My girls first started asking to see SMALLFOOT when they saw Channing Tatum get pummeled with snow at the Kids' Choice Awards, and then went to check out the movie trailer (scroll down to see official trailer). After watching a few times and showing me, they went to our calendar and added SMALLFOOT's movie release on Sept. 28th. And, they have been counting down the days and know that we have a play date planned with a few of their friends to see this movie after it releases and when public school kids are at school. My girls love walking into a theater when school is in session and having it all to themselves, instead of trying to find a good seat right when a movie releases. And, another perk at our nearby theater is that they get free popcorn refills with our membership. Come on, who doesn't love movie theater popcorn? I could eat this ever day if given to me. :-)
The other day I shared a post about how people think homeschooling kids lack socialization skills or a close knit circle of friends, or that they don't get sick as much. I shared how right now both of my girls are sick, and home resting. They must have picked up a cold when out at the different classes they attend or one of the many sports or extra curricular clubs they are apart of. They are always around kids every day -- either in classes or sports outside the house, or meeting up with friends after we finish school. Like I said movie days and even field trips to aquariums and museums are the best during this time of year when kids are in public school, as they are less crowded and we have the places all to ourselves to truly enjoy and also learn at the same time.
I had a reader email me and thank me for sharing about my homeschool experience as they were thinking about homeschooling their two children, but had resistance from friends and family, who questioned how they would socialize and keep friends if they weren't in school. I reminded her that school isn't a hang out place to be with friends all day. You are supposed to be sending your kids there to learn. But, the beauty of homeschool is that learning takes place all around you, and your kids don't have to be stuck sitting at a desk 6-8 hours a day. In a given week, my girls are taking nature classes, sailing and rowing classes, meeting up with girl scouts who are also homeschooled, and doing sports and even cooking classes with friends from preschool that they still keep in touch with, as well as friends they have made over the years they met at summer camps and sports.
You don't need a school setting to make friends. And, kids love being around other kids, even in new settings, to just play and have fun. I love it when we go places and I see kids come up to my girls, or vice versa, and ask if they want to be friends and play together. Then, they go run off and play for hours, as if they were friends forever. And, while they may never see them again, if it isn't a weekly meetup, they still enjoyed the time with their "new" friends, and look forward to another time when they return and get to play and make new friends.
So, to say that homeschool kids don't have friends because they don't see them every day on the school bus or in class, is a misrepresenation. More and more people are choosing to homeschool their children because of the violence we are seeing in school, bullying, or the way kids are taught through common core and testing. But, parents and children should not be looked at differently because they choose this education option for their kids. My girls have flourished and are doing 4th grade work, and are only 6.5 and 8 years old. Instead of being kept back because they love to learn, they are learning at their own pace and skill set, and loving every minute of it, while also having time during the day to read books that they want, take classes like rowing or sailing, or meetup with friends to see fun new movie releases like SMALLFOOT. :-)
I could go on and on about the benefits of homeschooling and how my girls have a great group of friends they have made along our homeschooling journey, but if you homeschool or know people who do (and accept their choice) then you know just how great an experience this learning can be.
Maybe we will see you at the empty movie theater after SMALLFOOT releases, to enjoy this soon to be hit movie. :-)
More about this movie:
"An animated adventure for all ages, with original music and an all-star cast, “Smallfoot” turns a myth upside down when a bright young yeti finds something he thought didn’t exist—a human.
News of this “smallfoot” throws the simple yeti community into an uproar over what else might be out there in the big world beyond their snowy village, in an all new story about friendship, courage and the joy of discovery.
“Smallfoot” stars Channing Tatum (“The LEGO® Batman Movie,” the “Jump Street” films) , Zendaya (“Spider-Man: Homecoming”), Common (“Selma”), LeBron James (upcoming “Space Jam 2”), Danny DeVito (“The Lorax,” Oscar nominee for “Erin Brockovich”), Gina Rodriguez (“Jane the Virgin”), and Yara Shahidi (TV’s “Black-ish”). It debuts in theaters on September 28."
Disclosure: I was provided with promotional product in exchange for promoting upcoming theatrical release. However, all views shared are mine and mine alone.
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