Pros and Cons to Joining a Homeschool Group

Mom Time

Some women find that spending time day in and day out with a house full of children rather draining. They long for the chance for adult conversation. A homeschool support group can be a time for that adult, mom time away from the children.

A Sympathetic Ear

This is where the support in homeschool support group comes in. Other homeschool moms may be the only people who can really understand your struggles, self-doubts, and triumphs. Connect with sympathetic moms at a homeschool support group.

Curriculum Brainstorming

Choosing curriculum can be mind numbing simply because of all the excellent options available. Hearing from other moms about what works and doesn't work (for them, of course) can help you make educated decisions. Maybe some generous moms will even let you borrow a book to preview before you invest in it.

Field Trips

I really value my homeschool support group for the field trips that are set up. It's a relief to have someone else research and arrange a trip. All I have to do is sign up, pay, and show up.

Social Opportunities for Children

Many homeschool groups set up playdates, holiday parties, and craft days for the children just to interact and make friends.

Co-op Experiences

Although a co-op is not the same as a support group, you may have some co-op opportunities through the connections in your support group. Possible learning activies are writing workshops, science fairs, speech competitions, and show & tell.

Testing, Graduation, and other Services

Maybe you want your child to have yearly school photos. Or you'd like your high schooler to have a senior prom. Homeschool support groups, especially large ones, offer many of these types of "extras" that may be important to you.

Mentoring Opportunities

You may find a mentor or you may find mothers that would benefit from your advice as you serve as their mentor.

Online Resources & Staying in the Loop

Some homeschool groups host websites with local information that can help you as a homeschooler. My group has both a classifieds forum and a general chit chat forum. I've bought used curriculum through my homeschool group. And I've often been notified of a neat educational opportunity after someone posted about it through our group.

Homeschool groups are not all rainbows and unicorns. There can be a darker side to a homeschool group.

Cliques 

If you are new to the area and don't know anyone, you may find it hard to break through the existing cliques in a large homeschool group. Alternatively, your children may face the issue of less than welcoming peers.

Group Politics

It is the nature of any group to have dominant leaders. Sometimes there are power struggles, conflicts, and arguments. 

Differing Philosophies

There may be statements of faith that you find difficult to sign. Or maybe you don't like the principle of a group excluding people based on a system of belief. (I don't.)

You may be the only one of your kind when it comes to homeschool philosophy and feel something of a freak when it comes to discussing curriculum and methods.

The Comparison Game

It can be overwhelming to attend monthly meetings where moms gush about their children's projects and achievements. You may leave each meeting questioning yourself:

• "Am I doing enough?"
• "Am I doing too much?"
• "I'm so behind compared to them!" 

 High Expectations of Involvement

Some homeschool groups require a certain level of activity for membership. Depending on the size of the group, that committment may cause burnout. Find out what kind of time committment your local homeschool group requires before you join.

Graded Activities

If you are a mom to many children of varying ages, you may find it difficult to mesh with very grade specific activities. What do you do with your preschooler while the middle schoolers are on a field trip?

Distance

If the homeschool group is based far away, activities may require an entire day once travel is factored in. 

A homeschool support group should provide support. If you find that a group is not a good fit or that it becomes more of a burden than an uplifting experience, by all means stop attending the group.

You don't need a homeschool group to be an effective and contented homeschooler. 

But consider keeping your membership just to stay in the loop and so that you have the opportunity to participate in specific activies should you desire to. Never burn bridges.