Your blood pressure already spiked, just reading that, didn’t it?
In spite of the valuable resources which online communities have to offer, many if not most homeschoolers feel a certain level of fear, guilt, or uncertainty about leaning on support that’s “only” virtual.
I’ve been there—I get it. Social media and other online communities do present pitfalls and dangers. But, as I discovered as a young homeschool graduate, they can also be amazing places of connection, validation, and support.
You’re Not Alone!
Homeschooling—like any other counter-cultural journey—can be incredibly lonely at times.
Connecting face-to-face with other passionate people who share your values and can relate to your story isn’t always an option. Online communities let homeschoolers realize a vital truth—no one is alone in this journey! It doesn’t even have to be in an intentionally “homeschoolers only” setting. I’ve connected with a ton of homeschoolers/homeschool graduates during my decade in the Christian publishing industry—and I’ve been amazed at the wealth of experiences we have in common.
It’s one thing to quote mass-scale statistics, like the existence of 3.1 million homeschooled kids in the United States alone. It’s a way more validating experience to interact with a fraction of that 3.1 million in a personal way.
Sometimes all you need to feel supported, loved, and valued right where you are is a shot of somebody else’s messy homeschool table!
The Chance to Share
Homeschoolers have got a lot to share—and online communities were made for sharing!
They are fabulous places to share experiences, compare notes, and cheer each other on. They’re also amazing places to share resources—after all, who said Google needs to be the one to process all 3.1 million searches for “vintage historical fiction” when a fellow mom who did Cycle 4 last year already has her annotated reading list stashed in a planning binder?
(Btw, just in case vintage historical fiction actually is on your need-to-google list right now, you can check out my own top favorites right here. See? You’re already embarking on the sharing journey!)
Prayer Support
I still think back to a conversation I got to witness on an online writing platform made up of probably at least 80% homeschooled/homeschool graduate youth.
One of the young ladies in the group had posted a prayer request, with the comment that she was sorry for bothering people again. Another girl jumped on and replied, “Don’t ever feel bad for posting a prayer request. It is never any trouble to pray for you!”
What an amazing affirmation!
Prayers change lives—whether you’ve personally met the person who’s praying for you, or not.
Safe, Healthy, and Supportive: Keeping Online Communities a Positive
The online world—like all other parts of our fallen creation—is a place that calls for wisdom. Below are a few pointers for keeping online interactions healthy:
- Keep personal stuff personal. Connection, support, and even vulnerability can coexist with fully protected personal information. Protect your privacy and your identity by being cautious when sharing things like personal photos, details about family members, and physical locations.
- Be kind. This one should be obvious, but we’re human and it’s easy to forget that online accounts represent real, living people with real, vulnerable emotions. Don’t say things, or contribute to a culture that says things that are needlessly hurtful.
- Don’t let online interaction REPLACE face-to-face interaction. Online support isn’t a substitute for a physical social life. Online friendships become unhealthy if they become an excuse for avoiding face-to-face friendships.
- Disciple—don’t dump—your teens! The online homeschool community has some wonderful opportunities for homeschooled students, particularly high schoolers, to interact with others and experience firsthand all the great stuff we’ve already discussed. Keep your teen’s online interactions safe and healthy by walking consistently alongside them as they learn to navigate the online world.
So Where Do You Start?
IAHE offers some fabulous resources for connecting with like-minded homeschoolers. The IAHE Facebook community Indiana Homeschool Discussion and Support Group is a great place to start.
I also recommend searching for support groups within sub-genres of the homeschool community. For instance, if you’re enthusiastic about classical homeschooling, try googling “classical homeschool online support groups.” That way you can connect with people who share your passion on a day-to-day level.
No matter how isolated you may feel, you’re not alone in this homeschool journey! The online homeschool community is a great place to connect with people who will cheer for, share with, and pray over you every step of the way.
Have you already built meaningful homeschool connections online? I’d love to hear some of your group/resource recommendations in the comments section below!
Courtenay Burden is a homeschool graduate, Victorian fanatic, author, and co-founder of Sheep Among Wolves Publishing. She loves working with yarn, playing the occasional game of chess, devouring history, and discovering new ways to cook the humble potato. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her painting, reading anything published more than a century ago, or attempting to sing alto with growing confidence. You can connect with her at www.sawpublishing.com or on Instagram @courtenayburden.