The Blessing of Friendships

When we first decided to homeschool, I really didn't have much of an idea of what that might mean as far as friendships. For as much as socialization was a buzzword of concern, I hadn't given it any consideration. I suppose I must have just assumed that we would continue with the friendships we already had, and it didn't occur to me that I might have to actively pursue some friendships within the homeschooling community for myself and for my children. Actually, I'm not entirely sure I had much awareness that there was a true community of homeschoolers!

 How exciting it was to find so many friends - for myself and for my kids - within the growing homeschool community in our area! It shouldn't come as a surprise that some of our closest friends are those that we go to church with and are also homeschoolers. My kids have good friendships with the kids of my good friends! I'm comfortable with the friends my kids hang out with because I know the friends well, and I know their parents (or at least their moms) and know that we are more or less on the same page in our views of home and family.

Our local homeschool groups offer more than co-op classes and field trips. They also provide a network for support and friendships. We pray for each other, offer advice and encouragement, share our knowledge and experience, and develop some lasting ties as a result. When there are activities for kids, there are almost always a group of parents getting together at the same time.

It's not just my local homeschooling friends either. The homeschoolers I've met in online communities are also some of the most welcoming, helpful, and generous folks I know.

These friends are some of the unexpected blessings we've received through homeschooling.

“Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It's splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.”  ~ Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Visit the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog to see how other Crew members finish the sentence "Our Biggest Homeschool Blessing is . . .". This Round-up link will be live on Friday, May 13th, 2016.

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