This year I have been experiencing the value of community in our homeschooling lifestyle. Doing life together comes in many forms but the importance of it is undeniable. Let’s take a look at where to find community and why it’s so precious.
Co-Ops
When we joined our two co-ops, we were taking a true step of faith. I had my doubts in both cases. Would our shy child fit in? Would it be too stressful getting out of the door on time? How would our toddler do without his naptime? Through our co-ops my kids and I have found support, friends, and encouragement both academically and socially.
Sports
There’s nothing like cheering on your child’s team to create a sense of community. For the past two years my daughter has been playing softball with the town team. We didn’t know anyone to begin with but now she feels a part of the team and experiences the support of all the parents and team members at every game.
Church
Our kids feel loved and at home at our church. A safe and welcoming place for our kids to share in and grow in their faith is important to us as parents. Church also opens the door for other adults to build up our kids in a more personal way, reaffirming what we are working on at home with them.
Clubs
The community can be found in joining a club where your kids can share their own special interests with friends. We have enjoyed the American Girl Club, Book Club, and Bible Quizzing. Scouting is a great club available in most areas.
Why Community?
What’s so important about community for your kids? Community allows our kids to experience life with other people, to appreciate giving to and receiving from the good right where we live. Seeing life from different angles facilitates character development and growth in navigating the world around us. What I love about homeschooling is that my husband and I are in the driver’s seat for our kids. We can pick and choose the types of groups and activities that line up with our family’s values. When we see an opportunity for our family to contribute to a community, we can make time for that.
Find an opportunity to get involved in community! Can’t find a good fit? Create a community that you are looking for. Start a club, form a team, launch a co-op!
Sarah Brutovski is a homeschool mom of three children. She grew up just down the street from where she and her husband are raising their family now in rural Upstate New York. When she is not teaching her kids, grocery shopping, or drinking coffee you might find her training for a half marathon, escaping for a morning at the beach, or chatting on the phone with one of her four siblings. Sarah loves writing on her blog sarahswritingcafe.blogspot.com and currently teaches creative writing at her kids’ weekly co-op.