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So I had a comment on my blog asking "What is Mug Up?" and since I mention Mug Up so often (weekly) in my blogs I thought it best to answer here. Before I do that though a disclaimer. Don't let the simplicity of this concept decieve you. I've been homeschooling a while and have attended many wonderful homeschooling events but none of them hold a candle to Mug Up. It has transcended from a get together to something "very special". It's really hard to describe and some of us try to articulate it when we get together but there is "something", "something special" about Mug Up. So what is Mug Up. While the premise is this. Weekly (this year it's on Wednesdays) our homeschool group holds Mug Up. Each week someone "hosts" which means you have to have the coffee/tea/hot chocolate on. The day is setup as an open house style from 10:30-3:30. Some of us come for the day, some pop in in the morning and then need to run off, some come closer to the end time just for a cuppo jo! If you are over during the lunch hour we bring our own bag lunches for ourselves and our kids. What activities do we have planned? Absolutely none! That's the only steadfast rule! The kids play and the Mom's chat. That's it, that simple. Oh the name Mug Up refers to bringing your own Mug (most newbies forget, but that's part of the fun too). So sounds simple right, so why is it so special. Well some comments have gone like this: "I don't know if I would of made it through last year without Mug Up." - referring to the support Mom's feel from other Mom's. "If my kids are dragging their feet about their school work I just say fine then we aren't going to Mug Up this week, and then they get their work done in record time with no whining." Some other observations - it's not a weekly committment (it's not ANOTHER thing to do), yes some people come every week all day long (like me), but there are others who come once a month and it works for them, there are others like I mentioned that just pop in occassionally. But one thing is for sure, anyone who has attended has always asked for more :). So what really makes it work -- you are surrounded with like minded people who are supporting you in what you are doing, you hear about others struggles and triumphs, you are able to voice your struggles with not "while you should...." but a "yeah I've been there"!! We laugh, we cry, (yes we complain sometimes too :)), we make observations, we offer "suggestions", we talk about homeschooling but we also talk about parenting, life in general and we all support each other in however we want to live these things. And the kids LOVE it too! Why, they see their friends yeah, but they have homeschool friends. They don't think they are the only ones out there either. Yes sometimes it's just the boys playing together and the girls playing together, but it's also about all of them playing together. Yes sometimes it's specific age groups playing together but again often they all play together. We celebrate birthdays and special achievements. We support each other through sicknesses (casts on arms, colds, and flus). Both the adults and kids have a place to develop friendships/relationships that encourage us in our homeschool journey and I think that is what the "special" is. Oh I do have to add too that it has also become a special place for new homeschoolers to come to check out the group or people. It's informal, relaxed and fun! Well I think that's it but when reading it I still didn't get across the specialness of this event for me, my kids and others in our group. Hopefully if you check back often (especially Wednesdays) I'll be able to convey better what happens each week and how wonderful it is! Have a great weekend everyone!
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Posted by <>< Becky
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