One term that I dislike greatly is "segregation". I have been pleased over and over (and over again yesterday) for the lack of it in our life thus far. In my meager opinion, our society promotes it way too much (usually in age or gender), and we lose the benefits of non-segregation (the main being the older teaching the younger, thus gaining confidence themselves and understanding the concepts better themselves).
Yesterday I went to my first homeschool moms meeting, which was to discuss what our group is going to do this year. This was my first meeting, so I only knew 2/4 of the moms there, and even them, not very well. But, we went, hoping to learn and be more involved with our local homeschooling group. They meet 2 times a month, and work on various projects of community outreach, science, history, character traits, etc.
While us 5 moms were discussing what we plan to do this year (well, I more listened as I didn't know what they have done in the past, nor what the goals of the other parents are), I was again encouraged by the children. There were 19 kids there (between the ages of 6 months up to 17 years) in a 1400 sq. ft. house and they all got along fine and there was not one squabble or child left out. The girls were playing in the bedroom the whole time (the two teenagers in their own room) and the boys were outside exploring. They also mingled with each other over the fooseball and pool tables while on their way here and there. In my experience, this does not happen with "schooled" kids. Whenever my kids play with "schooled" kids, someone gets left out and someone isn't wanted. Whether it be the sister with all boys, or the baby, it seems to be present. Not yesterday. The girls actually came and got baby sister from their mom so that they could pass her around and "play" with her.
There was no fighting in the whole afternoon, and those kids that didn't know anyone were introduced, and the hosts made the guests (my kids, as well as others) feel welcome. There was no whining, pouting or any other such behavior which usually comes with mass groups of kids together. Now, I'm not saying that this doesn't happen elsewhere, but I guess it just reinforces how when parents take the time to teach their kids proper etiquette and train them accordingly...you notice the difference right away. With these kids, you could tell that all their parents take the time each day to love, teach, and guide them in a way that will benefit them their whole life through.
Yesterday I went to my first homeschool moms meeting, which was to discuss what our group is going to do this year. This was my first meeting, so I only knew 2/4 of the moms there, and even them, not very well. But, we went, hoping to learn and be more involved with our local homeschooling group. They meet 2 times a month, and work on various projects of community outreach, science, history, character traits, etc.
While us 5 moms were discussing what we plan to do this year (well, I more listened as I didn't know what they have done in the past, nor what the goals of the other parents are), I was again encouraged by the children. There were 19 kids there (between the ages of 6 months up to 17 years) in a 1400 sq. ft. house and they all got along fine and there was not one squabble or child left out. The girls were playing in the bedroom the whole time (the two teenagers in their own room) and the boys were outside exploring. They also mingled with each other over the fooseball and pool tables while on their way here and there. In my experience, this does not happen with "schooled" kids. Whenever my kids play with "schooled" kids, someone gets left out and someone isn't wanted. Whether it be the sister with all boys, or the baby, it seems to be present. Not yesterday. The girls actually came and got baby sister from their mom so that they could pass her around and "play" with her.
There was no fighting in the whole afternoon, and those kids that didn't know anyone were introduced, and the hosts made the guests (my kids, as well as others) feel welcome. There was no whining, pouting or any other such behavior which usually comes with mass groups of kids together. Now, I'm not saying that this doesn't happen elsewhere, but I guess it just reinforces how when parents take the time to teach their kids proper etiquette and train them accordingly...you notice the difference right away. With these kids, you could tell that all their parents take the time each day to love, teach, and guide them in a way that will benefit them their whole life through.
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