Hello,
Have been home edding for about a year and am thoroughly confident we made the right decision. Am pleased with academics and areas of development. The only area I am still finding difficult is the age old 'social'.
We have become really good friends with 1 family who we see regularly, we have attended meet ups and do meet socially with a couple of school going friends when we can. My problem seems to be that where we live (quite a big city on the coast) there isn't a particular social meet up, it is always for a certain topic ie. Lego, computers, yoga, etc, which my DS who has autism is not interested in or wouldn't remain focused. There doesn't seem to be any informal meet up where the children could just 'play'. I have tried to arrange things myself and while the initial response was great, actually meeting up never quite happened (not sure why). This has also happened with other people who have suggested ideas and I have agreed what a great idea but then nothing ever comes to fruition.
Other times we've gone along to meet ups but as I want to encourage my son to play with the other children (he actually is very social but finds groups daunting and needs help in the first stages) I don't get much chance to talk to the other adults (therefore feel like an outsider or feel they don't think I'm being friendly) but I don't want to
leave my son to fend for himself as that's what would happen in school. Tbh, I feel I'm between a rock
and a hard place as although we know a few people from a special needs group they all (seem to) think school is the place to be social or then people at the home ed meet ups don't understand my issues when my son won't stay in the room or isn't in the least bit interested in the colouring, etc.
I guess I'm just having a reflective evening and the thought of his AR next week (when I know they're going to ask about the social side) and its just got me thinking.
We do see friends and go to group activities but I guess I'm still trying to find the one regular one that is going to suit him (and me).
Gosh, so sorry for this waffle, just wondering if anyone else ever felt the same or just give me a good boot up the backside and tell me to get on with it woman!