Extracurricular Activities for Moms

The following post is from Jamie of See Jamie Blog

Extra-curricular activities are as important for homeschool moms as they are for the kids. I’d argue they may be even MORE important because these kinds of activities help keep us moms happy (and sane). In addition, by continuing our own education and pursuing our own interests, we set the example for our children that learning is enjoyable and it never stops, even when we’re all grown up!

Dictionary.com defines “extracurricular” as:
1- outside the regular curriculum or program of courses
2- outside one’s regular work, responsibilities, or routine.

That means you don’t necessarily have to get out of the house to do extracurricular activities — although getting out can be a big part of the enjoyment. It all depends on what works best for you, your budget, and your schedule.

A few ideas for extracurricular activities for Moms:

1 – Join a hobby group.

Try a quilter’s guild or a knitting club and hang out with people who want to talk about something other than homeschooling. Bonus points if they aren’t all your age, and you’ll find it extra entertaining if this shared hobby is one of the very few things you have in common!

2 – Take piano lessons.

Does your child take lessons? Maybe the teacher will offer you a discount if you become a student, too. Of course, you could take lessons even if you child doesn’t, or learn a different instrument than your child and you’ll be on your way to your own little Partridge Family band.

3 – Learn a new language.

A church near us is offering free weekly ASL (sign language) lessons. I’m planning to sign up for a free online class to learn Cherokee!

4 – Take a college class.

Try an online class. My husband is currently taking an Introduction to Guitar class from Berklee University; he even has to record himself playing and send it in for a grade! Many classes aren’t free, but this particular one is — so if you hunt, you can find something that fits your budget, whatever it may be.

5 – Volunteer.

Find a local charitable organization to work with. Take your kids with you or go on your own; either way you’ll feel good about it and your kids will see you making the time and effort to do this. I’ve served at a food kitchen. Other moms I know have served as counselors at a pregnancy crisis center; babysat kids at a homeless shelter while moms were looking for a job; helped stock and organize food banks; and walked dogs at a community animal shelter. All good stuff! Check with your church; they may know of some much-needed volunteer opportunities in your area.

6 – Take a craft class.

Many stores like Jo-Ann Fabrics have classes for everything craft-related you can think of, from basic sewing to  jewelry making. None of those fit your schedule? Try a class like the ones on Craftsy; you watch them at your convenience, and as many times as you’d like. A few are even free!

7 – Join your child’s martial arts class.

Many dojos offer family-friendly classes. A good friend of mine signed her kids up, then thought it looked like so much fun she joined, too! Now they all practice and go to competitions together. Try Taekwando (like my friend), Choi Kwang Do (like my daughter), or another martial art with a location convenient to you.

8 – Sign up for dance class.

Many dance studios offer classes for adults, too, even if you’re a beginner. Take those ballet classes you wish you’d had when you were a little girl. Or join a Zumba or Jazzercise class for dance-flavored exercise. It’s way more fun than a treadmill, I promise!

9 – Participate in a book club or Bible study group.

If there’s no book club in your neighborhood, start one — and show ’em we homeschoolers really can be social. 😉

What’s your favorite extra-curricular activity, Mom?

	Jamie is a homeschooling mama who never ventures far from a steaming hot mug of tea. Her kids range in age from preschool to adult, which means there’s rarely a dull (or quiet!) moment in her home. Also find her on twitter and pinterest.