The A to Z of Homeschooling Groups (part 3)

Previously we discussed G-M of homeschooling groups. Today we’ll cover N-S.

New Members

Depending on the size of the group, there should be anywhere from 1 to 10 or more new members joining each year.

New members who are new to homeschooling will bring fresh enthusiasm to your group. Pair that with the experience and wisdom of those who have been teaching for 5, 7, 10 or more years and you have the makings of a great group!

You’ll also occasionally gain new members who are not new to homeschooling, but new to your area (or just your group). Those new to the area will need your help finding all the local resources.

If your group doesn’t have a “Welcome Committee” consider forming one!

Outlook

Attitude is everything, even in homeschooling. Being part of a local, in-person group will help you keep your perspective.

Feeling defeated after watching your child struggle with fractions? Seek out another member who has a child in Algebra.

Perplexed by your child’s lack of enthusiasm for reading? Contact another member who has been there.

Not only will your outlook improve from talking to other members of your homeschooling group, but their’s will as well! Being able to help someone else is a great moral booster!

Prayer Requests & Praise Reports

This is one of the most important aspects of any group, whether in-person or online. Knowing you can share your heartfelt prayer requests and praises with the other members, and being confident the info will remain within the group, is a huge factor to many people.

Yes, we all need prayer, but we don’t always want the details shared with strangers or other local friends. In many groups, this trust (or lack thereof) can mean the difference between active members and passive members.

Questions

While many people feel homeschooling is an isolated activity (because you don’t need to leave your home), I’ve yet to meet a homeschooling mom who feels isolated.

Between local and online homeschooling groups, there is always someone to turn to when you have a question.

You may be wondering about that new phonics program everyone seems to be talking about– ask about it in your group.

You may need to know a good place to have your hair done– ask about it in your group.

Whether your questions are about homeschooling or life in general, you’ll find plenty of answers in a homeschooling group.

Refreshments

Nothing goes better with fellowship than food.

Large groups will have a committee that provides snacks and drinks at meetings. Small groups may pass a sign-up sheet around at the beginning of the year, or they may just send out a reminder asking people to bring things if they wish.

Cookies, cakes, cheese and crackers, meatballs in the slow cooker, soup … the possibilities are endless! Paired with juices, soda, tea, coffee and ice water, it isn’t unusual to have a mini-potluck meal at some meetings.

Refreshments are usually served after the business portion of the meeting, and before the speaker.

Getting up for refreshments is a great opportunity to stand and stretch, as well as socialize for a few minutes, in the middle of a meeting.

Service Projects

Besides giving our children a well-rounded education, we want them to learn to serve others. Helping an elderly neighbor or relative with yard work is one way to do that, but another is to reach out to strangers in the community. This is often done as a group because more hands make light work.

Whether it’s packing boxes of food for the local homeless shelter, or care packages for deployed service members, or shoe boxes for children on the other side of the world, having a group of friends with you makes the time go fast.

Other times, it may be just you and one other family as you deliver food to local shut-ins, pass out flyers for an upcoming church activity, or create blankets for cancer patients.

Homeschooling groups are a great way to find out about local and national places to serve!

Stay tuned for the last installment which will cover the letters T-Z in this series about homeschooling groups!