I recently talked about how important having a social network and building a supportive homeschool community for your child is.. You can read about it here.
Don’t overlook how important being a part of a social network is for you too.
Homeschooling can be isolating if you are going it alone.
Not everyone has supportive family and friends. Many of us are subjected to underhanded comments or “innocent” questions about what it is we do all day everyday. You can build your own supportive community with a little work.
There are a number of steps you can take to make sure you are surrounded by your tribe.
This is your shoulder to cry on, your field trip crew, your co-op teachers and administrators, the people you share the homeschool journey with.
Start by joining your local homeschool group.
It might be a state organization or you might be lucky enough to live in an area where there is a local group. This is the fastest way to get connected quickly and you don’t have to figure it all out yourself.
Look for local activities, sports, field trips or educational opportunities for you and your children.
This is a great way to meet families who share your same interests. If you are looking to start your own group, advertise it here. You will be surprised at how many people were interested in sharing with other families and just didn’t know how to get started.
If you are open to participating in a homeschool co-op, research the co-ops in your area.
This is a great way to have someone else teach your child a class you don’t necessarily want to teach, and also for the whole family to make new friends. Often co-ops organize field trips, picnics, Christmas parties, and even graduation ceremonies.
If you don’t want to go the co-op route, maybe you might be open to teaching classes on your own in your home? This brings the families to you, and you can make a little extra money while helping other families out.
As you start to navigate all the opportunities out there to get connected, friendships are formed. Friendships turn into new co-ops, road trips, sports teams, Lego clubs, summer swim adventures and so much more!
All of a sudden you realize that you have found your tribe and this is the network you need to get through this amazing, bumpy, sometimes stressful, rewarding, blessed journey of homeschooling.