As far as socialization and homeschooling, several others have already said some of the things that I would have said.
- because we want their main socialization to be with us, their parents, and their siblings
- because we feel that most school socialization is negative, not positive
- because socialization happens in a lot of different ways, which don't require official classroom time with same age peers

We feel that it's important for children to interact with family units, and children of a variety of ages, not just those the same age as them. We also want our children to be particularly close to their siblings and to learn to view them as their closest friends and a gift from God.

As well, we make sure to spend a lot of time together as a family, with other families. Cultivating those friendships is important to us, because those are true opportunities for fellowship and a chance to learn to get along with, show kindness to, develop friendships with and even serve others. They will learn to play inclusively with groups of children (of different ages), rather than just going off with one or two friends. They also learn to speak and interact respectfully with other adults, whom we are friends with. And it all happens under our supervision and guidance!

I'm sure that our kids will take part in some kinds of community or extra-curricular type activities at some point, but that is not a focus for us. They are also involved in children's classes on Sunday morning, but that isn't where true relationships happen (though it's a great opportunity to learn to respect someone else in authority over them, in a group setting).

My basic opinion on this issue (in the very early stages of homeschooling, mind you) is that socialization happens through the family, when children are encouraged to participate in meaningful relationships with others, where they can be guided in their interactions, rather than being left to themselves on a playground. Children need to be taught how to behave, speak, react, resolve conflict, etc. and to be taught from a Biblical worldview especially. That kind of training won't come in a classroom, but it will come when parents are purposeful about the relationships their children are a part of and when they are encouraging them to learn to be a true friend and to live out their faith.

Hope that helps to answer your question- thanks for asking! :)

As far as socialization, if there is a "virtual" school program run by a public school, that can be a great option. I say this with caution, because some public schools run a virtual school option for homeschoolers that is really just trying to get them to do public school at home, rather than have the say in their curriculum.

Our program allows you to pick the curriculum, as long as it's non-religious, but you can add on as much religious curriculum as you want, at your own expense. They have free classes for homeschoolers, field trips, etc. and though they are technically run by the school district, the teachers they hire have homeschooled (or were homeschooled themselves) and the other families are all homeschoolers, so you are pretty much surrounded by like-minded families. Of course, you're always going to have a few that aren't, but I think it's healthy for kids to see that and learn how to deal with it, while being mostly surrounded by supportive people.

You can find virtual public schools in your area by doing a Google search. There are also some great programs that have just put together classes for homeschoolers, taught by moms, that cost a little money but sometimes not too much if you volunteer to help out. We have a few in our area.

I totally get that this is not for everyone, and that every program is different so I think you really have to investigate it, but it works for a lot of families and it gets you free curriculum and the support of a licensed teacher, if that's something you want.

If you want nothing to do with public schools at all, you probably won't like these programs but if what you want to avoid is the peer pressure and the forced curriculum (that could contain any number of objectionable things!) this might work for you.

There are three different books (one for each grade). She covers math, science (called "God's World," reading, language arts, health, manners, art (that's all I remember). Some subjects were only taught once or twice a week (like art or health)

It is done from a Christian and I loved it because she told you exactly what to say to your child. There were songs, art projects, plays (we did a Thanksgiving play with stick puppets that the kids drew in art). My kids really loved the health and manners.

She also includes a suggested homeschool schedule in the book. I believe it was only four days a week of homeschooling, and the fifth day was for field trips or whatever. This is a great curric. for someone just starting out who doesn't have a lot of confidence. I loved that she told me what to do and say.

After 2nd grade I think that she only wrote a curriculum for girls (called Far Above Rubies or something like that) and I had boys, so I couldn't use it anymore. BTW, our libraries carried copies of her curriculum so you should check out yours to see if they carry it.

From 3-6th (or so) we used Rod and Staff for Math and English, which someone mentioned earlier. Inexpensive and great job on teaching the fundamentals. We used Abeka or Bob Jones for the other classes. Also used Explode the Code series, they loved it!

Now we are continuing to use a mix of Abeka and BJU. I have one son in college (homeschooled all the way) and one still homeschooling.

I have to discuss the "s" word a bit :) One reason many people homeschool is to avoid the "socialization" that happens in public schools. My girls see people (known and strangers) nearly every day. Just because you homeschool does not mean you stay at home locked up for weeks at a time. We are at the library, store, visiting with family, helping people in need, and getting together with other homeschoolers. They interact with children of a wide range of ages and abilities as well as adults. Where I do notice they "lack" is when with kids from public schools they don't understand the teasing and "lingo." You won't catch me upset about this, though. It is precisely that type of "socialization" that we are trying to avoid. Kids can be mean and you can't hide your children from the world. We dip our toes into it at times and learn rather than becoming immune to it or, worse yet, a part of the problem.

My girls know that when someone is being mean to another person that they likely could be that way to them and the people they love. They understand that if a "friend" is trying to get them to exclude their sister it is likely that "friend" will turn and do the same. They also understand that kids who talk mean about other kids are also going to talk mean to them at some point. The girls understand that these are not the ones to make good friends with, but also that their behaviour doesn't mean we can be unkind in return. Like I said, dipping our toes in, but not becoming a part of it.

I sometimes feel if I can raise intelligent children I've done okay, but if I can do that as well as raise children who are always learning, caring, and giving I will have been truly successful.

I like Five in a Row series, but am not currently using. It's a literature based approach. If you like these, but find the cost is too much, you can always use http://www.homeschoolshare.com. It's full of free unit studies.

Another favorite is brightly beaming resources at http://www.letteroftheweek.com. This is an entire preschool curriculum that is free!

I have other favorites on the sidebar of my blog under homeschooling. Feel free to check them out.

blessings,
calina
http://www.love2-bhome.blogspot.com

And by "socialization" I really think you have to examine what your definition of the word is. My husband and I feel that we because we love our children more than anyone else and because we have been assigned by God the task of their spiritual teaching, that homeschooling is a great fit to us having the time to fufill those responsibilities. I have been reading the Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson and she point out how when Jesus was teaching his disciples the way he thought was best and most effective was just to "be" with them. They hung out.

I have to say in our current culture it is a rare oppurtunity for parents to just "hang out" with their kids. With school taking up much of the day and then homework and activities I think it is very hard to find the time and energy needed to disciple our own sweet blessings.

And by the way, I happen to believe that traditional school settings, based on my own experience since I attended both public and private, were far more filled with "negative" socialization rather than positive. Which is a big part of why homeschooling works for us! :) Just one girl's opinion though...your welcome to disagree!

OT, have you posted about your family life growing up? Your parents? Do you have siblings?

Love your blog. It has been a blessing to me.