Comments on Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers: Reader Questions: Finding Homeschool Friends

I know the question said "other homeschooling...

2010-08-03T18:19:42.828-04:00

I know the question said "other homeschooling friends" but I have to chime in that many of my children's friends are not homeschooled. They have good friends from youth group at church and from swim team that are not homeschooled. They also have friends that are homeschooled. So, for myself and for my kids, we have found friends in the activities in which we engage.

Samantha

What a great list. Local support is so essential,...

2010-08-02T23:59:42.870-04:00

What a great list. Local support is so essential, especially for the kids! :)

I have 'accidentally' met many of my homeschool friends thru community events and even a la leche league mtg.

There is no support in my area specifically for those considering homeschooling preschoolers and kindergartners. Most activities and gatherings are for parents of older kids, so I've been thinking about getting something started for that younger crowd. I've seen many stop because they can't find support...

Thanks for the inspiration!

Hey, I cannot find the comment thingy for the Not ...

2010-08-02T20:16:37.683-04:00

Hey, I cannot find the comment thingy for the Not Back to School blog hop-but wanted to say hi, good post (as usual) and very informative. Recognized a ton of those goodies from TOS' review crew stuff-LOL. Have a great year girl!

Thanks Kris, and everyone else, for your ideas and...

2010-08-02T18:57:02.581-04:00

Thanks Kris, and everyone else, for your ideas and suggestions. I tried joining a couple groups online, but have not gotten a good response thus far - perhaps I will start my own!

Wow! That's very encouraging to hear, Theresa...

2010-08-02T15:54:20.417-04:00

Wow! That's very encouraging to hear, Theresa. I know the ladies in your group(s) would be pleased to learn what an encouragement they've been to you.

We had been considering homeschooling, so several ...

2010-08-02T15:36:06.874-04:00

We had been considering homeschooling, so several months ago I joined a few local yahoo groups. When school got out, I started attending their park days and playgroups and here we are just a month later having spent more than 12 days in the company of homeschoolers, feeling very confident in our decision to homeschool! We joined a co-op, my girls have made friends that they have invited to sleep over our house, we have plans for a bbq with some hs families this coming weekend.... we are considering joining hs soccer, girl scouts & choir! The opportunities are endless!

Great tips! If you attend a church that is homes...

2010-08-02T11:50:02.205-04:00

Great tips! If you attend a church that is homeschool friendly, you could ask the Pastor if you could host a monthly get together for homeschool families. A few fliers at the local grocery stores and libraries are likely to get a good response.

Those are great ideas already, Kris. I would add,...

2010-08-02T09:45:30.488-04:00

Those are great ideas already, Kris.

I would add, though, the tip that if you can't find a group that works for you or is exactly what you have in mind, consider starting one of your own.

We were in one group for about a year, but it wasn't quite the right fit. After prayer (and lots of overthinking, I'm sure), my homeschooling mama friend and I started up our own group. We sat down and wrote an idea of what structure to have the group take, what we hoped it would achieve (e.g. fellowship? field trips?), etc. then we posted our ad in our church newsletter and at homeschooling conferences, etc.

You can do a search for how to start a homeschool group.

It's a little scary at first to put yourself out like that, but our group is in its second year, and we have a nice amount of families and are all good friends. It was worth not being shy! : )

Along with hosting a get together, try organizing ...

2010-08-02T09:22:13.950-04:00

Along with hosting a get together, try organizing a field trip. Especially one that allows for some down time, or plan a picnic lunch afterwards. I've met quite a few people this way. If you belong to an online group, this is a great way to bring the members together.