Concerned my 8 year old son doesn't have enough friends his age.
Hello, my name is Tania and I've been homeschooling my son, Zane, for 2 years going on the 3rd. He'll be going into 3rd grade this September. He has 2 older teenage brothers, which are my step sons, and they're gone a lot of the year going to school at their mom's in Washington. I have a small daycare, currently watching my niece (3) and my nephew (1 1/2). Since I'm not all that outgoing I've had a hard time finding friends for my son that are his age. I guess what I'm concerned about is this....if my son is mostly around the younger ones I watch and not around kids his age, is this bad?? He honestly seems fine, he never, ever complains that he needs to be around kids his age. We're starting a new charter home school this Sep. and he'll be going to school 1 day a week and will be home the rest of the time. Socialization isn't a concern for me because he's very social with everyone. But as far as not developing friends his age, is that ok?? Thanks for any advice! :)
I don't think you or he needs buddies from his age group but if you are concerned about it, you could put him in an activity that will put him with his age group. It could be a sport (swimming, tennis, baseball, whatever) or something like Boy Scouts. There are TONS of possibilities.
Quoting Bleacheddecay:I don't think you or he needs buddies from his age group but if you are concerned about it, you could put him in an activity that will put him with his age group. It could be a sport (swimming, tennis, baseball, whatever) or something like Boy Scouts. There are TONS of possibilities.
I was going to suggest the same thing. I have met a lot of other homeschooling mothers and families via online websites and through other friends that have kids around our children's age, but I still put them all in some sort of activity that they are interested in not only for the social aspect, but to learn teamwork as well. Our oldest son is a Scout and he plays soccer, and he has made so many great friends, and so have I. Our daughters do gymnastics, even the youngest one. Some outside activities may be the ticket you're looking for.
Honestly, I believe that kids should have some interaction with children their own age. Our kids play fine together, but sometimes the younger ones want the older ones to play games and do things that they find are too "easy" or "babyish." Sometimes they play without question, and sometimes they're not up to it. Having friends the same age, they have much more in common with them. They are (typically, but not always) on the same reading level, so if they play a game or something that requires a lot of reading, they will have no problems and won't have to help the other parties out. If they want to do something that would be fine for their age group, but not the younger kids, again, they could. I think it's good for older kids to be around younger kids too, but I think that they should be around children their own age as well.
After a certain age, I found kids my own age irritatingly shallow. LOL! I always enjoyed people older or younger than me but not the same age. I wasn't homeschooled but I wish I had been! i think the best "socialization" is when you know people of all ages and NOT just hang out with your own age group personally.
you could get him a pen pal...i have an 8 yr old that is looking for one if you are interested...send me a message you want!
My daughter is an only. She has gone to many classes. This year, she bumped it down to Girl Scouts and possibly 4-H club (not enough details yet). We were going to do an art class, but I'm an artist, and why should I pay for it? Money is tight, so we've had to cut back. Plus, she got bored with the same homeschool classes.
We also go to park days. Although there are a variety of ages, there are usually some kids her age or close.
She doesn't have a bunch of friends. Last year was rough when one girl decided to cut her out and forced others to follow her. She has tried making new friends, but it takes time. She joined the GS group in January after being in another one that never met. This has helped, and I saw today that those beginnings last school year are still there and will grow given more time.
Hope this helps.
My son is 9 and I worry about that for him as well. The kids in the neighborhood aren't ones I want him to socialize with.
PM me if your son would want an email buddy or if he plays online games that they could meetup in!
We never got out much at all and the kids friends were their siblings. They all did great. All are grown now and most are married with kids :)
I want to group home-school in South Florida can someone guide me in the right direction please?
- tanbstdr
on Jul. 2, 2009 at 5:18 PM