Jul. 10, 2008 - Our June 2008 Home School Support Group Meeting - so good!
Have you had one?
What was the best piece of encouragement that you received?
Ours was on Monday night - I had a meeting before our support group meeting started, so I came home to 3 ladies that were promptly on time AND two of them were not HSers. How cool is that?
They were coming out to the meeting to hear more, so they could make a good decision about what to do in the fall.
Anyway, we had a ton of support shared.
Ladies kept trickling in until my living room was full (doesn't take much, really - but it was cool to see how many came to share). It will be the last meeting until August or the fall. I think there were about 12 of us.
I never got settled enough to take notes, but I'm just going to share some of what I can remember.
There were some veteran HSing moms present. A couple moms of many and a couple moms of one, and all of the others were inbetween.
I always have everyone open with an intro when we have newcomers. It really helps to get to know where people are and what they are doing. So many of the ladies are firmly commited to HSing.
The one mom of one (new last year) has really enjoyed HSing, but doesn't have much / any extended family support. HSing has gone really well this year, though. They will continue next year.
Another mom just got back from Mexico (6 week trip) and was so surprised to have family members and acquaintances be positive about her hsing her children. She didn't have one negative comment from anyone on her trip and they had a wonderful time. Coming back through one of the middle states, they stopped twice to help two turtles across the road. So many crossing the roads. After that, her husband said no more - they would never get home at this rate! smile
The next mom orignally started hsing because her husband was sick - but it has gone so well and her daughter and they love it. They do a lot of carschooling, because their daughter does a lot of soccer in the city (because she HS's!)
One mom shared that she started their next year in May. She hates coming home from AHEA and losing the excitement for the books she bought. She also shared she is going in for throat surgery next week - removing scar tissue from in front of and behind her vocal chords. She is a little nervous - please pray for her.
A young mom came late. They have 6 kids under 9 and have decided to try school next year (small rural school) because she is having problems keeping everything going. Her kids are quite advanced. 2 will go to school, 2 will be HSed K and grade 1, and the littles will get more of her attention. It's tough - but I know my Natasha had to go to grade one for us to realise that HSing was the route we wanted to go. AND the memory of that year has kept me HSing through the years. So it's a good reminder to pray for each other and to give the support we can - you just never know who is struggling to keep it all together.
Our high achieving young mom always comes with a lot of energy and ideas. Soooo cool to hear. She just made an acrylic mini scrapbook that was beautiful. Her baby is growing up and life is getting a bit easier.
The next mom drove 40 minutes to get here - haven't seen her for eight months. She is a transplant from the States (4 under 7) and the year has been tough. Living in a two bedroom apt. until they got their house, moving and HSing in a new country BUT she said HSing has gone well. It has encouraged her.
The first mom thinking of HSing next year was next - she has three children (gr. 2 boy, and 2 and 1 year old girls) and she babysits. She's not really excited about HSing, but is not happy with the attitudes her gr 2 boy is bringing home. Can't see it changing unless she HS's, so she came to hear what people would share. (I think she was surprised by how many were out and how positive they were - boy, she just sat there and took it in. WOW. We were the only home school family she knew. I don't think she realised that many were HSing in our area).
I asked one mom to share about when she started HSing. smile She has a great story. 3 kids in school and so looking forward to her fourth (last) child going to school. She was going to be *free* and scrapbook all day. smile Then her husband (a teacher!) said we need to HS our oldest - we are losing him - so many bad attitudes. She said "we" need to HS - that would be me! Oh NO! Smile But the Lord changed her heart and they brought all them home to HS - it's been a journey for them. She has done so well. Very wonderful, "funny" HS mom. (She shared last year that one day she was struggling with teaching her oldest something and was sitting at the table, holding her head in her hands - kinda pulling her hair out, - her son, "my teachers never did that!" smile You just have to laugh sometimes.)
Then her sil (present) said, while the above lady is still struggling a bit with the attitudes, the boy is doing so much better. He is now a part of the family and it's wonderful to see.
The next mom thought of HSing a few years ago, but didn't. Is planning on bringing her daughters home and HSing in the fall.
Our other American transplant was next. Hsing is their life, too. It has been a journey for them. they really gave school a try, but it didn't work with their advanced daughter. HSing has been wonderful. They live in the country and the kids love the outdoors. They do a lot of music lessons - the kids did so well at the last Music Festival - got to Provincials (? Is that what the finals are called?).
She shared her most recent cool find:
[quote]"The Periodic Table: Elements with Style!" by Basher and Adrian Dingle
"Physics: Why Matter Matters!" by Basher and Dan Green
TracPac has both of them, but while the artist (Simon) Basher had the ideas for, and illustrated both books, they're both listed under the writers who did the text (Dingle and Green, respectively).[/quote]
You might want to check them out - I know the moms present were oohing and aahing over the books!
Me? Well, I shared a bit of our story. I just love HSing and love the support we give each other. The things shared spur me on or make me think. Once again, this year has been a bit of a challenge. Did a basement reno in the spring, so we will be continuing on over the summer with some things I want to finish. BUT YOU KNOW, HSing is our life. It's all good, as C_______. would say. It really is *ALL GOOD*.
Anyway, it was a great meeting. So full of encouragement and support. I love the input from everyone. AND the bext suggestion was to pick a playground, time and a day each week and whoever wants to, can meet there over the summer. Smile We love getting together.
Hope you enjoyed our support group meeting! Smile
Comments
Aug. 12, 2008 - Cool! Great support you have.
Posted by foursomejams
Tks for leaving an encouraging note. I've a friend, Cindy, who will be heading to Canada next month. She's hsling her 2 girls, Grace and Faith. Oh dear, I'm not sure if she's going to Alberta or Edmonton now. It'll be great to have a support group there.
