I post this pic of our Community VBS – since this is the largest gathering of children we have seen for any community activity so far since October of 2009. The Community VBS is for ages 3 to 9th grade.
The question asked most often since starting our homeschool journey – “How will they be socialized?” followed by – “How will they make friends?” – or – “Will they be with children?”.
I answered the question of unschooling/relaxed learning/no curriculum pushed/not school at home methods – with excellent school test scores this year.
The Point Today– Socialized Behavior –
Jon came home yesterday and said a girl asked if he ever DIDN’T wear camouflage. Even if he wears “normal” clothes, he still has his Camo Hat on. Jon went through his clothes and picked out an outfit for the next day.
Nate has showered every day and fixed his hair. This tall drink of water his reaching like 5”8 or 9 or so. He’s 12. . .
We show up at VBS today – The entire 4th grade class of boys has at least 1 piece of new looking camo on. Some full suited. Several boys in the class that wanders around with Jon’s class has camo. Jon is the only boy without. . . .
So – Is it more startling that one girl can change a boy’s appearance with a single question? Or that one 9 year old boy can influence his entire peer set in 2 days?
Social – To Make Social; make fit for life in companionship with others, in education – to treat as a group activity.
Shy – This one is NOT. Socialized – He is. Heading off to the Weds Community Library Program. 🙂
+Angie Wright
Pebblekeeper 
A+ would read again
This post made me smile.
I had fun trying to paint pink on Jon today. He wouldn’t have it 😉 What a funny kid 🙂
Beautiful. Totally great. God did a good thing in moving you there with your wonderful boys.
Thanks Shannon!
This is great. Our boys aren’t exactly shy are they? I’ve wondered why they are more open, friendly and interested in making friends…do you suppose it is because they aren’t shut down by other kids on a daily basis or shoved against their lockers? hmmmm
I think they have interesting things in their life, a different vocabulary. Curiosity. Willingness to accept whoever is around. No categories. They have full conversations with adults who engage them in personal questions at the stores and museums and libraries. Jon and Nate do seem to have a quiet shy side, but usually for observation. Nate was told by the new kid at VBS today that he didn’t like Nate because he didn’t cuss or play with knives. The kid had not met anyone that didn’t cuss. The Youth Pastor said he didn’t use cursing. The kid called him a liar. Nate said he had 37 knives in a bag at home but didn’t bring any to VBS cause it was against the rules. The kid said that wasn’t good either. Nate lied. He had a small knife on him, used it to cut off his jeans today when they got ripped. . . . fibber – not a curser. The boys are sharing quite a few conversations with me this evening. Nate says he made friends with all the kids today, they are “all my friends now” “except the one kid”. The one kid was at the library tonight. They talked some more. Claimed the program was “lame” but he came for his kid brother. Hmmm. I recall quite a bit of chuckling behind me. 🙂
Read that comment again, Nate was front and center and loved the crazy underwater puppet show, “the kid” was sitting behind me that came along with his kid brother. 🙂
They are growing up so fast~~ Very sweet!!