Do Homeschoolers Have Friends?

I've gotten all different types of reactions when I've told people I'm homeschooled. Some people are excited, and want to know more about it; some are indifferent, some think I'm weird, some are unaware that homeschooling exists and are intrigued, and some say its cool, but then never seem to talk to me again. Others assume that I'm a complete idiot, or on the other hand a genius.

What I really am is just a normal teenager, learning what I want, at my own pace. I've never been to school even though I am almost fourteen. I like theater, finance class, science, singing and music. I also like hanging out with my friends, being on my computer and reading. I think one of the biggest misconceptions of homeschooled kids is that we are shy, unconformable talking or being around people, and don't have any friends. The truth is I'm outgoing and social – I get energy by being with people. Yes, it's true, there are some homeschoolers who are shy, but aren't there kids who go to school who are shy too?

Because I am out in the world regularly I am meeting and interacting with people of all ages. I am just as comfortable talking to my retired neighbor about geology as I am assisting a drama class of six and seven year-olds. My close friends range in age from twelve to fifteen.

I see my friends several times a week, at classes, like Labyrinth, a homeschooling co-op we go to, or book clubs, writing clubs and shows. What's nice about homeschooling is you have more free time to be with your friends doing what you want to do. But I do have to make an extra effort to see my friends, and because of this the friendships are often based more on what we have in common, not just who I sit next to all day. Most of my friends are homeschooled and I met them through a homeschooling group (Teaching Parents Association www.washtpa.org), but some I have met though acting at Studio East (http://studio-east.org/), or various other activities we do.

There are also kids who are introverted and need a lot of alone time; my younger sister is like this. Since shes not in school she has plenty of opportunity to read or draw on her own.

I have been bullied (although not by someone who was homeschooled) but it's not as frequent as some of my friends who have gone to school have told me about, and then it's usually very easy to just to avoid those people. Another thing some of my school friends have commented on is the pressure to look a certain way, or have a boyfriend. I don't have to deal with that.

There are plenty more myths about homeschooled teens. For example, that we are sheltered, we get a free pass to do nothing, and we are all religious fanatics, I will talk about these in a future blog.