Homeschooling is becoming an increasingly popular option with many American families. Not only are you in full charge of the curriculum, you can even adjust it according to the needs of your child and completely forget about the trauma of attending a public school. However, do you know how much damage you can cause both in the mental and social context, if you do not make your choices wisely?

Children need friends, usually, they meet their friends in school so take a child out of school and where will they meet potential play partners? What will the other kids think of your homeschooled child? Like it or not, children in public schools often think that homeschooled children are not in public school because of mental disorders, behavioral problems, or “freaky” parents. Be prepared for your child to be humored or teased as the child is considered to be abnormal. These challenges must be overcome if you want your child to have a positive social life and be able to function amongst their peers when they get to college.

Friendships with other children of a similar age must be found if they are homeschooled as they cannot be allowed to develop in isolation as this is unhealthy. For the child to have a positive social sphere later, here are some tips that would help you to put him on the right path. Know your neighborhood and start with where you live: How many children close to your child’s age live nearby? Do you know the parents? If not, you need to. Seek out parents nearby and let them know you have a child that you’d like to set up a play date. Because you have started the process, it is also up to you to take the initiative of organizing a kid party and calling a clown perhaps. Invite all the local kids over, their parents and organize a ballgame, fishing, bowling, or any other activity that children enjoy - even offer to baby-sit.

It is critical to organize sporting activities as, other than school, these are best chances which children get to make true friends. They spend a lot of time at practice and root for each other in games and you’ll be meeting other parents while watching all the games. If your child has physical problems or would embarrass himself on a playing field, get them involved in activities like Boy/Girl Scouts or any other local organization for children.

Let Pop Culture into the Home: Some homeschooling parents maintain strict control over what their child is allowed to listen to on the radio, watch on television, and what they do on the internet. While it is important to keep them away from dangerous situations, it is also important to let them be exposed to the same influences as other children. Already your kid is getting branded as a ‘funny’ kid and having problems to cope with it, can you imagine where it would land him in the social circle if he was clueless about TV shows, the latest bands or even the current kid fashion trends? Without being exposed to mainstream culture, they will have little to talk about with other children and will have a hard time relating to others.