Let’s pretend for a moment I show up at your homeschool co-op for the first time. Following behind is my brood of five. You spot me from across the room and once your kiddos are occupied, you have a free moment to meet the “new girl.” You head over and greet me with a friendly, “hi, my name is….” We begin chatting. What is one of the first questions you are going to ask me?
“Which curriculum do you use?”
We love to connect with homeschool moms through curriculum. If you find out that we use one or more of the same methods, styles or books, we will become instant friends.
It reminds me of when I used to go to youth camp and meet people from all across the state. The popular question then was, “what kind of music do you listen to?” When you found someone who knew all of your favorite bands, there was a connection. You got each other’s numbers and addresses and would try to meet up at the next concert.
Now that we are older and our lives have changed, it doesn’t mean that our desire to find people to connect with isn’t still there. If you feel lost and out of touch when it comes to homeschooling, you don’t have to. It might seem like a bit of a burden to go out of the way and establish new friendships but if right now, that is what you feel like is missing from your life, then I would encourage you to do the following.
Pray
Choosing to homeschool is a bold choice that goes against the norm. Not every friend or family member is going to support this decision. Pray that God guides and leads you to the people that you should be spending time with. This could be a time where God is trying to strengthen your relationship with your spouse. Be open if God wants you to step back a bit and develop a deeper friendship with them. If you are seeking a friend that you can share your struggles, hopes and fears with, pray that God sends this person along. I prayed for this friend and God brought her to me. We have laughed together. Cried together and encouraged each other through difficult times.
Join A Local Homeschool Support Group
I live in the middle of nowhere and within a thirty mile radius there are at least three Classical Conversation groups, one Charlotte Mason group, several co-ops and at least two homeschool support groups. Oftentimes we don’t join these groups because of the time commitment involved. Or the price. I would encourage you though, if you are feeling alone in your journey, to try and connect at least one group of homeschoolers. Even if you only join for one year, or one semester, you might connect with some families that could end up being the friends you need at this time in your life.
Join An Online Homeschool Support Group
Well, you are already here, on the Our Homeschool Forum site so you are at least familiar with this community! Additionally, there are Facebook groups for Unschoolers, CCers (Classical Conversations), Charlotte Mason folk and the like. You might even find a support group within a blog that you follow, just check their Facebook page and see if they do live video streaming or have a separate chat option. I personally have been encouraged on certain online homeschool websites.
