How will your kid learn to stand in line?
I’ve never had any one ask me this question, but it seems some ask how homeschool kids learn to stand in line. It’s one of those ‘socialization’ and ‘real life’ type questions that make me wonder what this person thinks homeschooling is. But since I’ve never had anyone ask me, I have a hard time imagining this situation.
Standing In Line
I’m finding my homeschool child has all kinds of opportunities to learn to stand in line. After standing in 2 different lines, with 2 more lines to go to finish registering for VBS, Little Man declared to me “I hate standing in line!” Teeth clenched, angry voice. Like you do. My reply was “suck it up, buttercup. Life is standing in line.” Wesley of Princess Bride claims that “Life is Pain. And anyone who tries to convince you otherwise is selling something.” And I’ve had painful times. But I’ve had more times of standing in line.
So, if you see my child not following proper standing in line protocol, its not for a lack of knowing it. He knows the standard proper distance from the person in front of you American style of queuing up. And if he doesn’t do it, it’s a purposeful bucking of the system. And sometimes, that’s okay!
I love it! I suppose you and kids have been to Walmart or HEB! It is not fun anywhere, but waiting for ice cream at Fuzzy’s is tolerable.
My favorite “standing in line” memory was the queue in Casablanca, Morocco to buy a train ticket to Marrakech. Just as traffic laws were optional in that area of the country, so were lines, apparently. The “line” was a massive huddle of people, all pushing and shoving to reach the counter. There seemed to be little risk of the seats selling out so I held back a bit. My coworker from China, however, pushed her petite self through the crowd and ensured we had tickets.
I’ve seen similar situations here in the USA, so I think the idea is overrated. Just teach a child to be courteous and mindful of others and they’ll figure it out!
While living in China, I learned how to do well in a crowd. Use of elbows, pushing, shoving. Standing in line is a cultural thing for sure!