Thump, Thump, Thump, AARRGGHH!!!!

THAT is the sound of me banging my head against the wall, and screaming, because that is what I feel like doing right now!!

I went to a particular website that I often visit when I could use a bit of encouragement, especially regarding homeschooling. Today, what I found there was a discussion thread all about the misguided notion that homeschooled kids are "abused" because they are not "socialized"!!!!! AAAAAAHHHHGGG!!!!!!

Then, when I was over at the local elementary school where my parents work, I saw this sign on the wall in the gymnasium. This sign displays a list of the rules that must be followed by the children who arrive at school early, and must wait in the gym for classes to begin.

1. You must sit on the line designated for your class. ( this is followed by a list that reads: 1st grade on the blue line, 2nd grade on the red line, etc.)

2. You may speak ONLY in whispers, and ONLY to the person next to you.

3. No toys, playing cards, or collector cards (ie pokemon or yugi-oh) of any kind.

4. You must remain in your seat and with your class until your class is dismissed from the gym. Please walk single file from the gym to your classroom. No talking in line.

Um, okay. So, my children, who are obviously unsocialized, deprived homeschoolers, NEED to go to school so they can learn to SOCIALIZE? Oh, really? How? By being forbidden to play with toys or cards that they might possibly want to ( dare I say it?) SHARE with a friend?

By being forced to sit on a colored line with ONLY children their own age? Are they to learn to socialize ONLY in whispers, and ONLY with the person directly beside them? Will they learn to get along with other people by learning to walk in a single file line, at the sound of a bell, looking only forward and speaking to no one?

THIS is the "socialization" I'm supposed to WANT my kids to learn?

To me, it sounds less like learning to socialize and more like learning to BE a SOCIALIST.

Well, in that case, no thanks. We believe in getting along with EVERYONE of EVERY age. We don't believe in socialization.

Vicki