Homeschool Support Groups: Moms' Book Club

Homeschool support groups often offer reading groups for Moms.

So, homeschooling Moms, please consider joining (or beginning) a book club. It offers both social and intellectual opportunities...and benefits you, your family and friends.

Our group debuted several months ago. Several reasons/goals were in play:

• to finally read all that literature that a well-educated person should read. Some works, of course, were part of our home education, but there are so many wonderful pieces that still beckon. Being part of a group is both an incentive and guarantee to actually dive into the books.

• to read thoughtfully. The impending group discussion assures that we actively read and thus, get the most from the selection. Then additionally, we have the privilege to hear and consider others' ideas and interpretations.

• to read the same classics as our child(ren)...another avenue of sharing with our teens.

• to visit with other women sharing the same values. The support and camaraderie are invaluable.

  At other homeschooling activities, the focus is on the children (as it should be). But book club provides another facet to friendships...actual adult conversation!

  I had tried to be a part of a neighborhood book club, but it was a disaster. The members' selections were--pardon me, I can think of no subtle way to put it--filthy. As a Catholic Christian I could not, in good conscience, read the books.

• to have others to pray for our families on a regular basis. Our book club begins each meeting with the rosary and ends with a prayer. Additionally, each woman promises to pray daily for other members' families.

The practicalities for the book club should be simple. Homeschool support groups are all different and so will be the reading clubs. Nevertheless, as a sample, below is an outline of our book group:

We meet

1) once a month

2) at 7 p.m.

3) at my house. This last is because I have "retired" from homeschooling. (Our youngest is a freshman at UD ). It is a pleasure and an honor to open our home other home school Moms. Most groups rotate locations. Another option is the local coffee house.

4) We read one book a month.

My daughter is also a member of a local homeschool book club. But it consists of young Mothers with infants and toddlers. They read a chapter or two a month.

But the same benefits still apply whether you are part of a--shall we say "mature"--group or a younger group.

5) Keep refreshments minimal. We have tea (iced and hot), coffee and cookies.

6) Each woman takes a month. She selects the book and leads the discussion.

7) Assign someone to regularly send information to the entire homeschool group.

One month ahead of the next meeting--date, time, place, book.
One week ahead--a short reminder.

Newcomers are always welcome.

8) The only requirement for our groups' selections is that they are wholesome. There are so many exciting possibilities! Classics...biographies...religious...humorous...

Your ideas are important. Share your book suggestions with other homeschool Moms. Please include your name (if you want credit) and any comments.

Just a couple of ideas to get started...



or find any books of interest at

Once again, each club will choose what works best for it.

So many homeschool support groups have book clubs from Moms. Why? They work; they are simple, social and satisfying.

Support Groups Are Essential

Children's Book Club

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