'Aren't you required to do something social?'

This year we begin our 11th year of homeschooling. When we started, it seemed like a temporary solution, and now it is a way of life. Just noting that has caused me to spend some time in reflection, thinking about the course of our journey.

To properly educate our children, we have tried several types of curriculum, filed affidavits with the state and signed up with a charter. It has all depended on what worked at the time. Along the way, we have hit the books, hit the beach, taken long trips and started a farm. With each adventure we have undertaken as a family, the children have been involved in each step.

Preparing meals, planning a vacation and raising animals have allowed us to teach many academic subjects in a real-life context. Interactions with people of all ages in the community are part of the learning process as well. This summer, the older kids have been regulars at the Yuba City Certified Farmers' Market, learning about customer service.

With the start of the new school year, I get a lot of questions about homeschooling. This time of year, inquisitive folks seem to reset to default mode. I can always count on someone to pop the big one each September.

"What about socialization? Aren't you required to do something social?" Required by whom is anybody's guess. I used to go into lengthy explanations. Now I just smile. Usually, I am at some sort of community event with one or several kids in tow when I get the question. This might be a testament to the variety of our socialization, or it might be a commentary on how infrequently I am alone, I'm not sure.

Every time someone asks about the "s" word, I'm tempted to tell folks that we decided not to socialize at all and we're going straight home to lock the kids in the closet, but then I remember that there really are wackos out there, and I figure I better watch the sarcasm.

I am a product of the public schools, and I socialized — sometimes too much — in very small classes in rural schools. The high school I went to was so small that they pick one weekend every year and hold reunions for all graduates of the school.

A few weeks ago, I got a postcard in the mail reminding me about the alumni weekend that was coming up. It may or may not be the 25th reunion, depending on whom you ask. Simple math should answer the question, but we're right at 24.5 years, so I guess we round up. I sent an e-mail with my regrets and promptly forgot about it. Then the buzz started. Ten percent of my graduating class contacted me about the event. It was nice hearing from both of them.

If we had voted back in high school on who was least likely to be a homeschooling, goat-milking, chicken-farming mom of 10, I would have won that prize. Socialization, also known as whispering in class, passing notes and attending football games, didn't prepare me for this life I lead. Academics, a love of learning, a sense of adventure and a supportive family make this life possible.

Of all the things I worry about for my children, socialization hasn't even made the list. When it comes time for their class reunions many years down the road, we'll just take a page from my old high school and invite the whole family.

Rose Godfrey is a homeschooling, goat-milking, chicken-farming mom of 10 in Hallwood. Her homeschool blog can be found on the Appeal-Democrat Web site at www.appealdemocrat.com.