Building Your Village: Embracing Community in Homeschooling
As the saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” But, what does that mean for homeschooling parents? How do we build our village in a way that supports not just our children, but us as well?
I sat down recently with Colleen Kessler and Christy Faith, to dive deep into the essence of community within the homeschooling world. Our conversation is a gold mine for parents navigating the delicate balance between education, parenting, and personal growth.
Finding and Nurturing Your Community
Colleen Kessler touches on the dynamic nature of seeking out communities that are in tune with our children’s evolving needs. Just as each person enters our life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime, our communal ties also ebb and flow. This episode discusses how learning until saturation and following your child’s interests within their community can make a tremendous impact on their growth.
The Evolving Landscape of Homeschooling
The rise of homeschooling has brought many families closer together, yet the need for external support remains pivotal. I brought up Robert Dunbar’s model of community and the startling research that shows 29% of people find themselves without community support. Christy Faith shares her journey of starting a homeschooling community and the challenges along the way — a testament to taking risks and being open to rejection in pursuit of meaningful connections.
The Working Homeschooling Mom
Juggling the responsibilities of work and homeschooling is a challenge for all three of us. We discuss the reality of finding balance (or the myth of it). Colleen Kessler addresses how prioritizing what’s most important right now is key, as true balance in parenting can be elusive.
Finding Support and Making Connections
Our discussion is not just rich in philosophy but loaded with practical advice. Both Colleen and Christy provide insight into where to find resources and how to build upon the communities available to homeschooling families. They also offer strategies for connecting with others and leveraging support for moments of crisis.
The Importance of Social and Emotional Learning
Beyond academics, the holistic development of children is a central focus. Christy Faith emphasizes equipping children with the ability to discern healthy relationships and approach social media with a critical eye. She also opens up about her dedication to supporting homeschool mothers through team meetings, office hours, and workshops.
Let’s Continue the Conversation
Our conversation is an essential listen for every homeschooling parent. It embodies the communal spirit, offering wisdom, empathy, and experience that can help guide you through the multifaceted homeschooling journey whether you’re a seasoned veteran or just embarking on this path.
Building your homeschooling community can mean the difference between feeling isolated and thriving as a family. Through stories, insights, and personal experiences shared in this episode, we hope to foster a sense of solidarity and offer guidance that resonates with your unique homeschooling adventure.
Don’t let isolation be your narrative. let us be a part of your village, and continue to forge the connections that enrich your family’s homeschooling experience. Listen, learn, and engage — because your community is waiting for you.
OT is IN #4: The Evolving Landscape of Homeschool Community Support
In this episode of the OT is IN Podcast I chat with both Colleen Kessler and Christy Faith about community. Colleen opens our hearts to the evolving nature of finding and nurturing communities for our children, while Christy sheds light on creating meaningful connections beyond our traditional circles.
We covered a lot as we talked about the fluid essence of friendships and how some people fit into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. I shared anthropologist Robert Dunbar’s community model which underscores the sobering statistic that 29% of people lack community support. Christy Faith shared her bold approach to establishing a homeschooling mothers community, revealing the highs and lows of building a support system.
We all agreed about the working homeschool mom’s dance with balance, while Colleen reminded us of parenting’s unpredictable nature. My friends shared valuable resources and personal experiences that illuminate the importance of community for homeschoolers and beyond.
In this episode you’ll hear about:
- The relevance of community, with references to public school and church sermons.
- Colleen’s journey of finding the right communities for her children as their needs evolve.
- Colleen’s philosophy that people enter one’s life for a reason, season, or lifetime.
- The changing nature of friendships.
- The significance of learning until saturation and allowing children to explore their interests with the support of their community.
- Various levels of connections in Robert Dunbar’s community model and the spectrum of community support.
- The recent statistic showing 29% of people feel they have no supportive community.
- Strategies to “put oneself out there” as well as being open to rejection to find a fitting community.
- Overcoming challenges and leveraging existing friendships to combat isolation.
- The difficulty in finding friends at different life stages and the benefit of children engaging in play across age groups.
- The struggle of balancing homeschooling and work, Colleen stresses the impracticality of perfect balance in parenting.
- Colleen’s experiences with shifts in homeschool community dynamics during the pandemic.
- Challenges in finding appropriate programs as family needs change and Colleen’s emphasis on her neurodivergent kids’ needs.
- The relationship with children is prioritized over other tasks, including suggestions for managing priorities during crisis periods.
- Mourning the changing dynamics of relationships as children grow and being okay with those changes.
- The complexity of forming relationships in a tech-driven world, especially for the younger generation.
- The significance of guiding children in distinguishing authentic community and connections outside of social media’s influence.
- The value of homeschooling in facilitating important conversations about emotional intelligence and healthy relationship skills.
- Encouraging children to recognize red flags in various types of relationships.
- A caution to homeschooling parents, to stay conscious of their own social life, as it may influence their children’s social experiences.
Links and Resources From Today’s Show
- Robert Dunbar 5-15-50-150-1500 model
- Strengths Based Autism Interventions
- Christy Faith’s Thrive Community
- Raising Lifelong Learners community
- 8 Quick & Easy Questions to Ask Your Homeschool Teen About Their Social Life
