One of the major stereotypes about homeschooled kids is that they are not socialized or that they don't have proper social skills. I know my own kids may not be socially perfect, but they have enough sense to say "Please" and "Thank You" most of the time. And as far as I know, they don't put buckets on their heads and spin in circles to avoid conversations, and they'll gladly tell you their current interests or even ask about yours.
Because of this, I was happy to host the Christmas party for the 6th-8th graders in our homeschool group. The party had the usual fun stuff: an ornament exchange, chocolate pretzel making and games. There were five girls and six boys in attendance, and while the goal was for them to have fun, MY goal was to ensure that my son isn't weird around girls. When I was 11, I already had a handful of crushes on boys in my class, and I showed it by punching them, ignoring them, or acting like I hated them. I want my sons to know that it's OK to act regular around girls - to treat them with respect and courtesy but also to be friendly with them. I want them to know that girls are not aliens, like beings completely different from them who don't deserve their attention. And right now I want my eldest son to understand that if the Lord wills that he be married someday, he needs to be friends with the girl first.
I am happy to say that the party was a success. In his usual style, my son freely talked about the latest episodes of Lego Chima one moment, and in the next he was confidently instructing all 10 guests and leading them in a game of Apples to Apples. All the kids acted like you'd expect 6th-8th graders to act, even making messes and not cleaning up after making the chocolate pretzels. Although all the boys and girls who came may have their awkward moments, I'm assured that they know how to conduct themselves properly, and I pray that my son is friends with them all for a very long time.
I forgot to mention that "C.L.A.Y" stands for "Christ Loves All Youth", but with my party I'd also call it "D.B.W.A.G.": "Don't Be Weird Around Girls".
1 comment:
Loved this, Josephine! And I can tell you from first hand experience that when the time comes, your older son will have the perfect expression of friendship for a girl he likes...just make sure you're serving dinosaur chicken so he can smear his left-over crumbs on her arm -- she'll be his friend for life! Sending lots of love and hugs to you, your sweet husband and your boy brood!
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