Eclectic Parent

Having been asked by two different people on the same day how I found the homeschool support groups I belong to, I thought I’d post about it. Personally I can’t image not having a homeschool support group, whether formal or informal. Homeschooling is far more popular in some areas of the United States than others. In less populous areas, or areas with fewer homeschoolers, there is usually some type of group, even if it is informal - just friends gathering to chat. And for anyone with a connection to the internet, it abounds with homeschool groups of every type.

Here in Arizona - especially metro-Phoenix, we have almost the opposite problem. There are so many groups that you can sort through them by area of the city, type of homeschooling, and religious or secular. Support groups can provide a people to bounce ideas off of, vent frustrations with, and get ideas from. They offer other children to be around during the day, parents who understand what you are going through and a great place to exchange thoughts. Some groups offer field trips, park days, and mom’s nights out. Other groups offer curriculum exchanges, reading group, science fairs, spelling bees.

A few places to look for groups:
A to Z Home’s Cool Homeschooling
Local HS

Search the web for for homeschool groups and homeschool groups with your location or specific type of homeschooling interests. If there aren’t any listed for your area, try your library or church. For online groups, yahoo groups has quite a few.

The number one comment people make is about homeschooled children not getting enough socializing experiences. (Well what is usually said is socialization, which can either mean ‘to take part in social activities’ or ‘to give somebody the skills required for functioning successfully in society’ - not sure which people mean. The first is easy; the second shouldn’t be left to a school.) The last few weeks at the park we’ve been playing musical children. The kids running from parent to parent asking who they can go home with - can I go with friend A? No, he has karate in the morning. Can friend B come home with me? You have gymnastics. What about tomorrow? The next day? The parents were talking about how having all the time during the week creates so many opportunities that the kids have time to do so many things. But just like activities, their fun isn’t limited to weekends. In the last two weeks we’ve had two sleepovers and two playdates - all during the week. Three of the activities have been with kids we know from one of our homeschool groups; the other with a child we know from homeschool classes.

I can not imagine not having adults to chat with at the park, people to send emails listing great plays/concerts/movies/books for kids and children that our three can hang with during the day - and evening, since they don’t get up for school. Whether in real life or in cyberspace, friends or acquaintances, everyone needs people who understand.