How do you find other area homeschoolers?

[marcey]

My daughter will be 4 in the fall and I am interested in finding a good preschool experience for her. I have always wanted to homeschool, but I am having doubts about whether this would be right for her or not. She is extremely social and I think she might actually love traditional preschool. I want to keep my options open, though, and would love to meet with area homeschoolers to see what kind of groups are available. I just don't know where to start finding others in my area. Any ideas?
Thanks!

[shaywyn]

Well, what I did at my dd's exact same age, was go online and do a search for local homeschool support groups. I found several in my area, sent emails to three of them, and lucky for me, the one that answered me is the best group I could have found Inclusive, busy but laid back, just awesome

We started out just attending a playgroup every month or so because dd was just turned 4. It was more for information and networking for me, I guess, but dd always had a blast The group was very open to us as new homeschoolers and we felt pretty comfortable right away. I did make sure I let them know I was starting early to suck their brains for information and they seemed very open to it, LOL! :LOL As months passed, we attended a few field trips, then upped our playgroup attendence, got involved in the group activities, etc.

Here are a couple links for finding local groups. Pay careful attention to the descriptions. Religious only groups were not appealing to us, but inclusive, tolerant groups were. Good Luck!!

http://www.midnightbeach.com/hs/listlist.html

http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/...ks/support.htm

[justmandy]

Hey, I've been asking the same thing on another board and someone gave me this link. Tons of info about you area's events and legal aspects as well as groups, I've just signed up for the yahoo group in my area.

Just to put my 2 cents in (take it or leave it...I am reading alot so I'm excited about my new knowlege) my very social dd is 4 and would LOVE traditional school too, but homeschool is right for us because I do not accept the kind of socialization taught in schools. They teach peer pressure (sit when everyone else sits, eat when every one else eats..) I would prefer to keep control over what DD sees and hears until she can make decisions for herself (at 4 or 5 she is definately not ready) Also school teaches her to think inside the box, and learning is boring and later uncool.

Those are the non faith-based reasons for this decision, we also believe it is our biblical duty to teach our children (please don't think uncut hair, home made dresses, and 15 kids...so not us!)

From the AP point of view I know my Dd will have hard days and will not get the love, attention, praise and encouragement she will need from an under paid, burned out teacher with 30 other kids.

I'll step down now LOL!

Anyway, good luck and I'm sure you will make the best decision for your family.

[stafl]

it was really easy. I just did a google search for "my city, homeschool, support" We have really bad public schools, so there is no shortage of homeschool support groups here. If you don't find the right group for you, start your own.

[crinkle]

"They teach peer pressure (sit when everyone else sits, eat when every one else eats..)"

How do you differentiate between peer pressure and being a part of a caring community. For better or worse, we are put here on this planet with other people and sometimes we have to make individual sacrifices (i.e. I want the paint brushes right now, but someone else is using them so I'll have to wait) for the good of the community. Most classrooms are loving places where kids learn from each other and learn to love each other.

[feebeeglee]

Originally Posted by crinkle

"They teach peer pressure (sit when everyone else sits, eat when every one else eats..)"

How do you differentiate between peer pressure and being a part of a caring community. For better or worse, we are put here on this planet with other people and sometimes we have to make individual sacrifices (i.e. I want the paint brushes right now, but someone else is using them so I'll have to wait) for the good of the community. Most classrooms are loving places where kids learn from each other and learn to love each other.

I personally believe it is better for a child to learn the fundamental 'rules' of society in a family setting. Most people tend to think that way but somewhere they draw a line that says, ok, from birth until age 2 (3, 4, 5...) we will let you learn how life works from actual life situations, but after you reach precisely 47.3 months of age (or whatever arbitrary point) you can no longer learn from living in the world and interacting with it but you must instead be in this room, away from your family, with 20 other people exactly your age, and we will carefully craft artificial situations to 'teach' you things that you will then 'learn', because We Say So, and We Know Best.

Quite frankly, I think it's bunk.

[GoodEats]

You can also try Yahoo groups . I found a few in my area that have provided, in addition to general information, a new co-op starting near me and a new umbrella that we've enrolled under. There are also lots of postings about field trips to join, deals for discounted goodies and whatnot.