Last week my boys participated in a summer day camp at the botanical garden! It was so much fun! My eldest son has participated in local summer and winter day camps since he was five-years-old. Last year, my six-year-old was five and could finally enroll in one of the summer camps at the botanical garden, … Continue reading Summer Day Camps
Socialization
One of the biggest questions people have about homeschooling is “What about socialization?” Here are my responses to that question.
Cousins
A couple of weeks ago, my boys had the pleasure of meeting their closest-in-age cousins because they came to visit us! My eldest son barely remembered when the eldest two cousins came to visit (the middle cousin was just a wee baby), but my youngest son didn't remember them at all, and we've never met the … Continue reading Cousins
What is a True Friend?
Playing a story starter game at our homeschool Valentine's party. Note: This column was reprinted in the Barrow Journal on February 10, 2016. It was first published in February 2013. But we had another Valentine's party with our same friends this year as you can see in the photo above. On Valentine's Day I will take … Continue reading What is a True Friend?
Play Dates
Note: This column was published on November 13, 2013 in the Barrow Journal. I don’t remember going on “play dates” when I was a little kid. When we lived in Oklahoma, I ran across the street to play with a friend who lived there, and when we lived in Colorado, I had a friend down … Continue reading Play Dates
My Homeschooling Rant for the Year
What irritates me is that if my kids are shy around strangers or don't want to try something new, people will blame it on homeschooling despite the fact that our schools are full of quirky, sometimes socially awkward, unmotivated and terribly misbehaved kids! I remember plenty of misfits, mean kids and bad kids in my high … Continue reading My Homeschooling Rant for the Year
Mr. Rogers Is My Hero
Note: This column was published in Barrow Journal on April 3, 2013. We just passed what would have been Fred McFeely Roger’s 85th birthday. If you are like me, you remember him as “Mr. Rogers,” and you couldn’t wait to visit him everyday in his friendly television neighborhood. Recently I discovered that I could share my … Continue reading Mr. Rogers Is My Hero
What Is a True Friend?
Note: Due to space restrictions, this column was not published this week in the Barrow Journal, but it will appear next week on February 20, 2013. I've received permission to go ahead and post it here for Valentine's Day. On Valentine's Day I will take my boys to a small party where they will exchange valentines with … Continue reading What Is a True Friend?
Susan Cain on the Power of Introverts
I have already written about my thoughts on introverts in my post, "Introverts and Coffeeshops." In that post, I reviewed Introvert Power by Laurie Helgoe, PhD, which is a great book on this subject. I am introverted, my husband is introverted, and I know that at least my eldest son is probably introverted. But it's sometimes … Continue reading Susan Cain on the Power of Introverts
Homeschooling and Socialization
my boys playing with their cousins during a trip to Chicago Note: This column was printed the Barrow Journal on Wednesday, September 19, 2012. The biggest criticism against homeschooling is what many people feel is its “lack of socialization.” Critics believe children ought to spend their whole day in a classroom of peers, and they give no thought … Continue reading Homeschooling and Socialization
On Homeschooling, Socialization and Religion
Note: This column was printed in the Barrow Journal on September 12, 2012. It was also posted on the newspaper's website, which you can view by clicking here. I've had a number of people ask me advice on how to meet other homeschoolers. To be frank, these parents were discouraged at their efforts to meet … Continue reading On Homeschooling, Socialization and Religion