The dreaded Socializing question every homeschooler gets asked when we reveal to others that we homeschool has never been a dreaded question. I know all the sarcastic remarks others can make in this instance (we socialize our animals and countless others out there). It is not so daunting if you set out what socializing means to you and not necessarily what it means to everyone else. This (definition) can help answer the questions of the not-so-friendly, random stranger, or even family who ask. People often ask about socializing because they knew someone or saw some news article about weird, awkward, and half backward families who homeschooled. Frequently those families are extreme, but they fill people's stereotypes for what a homeschooler is supposed to be or how they are supposed to act. Like any stereotype, others' preconceived notions serve their definition, not what it means.
The definition of socializing I the activity of mixing socially with others. It is also the process of learning to behave in a way that is acceptable in society. Our (my husband's and I's) belief on socialization is confident and comfortable in any social event. We want our girls to hold and maintain conversations with peers their age and those older than them. We want them to mix comfortably in any group and stay true to who they are no matter what company they are in at present. If you have been around our girls at all, you can see that this is the type of people they are so far. Despite their introverted Momma, they are very sociable, and I may be a little biased, but they are very loveable because of this quality.
Socializing and traveling full time can often be difficult, but we find ways to make it work, and I think it has helped the girls into the people they are. Traveling does provide difficulties too, but we have been lucky to find a balance as well. It usually depends on the length of Hubby's job and the community. The trouble we have had has been with local libraries and community rec centers/parks/sports. We have had trouble finding them and then accepting them because we are not permanent residents and are not planning to be. We have not been allowed to obtain a library card and to play a sport because of this. No harm though, we have been able to find many other things to fill our time instead.
We have, however, been able to find a multitude of things that allow us to go out and socialize with other people. We have tried to find churches to be a part of and have become friends with Hubby's co-workers and their families on several jobs. Also, we have belonged to local gyms that provide child care, found YMCA's that have accepted us. While it is not lasting friendships, we have also like to use local playgrounds and even Chik-Fil-a's. Because we travel, as an added blessing, we have been able to spend a lot more time around family. We can visit when it's convenient for others because we do not need to on a schedule
I hope that by seeing us out and about or meeting our girls, we can break a few stereotypes of unsocialized homeschoolers, but ultimately it is up to individuals in what they perceive socializing to be. It is the ability to be confident and comfortable with ourselves in a moment that requires us to socialize. So far, I think we are meeting that goal.