I met my first homeschooler who uses the same method that I am currently using and some of the same materials.

She owns a business one street away from us and my husband has professional dealings with her. She has a schoolroom set up in the back of her office space where she monitors her children's school work.

It was exciting to be able to talk to her and swap school stories.

Do you have support from those who use similar methods or materials as you do? Do you feel these are important connections to make?

That is real nice for you!  Does she have kids the same age?

MarthaMFI:

Does she have kids the same age?

My son and her oldest son are about two years apart but she has sent him to a private school this year for high school. Her youngest children are a bit older then my younger child but not by a lot.

Age doesn't matter much to my kids, they socialise with anyone. 

Brandy:

Age doesn't matter much to my kids, they socialise with anyone.

I think that homeschooled children being unsocialized or lacking in "people" skills is a myth, for the most part. I have known homeschooled children who were very social, getting along with all ages. I've also known some that have been too sheltered, so they don't know how to interact with the "real" world. But, I can say the same thing about kids who attend public schools, too.

slk2042:

I've also known some that have been too sheltered, so they don't know how to interact with the "real" world. But, I can say the same thing about kids who attend public schools, too.

Social anxiety and a distaste for being social is prevalent on the maternal side of my family. We were all in public school except for my children. I have two very social children and one who prefers to be at home or with very select nearest and dearest.

I don't think the form of education chosen really has much to do with it.

So are you a social butterfly Brandy?  I have my moments. I like a few near and dear friends, but thats as far as it goes. When i moved out on my own at 18, I lived by myself until getting married at the age of 22 and I loved every minute of it. I could go out with friends but always had a blissful solitude when I needed my space.

Dh is the opposite. Drives me crazy at times. He'll talk to anyone about anything even complete strangers. The kids think its funny.

Ds#1 takes after dad and loves people, the more the merrier. Ds#2 takes more after me and likes being with one or two special buddies, but doesn't crave much more than that.

Do you notice any personality differences/similarities with your children?  I believe we all have different degrees of social personalities.

I love meeting and talking to another home schooler  it nice to have some one who share this with you .. a sounding board . .

That is nice that they are close enough in age to play together.   

I think it is part of our nature if you very social, not at long or very social.   Dh is very social and I am so so social. I like people but need my downtime.  alone time well that is rare with the kids (they are up when I am up).  I get cranky when I don't get enough alone time.   That is why ds has his one day a week where he goes out with his friends. 

I think dd is more like me and ds is more like dh. 

Cinnamonhuskies:

So are you a social butterfly Brandy?

I am not sure what to consider myself. I can chat readily with most anyone and be very open about myself face to face and online but I don't let many get really close to me. I find face to face social interaction draining though I do enjoy it when I have the energy for it.

Cinnamonhuskies:

Do you notice any personality differences/similarities with your children?

My husband is very social and loves having lots of people around.

The girls tend to be very social. The youngest can get overly stimulated and overwhelmed like I do at times though. Our son doesn't let many close to him and would rather pass on group interaction.

I see a bit of both of us mingled into each of them.

Thats a cool "find" Brandy....

 I desperately want to home school my children (once we come close to being able to afford me staying home) but hubby totally against that idea. His experience with homschoolars (including our family/neighbors) has not been positive. I wish that we had more interaction with other home school families so that he can see how successful it can be, how the children benefit, etc. Anyways...

That's neat that you found that family... and so close!

Have a blessed day,

Julie