Home School Groups -- needing to VENT!

[reverendmother]

Does anyone belong to a sucessful HomeTeam (Home School group)?

In our area we have two types of groups -- Co-ops, where everyone is using the same curriculum and they get together once a week or every other week and do the group projects, have unit end festivals etc.

The second type of group is a HOmeTeam. In these groups homeschooling families (usually Mom and the children) come together every other week and have classes based upon age level and mother talent (ie Drama, Music, Literature, sewing, science). The idea is supose to be that the children get to do things that theri own parents don't have the skills in or that can only be done in a group i.e. a play or choir.

Since we have been homeschooling (5 years) we have found these groups to be unsucessful (for us) for the following reasons:
1. The Co-ops get tooo competitive (my child's project is more advanced that yours)
2. The Hometeams are either
a. is under the "thumb" of an over bearing Pastor (who
dosn't homeschool) and everything is subject to his
approval. No Baord of Directors, no "local" control.
b. The board of Directors don't have written policies and so
are at the whim of any given "squeeky wheel"
c. The classes are not things the children really have interest
in or need. For example instead of getting people who
can offer the children opportunites to learn from
professionals (ie Interior Decorator) we end up
with "study skills"

3. The homeschooling families are flakey. Mom's are over "stressed" and use that as an excuse for everything from quiting at the last minute to not reading information sent home for them.

Has anyone participated in a group that really worked? What sort of classes did you offer? How much did you pay?

Thanks,
rev mother

[khrisday]

Wow, I guess things really vary from place to palce. Here we have a "Cooperative", but it is nothing like yours. It's mainly a group for support, networking and socialization. People have many different religious backgrounds and homeschooling styles. They have park days, roller skating, field trips, a monthly newsletter, and an email list. Sometimes folks decide to do a "class" or study type group, but I haven't yet been involved in those. Frankly, that's not what I am looking for.

Have you considered starting your own group? Sounds like your area could use an inclusive organization based on support rather than academics.

[reverendmother]

Thanks for replying to my venting.
I read it again by the light of day and it certianly sounds winey

Your idea of starting a new group is one I have thought of. And I'm still thinking about....

We have support groups in our area too. In fact one of them is sponsored by the same HomeTeam of which I am a part. However, there once again the topics must be "approved" by the pastor. I don't attend too often becasue my husband works late hours and when he is home we all want to be with him. Also the group meetings are huge and it's hard to connect with new people. Ooops, there I go wineing again.

One thing I would like to know -- in any of the kinds of groups out there....Support groups, HomeTeams, Co-ops....whatever - what type of decsion making procedures do you empoly?

rev. mother

[khrisday]

Well how decisions are made varies by group to group. We don't have any groups here that I know of which are affiliated with a specific church, so the thought of a pastor having to approve everything is really foreign to me. Some of the groups are "lead" groups, meaning one person created them and one poerson runs them, making all executive decisions. Some have a type of board of directors or officers, some put evberything to a group vote. It just all depends on what the group wants and needs are. And by the way- I don't think your posts are whiney at all!

[barbara]

We use to have a great grassroots homeschool support group. It was cool because we all felt like we were just getting our feet wet and finding out how to do this thing called homeschooling. That group has evolved into something very different and our family is no longer involved for many of the reasons you have stated.

I have thought of finding some like minded folks and trying to start something, but it seems most just want the activities/class-type group. It is kind of sad.

b

[lilyka]

We have a a co-op but it sounds more like your home team but without any sort of athourity fiure. Someone has a class to offer they offer it. Someone wants to have moms over for coffee for support and encouragement they invite them. Only request is that you get it into the secretary before the letter goes out.

We have had dance and sign language (organized by a mom and offered through someone in the community for a price), drama and science (offered by moms), girls scouts (led by a mom) and several support groups

great to hear from you RM. How you been?

[SRHS]

WOW, That would have left a sour taste in my mouth had that been my first experience. I am a military spouse and live on a military installation, so our group is ever changing with the constant moving about that we all do. We are rather informal I guess, no one RUNS it, we just say hey, I'm willing to do this, participation is always voluntary in whatever we do. I teach a kindergarten science class (well its for 4-6 year olds anyway) and another mom has a movements class. IN Feb we are having a FAIR-not science, not math, but anything the kids want to display-or sing or play or recite.

Ifyou want support, (we informally do that and informally socialize too) I highly reccommend finding a group of people with similar interests and expectations. I am brand new to this and I don't know what I would've done without the other moms!!! (and Dad, there iso ne dad who homeschools in our group while mom works!!)

Best of luck!!