Home Sweet Homeschool - Our December Home School Support Group Meeting

Dec. 17, 2008 - Our December Home School Support Group Meeting

Last night was pretty special. I don't think we have had a Home School Support Group Meeting for years. One lady asked me in early December when our meeting was this month. I mentioned it to a few other ladies and there was some interest so I chose a meeting day - which was last night.

We were a little subdued, but still had a good time. Christmas seems to take so much out of any mom, much less a busy home schooling mom.

There were only about 6 of us, so it was a smaller meeting, but you know, those are the meetings when sharing is easier and those that are there, want to be there, so they are there big time - ready to share! smile

I opened up with The 14 Days of Home School . There were ladies that weren't singers there, but they were good sports. I had us sing verses 10 - 14, and they really enjoyed it. It is funny to read all the excuses not to home school, the answering phrases AND then the follow up verse where the neighbor decides to home school. I loved the 5th verse, "You are so strange!" (Make sure you drag it out like _Five Golden Rings_)

I really think many of our neighbors and friends don't understand us at all - some of the stories shared last night revealed that AND we are so strange to them.

Part of our discussion last night centered around home school socialization. One of the moms shared she looked up those words online and got 250,000 hits. Smile

A few people have written about that in the history of the internet. And it sure is something that comes up in discussions when you decide to home school your children. How many times have you been asked about socialization? (smile)

We had quite an animated discussion about the value of socialization and how much personalities play into being comfortable in situations. I think we agreed that socialization is not necessarily about friends but about being with other people. AND that socialization is being comfortable in many age groups, NOT just your own age group.

Speaking of "we are so strange", one lady spoke of another lady's daughter (two sil's attend our meeting and have quite a background with each other). The second lady's daughter is very shy and the first lady can remember thinking (before she home schooled), "maybe if she put her in school, it would help..." Shortly after, the first lady started homeschooling and said she realised it wouldn't make much of a difference.

Sure, sometimes you can make children appear to not be shy - but are they secure? They can learn to cope, but why should they have to? I was incredibly shy when I was younger and hated new things. I could work myself up quite well in the weeks before school started, worrying about what would happen. I think the fall of grade 6 was the worst for me.

We talked a bit about the importance of children feeling secure - whether they are in school or home schooled. Having a relationship that children can depend on - where they can talk to us about anything, is so important.

One lady made us chuckle concerning the weird home schooled child that sometimes people comment on - she said "Have you seen their parents? They would be weird no matter where they went to school - it's not just because they homeschool." Of course we weren't talking about anyone in particular, but sometimes that statement comes up, like the child is different because they home school. Sometimes people are just different AND they would be different in school, too.

Mom #1 had a very real home schooling day - smile - anyone there and done that. It definitely wasn't perfect. She probably yelled at the kids. She shared that when she talks about home schooling to different people, they say "Oh, you must be so patient." Another mom made us laugh when she said our kids stand behind us shaking their heads *no*. SMILE

You know, that is an important thing to realise. We aren't perfect or incredibly patient BUT we love our children and most days go very well. There is the odd day where someone wakes up grumpy (even mom does sometimes!), but we love home schooling and it is working in our homes. AND you don't have to be patient to start home schooling your children.....

Mom #2 spoke about her desire to make time to have fun with her children. She is a mom of many and could certainly get caught up with all the have to's, but she is making time to have fun with them. She encouraged us to enjoy our children.

Mom #3 is a new home schooling mom of one. She said before she had her son, she was pretty regimented. Let's get this list done. Now she tries to take time to enjoy her son and life. She was in a hurry yesterday and had tons to do, but all her son wanted to do was sled down a hill. She stopped and thought. Then they grabbed the sled together and went up and down the hill 10 x. It really didn't take that much time out of her busy day and made him so happy.

Mom #4 had a 10 day vacation in November. When she came back, they took a week off and are now doing a half load of school, so they can do crafts. She is loving December. She plans their year - they worked hard before she left and will work hard in Jan., but for right now, they are loving life together.

Mom #5 shared Christmas is hard for her sometimes. There are multiple divorced in law families in her family and it is hard keeping everyone happy with the amount of time spent in each home. She was the one that looked up home school socialization. She talked to her daughter about it and her daughter thought mom was thinking of putting her back in school. She was quite horrified, because she loves home schooling. The mom was just having a discussion - they love home schooling, too.

There was a short discussion about the best laundry spot treatment - Smile

Two spot removers were mentioned as working really well! Econo Clean - found at your local Co op AND a Banana Oil Cleaner - not sure of the name, that is found in the local Paint Store - that will actually remove paint. One mom talked about a spot remover - two solutions that mix together to be squirted on a stain (Oxy Clean, perhaps?). It actually ate a hole in a pair of jeans when left sitting. The mom wasn't comfortable having that strong of a solution in her laundry area or even on the kids clothes.....

One mom of a young Home Schooled boy shared about her brother who always asks her son if he can read. Her son thinks because he has to sound out words like "Elizabeth", that he can't read yet, but he is doing very well for his age. Anyway, mom stayed out of it last time. When her brother was driving them home, they stopped at McDonalds for lunch and her son read *birthday zone" aloud. Her brother said "You can read!" and was so surprised. The mom was so pleased that it all happened like that.....

Another mom of many shared that her three pre teen daughters are doing the Christmas Baking for her this year. She is almost 7 months pregnant with her ninth child and it is tough getting everything done. I was so impressed at the willingness of her kids and they are having a ball doing the baking.

We shared some of our favorite recipes. One mom that couldn't come, sent her soft gingerbread recipe.

Carmen's Soft Gingerbread

5c flour

1 tsp salt

½ tsp cloves

3 tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp nutmeg

1 tsp ginger

1 tsp b. soda

1 c shortening

1 ¼ sugar

1 egg (well beaten)

¼ c molasses

¾ c golden syrup

1/3 c water

Mix 1 c flour w/ salt, spices, sugar & soda

In another bowl cream shortening – add egg and slightly warmed molasses/ syrup mixture. Stir in water

Stir in flour mixture and then remaining flour in ½ c increments until dough is stiff enough to roll out

Chill dough overnight

Roll out ¼ inch thick. Bake @ 350 for 8-10 min. For soft cookies – check by gently pressing dough. It should depress slightly and then return. Do not brown edges

Another part of our discussion was about fun activities outside. One mom has kids making a huge snowfort in their front yard. They have used all the snow from their yard and are almost ready to ask the neighbors if they can use their snow. smile

A snow whale was also mentioned, as well as ice luminaries (freeze ice cream pails with a yougurt cup weighed down in the middle with a rock. Remove and put candles inside. Put along sidewalk or deck. We also talked about making ice wreaths with water frozen in a Angel Food cake tin - add in twigs or mountain ash berries when half frozen. Hang from a tree.

Oh, and color water with food coloring and let the kids decorate the snow man, fort or even just the snow outside. Recycle your dish soap bottles for this!

We also talked about the importance of having our children work alongside us. One mom shared she was at a big celebration and all the neices and nephews were bored - watching the aunts and uncles work. We agreed it is a much better plan to have our children work alongside us, developing relationships with us AND learning how to work hard by example. It also is different when kids are needed to help. They feel important and worth while AND it gives them skills they can use in the future.

You know, home school support can come from many places, btu I am thankful for our home school support group and the ladies that come when they can. I host the meeting in our home and sometimes it is quite humbling, because I haven't had time to clean it like I wish I could have, BUT each meeting has so much encouragement and sharing in it. I know I'm thankful I made the time each month and I hope you received a little encouragement from the notes I took....

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Comments

Dec. 18, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Hi Terry,

You have an award waiting for you on my blog.

Come and see!

Pam

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Dec. 23, 2008 - Supporting each other

That is great having a support meeting. We certainly do take the path less traveled on this journey. Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year.
AF Wife

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