I think you underestimate how much value, health, wellness, and happiness our group has brought to its members. Not once in a year of meeting in public without requiring masks have we been challenged by any authorities.
Some homeschoolers, especially new ones and those in extraordinary circumstances like me, need this fellowship. It’s not nonessential. We won’t let a corporatist government agency like the CDC tell us otherwise.
Much like the groups before Lockdown, we share resources, tips, challenges, feelings, and anything that we hope another with find valuable.
We are parents who love our children, family, and friends no less than those who choose to follow a different set of rules.
Yet, we are treated differently by those we would look to for support. We welcome all, but are not welcomed by all.
The largest homeschool group in the state chose to open itself to temporary homeschoolers; virtual, crisis, and hybrid schoolers; and, it seems, anyone who might be curious about homeschooling in Delaware. That brought about a major culture shift from the dedicated homeschool discussions that had once prospered there. At the same time, they chose to follow guidelines from a variety of agencies (governor’s office, CDC, DE Dept. of Health) that were ephmeral, impossible to comply with, and often contradictory on their own terms.
It’s difficult for those of us who have been active and supportive in the Delaware homeschool community to be treated as lesser. We are trying to feed a great need for social contact in our corner of the state. We’re trying to do it in a positive and inclusive way. We feel very successful in that mission.
We recently changed our name to “Allschoolers Park Days in New Castle County” to highlight our inclusivity and simple mission: To provide a weekly, outdoor meetup for whoever needs it.
Come out on a Thursday and watch the children play. Cook some dogs with us and share whatever thoughts you need to share. We miss so many of our friends and love making new ones.
May God’s blessings shine on everyone.
