[KariM]

We're unschooling our 17 year old son and our 4 1/2 year old daughter (also our 12 month old daughter, but siblings are plenty socialization for her).

I'm looking for tips and assistance in finding some group socialization opportunities for them.

DS participates in youth activities at church and also volunteers with a teen advisory group at our local library. Otherwise most of his daily activities either involve interacting with his nuclear family (mama, stepdad, two little sisters).

DD1 (our 4 1/2 y/o) has a weekly playgroup at a local parenting center and we used to go to a church playgroup weekly. The church playgroup is primarily toddlers and babies, though. Most of the kids her age are in formal preschools and/or kindergartens.

So...I'm noticing that DD1 wants/needs to be with kids her age more often. Also, DS has expressed some discontent with lack of socialization with folks HIS age.

I've suggested 4-H to DS, but that idea never got momentum.

I've tried to locate local homeschooling groups, but our state organization gave me out of service phone numbers. So far I haven't come across any homeschooling groups.

Any tips for us?

 

[4evermom]

Have you tried looking for yahoo groups in your area? Since that's something anyone can start up at any time, there might be some groups that the state organization doesn't have a phone number for. Try googling your area (state, and/or city/town) and "homeschool support." If you have a yahoo email address, you can search for yahoo groups directly on yahoo.

 

[KariM]

We have tried. We found one group that has about 2 active members and nothing is ever planned.

We showed up at the library twice for a supposed meet-up but no one was there (not even the organizer!).

 

[milehighmonkeys]

Would he be interested in getting a job? Is he taking community college courses yet?

 

[4evermom]

One thing I did when ds was 4/5 was to figure out what time that aged kid got taken to playgrounds. It tended to be after lunch around here. So I'd take ds to the playground at that time. He didn't always make a temporary friend but he frequently did. Now that he is older, the kids his age are at the playground after 3.

So the question is where are all the 17 yos? Do they hang out at coffee shops at that age? Does the Community College have a snackbar/coffee house where people hang out? Barnes and Noble on a Saturday night? Becoming a regular someplace is a way to meet people but it takes time.

 

[annakiss]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4evermom So the question is where are all the 17 yos? Do they hang out at coffee shops at that age? Does the Community College have a snackbar/coffee house where people hang out? Barnes and Noble on a Saturday night? Becoming a regular someplace is a way to meet people but it takes time.

:

Does he hang out with the kids from his groups outside of the groups? Building community is hard and can take awhile. It also takes persistence. You gotta want it and expect disappointment. Good luck!