When we first met, he was afraid to ask me the socialization question. He later admitted it was something that concerned him a great deal. Once the topic came up, he confided in me that he also worried how our children would get along having been raised so differently. After several outtings with our children together, he saw for himself we had nothing to worry about.

In all truth, we have a pretty incredible family. Our children blended and love each other today as if they had always been together since birth. I’m proud of all of our children for their own personal accomplishments. But it is hard to deny they are quite different.

His children are very outgoing with other children their own age, once they have had time to get to know them. If they are taken on trips they tend to hang back to scope out the situation. They will wait for other children to approach them before they will interact. They don’t interact well with adults in public places. We can’t get them to order their own food or ask a store clerk where to find an item. They would rather go without than to ask someone they don’t know a question.

His children attended public school since kindergarten. They both have a lot of behavioural issues and have difficulty handlng serious conversations. They tend to have a lack of helpfulness and empathy for others. I believe some of this is caused by too much play time (I’m not saying children shouldn’t play or have fun, but to much of anything isn’t good). There needs to be a balance.

Mine, who were homeschooled all accept high school, are outgoing individuals. They stop to help elderly in stores bring out their groceries. If they see a child fall down they will stop to help them. They carry conversations with adults and people their own age. They have no issues with speaking up to ask questions during an interview. And if taken to a group event where they have never met anyone, they will be the first ones to approach others.

In all truth, my children have more friends than my husbands two. HIs children lack self-esteem, where mine have a good, positive feelings about themselves and others. And have positive attitudes over all. Also, we found his children don’t know how to do things for themselves. And they haven’t learned critical thinking skills. Or how to think for themselves. His lack the ability to maintain friendships for long periods of time. They are more introverted.

I have been their step-mother since his son was 5 and his daughter 2 years old. During the first years we were together, they were with us more than their mother. The big difference has been in their schooling. Their mother refused to be a part of homeschooling or allow us to do it. Such a shame.

My children are now very successful in their jobs. My daughter is buying her first home the end of this month. She is 20 years old.

We have had the experience of seeing the differences within our own home. If anything I feel children in school lack socialization due to the amount of hours they are in school. By the time they get out of school, play outside (with other children), and eat supper – it’s almost bedtime. In my personal opinion, not only did my child get more socialized, but because they were so much a part of my life they excel in life too, not just friendships.

So, if/when I’m asked the socialization question (depending on how much time I have available) ask them what exactly they mean. Then I offer to let them come spend a day with our family. That’s if I get to speak before my daughter answers the question for me. She’s a bit more spunky than the rest of us.

I don’t put anyone down for sending their children to school. It’s what we’ve been taught to do. It’s been the Norm. It’s sometimes hard to think out of the box. And after all, mine attended some school. When it was a more healthy atmosphere for them and they had already been properly socialzed.
Sassafras´s last blog ..Getting Started….Choosing Curriculum

She really does have tons of friends, but most are younger than she is – and she is amazing working with very young or special needs children.

So this year we let her join Facebook, gave her an email account and a Google Reader. I check the email and Google Reader for content every week or so – she only signs up for places I tell her to go – is watched carefully. But Facebook has been great for her – she has connected with the daughters of friends of the family and those around town – almost every one of these girls are also monitored by their own mothers, and she’s become friends with many family members – aunts and cousins mostly. I know her Daddy is her friend, and a few other Daddies, and a couple of “little brother” types … but mostly she friends with girls.

I think it’s funny how the question seems satisfied by the response that she has a ton of girlfriends on Facebook. She’s happy with this solution too. And all those Mom’s and Dad’s (all over the world) mostly are watching their daughters as closely as we watch ours.
Rachel R´s last blog ..Update Aug. 11