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You know, someone at a homeschool convention asked me this question a week ago. My answer was a resounding "No!" . . . and here's why:

The "face" of homeschooling is changing. When I first started homeschooling, most of the groups near Salem, Oregon, were traditional support groups. The parents met once a month to talk about various subjects, and the kids met quarterly for field trips or other activities. The groups were usually very small and met in homes. Homeschool groups in 2011 vary widely, from small support groups to homeschool cooperatives that function as both support group and enrichment class programs for students. Opportunities to get connected with other homeschoolers abound-and most of the families who participate in these groups are flourishing.

I believe that meeting together as homeschool families is vital to a successful homeschool experience. Why? Because we were created for relationships by the One who loves us best . . . and because we are relational people, for most of us, isolation is a killer. Homeschool moms who don't have solid friendships with other homeschoolers can easily fall prey to one of the oldest tricks in the Enemy's playbook: discouragement. When we don't interact with other moms who are real about their homeschool journey, we can be quick to think we're the only mom who's ever served Cheerios for dinner or felt like a failure at teaching long division. 

In our family, our First Class Homeschool Ministries co-op is our lifeline. The friends in our co-op are our people. Even though we meet only 18 mornings a year, 18 mornings have set the trajectory for our homeschool experience. At co-op, I've made lifelong friendships with other homeschool moms. These are the women I call when I've climbed up in a homeschool tree and need help to get down. Our kids love it too-maybe even more than I do! Through our local co-op, we've taken Chinese, rockwall climbing, drama, dance, and many more classes. 

My only caution when you're looking at getting involved with a homeschool group is to make sure you're not doing too much. Homeschool mom, it's your job to put your finger on the pulse of your family. If it's racing, you need to assess the situation. Ask the Lord to help you see which things are necessary and vital to the success of your homeschool and which are burdensome. Sometimes, we need to let go of what's good for what's best.

Whatever you choose to do, stay connected with other homeschooling families! Find your people! And when you do, be real. Let them know when you're struggling. Ask the advice of a seasoned homeschool mom at your group or in your church. Lay it out there. When you do, you open the door to a richness in relationship that can carry you through the homeschool years with joy.

I guess I didn't realize that homeschool groups might even be considered a dying breed. But of course, I still like the mullet haircut from the '80s and might be missing something.

My thought on homeschool groups is that as long as there are homeschoolers, there will be a need for homeschool groups. Now those may change and evolve over time, but homeschooling moms will always need encouragement.

If you're trying to "go it alone," and I know some of you are, then you're swimming in dangerous waters. You may think you're doing okay, but you were not meant to go it alone. You may not belong to a homeschool support group, but you need someone (besides your husband) to encourage you and for you to encourage.

Actually, I think it was originally called the body of Christ, and they need you as much as you need them.

Oh, yeah, and remind them to . . .

Be Real,

Todd

P.S. I'll be in Portland, Oregon, this weekend at the state homeschool convention. First person to come up to me and offer me some trail mix gets a free book.

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Debbie Strayer, Homeschool Consultant 

Groups may be dying, but that is okay. Homeschooling is an individual activity, not a group activity. Your own family is all that needs to be involved.

People used to get encouragement from meeting in groups. But today there is plenty of encouragement--and all kinds of help--from magazines, catalogs, and published curriculums. Homeschooling itself is not dying. On the contrary, it is rapidly growing. People hear about it on all sides. Even non-homeschoolers know about this movement.

~ Ruth

Somewhere along the line, many people started replacing their homeschool support group with co-ops or classes. My children enjoyed co-op classes for subjects such as drama and art, or an occasional science lab, but for the most part they always preferred learning at home. Support group activities, such as field trips or park days, remained a favorite throughout our homeschooling years. The focus for mom and kids was on fellowship and informal learning, which was a perfect complement to our homeschool schedule.

When we began homeschooling, hardly anyone took their children to classes, since many felt freed from the restrictions of a school-type environment. Now homeschoolers seem to feel that you are missing some important experience if your children are not in classes. As I say in my talks, school is not the model. It is what we have been set free from, and now we can provide a more tutorial-type learning experience for our children-something custom-designed to fit our families. One of the myths out there is if your children don't take classes, they won't be ready for the real world of college. They have plenty of time to mature, and it takes little time for children who can think to get accustomed to the requirements of group learning.

Though there may be times when tutoring or educational support is needed, I encourage you to take the opportunity to learn with your children, not to just seek someone with teacher-like authority for subjects that are new to you or more challenging for your children. There is much value in the journey, not just the product. Let them see your faith in the Master Teacher to teach you all.

~ Debbie