Well, I have generally found the quickest way to move on from something I don't want to talk about is making a statement "I don't see that as our problem" and then asking them a question ("my ds is loving this karate class, what about your dc?")
I have also answered with, "well, that was also a HUGE concern of mine (not really, but showing sympathy to the questioner), but then I did the math. At school ds had a bit less than 5 hours or recess time, now that we homeschool we have playdates during the week that easily exceed that 5 hours". And, sometimes, I say (if I am feeling cranky), "You know, I really like that I am at least in the same space when those playdates are occur, I have noticed that sometimes smaller children need help working out frustration, anger or other issues when they play" (let those people connect the dots about socialization during recess!)
And, because I am on a roll, one thing that just came up, is that well, at school kids can see their best friend every single day (sit with them at lunch, stand in line, meet up during recess). To that I simply say, you are right that exact type of socializing does not occur in our homeschooling life.
I have also answered with, "well, that was also a HUGE concern of mine (not really, but showing sympathy to the questioner), but then I did the math. At school ds had a bit less than 5 hours or recess time, now that we homeschool we have playdates during the week that easily exceed that 5 hours". And, sometimes, I say (if I am feeling cranky), "You know, I really like that I am at least in the same space when those playdates are occur, I have noticed that sometimes smaller children need help working out frustration, anger or other issues when they play" (let those people connect the dots about socialization during recess!)
And, because I am on a roll, one thing that just came up, is that well, at school kids can see their best friend every single day (sit with them at lunch, stand in line, meet up during recess). To that I simply say, you are right that exact type of socializing does not occur in our homeschooling life.
: Love these responses.
(and probably oh so true)
) and said he was the most appreciative student she'd ever had out of more than 500 students over the years. I'd say that appreciativeness is a social skill that [should be] valued by our culture, yet our kids have many friends who never say "thank you" for anything we do for them. (Many adults also don't seem to know the simple courtesy of writing thank you notes for gifts, etc.; I'd hate to see that lovely custom die out.)
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