children, interact with his adult leaders, show love and compassion for people who have not heard the gospel or who have not opened their hearts to it yet.
Is he learning how to compete with 20 other kids his own age for the best spot at lunch? No. Is he learning how to be a part of his community and care about other people? Absolutely. Can he and will he run into conflict and competition in these other places? Of course. Conflict and competition seem to be a part of human nature. Stopping those situations would be difficult. Perhaps he won’t be as bombarded with it and scarred from it as your typical public school student, but he WILL run into it. Never in his life after public school will he be in a classroom with 20 or more people his exact same age. It is a false socialization atmosphere, imho.
Of course, there’s also the academic stand point. I’d much rather have them home working at their individual levels, moving forward towards our college goals for them, then have them in a place where one size fits all out of necessity. I’m sure some schools are better at this than others, but there is no school that can tailor to their needs like I can to make sure they reach their academic goals. But once again, that isn’t my absolute priority. When we read the Bible together and have fabulous, life influencing discussions…when I see my boys be kind to others…when I see them have a real interest in politics and where are country is heading at such a young age…I know I’m doing the right thing for them. And I’m pretty certain studies have shown that homeschoolers are more likely to be involved in their communities and more likely to vote than their public school counter parts. That is the socialization I’m interested in.
You have to ask yourself what your goals as a parent are for your children and if homeschooling meets those goals. Do not let what outsiders say or think influence this decision at all; even close family. While they are children is the ONE time you have to influence their character, which far surpasses any other goal I could have for them. I refuse to give up that very precious, short time in order for them to be “socialized” by their peers in public schools.
So the short answer is: Yes. A homeschooled child can develop into a strong, healthy, well-adapted individual.
Best wishes.
