The past few Saturday mornings have been spent with home school families playing soccer. This is a Fall ritual around here. For 6 weeks every fall most of the home school families in our area gather together from 8:45-12:00 to let their kids play soccer. The kids have a blast, the parents get to relax and visit with each other, the little ones get to play at a nearby playground.Yesterday was a gorgeous day for it.
We have a really nice support group. I've participated with several groups over the past 14 years. We've moved from place to place in Texas. Each location we are at has support groups with their pros and cons. What do I like so much about this one? It is a support group. Only a support group. It doesn't try to place any controls on people (no one signs anything, no bylaws are needed, no money is collected, no leaders are there to tell you what you can and can't do). You don't even have to formally join. Just start getting the newsletter and start participating. It is amazing how smoothly it runs. There are no “leaders”. There are no squabbles. Just some families that want to encourage each other in home schooling.
Well, you may ask, how does anything get done? If someone wants to go a on a field trip, they plan it, advertise it (on our e-mail group or newsletter) and carry it through. If someone wants to start a sports event (soccer, tennis, softball, volleyball, basketball, bowling are some available here), they grab some helpers, find a location and just start it. If someone wants to start a club (photography, 4H, robotics, cub/boy scouts), they just start it. If someone wants to teach a class (spanish, math, music, drama etc), they do it. It's amazing how many talented moms and dads there are out there that are willing to share their time with others.
The glue that ties this all together, besides the great parents, is the home school kick off in mid/late August. Every year, we have one meeting. All new home schoolers are invited, as well as all the veterans. Anyone who wants to sponsor an event, club, class etc is given booth space. At the meeting everyone gets to mill around, visiting with each other, signing up for the activities their family wants to participate in. How simple is that?
Thanks to Angelina Home Educators for having a great support group.
Hello, my friend,
Since I’m part of the same Great Homeschool Group, I thought I’d add one thing from my perspective of being a ‘charter member’ who has affectionately been also referred to as the grandmother of homeschooling.
Not only is our support group wonderful, smooth-working, and immensely useful with lots of activities and help, it is also approximately 20 years old. I’ve been part of it all those years, (yes, I can identify with your 30+ years of homeschooling by the time we’re through), and to my knowledge, there has never been any problems that caused very much distress. I’ve heard tales of HS support groups that actually split over issues, so I’m thankful that we have the ‘good’ kind.
I’ve enjoyed your blog. You have a gift for writing, along with all your other gifts. And I know first hand how charming that 4 year old can be! He is a cutie!
Have a good one,
Janey
Hello, my friend,
Since I’m part of the same Great Homeschool Group, I thought I’d add one thing from my perspective of being a ‘charter member’ who has affectionately been also referred to as the grandmother of homeschooling.
Not only is our support group wonderful, smooth-working, and immensely useful with lots of activities and help, it is also approximately 20 years old. I’ve been part of it all those years, (yes, I can identify with your 30+ years of homeschooling by the time we’re through), and to my knowledge, there has never been any problems that caused very much distress. I’ve heard tales of HS support groups that actually split over issues, so I’m thankful that we have the ‘good’ kind.
I’ve enjoyed your blog. You have a gift for writing, along with all your other gifts. And I know first hand how charming that 4 year old can be! He is a cutie!
Have a good one,
Janey