[Chinese Pistache]

There are several in our area, but I'm a bit reluctant to join a group. We'll definitely be involved in activities where there are other children, but I'm really shy about groups, especially those where the members all know each other, you know? What if we don't actually participate in one (at least not immediately)?

 

[mama in the forest]

We don't belong to any groups. I think I'm too old for it.

Seriously though, it's just not our thing. I guess we like to spend our time following our own passions & the group thing just doesn't appeal.

 

[tigerseye]

We don't belong to any either. I'd rather do my own thing.

 

[Mamato3wild ponnie]

We dont belong to any group..around here they seem to be really clingy or clicky....i dont have the energy for that.

 

[Jenivere]

We don't but I would like to.

 

[rsps]

The group(s) we belong to are really infromal. We get together at the park or beach once a week. If any mom wants to organize something else they do and anyone who wants to go can. (we went to the Wild Animal Park last month) There are no rules or formal structure and it open to anyone. But it is nice to be able to talk to other parents about homeschool/unschool topics while the kids play.

 

[muttix2]

We don't. I'd like to, just for the exposure but most of the ones in the nearest group are SAHMs and plan accordingly. I work pt so that doesn't work for us. I am trying to fix my schedule so we can try out one group though. However, I really only want to join for the park play. I don't drive so getting to all the places groups want to go on their schedule is tough on me.

I prefer to go to the museum at the best time for our family (naps/meals taken into account) than at the best time for a group.

 

[Kidzaplenty]

Well, I sort of belong to a Homeschool group, but it is only e-mail. So I can connect with local home-schoolers without having to feel odd.

I am only one of a hand full of people in my area Homeschool group that has a large family. So I rarely participate in activities, unless I really think my children will enjoy it, and I have never been to a meeting.

So it is like the best of both worlds. The group was the reason I was able to take my children to the Mounted Police Barns to meet and greet the horses and police officers. So they do occasionally have good things.

A majority of their projects and activities, though, are age specific. And since I have a wide age range of children, I am usually excluded from them.

Oh well, we do better on our own anyways!

 

[incorrigible]

We technically belong to a group, but it's really nothing more than a newsletter. There are no costs, special statements to sign to be members, requirements of any kid. Come to what you want, run what you want. This way if a parent really wants to schedule a field trip or have their child participate in a program that isn't readily availible to small groups (like 2 kids and a mom) they can add it to the monthly newsletter and schedule it for a bunch of people. It's more about making resources and activities availible to the kids than anything. Honestly, we almost never attend anything with the group because we can't afford it or its at a bad time, but I like knowing what's going on in the area, and it has all kinds of stuff listed.

I also run a free net based cover school for homeschoolers. Most of our clients are at a "support" level, which means we're like a US-wide version of the other group. lol Since we're legally a school, we can offer homeschoolers access to programs that are either $$$ or not availible to them otherwise. We have other services, but that's the main draw.

As for the "support" part of homeschooling, I get that online if I need it. I don't often though, so it's not really a need to be filled you know? And the "social" aspect for the kids...well, most of ds's friends are from the neighborhood or scouts, even when we were part of a homeschool group. Dd could use a few more, but she isn't anymore outgoing with homeschooled kids than anyone else, so the groups didn't do any good there either. lol

Our local groups and co-ops fall into 3 catagories. 1) super conservative Christian school at home themed - where I've seen them publicly lambaste long time members for bringing scholastic materials because scholastic publishes Harry Potter and kids aren't allowed at the meetings. (pass, ty) 2) Unschooling groups that are aggressively anti-Christian and spend the entire meeting time blasting Christians for every perceived wrong in their lives to the point I was nervous that it might become physical if they found out I was one (pass, ty) 3) All inclusive groups where everyone is welcome...everyone with enough money to participate in their activities, that is...and they never have park days. The cheapest (weekly) activity any of them have is more than my low income family's food budget for the week. (pass, ty.) In conclusion, I suggest that homeschool groups are not always the best way to meet your needs.

Figure out what need you're trying to fill...then find something that will. It doesn't matter if you're part of a homeschool group.

 

[heket]

I'm so glad you posted this! We don't, not that I don't want to, but it seems to me that the groups in my area cater to SAHMs. That's not meant to disrespect SAHMs, it's just a fact. I work FT and my only morning free is Fridays. The two groups near me meet on Tuesdays (I think) and Wednesdays around 10am. Dh can't seem to get out of the house before 11am (not to mention if he did, I doubt he'd participate in the group activities) -- he's very shy and antisocial, and obviously with my schedule it's not conducive.

It bothers me, but it's not the end of the world. I've bought some resources and we'll do the best we can. Our children are still young, so at best we're homeschooling a pre-k and toddler.

 

[dillonandmarasmom]

You know, I actually am a member of one, but we don't go. We used to. I met a few unschoolers...but, Like you, I am reserved--shy--and everybody seemed to know eachother. So, now I stick to my playgroups.

 

[onlyzombiecat]

We don't belong to a group and it will probably stay that way for quite awhile.

I finally found one near my area but they don't meet up regularly. There is a picnic in summer. There is a mom get together every so often- not really any activities for the kids. They didn't seem too enthused about my inquiries into their group either.

 

[unfrozncavegrl]

We do not belong to a group. I wouldn't mind some casual get-togethers with some like-minded folk on ocassion.

 

[SagMom]

We don't belong to a group, although I am on a yahoogroup for our area. The Yahoo group isn't formal, doesn't have meetings or anything, and I don't remember there ever being discussion/debate about hsing itself. It's a great resource through. People post announcements for activities they're organizing or have heard about and that's it. As I' ve met other hsers over the years, and exchanged e-mail addy's with them, I often hear of activities through individuals as well as through this list. I really like the networking that happens, but have no use for a co-op or formal group, so this works out really well for us.

 

[frogguruami]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chinese Pistache There are several in our area, but I'm a bit reluctant to join a group. We'll definitely be involved in activities where there are other children, but I'm really shy about groups, especially those where the members all know each other, you know? What if we don't actually participate in one (at least not immediately)?

Do any of the groups in your area have e-mail lists like Yahoo Groups? If so that is a good why to sort of get to know the members before meeting them. I don't like to walk into established groups not knowing anyone either!!

 

[2 in August]

We aren't in a group yet either. There is a co-op that I'm thinking about joining, but with the baby, I'm not sure I feel good about leaving him in the child care all day while I help out in other areas and he'd be 1 this fall so I can't see slinging him all day.

My friend joined a different co-op but frankly their classes didn't seem all that great to me (at least on paper).

Dd is still not sure about joining a co-op either. She asks when she will get to go to real school, but when I say we can start going to a homeschooler's school she gets scared about going to school at all. So we are not in a group until I can find one that will fit our needs and that I think will fit for dd.

 

[UUMom]

We didn't always, but we have for a couple of years. It's not a coop where we meet regularly or have any jobs to do. It's an informal email list where we chat and bounce ideas around and make plans to meet at museums, parks or do seasonal field trips etc.

The kids are really nice, and the parents are respectful. There are lots of unschoolers, some are more formal, most are in the middle. I enjoy it, mostly because it;s so relaxed and informal. No expectations. lol Which I like.

 

[Arduinna]

We never joined one.

 

[Nature]

We don't belong to any groups. There aren't any in the area that are friendly towards other religions beyond their own, and I'm not comfortable trying to pass my paganism off as christian for the sake of belonging.

Honestly, I don't enjoy the group of mothers type of thing. (at least IRL) I'm not competitive at all and I've found that its just always present to some degree in those types of situations.

 

[Needle in the Hay]

No, there are not any where we live. Maybe one day...