Homeschool Support Groups
Monday, February 26th, 2007We’ve known for years we were going to homeschool but I hadn’t searched too much about resources in our area until now. I am AMAZED! I was hoping to find two things – some sort of parent support group for sharing ideas, and a social group for the kids to get together and play with peers during the day. A friend invited me to attend a homeschool group at her church that meets once a month and presents talks, panels, Q&A for the parents and they have kids from newborn through college – it’s a great resource. They have an on-line group for people to ask questions and I’m learning a lot there.
While signing up with that group, I came across another homeschool group that is for DFW and has smaller groups for our little area. I signed up for both and wow – I’m stunned at the many, many field trips, playgroups, book clubs, moms’ night out, special interest groups, on and on. This week we’re joining them for the Homeschoolers’ Day at the Fort Worth Zoo. There are museum trips and book fairs and play ground days and everything you can imagine.
Within the smaller group we joined a craft & storytime group for kids 3 to 7 years old and there are 7 families involved, all in our area. Some just a couple miles away! We meet once a week at different homes for a craft, storytime & snack. I hosted today but at another person’s home (we aren’t having Bennett around other kids yet) and it’s been a blast for our kids to see the same friends every week. I love the chance to talk with other moms and learn from their experience and hear tips about fairs and sales and discounts and all kinds of things.
It’s been good for me to get out of my comfort zone and reach out to our community and make these new friends. I’m learning so much from them and I love it. So I’ve found not just one group but literally hundreds of parents also homeschooling that are happy to share their knowledge and tips.
As for the kids’ social group, our problem has become that there are too many! We’re having to pick and choose which we’ll commit to so the kids can build relationships and be with peers but not make our week too hectic. There are literally activities every day, Monday through Friday. And not activities 30 minutes away, but stuff right here in our community. It was overwhelming at first and we weren’t getting our lessons done at home because we were out so much with friends!
We’re finding our balance now and deciding how much our schedule can bear. I am very, very grateful to find these groups and these new friends. It’s recharged my excitement and passion about homeschooling and I’m learning new things every day.