I remember when we first made the decision to homeschool one of my biggest concerns was that Kyle wouldn't have the opportunity to make a lot of friends. For months I worried over the fact that he wouldn't be invited to very many birthday parties. I worried that he would always feels left out.
But then I weighed the pro's and con's. And obviously the list of pro's far out-numbered the list of con's. It didn't take me long at all to realize that homeschooling is what is best for Kyle. It's what is best for our family. I'm 100% sure that he is in the best environment for schooling and I'm equally as confident in my abilities to teach him all that he needs to know, and then some!
When Kyle attended Kindergarten he made a bunch of friends but then when we decided to homeschool we lost touch with the majority of them, understandably so. Afterall, we weren't seeing everyone on a daily basis anymore! But there were 2 boys in which we were able to keep in touch with..Andrew and Vincent. They're both 7 yrs old. They both live here, in Riverside. They both share the same interests as Kyle.
Over the past few years their friendship has really grown. Despite the fact that Kyle doesn't get to see them on a daily basis, he still spends quite a bit of time with them and in many ways he probably knows them both better than most of their classmates do in school!
They've played 2 seasons of baseball on the same team & will be on the same team again this year, with Vincent's Dad Vinny as Head Coach. Kyle also gets to see Vincent twice a week at karate because they're in the same class, which is really nice. I try to set up playdates every week for Kyle, alternating between having Andrew & Vincent over. Occasionally we have them both over at the same time, since the 3 of them get along wonderfully!
Both Andrew and Vincent are so well mannered and sweet. It's really a pleasure having them over to play with Kyle. Andrew has a very bright, outgoing personality that shines the minute he walks into a room. He's not afraid to speak his mind...if he likes something he's the first to tell you and if he doesn't like something..well...he's the first to tell you! I love that about him!! He's definitely the type of kid who stands up for himself, as well as others. He would be the kid to stare down a bully without so much as blinking. He's confident in himself. He's a born leader, for sure! Kyle & Andrew spend hours playing together, often without ever needing my attention for anything more than something to eat or drink! Most of the time they're lost in "imaginary world" - running around the house in old Halloween costumes that Kyle has long since outgrown but refuses to part with. Sometimes they're Star Wars characters. Sometimes they're Transformers. But most of the time they're Army Guys, dressed in camo from head to toe. They run through the house with Nerf Guns, communicating on their walkie-talkies, saving the world together.
Vincent is a bit more reserved but over the years he's really come out of his shell around us. He's definitely more quiet than the other two but he shares that same sweet, fun personality! He's also a big fan of getting lost in "imaginary world" - only instead of playing Army Guys he likes to play "Spiderman". In addition, he really enjoys doing arts & crafts projects - making little sticker books seems to be one of his most favorite things to do when he's at our house. And, just like when Andrew is here, I'm rarely needed for anything more than to provide food and drinks! The boys tend to play upstairs - running inbetween the playroom and Kyle's room. I love our upstairs because it was built with the kids in mind - there's nothing breakable up there and they're allowed to run and be as loud as they want (well,within reason!). It gives them their own "space" and I think they enjoy not having me hover over them. It kind of makes them feel grown up to have the run of the floor, you know? I sure wish I had a space like that when I was growing up!!
Jim and I are so happy that Kyle has formed such a great friendship with Andrew and Vincent. They're all good, positive influences on each other. Their Mom's and Dad's share the same parenting skills & views as we do. I feel like we're all on the same wavelength, and it's a great feeling. It's no secret that I am the "over-protective" type. What may be surprising to others, though, is that Jim is very similar - he just doesn't show it as much as I do! That being said, we feel 100% comfortable whenever Kyle is with Erin (Andrew's Mom) and Judy & Vinny (Vincent's parents). We know that they treat Kyle no differently than they treat their own children. We know that he's being supervised and that he's in a safe enviornment. And because of that we're relaxed whenever Kyle goes places with them, or over to their houses to play.
And while it remains true that Kyle does not have a classroom full of friends, he has something that very few kids his age have...he has 2 "close" friends. He has 2 "solid" friendships and we would much rather he have a small handful of good friends than a whole bunch of "not so good" friends. Growing up, my parents taught me that the best friends you can have can be counted on just one hand. To this day that rings true for me, and now for Kyle, too.
Kyle & Vincent
But then I weighed the pro's and con's. And obviously the list of pro's far out-numbered the list of con's. It didn't take me long at all to realize that homeschooling is what is best for Kyle. It's what is best for our family. I'm 100% sure that he is in the best environment for schooling and I'm equally as confident in my abilities to teach him all that he needs to know, and then some!
When Kyle attended Kindergarten he made a bunch of friends but then when we decided to homeschool we lost touch with the majority of them, understandably so. Afterall, we weren't seeing everyone on a daily basis anymore! But there were 2 boys in which we were able to keep in touch with..Andrew and Vincent. They're both 7 yrs old. They both live here, in Riverside. They both share the same interests as Kyle.
Over the past few years their friendship has really grown. Despite the fact that Kyle doesn't get to see them on a daily basis, he still spends quite a bit of time with them and in many ways he probably knows them both better than most of their classmates do in school!
They've played 2 seasons of baseball on the same team & will be on the same team again this year, with Vincent's Dad Vinny as Head Coach. Kyle also gets to see Vincent twice a week at karate because they're in the same class, which is really nice. I try to set up playdates every week for Kyle, alternating between having Andrew & Vincent over. Occasionally we have them both over at the same time, since the 3 of them get along wonderfully!
Both Andrew and Vincent are so well mannered and sweet. It's really a pleasure having them over to play with Kyle. Andrew has a very bright, outgoing personality that shines the minute he walks into a room. He's not afraid to speak his mind...if he likes something he's the first to tell you and if he doesn't like something..well...he's the first to tell you! I love that about him!! He's definitely the type of kid who stands up for himself, as well as others. He would be the kid to stare down a bully without so much as blinking. He's confident in himself. He's a born leader, for sure! Kyle & Andrew spend hours playing together, often without ever needing my attention for anything more than something to eat or drink! Most of the time they're lost in "imaginary world" - running around the house in old Halloween costumes that Kyle has long since outgrown but refuses to part with. Sometimes they're Star Wars characters. Sometimes they're Transformers. But most of the time they're Army Guys, dressed in camo from head to toe. They run through the house with Nerf Guns, communicating on their walkie-talkies, saving the world together.
Vincent is a bit more reserved but over the years he's really come out of his shell around us. He's definitely more quiet than the other two but he shares that same sweet, fun personality! He's also a big fan of getting lost in "imaginary world" - only instead of playing Army Guys he likes to play "Spiderman". In addition, he really enjoys doing arts & crafts projects - making little sticker books seems to be one of his most favorite things to do when he's at our house. And, just like when Andrew is here, I'm rarely needed for anything more than to provide food and drinks! The boys tend to play upstairs - running inbetween the playroom and Kyle's room. I love our upstairs because it was built with the kids in mind - there's nothing breakable up there and they're allowed to run and be as loud as they want (well,within reason!). It gives them their own "space" and I think they enjoy not having me hover over them. It kind of makes them feel grown up to have the run of the floor, you know? I sure wish I had a space like that when I was growing up!!
Jim and I are so happy that Kyle has formed such a great friendship with Andrew and Vincent. They're all good, positive influences on each other. Their Mom's and Dad's share the same parenting skills & views as we do. I feel like we're all on the same wavelength, and it's a great feeling. It's no secret that I am the "over-protective" type. What may be surprising to others, though, is that Jim is very similar - he just doesn't show it as much as I do! That being said, we feel 100% comfortable whenever Kyle is with Erin (Andrew's Mom) and Judy & Vinny (Vincent's parents). We know that they treat Kyle no differently than they treat their own children. We know that he's being supervised and that he's in a safe enviornment. And because of that we're relaxed whenever Kyle goes places with them, or over to their houses to play.
And while it remains true that Kyle does not have a classroom full of friends, he has something that very few kids his age have...he has 2 "close" friends. He has 2 "solid" friendships and we would much rather he have a small handful of good friends than a whole bunch of "not so good" friends. Growing up, my parents taught me that the best friends you can have can be counted on just one hand. To this day that rings true for me, and now for Kyle, too.
Kyle & Vincent
Kyle and Vincent
Kyle and Andrew
Kyle and Andrew
Kyle and Andrew
Kyle and Andrew
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