What a blessing!

I was nervous tonight, heading to my brand new hs'ing support group meeting. Who would be there? How would they run things? Would I feel odd? Would I feel judged or accepted into this new group of ladies? Was this where God wanted me to be?


Hooray!! The meeting went great! When the leader for that evening began talking through her "10 things new hs'ers will learn this year" - I just totally felt I could relate! And I only just "officially" began today! After just the first item, I thought, "please Lord, don't let me cry in front of these ladies on my very first visit...."


I thought I was going to cry not due to saddness - but relief. Just to honestly hear other ladies, other wives, other moms, discuss some of their not-so-pretty thoughts....amazing! Also, their convictions about hs'ing, about what they desire for their children, about character and how important that is during the hs day. I heard from moms of high school age kids that encouraged and blessed me in this new journey. I also met other beginning moms that shared my insecurities and excitment for the year to come.


There were all kinds of moms/families there. Yes, all of them were Christians. Yes, most of them had "larger" families (larger being TOTALLY relative - I'd say more than four). Yet they were in all different stages of hs'ing. Some had started from Kindergarten, some had pulled kids from school later on, some still had one or two IN "building" school, some were just beginning, one told us she felt like giving up. With curriculum, some were of classical bent, some textbook, some were un-schoolers, while three of us were Unit Studies type gals. Etc.etc.etc.


Anyways, just wonderful!! Yes, it was only one meeting. I realize that I may not always feel this way about this particular group - but so far, this one meeting, I feel blessed. I met another momma, using the same curriculum as our family ( The Weaver ) which is certainly not as common as Abeka or Sonlight or somesuch....so that was great! Just another mom to bounce ideas and thoughts off of, nice!


So now I have a once a month meeting, plus a once a month Mom's Night Out to add to my calendar - and I'm okay with that. I *need* that. It felt GREAT talking to these ladies and I'm really glad I went. Even though I was nervous....


So if you don't attend a hs support group - give it a try. I can not guarantee such a positive experience, but if it's even close.....it's worth the effort to give it a shot!



Hip-hip-horray!!
Praise the Lord~
*Michigan Momma*


p.s. also continuing to praise Him that I live in MI. Such a wonderful state for hs'ing. I will be joining HSLDA as soon as we have $50. Totally worth it. These people protect us and fight for our rights, rights as parents. SOOOOO worth $50 a year.








LEGEND


States requiring no notice: No state requirement for parents to initiate any contact.

States with low regulation: State requires parental notification only.

States with moderate regulation: State requires parents to send notification, test scores, and/or professional evaluation of student progress

State with high regulation: State requires parents to send notification or achievement test scores and/or professional evaluation, plus other requirements (e.g. curriculum approval by the state, teacher qualification of parents, or home visits by state officials).

p.p.s. HOLLY??!! I met someone from your old church tonight at this meeting - how cool! Well, she actually said she didn't know you that well. She had just starting attended in the fall, then went through one sick kid after another all winter long, then realized that y'all were leaving. But still cool. I pray you are doing great "down south". We had some great MI weather today, girl......