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My favorite (snippy) comeback which I don't personally use, but I love it is: for socialization I just take them into the bathroom once a week and beat them up for their lunch money.

Once, my son was asked by a neighbor boy where he went to school. My son replied he was home schooled. The other boy said, "Oh wow, you get to sleep in 'til noon and play video games the rest of the day!"

But mostly, it's the adults who ask me about homeschooling that are concerned with the negative socialization their kids receive in public school. It's because of the very reason of socialization that we do home school.

We had taken a goat to the vet. While there a woman approached me and asked if our children were homeschooled. The children in unison answered proudly yes. She had a great smile on her face and was proud of herself when she said "I knew it." I asked her how she said," there is just a remarkable difference in homeschooled children. They are more polite and better behaved as well as more engaged in conversation. Over all they are well mannered, friendly and are always dressed better and hold themselves better. I can't explain it but the homeschool children I have met have always brought me joy."She then concluded with, "Keep up the good work." I looked at her in amazement and thanked her on behalf of all the homeschooling parents who worked so hard in raiseing their children right. For me it just confirmed that I was doing the right thing.

I have also noticed that some will fear that academics may suffer, while others will fear the kids could become "too smart" - like kids who win contests and things. You can't please everyone :-)
Blessings,
Lee

I need a quip reply. Half of our detractors fear her academics will suffer, the other half decry an imagined lack of socialization, but they are both wrong. I finally started saying, "When she's done by lunchtime, it sure leaves a lot of time left over for socializing!" There must be some great comebacks out there as over the years this age-old question has resurfaced ad nauseum.

We were at our local nursing home recently to play music for the residents. Coincidentally, the bookmobile was there the same day. The librarian asked my daughters if they were homeschooled, and when one of them answered affirmatively, the librarian said, "Yep, I could tell." My daughter asked her how she knew, and the woman said, "You have better socialization skills." I about fell over. )

My neighbor kids who go to public school were going to have a birthday party but did not feel comfortable inviting the neighborhood kids because they did not know them well enough. These kids have been in the neighborhood almost as long as mine and have played with the neighborhood kids as well as riding the bus with them and attending school with them. My kids were asked to do the inviting because they know all the kids in the neighborhood and they all like them so much. My kids are homeschooled and only get to see the neighborhood kids occasionally during the week and on the weekend. I loved the fact that my kids were more socialized then the birthday kids!

Lee,

I just love hearing stories like that one! They serve to validate our efforts as homeschoolers, and those of our students as well!

We heard many a doubt expressed by friends, extended family, and others regarding homeschooling through high school. Our two oldest are now attending private colleges, on scholarship, and doing extremely well. They aren't lacking in social skills, either! Now those skeptics are finally coming around.

Congrats to your boys, and to you. May God continue to bless you as you are blessing other homeschoolers!

Sharon,

It's important to do the "next thing" and keep forward momentum. If that means your 7th grader is doing some high school work, then that's what he is supposed to be doing right now. The alternative is holding him back, right? That wouldn't be good.

Middle school is a time when kids are either reviewing and repeating elementary work, or they are moving forward into high school work. You're just doing it the way that fits your kids.

On the other hand, yes, it WAS very stressful to have my younger child doing high school work. I didn't intend to use it for high school credit when I started. It wasn't until it was time to graduate him that I realized I would need those classes. I'm really glad I kept records early, and I'm very thankful I kept my boys together whenever I could.

Blessings,
Lee

Thanks that is reassuring. Next year I planned on starting some highschool work for my 8th grader but I was not sure what to do with my 7th grader. Since he'd be doing the same work it seemed as if he should get credit... yet 7th grade seems so young to "count". I also was not comfortable splitting them up.

Hi Sharon,
My boys are actually 2 years apart. They did work together in high school, because we used multi-age curriculum (Sonlight)except for math. Still, it came as a surprise to me when I had to graduate my youngest 2 years early. That's why I recommend that parents with a 7th grader start keeping high school record. First, it's good training for mom. Secondly, though, you might have to graduate your child early, and the records will help you make a transcript. Plus, my boys liked doing high school work together. They've even taken some classes together in college!
Blessings,
Lee

Are your boys twins? Or just close in age. I am assuming they went through highschool together. My two middle boys are 12 months apart and I am thinking of having them continue to work together through highschool, except for math. (The older of the two excels there and his brother would not be able to keep up).