Okay, you’ve decided to homeschool your children, and you already have all kinds of fun and interesting materials picked out to use. You may even have lesson plans written out, field trips planned, and a flag hung up in your schoolroom. Or maybe you haven’t gotten this far yet when suddenly you are struck by a feeling of terror and you begin asking yourself, “What have I gotten myself into? I can’t do this!” Sounds like it’s time to call on reinforcements! Call in the support group!

Great! But how do you choose which support group to join? Just as you have many choices in curricula, you also have a multitude of support groups to choose from these days. This doesn’t mean one is right, wrong, better, or worse than the next one. Since we are a military family and move regularly, we have had the opportunity to be in many different groups, and we have chosen different types, depending on our needs at the time. Some have been the backbone of our family’s social life and others have served as a temporary fill with few lasting effects. Some have helped us forge lifelong friendships and reach monumental goals like graduation. For the most part, our experiences have been rewarding and enriching, and I know we are better having been a part of them. Finding a support group in new locations usually is a high priority for us when we move. I often begin searching as soon as we know where we are headed. Using the Internet to do this has made it so much easier and more efficient.

Of course, they all may be fantastic groups, but how do you know which one is the best fit for your family? Most likely, you already have at least one or two homeschooling friends who can give you some information about groups in your area, but they can’t give you a complete picture or know your family’s needs like you do. Is there a systematic way to select a support group that will best suit the needs of your family?

Basically, groups break down into two types: general and specific. While that may seem like a no-brainer, let’s slow down and examine these two categories first. Both types of groups exist on national, state, and local levels and may be loosely organized and nondirective, structured, a network, or as simple as an email list. The general group is representative of the whole wide world of homeschooling, usually has a membership of diverse backgrounds and beliefs, and does not take a stance on homeschooling style or approach. Members of these groups support the idea that there is no “one right way” or “one right reason” to homeschool.

Specific groups are more focused and are based on a shared particular bent or goal, such as beliefs, method, activity, or a combination of these. They include such types as the following:

Religious, or faith-based, groups are generally open/inclusive, limited, or closed memberships. Open, or inclusive, means that the majority of the group’s members share a common faith, but membership is open to anyone. You will need to discern their position on prayer and statements of faith (SOF). SOF are often required only for those in leadership, so be sure to check. Limited membership groups require signed SOF from all members. Closed groups are for members of associated church(es) only.

Educational method groups are based on various approaches, such as Charlotte Mason, unschooling, Classical, Montessori, Waldorf, or Unit Studies.

Activity groups are formed around particular activities such as sports, arts, drama, field trips, and so on.

Co-ops are shared teaching groups that may be based on any of the factors above but are centered on group teaching.

Curriculum groups are self-explanatory and include ones such as Sonlight, KONOS, and Weaver.

Support groups also function under various structures. They may be loosely organized and nondirective; structured; a network; or merely an email list. In a nondirective group, one person or a small group has an idea or desire to implement something and is responsible for doing all that is entailed. There are few guidelines or rules, modest dues or fees are generally done on a pay-as-you-go basis, and communication may be through a telephone tree, printed newsletter, general calendar, email, or website. The structured group typically has a governing body, bylaws, elections, dues, and some form of regular communication method(s). The network functions with few rules or officers and few official activities, other than opportunities for homeschoolers to meet and plan what they will. This often is done when many smaller groups band together to bring a larger homeschooling event to the area, such as a convention or conference, or to be one voice for the purpose of legislative issues. Email groups consist of many of the above factors and exist online. Members may or may not know each other offline. The blogging world is an offshoot of this venue. As with anything online, use discretion, go slowly, don’t share details too quickly, and be cautious! Let me encourage you, though, by saying that the fellowship, encouragement, and friendships I have developed as a result of my online groups have been very worthwhile and rewarding.

As you can see, a plethora of ideas is out there for support groups. How do you decide which is a good fit for your family? It’s best to decide what your needs and goals for a support system are. Questions you may want to consider include the following: Do I want a general or specific group? What are the basic rules and guidelines? Are there certain requirements of time, fees, and so on that I will need to meet? What benefits does this group offer? What are the expectations for those in leadership? What forms of communication are used? Are leaders elected or appointed? When and where does the group meet? What are the ages of the children involved?

What do you do if you’ve answered all these questions and tried a few meetings of the groups in your area and there still doesn’t seem to be a fit for you and your family? Create your own group! It’s not as hard as it may seem initially. I would caution you not to attempt this your first year of homeschooling, though. That really will take most of your time and energy.

Again, decide what your needs and goals are. Find some other homeschoolers who share those goals and desires. Do you have the time, energy, resources, and experience to facilitate a support group? If you don’t, do you have a network of people to assist you? Can your needs be met by simply volunteering to add to an existing group? Define what you hope to accomplish and stick to that until more resources become available. For instance, if your desire is to encourage other moms, don’t branch out into planning field trips, at least not initially. Do some goal setting and begin to develop a plan. Determine your group’s style and structure.

Often, just starting out with something low-key like park days and picnic lunches is a great idea. This will entail little to no leadership or formal structure and can grow from there. Likewise, should you choose to begin on a more advanced scale with classes and membership applications, be sure to have your governing body in place. Then begin to get the word out to other homeschoolers. Some good starting points are your local libraries, your homeschooling friends, other local groups, your statewide group, area churches, even your local newspapers, and so on. Of course, don’t forget to let your Homeschool Nations state blog coordinator know that your group exists!

Trish Nonaka and her husband, Randy, have homeschooled 14 years and graduated two of their three daughters so far. She is TOS’s Military Coordinator, editor of the Home Front e-Newsletter, and co-manager of HSN. Visit her blogs at www.HomeschoolBlogger.com/MamaBugs and www.HomeschoolBlogger.com/military.