Edited to add: Stacey, I just noticed that your son is still way below school age, so I'd suggest not getting into any unnecessary conversations with family at this point about homeschooling issues - no sense putting yourself through that. If they ask about preschool, that's one thing - a separate issue - but you really don't need to put yourself through debate about homeschooling at this point.
In regard to outside opinions about the socialization factor, here's a good thread for you: "DH is really concerned about socialization."
Your family is simply uninformed about the social opportunities that can be available for homeschoolers. I see that you live in Denver - you should be able to find lots of homeschoolers in that area, as well as lots of community outlets for social connections - here's a page on Colorado homeschooling.
Here's another good thread for you - this one having to do with community. Another here's a good one with lots of ideas you can file away for reference in the course of conversations: socialization.
Here's a great resource packed full of information about the success of homeschooling in regard to socialization: Evidence for Homeschooling: Constitutional Analysis in the Light of Social Science Research. The authors were careful to seek out plenty of data that did not come only from within the homeschooling community.
And this thread - how did you convince husband? - has lots of links to other threads that deal with the question where it concerns extended family and friends, one of the favorite suggestions being the Bean Dip approach
.
Lillian
In regard to outside opinions about the socialization factor, here's a good thread for you: "DH is really concerned about socialization."
Your family is simply uninformed about the social opportunities that can be available for homeschoolers. I see that you live in Denver - you should be able to find lots of homeschoolers in that area, as well as lots of community outlets for social connections - here's a page on Colorado homeschooling.
Here's another good thread for you - this one having to do with community. Another here's a good one with lots of ideas you can file away for reference in the course of conversations: socialization.
Here's a great resource packed full of information about the success of homeschooling in regard to socialization: Evidence for Homeschooling: Constitutional Analysis in the Light of Social Science Research. The authors were careful to seek out plenty of data that did not come only from within the homeschooling community.
And this thread - how did you convince husband? - has lots of links to other threads that deal with the question where it concerns extended family and friends, one of the favorite suggestions being the Bean Dip approach
.Lillian
Oh! Uh...well, then - those threads I linked to will help a lot. Boggles my mind how/why so many people think of college as such a Golden Calf. I'd especially look into books by former teachers John Taylor Gatto and David Guterson, as well as former college teachers David & Micki Colfax (whose homeschooled, mostly unschooled, sons went on to Harvard from the goat farm).
Lillian
