Socialization: Our Biggest Gripe With Homeschooling
John O. Andersen
Yes, it has been a huge problem for our children. But with experience, we'
ve learned to bring it largely under control.
You see, we live in Portland, Oregon. Before we moved here, we suspected
it was a good place to homeschool. Talk about understatement! After a few
years in this area, we've got lots of hard evidence that if there ever were
a contest for America's homeschooling mecca, Portland would easily make the
short list.
Everywhere we go, we run into homeschoolers. We have associations with
scores of homeschooling families. Without exception, they are all involved
in a variety of activities. There are homeschooling roller-skating parties,
archery classes, a homeschooling basketball group, access to high school
band, community college courses, and varsity sports for teenage
homeschoolers, co-op language classes, volunteer opportunities, daytime art
classes, music classes, singing groups, theater productions, science labs at
a local museum, organized field trips practically every day of the week,
girl and boy scouts homeschooling groups--the list goes on an on.
And that, dear reader, is the core of our children's' socialization
problem: too many activities, and too little time.
Homeschoolers, without the constraints of a 6-hour-a-day school schedule,
are extremely vulnerable to falling into the trap of too many outside
activities and too much social interaction. This can be dangerous
especially if we hope to teach our children to appreciate and enjoy the
quiet reflective life.
So, my wife Mandy and I are learning to apply the brakes; to slow things
down a bit. One step we've taken is to develop a weekly schedule of sorts.
We don't hold hard and fast to this, but rather use it as a guide. It looks
something like this:
Monday
At home academically-oriented day; also clean-the-house day. Our children
usually spend the late afternoon and early evening outside playing with the
neighborhood children.
Tuesday
Co-op learning with other homeschoolers; also some academics, and afternoon
outside play with neighborhood children.
Wednesday
Mandy and children volunteer at the library. At the moment, they shelve
books, label items, and help with other projects. We try to do some
academics as well and, of course, there is time for afternoon outside play
with neighborhood children.
Thursday
Slow day (intentionally); sometimes co-op classes; evening achievement group
for our daughter and soon cub scouts for our son.
Friday
Family outing day; this can be a volunteer project which we do as a family
(our current one is helping out a pioneer living history museum), or going
to the beach, visiting historic sites, the zoo, public gardens, museums,
etc.
This general plan helps us to pace ourselves throughout the week, and
provides a "first-line defense" against the constant barrage of social
activities. It gives us a sensible framework. It also enables us to enjoy
regular unrushed time together.
So, if you're thinking about homeschooling, and you live in a city with
tons of homeschoolers or lots of interesting things to do, you'll definitely
need to come up with a strategy to keep the socialization problem under
control.
Because, unless you do, you could easily slip into the oversocialization
trap. Believe me, you don't want that. It'll wear you out, and could
seriously detract from the quality of your homeschooling experience.
John Andersen
Author of the "Unconventional Ideas" website at http://go.to/unconventional
In a world starved for inspired leadership, to be merely a team player is to
be a coward.
ve learned to bring it largely under control.
You see, we live in Portland, Oregon. Before we moved here, we suspected
it was a good place to homeschool. Talk about understatement! After a few
years in this area, we've got lots of hard evidence that if there ever were
a contest for America's homeschooling mecca, Portland would easily make the
short list.
Everywhere we go, we run into homeschoolers. We have associations with
scores of homeschooling families. Without exception, they are all involved
in a variety of activities. There are homeschooling roller-skating parties,
archery classes, a homeschooling basketball group, access to high school
band, community college courses, and varsity sports for teenage
homeschoolers, co-op language classes, volunteer opportunities, daytime art
classes, music classes, singing groups, theater productions, science labs at
a local museum, organized field trips practically every day of the week,
girl and boy scouts homeschooling groups--the list goes on an on.
And that, dear reader, is the core of our children's' socialization
problem: too many activities, and too little time.
Homeschoolers, without the constraints of a 6-hour-a-day school schedule,
are extremely vulnerable to falling into the trap of too many outside
activities and too much social interaction. This can be dangerous
especially if we hope to teach our children to appreciate and enjoy the
quiet reflective life.
So, my wife Mandy and I are learning to apply the brakes; to slow things
down a bit. One step we've taken is to develop a weekly schedule of sorts.
We don't hold hard and fast to this, but rather use it as a guide. It looks
something like this:
Monday
At home academically-oriented day; also clean-the-house day. Our children
usually spend the late afternoon and early evening outside playing with the
neighborhood children.
Tuesday
Co-op learning with other homeschoolers; also some academics, and afternoon
outside play with neighborhood children.
Wednesday
Mandy and children volunteer at the library. At the moment, they shelve
books, label items, and help with other projects. We try to do some
academics as well and, of course, there is time for afternoon outside play
with neighborhood children.
Thursday
Slow day (intentionally); sometimes co-op classes; evening achievement group
for our daughter and soon cub scouts for our son.
Friday
Family outing day; this can be a volunteer project which we do as a family
(our current one is helping out a pioneer living history museum), or going
to the beach, visiting historic sites, the zoo, public gardens, museums,
etc.
This general plan helps us to pace ourselves throughout the week, and
provides a "first-line defense" against the constant barrage of social
activities. It gives us a sensible framework. It also enables us to enjoy
regular unrushed time together.
So, if you're thinking about homeschooling, and you live in a city with
tons of homeschoolers or lots of interesting things to do, you'll definitely
need to come up with a strategy to keep the socialization problem under
control.
Because, unless you do, you could easily slip into the oversocialization
trap. Believe me, you don't want that. It'll wear you out, and could
seriously detract from the quality of your homeschooling experience.
John Andersen
Author of the "Unconventional Ideas" website at http://go.to/unconventional
In a world starved for inspired leadership, to be merely a team player is to
be a coward.
Anita Bower
Over-commitment is our current nemesis!
My son is in Webelos, Karate (classes twice a week), speech therapy and
Little League. He has a lawn mowing business with one paying customer,
plus he is responsible for mowing our 1 1/2 acres. He is practicing for a
karate demonstration, hence, has two extra karate classes per week. Plus,
we get together with another homeschooling family one day a week. All this
is fun, however..............
I find that chores are what get the short shrift. I realized yesterday
that I need to schedule in cleaning time and daily put-away-all-our-junk
time. Groceries are already scheduled in.
And, now there is gardening, which draws me like a magnet.
Arghhh...............
Anita
Homeschooling Mom
Nottingham, PA
\l /
@ @
o00(_)00o
My son is in Webelos, Karate (classes twice a week), speech therapy and
Little League. He has a lawn mowing business with one paying customer,
plus he is responsible for mowing our 1 1/2 acres. He is practicing for a
karate demonstration, hence, has two extra karate classes per week. Plus,
we get together with another homeschooling family one day a week. All this
is fun, however..............
I find that chores are what get the short shrift. I realized yesterday
that I need to schedule in cleaning time and daily put-away-all-our-junk
time. Groceries are already scheduled in.
And, now there is gardening, which draws me like a magnet.
Arghhh...............
Anita
Homeschooling Mom
Nottingham, PA
\l /
@ @
o00(_)00o
Amy
We have alot of that in MA too. Homeschoolers everywhere! Yesterday we went
to a local amusment park. Over 125 families attended and knowing that a lot
of homeschoolers have larger than average families you can imagine how many
people were there. I also happen to know of several families off the top of
my head that didn't go. whew.
Amy
to a local amusment park. Over 125 families attended and knowing that a lot
of homeschoolers have larger than average families you can imagine how many
people were there. I also happen to know of several families off the top of
my head that didn't go. whew.
Amy
----- Original Message -----
From: John O. Andersen <andersen@...>
To: <Undisclosed-Recipient>
Sent: Friday, May 26, 2000 9:09 PM
Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] Socialization: Our Biggest Gripe With
Homeschooling
> Yes, it has been a huge problem for our children. But with experience,
we'
> ve learned to bring it largely under control.
>
> You see, we live in Portland, Oregon. Before we moved here, we suspected
> it was a good place to homeschool. Talk about understatement! After a
few
> years in this area, we've got lots of hard evidence that if there ever
were
> a contest for America's homeschooling mecca, Portland would easily make
the
> short list.
>
> Everywhere we go, we run into homeschoolers. We have associations with
> scores of homeschooling families. Without exception, they are all
involved
> in a variety of activities. There are homeschooling roller-skating
parties,
> archery classes, a homeschooling basketball group, access to high school
> band, community college courses, and varsity sports for teenage
> homeschoolers, co-op language classes, volunteer opportunities, daytime
art
> classes, music classes, singing groups, theater productions, science labs
at
> a local museum, organized field trips practically every day of the week,
> girl and boy scouts homeschooling groups--the list goes on an on.
>
> And that, dear reader, is the core of our children's' socialization
> problem: too many activities, and too little time.
>
> Homeschoolers, without the constraints of a 6-hour-a-day school schedule,
> are extremely vulnerable to falling into the trap of too many outside
> activities and too much social interaction. This can be dangerous
> especially if we hope to teach our children to appreciate and enjoy the
> quiet reflective life.
>
> So, my wife Mandy and I are learning to apply the brakes; to slow things
> down a bit. One step we've taken is to develop a weekly schedule of
sorts.
> We don't hold hard and fast to this, but rather use it as a guide. It
looks
> something like this:
>
>
> Monday
> At home academically-oriented day; also clean-the-house day. Our children
> usually spend the late afternoon and early evening outside playing with
the
> neighborhood children.
>
> Tuesday
> Co-op learning with other homeschoolers; also some academics, and
afternoon
> outside play with neighborhood children.
>
> Wednesday
> Mandy and children volunteer at the library. At the moment, they shelve
> books, label items, and help with other projects. We try to do some
> academics as well and, of course, there is time for afternoon outside play
> with neighborhood children.
>
> Thursday
> Slow day (intentionally); sometimes co-op classes; evening achievement
group
> for our daughter and soon cub scouts for our son.
>
> Friday
> Family outing day; this can be a volunteer project which we do as a family
> (our current one is helping out a pioneer living history museum), or going
> to the beach, visiting historic sites, the zoo, public gardens, museums,
> etc.
>
>
> This general plan helps us to pace ourselves throughout the week, and
> provides a "first-line defense" against the constant barrage of social
> activities. It gives us a sensible framework. It also enables us to
enjoy
> regular unrushed time together.
>
> So, if you're thinking about homeschooling, and you live in a city with
> tons of homeschoolers or lots of interesting things to do, you'll
definitely
> need to come up with a strategy to keep the socialization problem under
> control.
>
> Because, unless you do, you could easily slip into the oversocialization
> trap. Believe me, you don't want that. It'll wear you out, and could
> seriously detract from the quality of your homeschooling experience.
>
>
>
> John Andersen
> Author of the "Unconventional Ideas" website at
http://go.to/unconventional
>
> In a world starved for inspired leadership, to be merely a team player is
to
> be a coward.
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Missing old school friends? Find them here:
> http://click.egroups.com/1/4055/7/_/448294/_/959400574/
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
> Check it all out at: http://www.unschooling.com
>
> To Unsubscribe: mailto:[email protected]
>
>
Majewski Family
Amy, where in MA are you? i'm in Hadley (by Amherst & Northampton)
-lauri
----------
-lauri
----------
>From: "Amy" <kworthen@...>Homeschooling
>To: <[email protected]>
>Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Socialization: Our Biggest Gripe With
>Date: Sat, May 27, 2000, 10:39 AM
>
>We have alot of that in MA too. Homeschoolers everywhere! Yesterday we went
>to a local amusment park. Over 125 families attended and knowing that a lot
>of homeschoolers have larger than average families you can imagine how many
>people were there. I also happen to know of several families off the top of
>my head that didn't go. whew.
>Amy
>----- Original Message -----
>From: John O. Andersen <andersen@...>
>To: <Undisclosed-Recipient>
>Sent: Friday, May 26, 2000 9:09 PM
>Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] Socialization: Our Biggest Gripe With
>Homeschooling
>
>
>> Yes, it has been a huge problem for our children. But with experience,
>we'
>> ve learned to bring it largely under control.
>>
>> You see, we live in Portland, Oregon. Before we moved here, we suspected
>> it was a good place to homeschool. Talk about understatement! After a
>few
>> years in this area, we've got lots of hard evidence that if there ever
>were
>> a contest for America's homeschooling mecca, Portland would easily make
>the
>> short list.
>>
>> Everywhere we go, we run into homeschoolers. We have associations with
>> scores of homeschooling families. Without exception, they are all
>involved
>> in a variety of activities. There are homeschooling roller-skating
>parties,
>> archery classes, a homeschooling basketball group, access to high school
>> band, community college courses, and varsity sports for teenage
>> homeschoolers, co-op language classes, volunteer opportunities, daytime
>art
>> classes, music classes, singing groups, theater productions, science labs
>at
>> a local museum, organized field trips practically every day of the week,
>> girl and boy scouts homeschooling groups--the list goes on an on.
>>
>> And that, dear reader, is the core of our children's' socialization
>> problem: too many activities, and too little time.
>>
>> Homeschoolers, without the constraints of a 6-hour-a-day school schedule,
>> are extremely vulnerable to falling into the trap of too many outside
>> activities and too much social interaction. This can be dangerous
>> especially if we hope to teach our children to appreciate and enjoy the
>> quiet reflective life.
>>
>> So, my wife Mandy and I are learning to apply the brakes; to slow things
>> down a bit. One step we've taken is to develop a weekly schedule of
>sorts.
>> We don't hold hard and fast to this, but rather use it as a guide. It
>looks
>> something like this:
>>
>>
>> Monday
>> At home academically-oriented day; also clean-the-house day. Our children
>> usually spend the late afternoon and early evening outside playing with
>the
>> neighborhood children.
>>
>> Tuesday
>> Co-op learning with other homeschoolers; also some academics, and
>afternoon
>> outside play with neighborhood children.
>>
>> Wednesday
>> Mandy and children volunteer at the library. At the moment, they shelve
>> books, label items, and help with other projects. We try to do some
>> academics as well and, of course, there is time for afternoon outside play
>> with neighborhood children.
>>
>> Thursday
>> Slow day (intentionally); sometimes co-op classes; evening achievement
>group
>> for our daughter and soon cub scouts for our son.
>>
>> Friday
>> Family outing day; this can be a volunteer project which we do as a family
>> (our current one is helping out a pioneer living history museum), or going
>> to the beach, visiting historic sites, the zoo, public gardens, museums,
>> etc.
>>
>>
>> This general plan helps us to pace ourselves throughout the week, and
>> provides a "first-line defense" against the constant barrage of social
>> activities. It gives us a sensible framework. It also enables us to
>enjoy
>> regular unrushed time together.
>>
>> So, if you're thinking about homeschooling, and you live in a city with
>> tons of homeschoolers or lots of interesting things to do, you'll
>definitely
>> need to come up with a strategy to keep the socialization problem under
>> control.
>>
>> Because, unless you do, you could easily slip into the oversocialization
>> trap. Believe me, you don't want that. It'll wear you out, and could
>> seriously detract from the quality of your homeschooling experience.
>>
>>
>>
>> John Andersen
>> Author of the "Unconventional Ideas" website at
>http://go.to/unconventional
>>
>> In a world starved for inspired leadership, to be merely a team player is
>to
>> be a coward.
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> Missing old school friends? Find them here:
>> http://click.egroups.com/1/4055/7/_/448294/_/959400574/
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
>> Check it all out at: http://www.unschooling.com
>>
>> To Unsubscribe: mailto:[email protected]
>>
>>
>
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Big Groups = big savings @ beMANY!
>http://click.egroups.com/1/4112/7/_/448294/_/959427274/
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
>Check it all out at: http://www.unschooling.com
>
>To Unsubscribe: mailto:[email protected]
>
>
Amy
I'm in Lowell, about 25 mi. north of Boston. I've lived in this part of the
state (Chelmsford mostly) since I was 4. How about you?
state (Chelmsford mostly) since I was 4. How about you?
----- Original Message -----
From: Majewski Family <mooseni@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, May 27, 2000 8:33 AM
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Socialization: Our Biggest Gripe With
Homeschooling
> Amy, where in MA are you? i'm in Hadley (by Amherst & Northampton)
> -lauri
> ----------
> >From: "Amy" <kworthen@...>
> >To: <[email protected]>
> >Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Socialization: Our Biggest Gripe With
> Homeschooling
> >Date: Sat, May 27, 2000, 10:39 AM
> >
>
> >We have alot of that in MA too. Homeschoolers everywhere! Yesterday we
went
> >to a local amusment park. Over 125 families attended and knowing that a
lot
> >of homeschoolers have larger than average families you can imagine how
many
> >people were there. I also happen to know of several families off the top
of
> >my head that didn't go. whew.
> >Amy
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: John O. Andersen <andersen@...>
> >To: <Undisclosed-Recipient>
> >Sent: Friday, May 26, 2000 9:09 PM
> >Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] Socialization: Our Biggest Gripe With
> >Homeschooling
> >
> >
> >> Yes, it has been a huge problem for our children. But with experience,
> >we'
> >> ve learned to bring it largely under control.
> >>
> >> You see, we live in Portland, Oregon. Before we moved here, we
suspected
> >> it was a good place to homeschool. Talk about understatement! After a
> >few
> >> years in this area, we've got lots of hard evidence that if there ever
> >were
> >> a contest for America's homeschooling mecca, Portland would easily
make
> >the
> >> short list.
> >>
> >> Everywhere we go, we run into homeschoolers. We have associations
with
> >> scores of homeschooling families. Without exception, they are all
> >involved
> >> in a variety of activities. There are homeschooling roller-skating
> >parties,
> >> archery classes, a homeschooling basketball group, access to high
school
> >> band, community college courses, and varsity sports for teenage
> >> homeschoolers, co-op language classes, volunteer opportunities, daytime
> >art
> >> classes, music classes, singing groups, theater productions, science
labs
> >at
> >> a local museum, organized field trips practically every day of the
week,
> >> girl and boy scouts homeschooling groups--the list goes on an on.
> >>
> >> And that, dear reader, is the core of our children's' socialization
> >> problem: too many activities, and too little time.
> >>
> >> Homeschoolers, without the constraints of a 6-hour-a-day school
schedule,
> >> are extremely vulnerable to falling into the trap of too many outside
> >> activities and too much social interaction. This can be dangerous
> >> especially if we hope to teach our children to appreciate and enjoy the
> >> quiet reflective life.
> >>
> >> So, my wife Mandy and I are learning to apply the brakes; to slow
things
> >> down a bit. One step we've taken is to develop a weekly schedule of
> >sorts.
> >> We don't hold hard and fast to this, but rather use it as a guide. It
> >looks
> >> something like this:
> >>
> >>
> >> Monday
> >> At home academically-oriented day; also clean-the-house day. Our
children
> >> usually spend the late afternoon and early evening outside playing with
> >the
> >> neighborhood children.
> >>
> >> Tuesday
> >> Co-op learning with other homeschoolers; also some academics, and
> >afternoon
> >> outside play with neighborhood children.
> >>
> >> Wednesday
> >> Mandy and children volunteer at the library. At the moment, they
shelve
> >> books, label items, and help with other projects. We try to do some
> >> academics as well and, of course, there is time for afternoon outside
play
> >> with neighborhood children.
> >>
> >> Thursday
> >> Slow day (intentionally); sometimes co-op classes; evening achievement
> >group
> >> for our daughter and soon cub scouts for our son.
> >>
> >> Friday
> >> Family outing day; this can be a volunteer project which we do as a
family
> >> (our current one is helping out a pioneer living history museum), or
going
> >> to the beach, visiting historic sites, the zoo, public gardens,
museums,
> >> etc.
> >>
> >>
> >> This general plan helps us to pace ourselves throughout the week, and
> >> provides a "first-line defense" against the constant barrage of social
> >> activities. It gives us a sensible framework. It also enables us to
> >enjoy
> >> regular unrushed time together.
> >>
> >> So, if you're thinking about homeschooling, and you live in a city
with
> >> tons of homeschoolers or lots of interesting things to do, you'll
> >definitely
> >> need to come up with a strategy to keep the socialization problem under
> >> control.
> >>
> >> Because, unless you do, you could easily slip into the
oversocialization
> >> trap. Believe me, you don't want that. It'll wear you out, and could
> >> seriously detract from the quality of your homeschooling experience.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> John Andersen
> >> Author of the "Unconventional Ideas" website at
> >http://go.to/unconventional
> >>
> >> In a world starved for inspired leadership, to be merely a team player
is
> >to
> >> be a coward.
> >>
> >>
>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >> Missing old school friends? Find them here:
> >> http://click.egroups.com/1/4055/7/_/448294/_/959400574/
>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >>
> >> Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
> >> Check it all out at: http://www.unschooling.com
> >>
> >> To Unsubscribe: mailto:[email protected]
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >Big Groups = big savings @ beMANY!
> >http://click.egroups.com/1/4112/7/_/448294/_/959427274/
> >------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> >Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
> >Check it all out at: http://www.unschooling.com
> >
> >To Unsubscribe: mailto:[email protected]
> >
> >
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
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> http://click.egroups.com/1/4056/7/_/448294/_/959446826/
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>