There is an unwritten rule that all homeschooled kids are weird. This is for the most part fairly accurate. Yep, I said it “homeschooled kids are weird”. However they are weird not for the reasons many people assume. In fact their weirdness is one of the most compelling reasons why we homeschool our children.
As a general rule, homeschoolers are weird and this comes as no surprise to those who homeschool. Many homeschoolers embrace the weirdness and thrive with it. The reasons many homeschoolers are weird are very different to what has been historically perceived
1. Homeschooled Kids are Confident
Homeschooled children are confident because they are exposed to so many various sintuations and people. They have the opportunity to interact with children of different ages and many, many different adults.
They aren’t shy speaking to adults and engaging in a conversation that is focused on an area where they are able to contribute. My six year old will often strike up a conversation with an adult about something that interest her, where she feels that that person can offer a valuable insight or knowledge. She will share her thoughts freely on the topic also. This can sometimes throw adults off a bit and instead of replying to her, they will reply to me (pet peeve right there).
2. Homeschooled Children are Less Influenced by Others
I am not saying the homeschooled children aren’t immune to peer pressure or the influence of others but they do seem to have a stronger will and desire to not simply be a sheep.
I feel that this comes from being able to truely discover who they are and what they stand for without the pressure from other children judging what they do or say. For example children who have interesting and unique interests that aren’t the typical “cool” thing can just enjoy what they love. They aren’t led down a path of what they “should” enjoy, instead they can find things that do really excite them.
The confidence part comes in here too. When they are free to find their own interests and hobbies they become a lot more confident in sharing them. They will be attracted to others who may share similar thoughts and interests.
3. They Form Relationships Based on Interest Not Age
Homeschooled children don’t spend all their day and learning time surrounded by children of the same age. When you think about it, there is not any other situation outside of the classroom that requires you to socialise with people only of your same age. Sure you can make friends outside of these classes but the opportunity for you to do so is very limited.
It is because homeschooled children are constantly surrounded by a range of ages, and interests that they can be free to make friendships with those who they have shared likes and hobbies. They aren’t limited in their interactions to one small year group for the next twelve years.
This gives them a great advantage as they enter the “real world”. Whether that be college or the work force. They are already comfortable working with people of different ages and generations. Their interpersonal skills exceed that of traditionally schooled kids for this reason.
It can make them seem really weird as children but it totally pays off in the long run.
When they make friends of varying ages they gain so much more perspective and insights they they may not have gleaned otherwise. The older children or generation can offer valuable experience. The youngsters also have much to offer.
4. They Aren’t Afraid to Ask Questions
One of the biggest obstacles to learning is asking questions. Homeschooled kids ask a lot of questions…like a lot. They are totally those annoying kids in class who just won’t shut up. Oh but I am so glad they are asking!
Homeschooled kids develop a deeper sense of curiosity. They have the freedom of exploration. They want to know and understand things not just because they need to pass a test but because they really want to know the who, what, when and why.
A homeschooled child’s learning is not dictated by passing tests or completing the set work in the required time frame. The desire to learn goes much deeper. That is why they ask so many questions.
If you don’t ask questions you miss out on so much knowledge and understanding. A child who lacks the inquisitiveness or is just too shy to ask will not fair as well.
5. They are More Tolerant
There are absolutely homeschooled kids who are bullies and homeschooled kids who are bullied. I have found though, that on a whole homeschooled kids are much more compassionate and tolerant of other. For example in the homeschool group that we attend regularly 50% of the children are either on the autism spectrum or have other differences that aren’t typical. However there is very little, if any judgement or exclusion. Those kids who are socially awkward are brought in to the the fold. Their social skills improve dramatically. They are not laughed at or mocked by other children, instead the other children will notice when they need space or respond to an awkward attempt to initiate play.
They are surrounded continuously by people who are from so many different walks of life. People who share different beliefs and ideas. This enriches their mind but also helps them to realise that the world is so much bigger than just what they see in a classroom. They learn that their opinion isn’t the only opinion and nor is it the only one that matters.
So Homeschooled Kids Must Be Perfect?
Oh my goodness no! There are some homeschooled kids that are just plain strange. That is totally fine and wonderful. There are plenty of public and private schooled kids that are strange as well and there are adults. Pretty much in all of society you are going to find strange and interesting people. It is what makes the world so amazing.
What I wanted to point out is that some of those “weird” things that homeschooled kids do, aren’t actually bad at all. Weird can be good. I want my kids to be the annoying kid in a college classroom who asks a million questions! Homeschooled kids just think differently because their experiences are different. That does not mean they are unsocialised or that they are going to be failures in society. In fact much of their weirdness is going to bless their lives immeasurably in the future.
Sure they may wear funny clothes sometimes. My son wore a suit and bow tie out regularly on errands just because he loved a band called Gentri. They wore suits and bow ties. Did he look a little weird? oh yeah he totally did. He was six. But he loved their music (also not the typical choice for a kid). But they are learning to express themselves in the safety on their own home without being shot down for not liking what everyone else likes. It takes us adults a long time to reach the point where we can be confident enough to be different, some of us never reach that point.
They may sound intimidating when they hold a conversation with an adult on a complex topic. But that is something they deeply enjoy and they know a lot about. They can offer great thoughts and insight. It is not that they are trying to sound super smart or annoying. It is simply that they have found someone who they can engage with on a mutually enjoyed subject. They don’t just feel limited to their own age group.
You might see them hanging out with the kids who are deemed “socially awkward” and just assume that they are too. Perhaps that is not the case at all. They may just recognise the need for that child or that person to have a friend with them to help them negotiate complex social situations that come so easily to others.
Just because a child is homeschooled does not mean they will have all these traits. Nor does it mean that a child who goes to public school won’t possess these traits. They are many more factors at play, they way they receive their education is just one facet.
