Congratulations on thinking out of the box and homeschooling. While we applaud your great decision we need to help you expand your horizons and introduce you to the sandbox. Now that we have your attention you might be wondering what the sandbox is? Very simply it is park day.

It simply amazes us how few people really take the time and fully enjoy their homeschool experience by participating in park days. Of course we know that many of you are busy and must accomplish so much in your day. The only answer we have for you is you must rearrange your homeschool priorities. Both you and your children need some "out of the home" activities and interaction with other homeschool families. Every family needs to balance academics, social interaction and family time. For the next few minutes let's explore why we feel park day is so very important.

First and foremost we strongly feel that park day provides some very important socialization experiences for both you and your children. How can you successfully argue the socialization question with non-believers (in homeschooling) when in reality you are avoiding social activities. Believe it or not, park days provide very important protected social interaction for your children with other homeschoolers.

The multi-age socialization factor is one of the strongest arguments we have when the big "S" question is presented to us. Do you realize that most class room oriented children have a social influence of plus or minus six months of their birthday? The schools generally force children to mingle with only same aged children. The beauty of park days and field trips is that your children will have a social influence of plus or minus a lifetime from their birthday. It is very common to see a small child interact with a teenager, a teen talking to an adult, a grandparent or parent playing with many children of various ages and everyone having a wonderful time. Look at your lives; do you socialize with people who are only your age? If so, it would be very difficult for us (since we are so much older than most of you) to socially interact with you. Of course the answer is you do not socialize only with people your age. Why then, do you deprive your children from interacting at a park day with people of all ages?

The creation of friendships is such an important gift that we can provide our children as well as ourselves. In the last few years we have seen some fantastic friendships formed by our teens and we are hopeful that when they are young parents that they will still be friends and their children will be friends. Unless you attend our park days and field trips this wonderful gift of friendships may not be possible. Not only will your children have the ability to form lifetime friendships, but you the parents will and should do the same. Realize that homeschooling is a wonderfully strong foundation for some great friendships. Take the time to go to park days on a consistent basis and find some new friends for yourself. Give yourself the fantastic gift of actually surrounding yourself with some high quality adult interaction with other like minded individuals.

Another great advantage to park days is the therapeutic benefit it provides. How many times have you thought that you had this monumental problem that did not have a solution? The good news is that if you attend park days you will most likely meet another parent who has experienced the same problem. The better news is that during your social interaction with other parents at park day you will discover that your problem is not unique and as insurmountable as you might have thought. You will go home with a solution and a smile. Let's not forget the great saying: "all work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy." Is it your purpose to make your children and yourself dull? One of the greatest gifts you can provide your children is the concept of "balance." Teach by example that there is a wonderful advantage to balancing work and play. If you want well balanced children please consider this point. If you want to successfully homeschool for the long term you must inject balance between work and play. Believe us when we say that you will enjoy your homeschooling experience much more and enjoy a higher success rate if you balance your life.

Let's not forget one important factor. Park day is just plain old fun. Why not take two to six hours out of your 168 hour week and join us at park day. Do you realize that this represents only 1.2% of your week? Such a small investment for such a great return!

Now the big question might be how do I find the time and energy to do this? The answer is very simple. Just plan on it and do it. Make up your mind that even if you have to travel 20-30 miles to be part of park day that it is worth it. Make it a part of your total homeschooling lifestyle. If you do take the time you will be very pleased with the results. The same applies to field trips.

Our park days are held every Monday from 12 noon to whenever people decide to go home. Park days are held at Eisenhower Park located on the corner of Second Ave. and Colorado Blvd. in Arcadia.