#17 Judging a homeschool group too quickly...
It's a story that happens too often-- a new family goes to park day or some other public function to check out a homeschool support group, and the group is not what they hoped, so they write the group off forever. But here's the other side of the story:
- The family came to the park and played near the homeschool group without ever saying hello, because they expected the group to reach out to them, and left in a huff because they were "unfriendly".
or
- The family didn't see any kids in the age range they were hoping for, but those kids happened to be sick or had a schedule conflict that day.
or
- A usually friendly group was having a bad day.
or
- The group isn't a good fit at the moment, but in a year or two, the membership changes and it becomes a much better fit
Not every group is going to be a good fit for every family, but you have to give the group more than one chance, and you need to reach out and say hello. I'm a shy person, and I know that it's scary to walk up to a group of strangers-- it brings back that feeling of being in the lunchroom in school, looking for a friendly face-- but it's the only way for the current members to know that you're interested in talking to them.
And those of us already in homeschool groups need to remember to be that friendly face. You never know who will be your or your kids' new best friend.
