Homeschool Meeting - OH MY!!!

mammag wrote:
I had that meeting with a home school support group. You know, the one I was worried about because I wouldn't know anyone ....OMG!!! It was one of the worst things I've sat through. Now, I'm not one to judge on appearances but let me just tell you about this.... There was all of three adults (including myself) there. The owner was so awkward, wouldn't make eye contact and giggled incessantly for no apparent reason. At first it was her and I only. She also looked like she hadn't taken a shower in quite a few days and I was half afraid to shake her hand but out of politeness I did (though she looked at me like I was an odd ball when I stuck my hand out. ) Anyway so we sat down to talk and she then informed me that she had no agenda for the 2 hr. meeting......great! I was envisioning 2 hrs. of trying to come up with things to say. Didn't happen though because an older gentleman came in.... Now he was a character. He was so gross! Long beard, hair pulled in greasy ponytail and fingernails that were several inches long....no exageration. He "unschools" and spent all of 1 1/2 hrs trying to convince us that it is the way to go. Of course, that is something I would never do to my kids so I wasn't all that interested in hearing it but of course I pretended to be and smiled and tried to think up questions. However, I would find myself daydreaming and picture a very large set of nail clippers. Finally after 90mins. Keegan started getting antsy and fussy so I used him as an escape and said that he needed to eat so I would have to leave. They just kept on talking like I wasn't there for quite some time so I said it again and she told me that she would email me about the next meeting......Oops, I'll be busy that day! It was just awful and the kids had to sit through it. I was really proud of them though because they sat there quietly reading while the other two's kids were running around like hooligans. At one point the man's son got my stroller and was running around the table many times as fast as he could with it. The father didn't seem to notice....that was crazy.

I'm sure they are loving parents but I don't think that is the group for me. Kristen said after we left......"you cut the boys hair for THIS??" Poor thing, she was so excited to go because she thought there would be other kids and she could make some friends. We have a picnic coming up with the actual virtual academy which will have lots of families so hopefully that will work out much better for us. Now I'll be even more nervous to go to another one!

CCTandME replied: Yikes!! Thank God Keegan gave you an escape. Good luck at the picnic.

luvbug00 replied: I'm sorry but I 'bout piddled on myself with your disriptions of all the charectors there. OHH MAN!! Well I hope the picnic goes better..What's unschooling????? Oh And the EXTRA LARGE nailclippers was the best laugh I've had all day!!

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: OH Jeanie that totally blows. I've actually been in more than a couple mom's groups like that! LOL! Again, not to judge, but MAN, I felt like I was sent down on another planet! Hope the picnic goes better!

mammag replied:
Exactly! I was thinking.....where did these people come from???

What's unschooling?????

It's basically an approach where you let your child direct their own learning. You don't have a set curriculum but if something sparks their interest you go with it and learn about that. I don't see how you could provide a well rounded education that way. How many kids are going to wake up and say...."hmm, I'm really interested in long division today..." I can only assume that they wouldn't have good writing skills if you never make them write papers or study literature. He even admitted that he started out homeschooling but was too lazy so went to unschooling instead.......OKAY Then!!

kayla's mama replied: Well, I sure hope the picnic is better than this last meeting.

A&A'smommy replied: OH MY that sounds awful!!! I have NEVER been in a group like that before it sounds kinda scary. I hope your picnic goes MUCH better!!

Mommy2BAK replied: Oh man, you poor thing! And LOL at what Kristen said

CantWait replied: I'm sorry the meeting didn't work out as planned. LOL@unschooling

MommyToAshley replied: You poor thing... sorry the meeting turned out to be such a disappointment. But, you never know until you try it.

Don't give up, I am sure you will find a better suited group. The picnic sounds like it will be a better chance to talk with others (hopefully from this planet )

How's the homeschooling going so far?

mammag replied:
It's half tempting to email the group and ask if they would consider themselves normal earth bound people. I never would of course.

It's been a little crazy so far. I wrote out the weeks lessons for next week so I think it will be better next week. I am going to have to make sure they are really taking it seriously. At one point Kristen was supposed to be doing History and she snuck off to her room and was reading a book of her own. She got grounded from the computer for the rest of the day but it ended up taking her 3hrs. for her lesson that was scheduled for 1 because she was playing around.

Overall though it is going okay. I'm so busy though, it really is a full time job. And then I have to clean the house at night so it is tiring but I'm sure it will get better. Everyone told me the first 3 months are tough.

5littleladies replied: Hmm.....well that doesn't sound like fun. I hope the picnic goes better-I'm sure it will.

It does take a little while to get into a routine, and I'm sure it's a bit more difficult when your kids are used to being in school. It sounds like you are doing great though! Hang in there-It will get easier.