When Valorie Delp blogged about Dr. Phil’s stance on Homeschooling last week, I must say, I was riled. After all, Dr. Phil is one of my few indulgences. I was only thankful that I did not witness with my own eyes him making these blanket statements about an institution he knows nothing about.
In response I wrote the following in my personal journal:
How is this for socialization?
(Written Monday November 20 from Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida)
As Valorie has already mentioned, when talking to a new person about homeschooling our kids, they do not ask how your child likes homeschooling, what they are studying, or what their book they are reading. NO! Instead, they ask, (in a manner that says DEFEND YOURSELF NOW), “But what about socialization?”
As I sit in my hotel room, watching my children sleep, I cannot help but think about how lucky we are and how many doors and opportunities homeschooling has opened for us. Besides being able to learn subjects before they are available in school, if ever, and take cool classes like fencing, and extracurricular activities in the morning, when they actually have the energy for it, we are able to travel and learn from anywhere. “Have laptops, will travel” would be my kids motto, if they had a motto. This week we are learning from Walt Disney World. Of course I am not so delusional as the think they are going to get four focused hours of schoolwork done with Walt Disney World looming just a few yards away, but I do know that they can get a unit done in the morning, and a couple at night… and then there are the ever present teachable moments. Yes, I am going to record this week for my mandatory homeschool attendance records!
Nevertheless, all this is beyond the point. We are here for my Daughters National Pageant Competition. This week she is getting together with hundreds of girls from age 3 to 17 to do what girls do best. They will “play” dress up, get to walk on a stage, practice poise, show off their taste and personalities in a fashion show, show off their talents, and go to lots of parties! She gets to reunite with girls she met last June at the local competition. This is her first year competing and only her second pageant. Selling the most tickets for her age division is what got her invited to the National competition. (I love the entrepreneur in her.) We really do not have our eyes eagerly fixed on the crown, but instead on learning as much as we can for the local competition in June, and having a dog-gone good time! We will not have the traditional thanksgiving this year, but being invited to this national competition kind of trumps a Turkey. In addition, Grandma and Grandpa will be visiting for Christmas instead which is actually cooler than the usual Thanksgiving visit.
So you tell me, is my daughter being socialized?