By far and away, the number one stated objection and obstacle to home schooling is the perceived idea of “socialization.”  Anyone contemplating or actively home schooling has encountered this phenomena.  Often a relative or friend will pucker their foreheads, and ask -”But what about socialization?”  Where oh where did this concept originate?  The Public School System!  That’s right!  Socialization and “self concept” are psycho-babble inventions of the government pagan shrines known as public schools.

“. . . self-esteem is a concept that was born in the school system, and it is best for parents not to overemphasize the self-esteem of their children. Professor Martin E.P. Seligman, in his helpful book The Optimistic Child, discusses how self-esteem has been more and more emphasized in schools during precisely the same years that the youth suicide rate has increased in the United States.   [learninfreedom.org]

From Dr. Larry Edward Shyers research  –  “using a “blind” procedure, found that home-schooled children had significantly fewer problem behaviors, as measured by the Child Observation Checklist’s Direct Observation Form, than traditionally schooled children when playing in mixed groups of children from both kinds of schooling backgrounds. This observational study was reported in some detail in the 1992 Associated Press article. Shyers concluded that the hypothesis that contact with adults, rather than contact with other children, is most important in developing social skills in children is supported by these data.” [ibid]

IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, CHILDREN ARE SOCIALIZED HORIZONTALLY, AND TEMPORARILY, INTO CONFORMITY WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE PEERS. HOME EDUCATORS SEEK TO SOCIALIZE THEIR CHILDREN VERTICALLY, TOWARD RESPONSIBILITY, SERVICE, AND ADULTHOOD, WITH AN EYE ON ETERNITY. 

[Thomas C. Smedly, MS]

I could regale you with countless statistics, opinions, research,  and true life stories to counter the negative claims about home school socialization, but I will restrict myself to just this very meaningful one, from former U.S. Department of Education researcher, Patricia Lines:

If I didn’t know anything about someone other than their [sic] educational background, I’d rather hop in  a foxhole with a homeschool kid than one from a public school.  The homeschool kid will be a little better educated and dependable.  It’s just the law of averages.  [The Harsh Truth About Public Schools, Bruce N. Shortt, p. 350]

Homeschoolers do not claim the title for close family relationships, but in my experience, I have never seen a severed family relationship in a homeschool family.  But I do know many, many  non-homeschool parents  that have children they don’t speak to, or children that don’t speak to each other, or both.  If I could just let you experience  some of the silly giggling  (laughing at themselves or something we were reading) that went on during our years and years of home school – you would pray that every child in the world could be home schooled within a loving family, instead of being daily subjected to insecure teachers, peer pressure, indoctrination, and academic discrepancies.

Will your children be considered “unusual” or even strange by their worldly counterparts?  Probably.  Does that matter?  Not in the long run. There is a distinct difference between positive and negative socialization.   If you make an effort to involve your kids in 4H,  a home school activity club, etc., they will undoubtedly meet other “unusual” home schoolers.

IF KIDS FROM GODLESS PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE NORMAL, I SUGGEST THAT YOU AND YOUR CRITICS SHOULD BE DELIGHTED THAT YOUR KIDS ARE WEIRD.  SINCE GOD WAS REMOVED FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN 1963:

• Violent crime has increased  995%
• Premarital sex has increased 1,000% in 15 year olds, 300% in 16-18 year olds
• Suicide has increased 300%

Rather than self-esteem, the home school family is concerned with God-esteem.

Jesus first, others second, me last.

Even a two year old can memorize that. . .

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My go-to, super easy, lifesaving recipe for barbecue chicken!

1. Spray inside of crock with cooking spray

2. Slice one onion and place in bottom of crock.

3.  Put boneless, skinless chicken breast halves on top of onions

4. Pour some barbecue sauce on chicken pieces

5. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or high 4-5 hours.

Everyone loves this, even little ones.  You can also substitute sweet and sour sauce with excellent results.  If you are fortunate enough to own two crock pots, throw some baking potatoes in the second crock , and you will have the perfect side for the barbecue chicken!  If you like tender skins, wrap in foil, if you like them crusty, sans foil.  Exact same cooking times  as chicken.  I served this barbecue chicken at my daughter’s rehearsal dinner, and it received rave reviews from young and old.  There is nothing like long, slow cooking to bring out the best flavor.  In addition – very low energy consumption!

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14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

15 Of Whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

16 That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man. . .

Ephesians 3: 14-16