Want to HS and need some answers

[CharlieBrown]

Hi-

I have been lurking for many months in this forum. My children, daughters, 6 and 8, currently attend an expensive, private, secular montessori school. It is a great school but it is expensive with no financial aid nor sibling discount.

My DD1 will be moving to the next level, 9-12 yo room in the fall. I think it is a great time to trying HSing since she will transition. There is a 50% chance of getting a not so good teacher. Her current teacher isn't good, either. PS is not an option. My husband is concerned if she is homeschooled, she will not have socialization with peers her own age daily. I know there are two secular HSing groups in my area, but I haven't looked into them or know what they do. I did join a Yahoo! group regarding social events and classes being offered.

Question is:

If I HS my DD, will she be able to hang out with peers her own age daily if I join a group? Is it necessary to be with peers daily? DH is from another country and education is important. I live in the SF Bay Area, on the peninsula.

Thanks in advance.

[Brigianna]

I can't speak to the Bay Area, but I doubt there are groups that meet daily. I could be wrong. I mean this in a nice way, but I would really strongly question the necessity of being with peers every day.

Good luck.

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by sdgirl

Question is:

If I HS my DD, will she be able to hang out with peers her own age daily if I join a group? I live in the SF Bay Area, on the peninsula.

I think you're in luck! I moved from CA recently, and my take on that particular area, although I didn't live there, was that it was brimming with homeschoolers of all ages and all sorts of activities:

Here are two good ways to find out more:
CA Support Groups - from the A to Z site

HSC County Contacts - local homeschoolers who can answer your questions over the phone.

Lillian

[Butter]

Most homeschoolers don't want to hang out with people day after day. It is very common to find groups that get together weekly, however, particularly for park days or swimming and what not. Homeschoolers also often (usually) don't see a peer group like traditional schoolers do (same age) but instead see a peer group as all ages.

[Lillian J]

I think it's worth noting that lots and lots of homeschool kids tend to start wanting to cluster with same age peers when they hit around age 12. I've seen this quite a bit - it's just a natural stage in growing up. The teens where I lived had a large circle of other teens that they hung out with almost constantly at times. They were nice enough to younger ones, but a circle of their same age peers was very important to them. I think the need for older kids to cluster together probably isn't seen from a distance as important as it is when you're living up close and personal with that age group. Lillian

[CharlieBrown]

Thank you for the replies. I am not concerned nor do I meet with friends daily. Just trying to ease my dh concerns.

[RiverSky]

Originally Posted by Butter

Most homeschoolers don't want to hang out with people day after day.

While that may be true, our group seems to have plenty of families who want to see eachother 3 or more days per week, by choice and we do.

I'm guessing that in the SF Bay, there are going to be tons of active groups and oodles of homeschool classes and activities going on every day, especially if you are willing to drive a little. I think that should be a wonderful, fantastic place to homeschool and to fit plenty of socializing in. I think the trick will be to try out a group or two, find the very best one and with time, figure out what the best schedule for your family will be.

Enjoy your homeschooling journey!