Seeking Homeschooling Moms in the Mount Prospect Area

We've been homeschooling for 3 years now and we love it! However, I will have to say it's not for everyone!

We belong to a secular homeschooling group but there are many Christian-based groups in your area. I've found that I really like the other moms and kids in our group, and my daughter has learned to socialize with kids of all ages.

As for curriculum, that's where it's both tough and wonderful! Choosing the right curriculum can be hard because there are many out there but once you have the one that works for you it's amazing! You can weave religion and your beliefs into everything you do

Our area has G.I.F.T., a Christian-based arts program where your kids can take classes with other homeschooled kids.

Some people have put me down about our choice, saying our daughter will not be "socialized" or know anything about the "real world." We do so many field trips that the real world IS her classroom! Plus there are aspects of the "real world" that I do NOT want her exposed to, namely kids who are misled into being bad influences, sex, drugs, violence--even bad language. I hope that our homeschooling and her hanging around with kids that we choose will help her to grow up and handle those bad things, not become part of them or contribute to them. So far she loves homeschool, has many friends, and is growing up to be a lovely young lady.

Good luck! And if you need any help, feel free to message me!

We plan to homeschool our oldest for kindergarten this Fall. Originally, we planned to send her to a Christian school in the area, but we calculated out the costs for all 4 of our kids and know that right now we just can't afford it (our 4 kids are close in age and it would cost a fortune for us). I am not a fan of the public school so we looked into homeschooling.

I hesitated making the decision because most of the kids I knew growing up that were homeschooled were odd - the parents DID shelter them from everything, including good Christian kids and groups. BUT, I found some great homeschooling groups in the area (one is B.E.A.C.O.N., based out of Elk Grove Village), that we plan to join for the upcoming year.

I researched Bible-based curriculums and have already chosen what we'll use. AND, I plan to make sure we get involved with those groups and other activities, so that we develop our kids' social sides, too. I like knowing I will be responsible for teaching them, educationally and spiritually, as well as show them how to integrate into the world without becoming like the world.

Best of luck with your decision. Parents are teachers by nature - we teach them to crawl, walk, talk, etc. Why not consider being their educational teacher, too? :)

A big homeschooling conference is coming up at the beginning of August in Schaumburg, so it's probably worth your time and money to check it out. There's a full day of Homeschooling 101 for people exploring the idea:

http://www.chicagohomeschoolexpo.com/homeschooling-101

Hi, we have been homeschooling our 2 youngest, now 8 & 5, for almost 5 years now, and LOVE it. I agree it is not for everyone, just one of many choices. I feel lucky to have the option, it has transformed our entire family for the better. There are many different styles and approaches to choose from, and many support groups to consider joining. Our family belongs to several, but are most active in Evanston Home Educators(members need not be in Evanston) http://www.evanstonhomeeducators.org/
and the Northside Unschoolers .http://www.northsideunschoolers.org/
EHE is having a parent support meeting tomorrow night, you can find the info on their web site. Please feel free to message me if you want to talk further, or have any questions!