More on Homeschool groups

I promised to speak more about homeschool groups. There are many types of homeschool groups. Some groups base membership solely on the fact that you homeschool, or are even considering homeschooling. Other groups add additional criteria, such as statements of faith, or religious affiliations. There are even groups that are specific for a certain thing, like a history co-op, or homeschool boy scout group.
If you are having trouble finding members of a homeschool group to link up with, check with your local library, or your local school supply store. Often they will have names and contact information for groups in the area.
I do have one warning about homeschool groups. People who homeschool generally feel very strongly about homeschooling. Strong emotions and convictions often lead to inflexibility.
If you hear gossip within the group, nip it in the bud. Know that if they are gossiping about other women in your presence, they are gossiping about you when you are not there. I was a member of a group that totally disintegrated a couple of years ago because of gossip. Members of that group reformed into another group, and the gossip was not halted because the same personalities were still in play. That group just had another melt down due to gossip. In the process, it was not only the parents who had hurt feelings, but also children lost friends because the parents could no longer stand each other.
A good homeschool group can be a wonderful thing. A bad homeschool can produce an unreasonable amount of stress in a situation that should be fun, helpful, and supportive.

Homeschool Groups

Do you have a local homeschool group? I can honestly say that if I had not found a homeschool group for support when I first started homeschooling, I probably would not have continued to homeschool. I believe that having veteran homeschoolers tell me that it could be done, in fact showing me that they had been successful, I would have gone nuts.
Beyond the support a good homeschool group can lend, and beyond the advice they can give you on getting legal in your state, they provide a great place for your child to find peers who share the homeschooling experience.
It is important to know that you are not alone, and that other people have had success in homeschooling. There are times, particularly when it gets difficult in your homeschool to be discouraged to the point of returning your child to the previous schooling situation. Those mom’s who have succeeded through the tough times are proof positive that you can continue, and succeed in homeschooling.
Another advantage of a good homeschool group is field trips. It is often more fun for your child to be in a small group. Sometimes places that you would go on a field trip to require a minimum number of students, or offer discounts for groups.
Next time I will tell you a little bit more about groups.