It is great that you are reading this website, seeking out advice and encouragement along your homeschool journey. No one should try to homeschool alone! We all need a little help along the way and someone to help us see the positives on a day that isn’t going so well. Because of this, I recommend that you seek out a homeschool “support group”, if possible from local parents like you.
You may be wondering where to find people that can be part of this circle of friends. Start looking within friends and acquaintances that you already have. You may know a family or two that either are already homeschooling or are considering it.
The Local Church
One place you can look for support is your local church. If you already have a home church, ask around; you will be surprised how many families are homeschooling. There may be some moms who have been homeschooling for quite awhile and are a wealth of information. They can be a solid support on the difficult days. Other moms there may be new to homeschooling and may benefit from your help and encouragement. Remember, the road goes both ways. An extra benefit of getting together with someone from your church is, presumably, you share a like faith and can support one another spiritually, as well. Some churches, especially those with an orchestra or choir, will provide opportunities for your child to use any musical skills that they may have. If you do not have a church that you are attending, I would recommend that you find one that teaches the Bible. It will benefit you in more ways than just a homeschooling support.
Local Co-ops
Another place to go for your “support group” is a local co-op. Here in the Fox Valley there are several such groups. It is probably the case wherever you live. Some are very large with many opportunities for interaction, field trips, sports teams, family socials, service projects, and even teaching for your children. Others are smaller, providing a closer-knit group. Some are faith-based; others are secular. Find one that fits your picture of a co-op, and start making friends! If you can’t find one in your area, maybe you should start one and begin drawing together different homeschooling families.
Is there a Classical Conversations in your area? We have at least one here. This type of a group meets for the purpose of sharing the load of academics. I am not a part of one, but it is my understanding that these groups meet once or twice a week. On that day(s) parents with expertise in a certain area teach classes on that topic. This way the children have access to knowledgeable lectures on subjects that they may not otherwise get. A focus of the Classical Conversations in our area is on rote memorization and recitation and learning Latin roots, etc. I believe there are many of them across the country.
Musical Groups
Are you interested in musical opportunities for your children? Here in the Fox Valley there is at least one group that offers many types of music lessons, whether vocal or instrumental. This group is highly active and frequently performs different concerts and musicals. They have qualified teachers and leaders and quite a few homeschooling students at all different musical levels and abilities. Maybe there is something like that in your area.
Online Resources
Social media sites where you might already be active can connect you to fellow homeschoolers in your area. Or try Homeschool Classifieds! A website for buying and selling homeschool materials, Homeschool Classifieds also has pages listing some groups and activities.
Ideas for Interaction
What are some things you can do with fellow homeschooling parents and their children? Field trips are a great option. Moms can take turns planning outings to various places, such as…
- museums
- nature preserves
- historical sites
- concerts
- stables
- farms
- ski hills
- local events
- your house (think Water Fun Day with water balloons, water slide, and water guns! Or plan a baking competition! Or learn how to cook something new together.)
Or, ask a friend who is skilled at sewing, woodworking, cake decorating, gardening, or some other skill to work with your children and other children on a project! Another fun idea is to play sports with friends, or go for a bike ride.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many types of opportunities for parents looking for a group to “fit in” and get involved. Whether you are looking for academic help, musical advancement, or simply support as you homeschool, there are different places to look to find the perfect group for you. When you get involved in one or more of these, you not only receive help that you are looking for, but you can be a blessing and an encouragement to someone else. Remember, you are not alone. There are many people out there homeschooling today, and we all have both good and bad days. Establish relationships now that that will carry you through the challenging times!
Do you have other ideas for finding like-minded friends or planning field trips? Please comment below!
Thank you for all the helpful advice! I love your website.
Our local library is also a great resource to connect with other families. They plan different activities suited to different ages and many homeschool families like to participate.