Being subjected to the scrutiny that comes with home schooling, regarding “socialization” , I have given friends a thorough thinking through.
The general idea seems to be: For lack of people, our home schooled children will not know the joys of friendship
I beg to differ, but I will save that can of worms for another day on the pond. I believe the socialization issue is a well intentioned misunderstanding that to the credit of the Socialization Police is at it’s core trying to say “Friendship is Important!” I would be inclined to agree.

I have been homeschooled. I have also attended both public and private schools.
What I have found about friendship regardless of the setting, is that having more people to make friends with is of little use if you do not have the basic qualities of a good friend.

The core of showing oneself friendly begins with simple respect and the ethic of reciprocity.

I have found too, that despite all of the BFF and BF-4-EVA entries in my old school annuals, the closest friends I have are family.

I don’t know where I would be without my Pink Ladies and The Pink Bedroom Society.
(Or my mom and her endless supply of recipes)


To me, The Gift of Friends is:

• Someone who knows you, where you’ve been and what has formed you
• Traveling companion at your side, if only in spirit, wherever you need to venture
• Being told the truth without worry of offense
• Commonalities
• Differences
• Sharing inside jokes, fears, tears and good news and all in wild abandon