Are there any parents that homeschool? If so, how do I get my children into sports or any social activities?

Question

I want them to interact with other children. Are there any tee-ball, baseball (little league), or basketball teams available for homeschooled children, and are they free (that is really what I'm looking for, free interaction activities)? Please let me know; I know I am a little late in the school year to be asking, but if there are any parents out there that understand, respond :) P.S. This is for any Toledo, Ohio parents.

Answer 1

Look into your county, city or town recreation association. Your local library will also probably have a calendar of events for children. There are usually on-going activities in any major city for all different age ranges. Let your fingers do the walking through yor local yellow pages.

Also -- unless you live out in the middle of nowhere, surely there are other children in the neighborhood. There are all sorts of ways to ensure your children are still with other children for social activities -- the same way that any other kids socialize. And please don't listen to the nimnods who argue against homeschooling with the old hackneyed argument about socialization. It's fallacious.

P.S. I also found a local group of homeschoolers using the internet. They got together every week so parents could relax and the kids could play with other kids who could relate to the way they were being schooled.

Answer 2

I have some experiences from it as a student and from volunteering at a homeschool/alternative school. The positive things about being a homeschool student, for me, were the flexible hours, the wider variety of extracurricular activities available (I took horseback riding lessons as P.E, hiking was sometimes tied in with a science experiment because I actually had time to carry out an experiment involving such detail, etc. Also, I liked being able to use different materials to learn subjects "during class". In a regular classroom, non-traditional methods aren't used because they can be too expensive. The only thing I can really say for negative experience is that the flexible hours can kind of mess up routines. Sure, you can schedule an appointment in place of math class for a week, but the hard part of that is getting back into the routine. It usually means there are a few other things cut short or out of place as well. I guess one more negative thing was access to experienced teachers in subjects you haven't studied (if there are any). Math was a really hard one for me, but our local school offered an hour each day where students who had trouble with any subject could go in and learn the method for that problem or project. Some people say homeschooling doesn't allow you to learn how to get along with everyone, but honestly, who gets along with everyone no matter how much they learn? As for being socialized, of course there are "classes" your child can do to make friends. You can look for nearly anything your child has an interest in. I did horseback riding lessons, volunteer work at the senior center, volunteered at a local daycare and a private school, and joined Kawanis when I finally was old enough (I left that because I moved). Also, there are seasonal activities for when the school year is not active. As for volunteering at an alternative school, I did learn that each kid truly does learn their own way and they don't adjust immediately. Some kids do very well once a routine is established, others need to try a few routines over about a month worth of time before they are established. Some kids just don't like it. Tips from your local homeschooling community would actually be a good place to start because they may or may not offer all that I've mentioned. Since this question is asked on a worldwide board, I would scale it down and find a homeschool group in your community that knows of programs or classes that actually are available in your area and people who actually know the rules about homeschooling or how much time your district requires.

Answer 3

i just put my kids in whatever sport they wish. my daughter is in ballet, my son will be taking karate at the ymca. my sis in law homeschools too and her boys are in karate too. then there's boys scouts and girl scouts which is open to the public. you dont have to be in public school. and then in my city there is a "club" of homeschool families. i just signed up for it and i'm so excited. they have field trips, tutoring, parties, park days and social interaction. and by the way to that one post that seems to think homeschooling is stifling normality. well public schools in america are pathetic and abnormal in the sight of the world in it's acedemic ratings lol and yes my kids are abnormal. my 9yr old just finished reading Pilgrims Progress and my 8 year old son just finished reading 20,000 leagues under the sea. ooo and he has been doing a type of algebra for a year(beginners algebra). yep i guess he's not a "normal" american public school student LOL but i'm grateful for that!! they have friends and a great education. anything else they need to be qualified as "normal"?! didn't think so.

Answer 4

I don't live in Toledo, but your best bet would be to call the school district in your area and talk to them. My son who is in highschool, has a friend on his team who is home schooled. His dad contacted the athletic director for the school and after getting approval from the district, he was added to the team. Also, a lot of park districts offer sports programs like T-ball, etc for younger kids. That might be an option.

Answer 5

i live in GA. homeschooling my 12 year old son. every Friday surrounding homeschoolers get together at a local park. games, sports and plays are enjoyed by all. the rec dept in your town or boys club should provide sports. my son still keeps play dates with the children that he used to go to public school with. hope this helped some.

Answer 6

Well I'm no parent and i dont live in Ohio, but at my school, i have a friend who is homeschooled. and she had to pay, like everyone else but she signed up for tennis with me. and you just call a school, and have him/her sign up. call the athletic office which my school has. it is an after school/out of school activity. so are others.

Answer 7

I knew someone that was home schooling her 6 children the other 3 were too young to be home schooled since they were much younger. Eventully she had to keep the home based business going and she left the kids to educate themselves and help out each other.

The school board payed her a visit and she was forced to send her kids to school.

What I'm saying is, don't take on too much at one time, or something or someone will suffer.

Take Care.

Answer 8

Most people who do "homeschooling" are doing their kids a REAL dis-service. Kids NEED to have the social interaction of groups to be normal.....but then, I guess being "normal" is what you're trying to prevent.

Answer 9

I AM NOT A PARENT!..BUT UM..THERE SHOULD BE LIKE A THING CALLED THE Y../AKA..THE YMCA!!..THAT WAY THEY HAVE SPORTS THERE AND THEY CAN GET INTO THEM..

Answer 10

ask schools