A Letter to Family and Friends: Socialization

This article is borrowed from the BLOG "Life without School" posted on November 2, 2006 by Robin. To see the article in entirety please go to
http://lifewithoutschool.typepad.com/lifewithoutschool/2006/11/a_letter_to_fam.html


"Some of you have expressed concerns regarding the “socialization” of our children, and I want to re-assure you about that. We do shelter our children in some ways (as most all parents do, each in our own ways), but we do not isolate them. Our children are definitely individualists, as you have seen, clearly grounded in who they are. Although they can be shy and reserved at times, they can also be very friendly and talkative when they feel connected by a topic of interest. They like connecting with others. Our children are happy in themselves and like their lives."

"Our children play and “work” with others who are different from them, others with whom they must learn to “deal with.” We help them when they need us to help them. They learn to compromise and to stand up for their beliefs, needs, and wants as situations call for. We want them to know how to hear others and how to work with others, but we also want them to know how to say, “No thanks,” “I’d rather,” or “how about we try this” as well as “yes, let’s work together” and “how can I help you” because we want them to learn to know and trust their personal boundaries and to learn how and when to negotiate with others. There are situations where we believe our children need to know that they do not have to compromise who they are to anyone. We want them to know that it is OK to say, “No, I do not want to do that” when a situation calls for that. "

"Our children do not go to school. School is intended to prepare children for life. We're already in the real world living directly in it, learning as we go. We have the best interest of our children at heart, just as we know that you do. We do not send our children to school because we have come to cherish the life we have chosen to live. We cherish the freedom. We cherish the choices that we have. We cherish the life that we are providing our children. It is right for us."

READ THE REST AT http://lifewithoutschool.typepad.com/lifewithoutschool/2006/11/a_letter_to_fam.html