Choosing one topic might be difficult at this point in time. There’s been a wide range of topics shared on the Homeschooling Only One (HOO) Message Board. I shared that I went to a Civil War Ball put on by one of my homeschool groups (photos & details on my blog). Moms are rejoicing that “Homeschool Rocks!” as well as asking what they themselves should read (e.g. the classics they might have missed growing up). We’ve discussed the religious atmosphere that each of the ladies’ states have according to the percentage of Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, etc. in each. Some are used to Blue Laws (closed on Sundays, etc.), others have never had to deal with them. There’s been a small amount of political discussion (concerning the U.S. Presidential election). We also had a mom from Jamaica join the group.
What’s very gratifying is to have a group of women from differing locations, backgrounds, and beliefs, and yet we seem to share our lives with each other with grace. Oh, that’s not to say we might have a misunderstanding and tempers might flair, but in the 3 years (next month), I’ve not had any “flame wars” by any definition. It’s a great group of ladies that have come together with the common ground of having only one child, or only one child who is being homeschooled. (We have a few who have graduated other children and have their last one at home, plus we have a few who have happily found themselves expecting a second child.)
It can be a good thing to have a group sharing a common characteristic. When that group can hold differing views on a myriad of subjects, yet support each other and allow each other to “agree to disagree” on controversial subjects, that is when it becomes an exceptional and wonderful thing. I feel blessed that the HOO Board is that kind of group. I hope that if you are home educating only one student, whether an only child or not, you’ll consider dropping by HOOville. Please join our membership and jump in. We’d love to have your presence with us!
Donna Conner lives in Fort Worth, TX with her husband, Glenn, their son, Mike, and their dog, Lucia. Donna and Glenn have been homeschooling their son since the beginning of his education. Mike completes his homeschooling this year. Donna is an artist and has always enjoyed writing. She wrote Homeschooling Only One five years ago, after discovering that there were many other families homeschooling only one child. Her website is devoted to those with only one student in their homeschool, with listings of online resources. You can visit her website at http://donnac.com and read her blog at: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/DonnaC
copyright © 2008 Donna Conner ~~ All rights reserved. Content may not be reproduced in any form without written permission of author, except in the case of brief passages embodied in critical reviews and articles where the title and author are listed.
