The kids and I went to the park this afternoon looking forward to meeting others who had expressed interest in a 4H Adventurers Club I hope to get started. I had posted my intention on our local homeschool message board and received good response. I thereby sent those you had expressed interest an email, inviting them to meet me for an informational/organizational meeting at the park this afternoon. As only one person replied that they wouldn’t be able to attend – I proceeded forth.
Imagine how difficult it is to explain to a 3 and 5 year old why no one showed up. As I am relatively new to homeschooling, it is hard for me not to take things personally. I am perplexed as to what to think.
1) The date/time were not convenient.
2) They all over-looked it / forgot.
3) They don’t have an interest in joining.
4) They don’t like me. Someone is talking negatively about me and others are forming opinions before they’ve even met me. [Jr.High/High School issues resurfacing]
I haven’t found homeschooling co-ops or clubs for young children of similar ages to my own in our area. I thereby have tried to coordinate my own. I started a Roots & Shoots group. Initially, I had a great turnout… 13 families. Within the first month, all the homeschooling families expressed they had conflicts. The only members that remain do not homeschool. However, they don’t have the same level of interest / involvement. It has been revealed to me that the homeschoolers opted NOT to be involved in my Roots & Shoots group for that exact reason.
I planned an outing for our Roots & Shoots group last week and no one shows. Today, I plan a organizational meeting for 4H Adventurers. Interest is expressed but no one shows up. Yet, no one communicated that the date/time were not convenient. I spend a great deal of time planning and preparing for activities. It is very frustrating when no one shows up. It is difficult for my daughter to understand why friends aren’t able to join us.
What am I doing wrong? How are homeschool clubs and co-ops organized where you live? How do you involve your child(ren) in activities with other children of similar ages?
5 comments
Teacher of One
June 24, 2008 at 1:58 am
How horrible!
I wish I had some advise for you but I only have *HUGS*.
School for Us
June 24, 2008 at 2:35 am
Ouch! I’m not sure what to say, either. I don’t usually try to start my own thing – I just find pre-existing groups. I did start a book club this year. I had 4 other girls & their moms commit. We made it through 2 months and everyone attended. On the 3rd month, one had a conflict & 2 were sick, so there would have just been 2 of us so I cancelled. Then, I ended up in the hospital… and I kind of dropped it for the year.
I guess my only advice is to email or call a day or two before and make sure they’re coming. I don’t know if that’d help or not.
Sorry this happened! I LOVE it when someone starts something fun.
Eluciq
June 24, 2008 at 7:33 am
Big Hugs to you! Geesh…pretty inconsiderate…Keegan, Rohnan and I would be so happy to join a group such as this…bummer deal.
I don’t really have any good advice…as we have never been part of a group…our location makes it challenging, so we don’t commit…maybe when we are in colorado.
Keep trying…I guess…but above keep that smile!
Sarah
June 25, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Don’t take it personally. In my early days of homeschooling, my kids and I were the only for…lost count on how long…just long time! Slowly, one family showed…then another…then it became the largest playday in TriValley of the Bay Area. It got so big it had to split to more park days in other areas. One thing I attribute to its success is that I did not set age limitation. Homeschooling is NOT school. There is no need to separate age. Sorry…it’s my strong belief. Growing up, my girls loved playing with older kids, younger kids…rarely with kids their age.
Another factor–like COOL families, everyone has different interest and life. Many travel and explore in summer adventures and excursions. So, we don’t seem to get together as much as you would think. But, it is NOT personal…everyone has different priority. The first is always the hardest. Believe me. What you experience is the NORM. My ROOT and SHOOT in California had about 20 families; only 2 or 3 families would show at any given time. Once in the blue moon, there may be more popped up in the woods. Our kids and I learned to be content with ourselves at any planned activites if we were the only one shown. When others popped in, it’s a BONUS! It’s called for CELEBRATION. Don’t be discouraged. Don’t give up. You have a lot to offer. They will come.
By the way, my kids and I would love to do nature walks with you exploring life with your family… and I believe other COOL families would too. Just post away and we will be there :0))))
Fatcat
July 9, 2008 at 5:44 pm
We get busy. We over-commit. Sometimes our kids don’t feel good. We don’t feel good. I don’t think it’s personal. I think it’s just one of those things that people just do. Homeschoolers are kind of free-spirits so they may be a bit harder to get scheduled than other families!
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