Jewish Homeschooling 101: Socialization

This is the #1 question homeschoolers get: "What about socialization?" Especially for Jewish homeschoolers operating with much smaller communities, people are worried about their kids social well-being if they choose to homeschool. In this video, some veteran homeschoolers answer questions about what socialization actually is, where their kids form their social circles, and more.

[@rabbidaniellapin.]

I'm a longtime fan of your writing but this grabs me on another level. This is a quite wonderful video, Bethany, your interest and authenticity are beguiling. However, in all fairness, you might want to depreciate my opinion just a bit since I am an enormous fan of, and closely related to three of your guests. Of the innumerable kindnesses my wife, Susan, has done for me, one of the greatest was homeschooling our seven wonderful children. The extra vigor with which I was able to attack my work, knowing that our children couldn't be in better hands, was due to her. Our family closeness and the irrepressible surge of inter-sibling warmth which wells up whenever we're together is due to her having carried primary responsibility for educating our children. Because much of my most productive work was done with the happy hubbub of 7 boisterous homeschoolers on the other side of my study door, I am still unable to write in silent solitude. I know I often proudly claim, "We homeschooled our children" that 'we' I use is in the same spirit as I might say, "during the childhoods of our seven heirs, WE changed about 30,000 diapers." No, WE didn't! Susan Lapin did. I certainly was an enthusiastic participant and tried my best to do my part but Susan carried paramount responsibility for our homeschooling and that utterly changed my life. I couldn't be more grateful. Let me emphasize that fathers are among the prime beneficiaries of their children being homeschooled and the debt we owe our wives is incalculable. Wishing you 'hatzlachah'--success in this great channel and in your homeschooling. Appreciatively ~ Rabbi Daniel Lapin (Appreciative father of seven spectacularly successful children and grateful husband of one remarkable wife)

[@jewishcharlottemasonhomesc4937]

Rabbi Daniel Lapin your family are such treasures!

[@kristenfaiola]

We're also fulltime RVers and homeschooling. One of our main goals is to visit every capitol building and it's been fun to learn about the differences between the states. So much cool things to learn as you travel around the country. The girls love meeting new friends as we travel. It's funny when they come home and tell us about their new best friends.

[@rachellestern1783]

Great video Bethany! (And we're in Wyoming right now in Yellowstone National Park!!) I should also add, for anyone thinking of taking their homeschooling on the road like we are, you should know that there is a program where all 4th graders and their families get access to all national parks for free. Google every kid in a park and 4th grade and it will come up! Also there are so many FB resources for anyone thinking of doing this! My advice would be just do it! We haven't met one family on the road so far who regrets traveling the country with their kids...especially now more than ever before!

[@temimacohen1]

Oh my goodness I'm totally drooling over doing that with my family and was really wondering how you do that as Orthodox Jews... How do you travel considering Kashrut, and how do you meet Jewish people etc.? What other issues come up that are uniquely Jewish?

[@heatherjolley2507]

I'm not Jewish, but have seriously been contemplating homeschooling forever (I'm back and forth on it). I love your Twitter takes and am excited for your channel. I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but love learning more about Judaism. Do you have any book recommendations that would intro Judaism to my kids? I have one in particular who I know would have a billion questions and would love to learn more about it. Thanks!!!

[@jewishcharlottemasonhomesc4937]

Heather Jolley thank you! I have an episode here about my fav living books authors. Check that out and any of their books are great.

[@zahavaleafinteriors]

Thanks for sharing, do you feel that a wider age gap between siblings in home-school would be more challenging or still doable? ranging 5-12

[@jewishcharlottemasonhomesc4937]

Doable because the older they get, the more independent they are! You can still do stuff together with big age gaps! You can listen to music and look at art, read a story etc.