local homeschooling group disappointment-a little contraversial? (sorry!)

[kjmckenzie]

Ok so I went to a local homeschooling group's barbque tonight with a friend. DS is only 2 but I am thinking about all my options and so I was very excited that we even had a group in our small town.

So...turns out it is a Christian homeschooling group which is fine with me, I don't mind a little religion even though we are non-practicing anything at the moment because I haven't found anything that suits me yet (anyone up for starting a vegan religion? lol). However...they informed us randomely that they are not open to same-sex partners in their group.

My reaction surprised me because I have never thought of myself as an advocate for same-sex rights and I am "traditionally" married but I was really put off. My feelings being, who are you to judge and if same-sex partners want to homeschool their kids, shouldn't they get the support as well?

And to top it off their application form is full of in your face religious stuff, again, I don't mind a little Christianity (or Buddhism or whatever for that matter) but it was over the top (they said not to be put off by the application form, that it was over the top so they could ensure they could keep out undesirable people from the group, being same sex partners).

However, their newsletter was great and they have a ton of amazing activities planned and seem to be a real up and moving group.

So I am so torn because I don't think there is another group like it out there, I am not comfortable enough to start my own group seeing as though I haven't even started homeschooling, I definitely want the activities, but I really have an issue with what I view as their closedmindedness!

(Plus people who have a holier than thou religious attitude and eat meat thereby inflicting suffering on innocent animals always remind me of the irony and rub me the wrong way...)

Any thoughts?

I hope this post isn't inappropriate, moderators please advise if it is!

[vegma]

What a bummer! We have several secular homeschool groups in our city, and they all have e-mail loops. Is there a city near you where you could explore secular options, get involved virtually to see what you think of it, and maybe make a trip for "special" events? That might give you the boost you need to start something in your area down the road? I dunno - just brainstorming. ;)

In the group(s) I belong to, we have a variety of eating styles, religions (including none), homeschooling styles, parenting styles, types of partners - you name it!

[kjmckenzie]

well that's what I thought (that homeschoolers would be a broad group of diverse people). Thinking about it after I've wound down a bit, I guess people are entitled to form groups that honour their values and if they want support for homeschooling that adheres to their values, then I guess they are entitled (not sure if legally they are though lol). I was just disappointed because I naively assumed that people who homeschool would be openminded and welcoming to everyone who wants to homeschool but I guess if you have core religious values that you want to protect you are entitled.

Thanks for the brainstorming Vegma! At least I have a couple of years to figure it out!

[Christa]

There is a large religious homeschooling movement -- people who homeschool in order to avoid having their children taught things, like evolution, with which they disagree from a scriptural standpoint. We don't have much in the way of organized secular homeschoolers around here, either. One of the main homeschooling groups is called Homeschoolers under God and has a stance similar to the one you describe.

I wouldn't be intimidated by starting something up yourself. The fact that your child is still so young is a benefit IMO. It gives you time to get something together before you really "need" it. Planning time is great. I'd see if you can build a network of moms from other locations -- people you meet at parks, kid events, the neighborhood, etc. If you can get another mom or two to help you plan something, you might be surprised by how fast it takes off.

[vegma]

Thought I'd mention that several folks in my LLL group homeschooled - that might be a place to meet like-minded mamas. :)

[kjmckenzie]

I am a member of LLL, have met some of my closest friends there! There is one family who unschools and one mom who is planning on homeschooling-she's the one I checked out the group with. I also just joined a Yahoo group with lots of homeschoolers!

One of the things I like about the Christian group is that they take turns teaching some classes that you might not be able or want to teach yourself like art, language.

Some friends have told me there is a group in the next city over, so I think we will check that out next even though it is further away!