Homeschooling and Only Child: When Should I Be Worried About Socialization?

Whether you’re a veteran homeschooling mom or new to the club, you’ve probably thought about socialization. It’s the number one question homeschoolers get asked. 

For the most part, socialization isn’t something we have to worry about as homeschoolers. There are so many amazing opportunities for our children to develop and practice socialization skills with their families and in the community. However, if you’re homeschooling an only child, you might be worried about providing opportunities to interact with peers.

It’s true that those of us homeschooling an only child might need to get a little bit creative to ensure our kids get time with other children their age. Fortunately, there are so many ways to do it! Keep reading to find out why you probably don’t need to worry about socialization and discover some of my favorite social opportunities for homeschooled kids.

The Myth Of Socialization For All Homeschoolers

There’s a prevailing myth that as homeschoolers we spend a lot of time stuck in our homes. Those who don’t homeschool worry that we might be missing out on a lot by choosing to school our kids at home.

As homeschoolers, socialization isn’t something we have to worry about that much. There are so many amazing opportunities for our children to develop and practice socialization skills. We can take advantage of virtual classes and clubs, travel to amazing destinations, and participate in a variety of community events.

In the end, socialization happens naturally as our children interact with others at the grocery store, the post office, and the park. They get to learn with other kids in sports, Girl Scouts, art classes, and Homeschool Day events at local museums. We can even participate in co-ops and special groups dedicated to giving homeschoolers an opportunity to learn and engage in a group setting.

The Unique Challenges of Homeschooling An Only Child

If you’re homeschooling an only child, you might be really thinking about the socialization question. After all, your child might not have siblings to interact with on a regular basis. You may need to get creative to ensure your child has social opportunities with other kids.

Homeschooling an only child can also be challenging for parents because we need to be “on” all day, or at least it feels that way. It can be a lot to be the only person there to interact with your child during the day. I’ve come up with an idea called “learning lunch” to give myself a break. 

Our learning lunches are an easy way for me to get a break, take some deep breaths, and reset. During learning lunch, Emily watches a video while she eats and I eat in a different room. This way, I get an opportunity to take some much-needed time for myself.

When Should I Be Worried About Socialization And My Only Child?

You probably don’t need to worry about socialization as much as you think. If you already participate in activities outside the home, there’s no need to worry about socialization at all. 

Creating a list of cool things to do can really help relieve any fears you might have about socialization. Check out some of our favorite ways to get out of the house and get some socialization below.

  • Co-Ops
  • Library Activities
  • Online Classes
  • Homeschool Days
  • Girl Scouts / Boy Scouts
  • Parks & Recreation Sports

Homeschooling an only child definitely comes with a few unique challenges, but there are lots of advantages too. For example, homeschooling an only child takes less time than teaching multiple children. 

In the end, homeschooling an only child isn’t easier or more difficult than homeschooling more than one child. Homeschooling an only child is just different. Check out more of my articles about homeschooling an only child for more tips and resources we love.

What tips and tricks have you discovered for homeschooling an only child? How do you respond to the infamous socialization question? Share your best answers in the comments. I can’t wait to read them!

One Comment

  1. Thank you so much for this post!

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