Socialization Tuesday

My friend Deb introduced me to "Socialization Tuesday". It was born in response to the inevitable "What about socialization?" question every homeschooling mom encounters.

Honestly, for those of you who don't really know, homeschoolers, at least in our area, have an over abundance of socialization options... It just doesn't happen at the same time they're trying to grasp a new math idea or diagram a sentence. Socialization opportunities are also not limited to same age relationships. Families go to the park (especially fun during the school year when it is empty!), organize field trips, or just hang out at friends houses. But I digress...

Socialization Tuesday came about when she decided her kids needed to touch on the other side of socialization. She'd steal food off their plates at lunch time, turn a kid upside down to see if any money fell out of their pockets, give nuggies and threaten swirlies for insubordination. All in fun of course, so much so that she has recently had to repeal the notion and forbid such behaviors due to nothing else getting accomplished on Tuesdays...

We've been dabbling with it at our house as well, especially the little ones. How cool is it to unmercifully tease your brother who's 9 years older than you and NOT get in trouble?!?

When yesterday, I heard myself saying this, I knew I'd have to put the cabosh on the practice as well.

"It is never OK to poke someone in the butt"

The look on their faces told me more explanation was in order...

"I don't care that it's Tuesday!"


More on our Disney trip to come...