HOMESCHOOLERS AND SOCIALISATION
Homeschoolers think it's hilarious that everyone is so concerned that their kids aren't getting socialised. A popular saying among homeschoolers is "I'd rather my child have no socialisation than bad socialisation," and this particularly refers to the bullying problem in schools and the fact that children are led into all kinds of unsavoury situations by their peers when their parents aren't around to protect them.
Our teachers do an amazing job with the huge work load placed on their shoulders (my children were in school for 10 years before I decided to homeschool them) and so at no time during my blogging will I be criticising them as I have the greatest respect for teachers; over my 20 years as a parent most of the teachers I met were passionate about their job and it was obvious they felt it a calling - a life vocation.
Probably the most common occurrence with homeschoolers - from what I've noticed anyway - is that homeschool children are mature beyond their years and can easily converse with all kinds of different adults and this is because they spend a large part of their life with adults as company. We also have all kinds of groups, classes and meetings where children can get together with children of all ages (is it really natural for them to be segregated to groups of only their own age - life doesn't work that way for adults) and then there's skype, facebook and email. Social media is a boon for homeschoolers.
With homeschooling becoming so popular there are groups springing up all over the place; you don't have to go far to meet other people who are just like you and in fact, if you are anything like me, it is an absolute relief to finally meet other parents who have the same opinion you have on raising and educating children.
For those of you who have read Oracle in the Mist, my first book, you would have noticed that Bobby and David, but particularly Bobby (who are homeschooled), are quite different to other children of their own age. My characters are loosely based on homeschool children that I have met over the years that have impressed me with their courage, individuality, passion for what they believe in and intelligence. Unfortunately, during the editing process, I was asked to change the dialogue of my characters; both of the children were actually much more like homeschoolers - untainted by institutionalisation - but in the end I conceded because the book had to have universal appeal.
Please leave a comment if you wish to talk to me and don't forget that I'm on facebook and my email is linda@lindamareemalcolmauthor.com.au.
Our teachers do an amazing job with the huge work load placed on their shoulders (my children were in school for 10 years before I decided to homeschool them) and so at no time during my blogging will I be criticising them as I have the greatest respect for teachers; over my 20 years as a parent most of the teachers I met were passionate about their job and it was obvious they felt it a calling - a life vocation.
Probably the most common occurrence with homeschoolers - from what I've noticed anyway - is that homeschool children are mature beyond their years and can easily converse with all kinds of different adults and this is because they spend a large part of their life with adults as company. We also have all kinds of groups, classes and meetings where children can get together with children of all ages (is it really natural for them to be segregated to groups of only their own age - life doesn't work that way for adults) and then there's skype, facebook and email. Social media is a boon for homeschoolers.
With homeschooling becoming so popular there are groups springing up all over the place; you don't have to go far to meet other people who are just like you and in fact, if you are anything like me, it is an absolute relief to finally meet other parents who have the same opinion you have on raising and educating children.
For those of you who have read Oracle in the Mist, my first book, you would have noticed that Bobby and David, but particularly Bobby (who are homeschooled), are quite different to other children of their own age. My characters are loosely based on homeschool children that I have met over the years that have impressed me with their courage, individuality, passion for what they believe in and intelligence. Unfortunately, during the editing process, I was asked to change the dialogue of my characters; both of the children were actually much more like homeschoolers - untainted by institutionalisation - but in the end I conceded because the book had to have universal appeal.
Please leave a comment if you wish to talk to me and don't forget that I'm on facebook and my email is linda@lindamareemalcolmauthor.com.au.
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