How's It Going - Friends

A couple of months ago, I was asked by an acquaintence, "So, how's homeschooling going?"

Hmmm.

This person meant nothing more than the very question she was asking.  She wasn't trying to express her opinion.  She simply wanted to know how it was going.  How nice!  So what was my answer?

"Good!"  And it was said with a big smile.

Because deep down, I knew she was actually seeking someThing, but I doubt she knew any more than I did what that elusive information was.  Most people who ask me that question these days really would rather say "So, how's homeschooling going?  How are you handling _______?"  And it's that blank line that they actually want filled with a response.  But everyone wants to know something different.

So, because I'm sure you are all spending your very busy days thinking about ME and MY family, I will offer some thoughts on how homeschooling is actually going in certain areas.  Thoughts, feelings, new ideas, etc.  That sort of thing.  I'm not going to promise anything on a regular schedule - just as "things" come to me.

Today's thoughts are trending towards the social aspect of homeschooling.  I was discussing this very thing with the editor of our county newspaper after our Junior Miss program for which I still do Production.  He was plainly confused as to why I, someone who genuinely enjoyed "regular" school when I was in it and who lives in such a good public school district with top-notch teachers from kindergarten all the way through high school, would be homeschooling my kids for now.  He was quite disturbed that HS'd kids would miss out on the necessary social interactions that help them learn how to be people-in-the-world.  I mean, homeschoolers never get out of the house except to go to church.

:-)  I know.  Believe me, I thought the same thing barely 3 years ago.  Since that time, I have had discussions with Jmk about how hard it is to NOT do some of the school activities that are available, because I feel like we ought to do everything.  But it's hard to get lessons done when we're always on the go.  Besides, getting the baby and the 4yo boy out and occupied while the eldest does her thing....  and blah blah blah...  Point being - there's all kinds of "social" going on.  Seriously, you'd be surprised how busy HS support groups are these days!  And, it's a blessing.  It really is.

And, yes, these kids also get "playground politics" time as well.  Poodle even has her very own BFF who I just adore (and whose mom has become a precious friend as well).  But these playground politics are what were on my mind when I was talking with the aforementioned newspaper editor.

We'll set playdates at playgrounds.  And the kids will run amok and do the things that kids do.  They will argue and play and invent and get sad and jump for joy and get hurt feelings and sometimes get mean and often make new friends.  They will learn to navigate the in's and out's of social interaction the same way all children do.  However, the biggest difference is...

...we have to watch most of it happen.

Now, when our dear, precious offspring are playing nicely and being sweet and acting in a way that would make a White Gloves and Party Manners instructor smile in approval, well, we moms go home happy and elated and full of sunshine in our hearts.  But there are Those Days, when the same dear, precious offspring seem to have swallowed a cranky and bossy pill.  And then we get to watch them leave someone out of a "girls meeting" at the top of the climby thing at the far end of the playground.  That makes us go home without that heart-sunshine, to say the very least.  Oh, the disappointment we feel.

Equally bad are the days where we have to watch our little ones BE the ones getting left out or being told that they can't play something-or-other.

But we know that all of these things are a part of social life.  The good and the bad.  We know they are a part of learning empathy and learning about themselves.  It's difficult to watch sometimes, and sometimes it's elevating.  Mountains and valleys.  Just for a playdate.  It's emotionally tough, but that's one of the prices that need to be paid when one chooses to homeschool.

So, if you're wondering how homeschooling is going with regard to the social aspect of the whole thing...
I can honestly say that we're busy.  And the rest of my answer changes from playdate to playdate.  :-)  I'll let you know after our next outing to the playground.