Socialization- yes, we leave our basement

Actually, I live in a house with a concrete slab, so we don't even have a basement! I'm puzzled how this is still a topic in homeschooling, but it still comes up all the time in conversation with non-homeschoolers. Just yesterday, someone asked me again how we make sure he has "socialization".

Yesterday, my son spent four hours at a friend's house running around at the park, having dinner and playing Wii with three other boys. He spends hours each day at our charter school, where he has lunch with friends, takes classes on site like guitar and Yearbook and chats in between classes with kids of all ages. He has healthy relationships with adults like our school librarian, our educational adviser, his grandparents, his fencing coach and his teachers. If anything, he spends more time with kids in true social settings now, than he ever did in a traditional classroom. He no longer stands in line quietly with his hands behind his back though, so maybe that's what some people worry he's missing?

I do understand though, that many homeschooling families have to seek out opportunities for social experiences. While we specifically chose a site-based charter school to help fill this need, if you don't live in a state where this is an option, I can see why you might have to think outside the "school" box for those. So where does a homeschooler without a charter find support, social opportunities and ways to have a little fun in your day?

I've talked to many families that find these opportunities through their church, in youth groups, Sunday School, church meetups and homeschool church groups. If this isn't your style, it can feel a bit isolating at the beginning while you try to find your people. I suggest you step back and think "Where did I find people when I was a kid?" So many of our activities are now school-based that we've forgotten all the ways we made friends when we were little!

Start by thinking about local organizations that have activities your kids enjoy. You might contact Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Campfire USA, 4H, YMCA, Hacker Scouts or the local Boys and Girls Club. In bigger areas, look for First Lego League teams, museums and zoos with homeschool classes and competition teams like Math League. In many areas, cities and counties also have parks and recreation divisions that have local classes, camps and groups with meetups planned.

Be open about being a homeschooler to anyone and everyone. You may find that your local librarian, grocery checker or family friend also knows someone else who is homeschooling and is really hoping to find a family to meet at the park.

If you're still struggling to find a group try social media like Meetup.com or even post a note on Facebook! Best of all, make your own group! Last year, we made our own monthly science group where we gathered a group of students around middle school age and did science classes and experiments. It gave the kids an opportunity to get to know each other, do hands-on science and for the parents to have a little fun too. Sometimes I did all the lessons, sometimes we hired an expert to teach the class so the moms could go out for coffee and chat.