[clausok]

We started homeschooling by happenstance when it turned out that kindergarten was going to conflict with our son's beloved jiu-jitsu class. The class was a bit of a drive and we weren't going to be able to get there in time for his favorite part: the 30 minutes of horsing around on the mats before class started.

We thought, "Well, it's only kindergarten". It worked out well enough (knock on wood) that we just kept going.

Compared to my own harried "THE BUS IS COMING!!!" sleep-deprived school days, it has been a wonderful change.

If I could go back in time, I'd put my mom in an ankle lock until she agreed to do the same for me.

Especially since I learned that in my home state homeschoolers can participate in high-school sports. In high school I had to wake up at 4AM for 5AM hockey practice. If I could have returned home afterwards and slept, rather than going straight to school, I would have thanked the Gods.

[Zelphyr]

> the 30 minutes of horsing around on the mats before class started

Followed by the collective groan about how they're too tired to do the warmups.

[justhereforthe]

May I ask if your son is an only child? I’ve thought about online homeschooling my son when he’s old enough (he’s still a baby), but I wonder if he would be lonely if he turns out to be our one-and-done. You mentioned your son’s beloved jiu-jitsu; does he have other outlets for meeting friends and socializing?

[clausok]

He has a younger sister. As for other outlets for making friends and socializing, team sports are indispensable. Also great, and surprisingly underutilized -- in my observation -- are playgrounds.

With playgrounds you get the best part of school, recess, without the rest of it.

If parents would look up from their phones for a minute and watch what's going on in playgrounds they'd be amazed.

Recently I saw about 20 kids, across a wide age range, hold a spontaneous, well-organized game of Among Us.

You won't just make friends there; you'll run in Draco Malfoys too; and that's also valuable.

[aidenn0]

Most only-childs wish they had siblings, and many one-of-manys wish they were only childs. My wife was raised as an only child and is stunned by how much our children fight with each other.

[mensetmanusman]

Almost all only children say that they were lonely. There is something special that happens sleeping in the same house as siblings.

[kQq9oHeAz6wLLS]

On the other hand, many of the only children I know (I'm close friends with 4, all from different backgrounds - one a non-US childhood) are all quite creative and independent people. Sometimes being allowed to be bored is excellent.