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A Moment with The Homeschool Minute ~ Mercy Every Minute – Deborah Wuehler, TOS Senior Editor

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Mercy Every Minute   

 

The Wuehler FamilyIn all of my experience with school-aged children, I have found that homeschooled children are the most positively socialized children of any other group–hands down. In fact, it was the influence of positively socialized homeschooled children that convinced me to home educate. It’s no surprise that homeschooled children are different and looking at the culture around us, gladly so. This is not just my own experience; there is also current research that reveals this phenomenon.

 

Homeschooled children seem to make the best citizens, employees, and basically well-rounded adults. And it starts with the vast amount of positive socialization they receive during their home educated years. It’s no wonder that by the time these kids finish high school; they are sought after by colleges, employers, communities, and churches alike. They are sought after primarily because of their positive socialization skills. They study hard, work hard, are interested in people, and serve others.

 

Although in the traditional sense, homeschool families seem to be masters of socialization, the thing about the word “socialization” that’s a bit unnerving is that our culture is trying to redefine it. According to the following definitions of socialization, our children just may not fit:

 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University:
“socialization” The adoption of the behavior patterns of the surrounding culture; “the socialization of children to the norms of their culture” (2)

American Heritage Stedman’s Medical Dictionary: “socialization” The process of learning interpersonal and interactional skills that are in conformity with the values of one’s society. (3)

 

If socialization is a matter of “adopting society’s behavior patterns” and “conforming with its values” no matter how anti-social, or wicked, then, no thank you! We have a much higher authority than society to guide us. Yes, we have the very words of God on the subject. What does the Bible say about socialization?

 

“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” Proverbs 13:20

  

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27

Second Corinthians reminds us to come out from among the culture and be a separate, holy people unto our great and mighty God. To do this, we cannot and should not conform to our ever changing culture. We must stand firm in God’s principles.

 

If we truly want prosperous and successful children, then we need look no further than Psalm Chapter 1 and Joshua Chapter 1 which state that prosperity and success come from meditating on the Word of God day and night. Hard to do when you are in the wrong society.

 

It is imperative that we keep our children positively and Biblically socialized, which is most definitely not in conformance with our surrounding culture. They will continue to be the best socialized children out there if they continue to be grounded in and surrounded with good society.

Socialization is not just about social activities, but rather positive social development where our children learn to impact their world. We teach our kids to give of themselves, care for their neighbor, love their God, and serve their community. We are doing what’s best for their positive socialization and therefore a better society by keeping them Home Where They Belong.

 

[Excerpt from Socialization? What’s The Big Deal? Read the full Editorial in the April 2013 issue of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine]

 

~Deborah

dwuehler@thehomeschoolmagazine.com

 

Announcement

Note from Gena Suarez:

Is there anyone in your life who might even be considering homeschooling? Did you know that TOS makes available 15+ FREE goodies including full length ebooks and unit studies for your kids, just for the asking? You can come pick up your FREE “Homeschool Welcome Basket” right now, and you can start researching whether or not homeschooling is right for your family. If you are an existing homeschooler, you can come get the free baskets, too! It’s for everyone. PLEASE share this announcement on your social media and with your friends and family. We want to give these welcome baskets out to everyone even remotely interested in educating their own children.

www.HomeschoolWelcomeBaskets.com

 

Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it. - Proverbs 22:6
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