This morning, when I arrived at work, my phone was ringing off the hook.  It was one of my overseer's from the government checking in to see how well the move of my office is going.  It's been very busy here and the tensions are high as the powers that be are fighting and throwing blame and micromanaging as they try and get some footing.  It hasn't helped that the new company I now work for, who are not involved with the above mentioned issues, have also decided to establish some very strict micromanging that I need to make sure all of my staff comply with.  Then throw in that my staff tends towards behaving as spoiled little boys even though they are grown men!  They don't WANT to be micromanaged...

So, after discussing these issues with the person who called, conversation slid towards a friendlier note and I was asked about something that he had seen on Dr. Phil. ( He begged to not let ANYONE know he watches Dr. Phil, so shhhh....=D )  

He knows that I homeschool.  We have discussed unschooling but I don't think he has really truly grasped that concept.  Most people don't and then when you throw in just where my son sits academically, people just assume unschooling equals excelled. 

So his question to me was what is the true story about socialization and homeschooling?  Dr. Phil left him thinking that homeschoolers lack a great deal of ability being able to function in society.  ( Way to go Dr. Phil! )  I clarified that that was just not true.  Most homeschoolers have very active social lives.  Even more social then their public school peers as in public school, the kids can only socialize between classes and lunch.  Some may choose to socialize during class, but as far as I was aware, that was still frowned upon.

Then we get to the realities of my son.

We didn't start out seeking to homeschool nor unschool.  The school system thrust it upon us after they failed to protect my young child from severe bullying.  They had no problem crushing the joy of life out of him.  Where would that type of socialization be preferable to non-socialization?  Even the Bible states it is better to have a dry morsel alone, in peace, then to feast in a place of great strife.

I do watch how my son interacts with people.  I have not observed any issues.  We bought his new puppy from a public school teacher who's been teaching for thirty years she said.  She asked me what my son's IQ was.  When I looked at her oddly, she stated that he was so smart!  She could tell when he started talking to her that he had to be gifted and she was curious just how gifted.  She also was concerned about the socialization issue which makes no sense to me, as she had just been having an intelligent conversation with him. 

So just what does it take for people to understand 'socialization'?