Mug Up is simple in concept but massive in benefits. It is a weekly gathering of home school families - a socialization time for the kids and support for the moms.
Mug Up is hosted by different families in their home where they provide the coffee and everyone who attends brings a bag lunch and a mug for the coffee (thus the name Mug Up).
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“It seems I'm getting away from blogging daily again, thankfully today was Mug Up which keeps me "anchored" (in more ways than one). It's such a joy to be able to discuss our year, our kids, our styles with other like minded people. No we don't all homeschool the same way which is what is great! We can discuss what works (and doesn't) for us and still get so much from others about things we might want to try for next year.” ~Lori D.~
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LoriD/524869/
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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 deceive 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 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 commitment (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 occasionally. 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!” ~Lori D.~
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LoriD/403286/
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THE MAGIC OF MUG UP –
“Another glorious Mug Up today and as I sit in the quietness of the house late at night I suddenly know why Mug Up is magic!
I realized something about our little group (that I kind of already knew) but it was really brought to light in the conversation we had at Mug Up today.
We discuss many things at Mug Up sometimes homeschool related and sometimes just life related. One of the conversations happened to be about homeschooling and without really meaning to each of us revealed a little of "how" we homeschool and how others perceive we homeschool (sometimes a big difference, sometimes not). But the really BIG thing I heard (or didn't hear for that matter) is each of "celebrate" that we are ok with how each of us homeschools, in that if it works for you great! And you are doing a great job REALLY!
Do you know how incredibly supportive that is versus someone trying to tell you or insinuate that you should be homeschooling "their" way or that perhaps you "fell short" and should try THIS instead.
I have to admit I've experienced both but what I realized today is that in our very special group each and every person there is ok, really ok, with however you want to homeschool. Each and every person there believes in YOU and the job YOU are doing (whether you do a great job somedays or not so great other days).
We have quite a diverse group and I know from when we discuss things like resources that we all don't "believe" in the same things. But I also know that there is one thing we all believe in. And that is that as a parent we not only have the right we have the respect from our fellow homeschool compatriarts to homeschool however we feel is best for OUR children.
THAT is the magic at our Mug Up!” ~Lori D.~
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LoriD/497698/
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LoriD/
MUG UP runs from September to May each school year.
