Before Noah was going to start kindergarten (in public school), I had some brief thoughts about homeschooling. Of course, I didn’t know any homeschoolers, so I didn’t really have any personal experience with it, but I knew that I didn’t want him to go to school. Still, we sent him.
There were times after that when I thought more about homeschooling. Still, I didn’t know any homeschoolers and it seemed like a crazy idea.
It was only when we started going to a new church (when we converted) and got to know some people at church that we met homeschoolers. The people we met were starting a Catholic homeschooling group, and I decided to go to a discerners meeting. After that meeting, I was pretty sure that I was being called to homeschool. (It was four years ago this month that I went to that meeting.)
I can say without a doubt that the single thing that has made it possible for me to continue on with homeschooling is my homeschooling group and my homeschooling friends. They have made all the difference in my journey. I think about them sometimes, and then I feel sad for homeschoolers that don’t belong to a wonderful group or at least have some close homeschooling friends.
So, my tip for this week would be to seek out other homeschoolers to help you along in your homeschooling journey. If you have nobody locally, foster some friendships online. You might also look into something like the homeschool blogging conference coming up in April – The 2:1 Conference.
I have received more comfort and learned more from being around other homeschoolers than I have ever gotten from homeschooling books or sites.
Now it’s your turn. Link up your homeschool hints post and make sure to link back here in your post. You can read guidelines for Helpful Homeschool Hints, as well as get the button to display on your own site. If your link is removed, be sure to check the guidelines to see why.
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Hi, excited new follower, here! I recently started a project on my blog called Project: Backyard Preschool, where I’m basically chronicling my attempts at providing my son a pre-school experience from home — trying to collect followers who know more about either early education or home schooling than I do and would love to have you join in the discussions which I’ll be posting every Monday.
I’m not planning (as of yet, at least) to permanently home school my son, I just want to get the most out of the time I have with him before he does begin school, and pre-school is not in the budget. I have a few people following the project so far, and I’d like to keep it interesting with perspectives from other educators and mommies! Also, I found your button from another blog, and I’d love to link up to you from my blog in my next ‘Matthew Monday’ post as a neat resource, if that’s okay
I’ll be following you, hope you’ll follow back and check out my blog. Thanks!
Aliciastucky.blogspot.com
I think it’s very important to have those connections, great tip!
Sonita´s last [type] ..Review and Giveaway- EarDoc for treating ear infections
I so agree. The longer I am at this, the more I realize how important that support is!! Thanks for sharing.
Lori´s last [type] ..Helpful Hint
I was just thinking about seeing if there was a way to connect with homeschoolers at our church. I don’t know of any, but it’s a big church and I’m sure there are some.
Jenny´s last [type] ..Wordless Wednesday
That’s a great idea, Jenny! You could always see if the church would let you set up a time to have a call out, per se, and maybe put it in your bulletin if you have one.
Best of luck!
Yes! This is something I had apparently forgotten, as for the last two years I was not involved in any kind of homeschool support group after being involved for 5-6 years. I had dropped out because we went to having only one car and it was hard to make it to the meetings, outings, and classes. Just last Friday, I connected with a (different) small homeschool group that meets weekly for a playdate for the kids while the moms chat for two hours. IT WAS WONDERFUL! I’m really looking forward to going back again on Friday! If you are looking for a support group, don’t discount those that “just” get together for playdates and maybe the occasional field trip rather than classes and monthly organized field trips. Simply hanging out with other homeschoolers may be exactly what you need.
Amy @ Cheeky Cocoa Beans´s last [type] ..Overheard- Fun with personification
I totally agree – it’s nice just to hang out with other homeschoolers, even if it’s for nothing other than hanging out. I had a craft night at my house not long ago for people in my homeschooling group. We didn’t get a ton done, but had a great time visiting!
Great advice! I’m visiting from the Hip Homeschool Hop and now following your blog.
Jennifer´s last [type] ..where babies come from
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