Homeschooling - Bethany,MO

Hello, my name is D.. I just started home schooling this year. It's been a bit of a learning experience, and my kids are really wanting to get together with other kids. Have you found any good groups? My kids are 5, 4, 2, and 7 months.

Hi R.,
We're on opposite ends. I WAS homeschooling, but we put the kids in public and private schools in the 05--06 school year.
There are several groups in the area- so it depends on what kind of group you're looking for and where you live.
Some groups are there mostly for support-- have monthly meetings to discuss and share curriculum, legal issues, help newbies get started, discuss concerns, share things or programs that have worked for them, etc. They also usually have some activities through the year-- a spelling bee, group field trips, a dance for the teenagers, a talent show, etc.
Other groups actually work more like a teaching co-op, with the parents all working together to teach the kids. And those groups vary in intensity group to group. One group may meet or exchange kids once a week, others more often.
Some exchange for academics, some for "electives".
You just have to call around and figure out what each group does, how much they offer and decided what kind of group you're looking for. (And actually, you can belong to different groups at the same time) But again, alot of this depends on where you live, unless you don't mind driving to another part of town.
Here are a few sites you can check out that list groups in the KC area. If you're new to KC, Grandview is the south part of KC, Clay and Platte are north KC- there's also a group in Lee's Summit, which is south east.

www.home-school.com/groups/MO.html

"South Kansas City-Learning In a Family Environment"
is a yahoogroups listserve - if you sign up with them at yahoo, you can get some good info through them. Here's their link http://groups.yahoo.com/group/skc-life/

And www.kclearn.org lists secular homeschooling groups in the area (since many homeschool groups are religiously based)

I am not currently homeschooling, however I am a teacher. If you need any ideas or anything I can always help you out. I love teaching. I am currently only a part time teacher due to having to be on bedrest for the rest of my pregnancy. However, I would love to hear from you. Good luck.

Hi, R.,
You didn't mention your town, but there are lots of homeschooling groups all over Oklahoma. Some are for support only, some offer field trips and some offer co-op classes. I have been homeschooling my 14 daughter for the past 3 years and just started with my 12 son this school year. I belong to a few homeschool groups and don't know how I would have made it this far without the encouragement, information, training, and support of my fellow homeschoolers.
Feel free to contact me if you would like contact info. for the support groups in Edmond. If you are not in Edmond, you might try the OCHEC website (Oklahoma Christian Home Educators' Consociation) for information on groups in your area. You might also do a yahoo groups search for info about groups in your area and online groups. If you have a child that is gifted, or has special needs of any kind, or has any learning difficulites, there is a great yahoo group called Homeschooling with Humor (HSwithHumor) that is online and very supportive.
Feel free to contact me at ____@____.com (please put Homeschooling in the subject line) if you want more info on homeschooling and/or groups.
Blessings,
T. Walker

OOPS, I just found out that you live in Missouri so the info for Oklahoma isn't going to help. Have you done a search online for homeschool groups near you or a state association? That is a good place to start. Still feel free to contact me if you need encouragement or support and if you have any questions, I will be happy to try to help!

I have to speak from the voice of someone who was homeschooled. I missed out on all the "milestones" of growing up. No school dances. No prom. No powderpuff game. No graduation. There is a lot to be said for what school does for you. I have to tell you, I have felt cheated all my life. Please consider these things before you make a decision that will impact your children socially.

HI R.! I know this is a month late but better late than never right? I wanted to let you know that I home school my daughter (4) right now. Have you found any homeschooling groups yet?

I'm currently homeschooling. There are tons of groups out there - which one to join depends on what you're wanting out of it. There are groups based on religion, type of homeschooling approach (unschooling, classical, Charlotte Mason). The websites the previous poster gave are the ones I would give.

We used to belong to Midwest Parent Educators, but I really wasn't utilizing it, so we didn't rejoin.

I just joined mamasource and saw your question. We homeschool our daughter, age 7 1/2. I belong to a few homeschool groups online at Yahoo and we belong to our area homeschool group too. We love to homeschool. I am the field trip coordinator and Cloverbud (4-H) leader for our local group. How many kids do you have? What made you want to homeschool? For us, public school wasn't an option. We knew even before we got pregnant that we would homeschool. We have been blessed with some family support and great friends that we have made through our local group. Do you belong to a local group?
L.

I homeschool. I have a 7,6 & 5 year old. I am a part of a group in Okmulgee. If you want to contact me on my email you can email me at ____@____.com
thanks

Hi R.,

My name is A., and was wondering where you live, what age your kids are etc. I am the mother of a 3-year old and would LOVE to homeschool, but not quite sure yet, so whatever info. you get, or if you want to get together, feel free to contact me. Thanks.

Hi, my name is P.. I'm homeschooling my son. I homeschooled my older son for 8 years.

My sister homeschool's all her kids (except the one who graduated from homeschooling) and my sister in law homeschools her daughter.

My sisters kids have never gone to any school but homeschooling.

If I can be of help ..please email me at ____@____.com

Hi! My son is only 2 years old so I am not yet homeschooling but I plan to. I just got on the e-mailing list for the homeschool group in my community. I want to be as prepaired as I can when it comes time to teach my children.

Hi, My name is K. and I homeschool my 9 year old son. This is our second year. I'm apart of a few online groups that get together for park days and homeschool days at incredible pizza. Feel free to email me at ____@____.com

R.,

My son is not quite 10 months old, so obviously I'm not schooling yet, but I went to school for elementary education and was involved with a homeschool coop for a while called CommUnity Homeschool Co-op. You can look them up online. I also have friends who homeschool and get together a few times a week and they call it "group school". I'd love to pass on any info I can if you want to email me.

Missy