Experiencing bad nightmares about your kids having no friends, sitting alone at the lunch table, and being left out of birthday parties? Do you worry that your homeschooler will grow up to be a socially awkward hermit? Or Are you a homeschooler looking for friends but wondering how do homeschoolers make friends?
Rest easy. Making friends is a skill that can be learned, and there are plenty of opportunities for socialization in the homeschooling community. Yes! I wouldn’t believe in the stereotype of socially awkward homeschoolers. Even I have found that, in general, homeschoolers are outgoing, confident, and interesting kids who are often more mature than their age mates.
With that said, it’s not as hard as breaking the rock.
Yes… Homeschoolers just have to be a little more creative when it comes to making friends. This can require more effort on the part of the homeschooler to meet and make friends with other kids and to find people who share your interests and values.
Even though making friends as a homeschooler may require extra work, don’t worry; you’re not alone! And it’s by no means impossible!
There are many others out there looking to meet homeschoolers, and I’ve got some great tips for them on how to make friends when homeschooled.
Important: Criss crossing strategy can save your time
The strategy was originally by Lauren, the founder of TheSimpleHomeschooler.com. I got to know about it while researching content for this post, and yeah, it’s worth mentioning.
Criss Crossing, in simple, is the way first to pick a few kids/friends or people that you wanna influence by or hang out with and see what they are doing; they might be enrolled in a coop or a summer camp or part of some community. Just figure out where they are hanging on different occasions and get your kid enrolled in the same activity. In such a way, he will be in interaction with them a couple of times a week.
The idea is that meeting with new kids once or twice a month can’t move the needle, and your kid will end up frustrated. In order to make friends, he/she needs to meet those kids frequently, at least 2-3 times a week.
You start to interact a couple of times a week, get interact, and know better; as a result, your kid will make friends for life. That’s how crisis crossing work.
Now that you know how important it is to get your kids enrolled in weekly activities and how the strategy of making new friends as a homeschooler works, let’s move on and look at how do homeschoolers make friends with some easy and possible hangout ways.
How do homeschoolers make friends: 15 ways
- Join a homeschool group
- Look online for groups
- Attend local homeschool events
- Look for co-ops in the area
- Join a Facebook group or forum specifically for homeschoolers
- Volunteer
- Get involved in the community
- Go to Library and Churches on a consistent basis
Some of these tips might seem obvious, but some will surprise you. Let’s dive.
1. Play sports!
Homeschoolers are often involved in sports such as soccer, baseball, and martial arts. Try to join a sports league or activity with other homeschoolers. If you don’t like playing sports, you can always volunteer as an assistant.
2. Join a homeschool choir or band!
Such activities for homeschooled children, like joining something like a chorus or band at school are some of the best ways to make friends. There are even some schools and communities that have homeschool bands and choirs!
Along with music and singing, meeting and making friends go hand in hand.
3. Go to church together!
Churches often have youth groups for people aged 14 – 18, which makes them the perfect place for homeschoolers looking for friends their age who share similar values. Being part of your local church will help build community ties and friendships with other families as well as yourself.
4. Go to community events!
Are homeschooled students less social?
Definitely, Not!
Many cities have community centers where homeschoolers can meet up and hang out with other kids their age. It can be quite fun, especially if you go with your parents or family friends. There are also many homeschool conventions that happen around the country, which might be a great opportunity to make new friends as well as learn about other homeschooling families in your area.
5. Form a homeschooling group!
The fifth and decent way to how do homeschoolers make friends.
If there aren’t any other homeschoolers in your community, don’t worry; you can always start one yourself! It’s very easy to set up and requires little effort on your part. This is the way to go if you want to make friends with other kids who are also interested in homeschooling.
6. Get involved with theater or acting!
Homeschoolers who are part of their school’s drama department might find that it’s an area to meet other homeschoolers and possibly even start friendships.
Furthermore, Acting can also help to boost your self-esteem and emotional intelligence.
7. Make friends online!
There are lots of forums, chat rooms, and websites that cater to homeschoolers in your city or town. You might also want to check to see if there are specific Facebook pages for different cities’ homeschooling communities; people who like the page will often share things like events they’re attending or sports leagues they’re joining, which is a great way for you to meet new friends.
Just because you’re homeschooled doesn’t mean that you can’t use Facebook or Twitter.
8. Go on field trips!
There are many homeschooling conventions that might have field trips you can be part of or classes that take place outside of school hours to learn about things like art, history, science, etc., which might help to spark new friendships along the way.
9. Get involved at your library!
This is one of the best homeschool socialization ways.
Many public libraries have rooms that they rent out for children’s events or birthday parties; if there aren’t other homeschoolers in your area, this would be a great way to spread the word about starting a local homeschool program and community. Your local library also likely has very affordable programs and classes where you can socialize with other kids your age, learn about new literature and research skills, and gain participation points for future participation in a homeschooling program.
10. Go to a park!
Looking for ways on how do homeschoolers make friends?
Hanging out by the local playground or going on a hike might help you meet like-minded people who are also looking for friendships outside their homeschool group. Plus, it’s free fun that won’t take up very much of your time; what could be better than that?
11. Join after-school activities at your school!
Even though you’re homeschooled doesn’t mean you can’t join sports teams or other clubs at your public high school (if there is one). Many high schools have community groups where kids come together to play games or do activities together in an extracurricular setting. There are also many homeschool co-ops or support groups in areas with high homeschool populations with sports teams, clubs, and other ways to meet people in your area who are also looking for new friends!
? Also Checkout: How to get your parents to let you be homeschooled
12. Start a blog or channel!
My favorite… And the best way to meet homeschoolers online. Start a homeschool blog or channel and share your journey.
A blog is basically an online diary about whatever subject interests you. If there’s anything you’re crazy about or just can’t stop talking about, blogging or making videos on Youtube is a great way to share it with the world while simultaneously creating opportunities for online friendships to form with people who have similar interests.
13. Check out Meetups
There are many different groups on Meetup, but my favorite is the ones that list things like local hikes, museum trips, etc.
You can find these groups by doing a Google search for “homeschool + the name of your city” or by clicking on the Events tab on Meetup’s homepage.
14. Be an extrovert!
Being homeschooled away from other kids your age is tough, but don’t let that discourage you!
Try to be an extrovert. There must be people around you practicing homeschooling, you just have to find a few and the loop of more friends will start for you.
Extroverts tend to be more social and outgoing than introverts (which is why they’re called extroverts), so if you think that might describe you, it will probably come more naturally for you to make new friendships.
15. Group Lessons
One of the best ways how do homeschoolers make friends is to sign them up for group lessons. It could be anything from sports to music to dance and art classes. Many affordable options are available, and this is a great way for kids to meet other kids with similar interests.
Just Get out to mingle
This is the only advice that alone can change your social life. Getting out there means not sitting at home all day long reading books, but it also means not just going to the same places all the time.
Yes, there are certain places where you are likely to see other homeschoolers, such as the library or the park. But don’t limit yourself to these places. Get out and explore your city or town. Visit different playgrounds, museums, festivals, and events. Do volunteering, find like-minded people, and share thoughts and experiences. It feels weird when you read or try initially; I felt the same. But believe me, consistent practice of just getting outside of your home, walking in a park, and interviewing a few people every day can make the trick. You never know who you will meet or what new friends you will make.
It’s like Domino Effect
Making friends will initially seem tough and complicated, but once you get started, it will become easier and more fun. The key is to take that first step. Once you do, the dominoes will start to fall; before you know it, your child will have a whole group of friends.
I can bet there are many more homeschooled families in your neighborhood, especially if you live in the united states or the Kingdom. You may go to the park and library every day, but have you ever tried to figure out who else is out there pursuing homeschooling?
Well, the other side is that you’re not isolated to making homeschooled friends, it could be anyone. Just get out there, meet new people and be open to possibilities.
Think of something unique to do in your area!
The rules are different, and it depends on where you live.
There must be something that you can do in your area that is unique and not too mainstream. It could be starting a homeschooling book club, chess club, or even a baking group.
The point is to find something that you and your child are passionate about and use that as a way to connect with others. This is also a great way to make friends with families who share your values and beliefs.
You can also join some sports clubs, or if you are artistically inclined, you can join an art or theater group. There are many options available, and it really depends on what you and your child are interested in.
The bottom Line
Ever wonder why we need friends? The answer is quite simple, we are social animals and need connection with others to feel happy and fulfilled.
Friends provide us with companionship, support, and love. They help us to get through tough times and celebrate the good times. They make us laugh and help us to see the world from a different perspective.
Making friends as a homeschooler can be tough, but it is possible. It just takes a little bit of effort and consistency. If you’re a mom and wondering why your homeschooler needs socialization, I realized it’s equally important as academic learning, and a perfect balance is badly needed here.
I’m not a psychologist nor a kid professional, but as an experienced dad, I can tell you three reasons.
Friends help build self-confidence and a sense of acceptance and are a source of fun.
As a parent, you are responsible for providing your children with opportunities to socialize. You can do this by making sure what types of companionship you want for your kid or for you (if you are a homeschooler and reading this), finding like-minded people, looking for where they are hanging, and approaching them on different occasions.
I mentioned 15 possible places to make friends as a homeschooler. Let’s see how you can crush it!
? Also Read: How do homeschooled students get into college?
FAQs
How do you socialize when you are homeschooled?
Many homeschoolers feel they have an unfair advantage when it comes to socializing. The conventional school schedule doesn’t tie them down, so they can easily arrange playdates and get-togethers with friends. Some tips for socialization includes attending library programs, joining clubs or groups that interest you, participating in sports leagues and taking classes at the local community center.
What if I’m an introvert?
Homeschooling can be the perfect solution for introverts. You can control your environment, so you’re not overwhelmed by too much stimulation. And you can take your time to warm up to new people and situations. That said, it’s important for introverts to make an effort to socialize. Try joining a small homeschooling group or taking classes at the community center.
Do homeschoolers get lonely?
It’s possible to feel lonely when you’re homeschooled, just like it’s possible to feel lonely when you go to a conventional school. The key is to find ways to connect with others. Try joining a homeschooling group or an extracurricular activity that interests you. You can also reach out to other families who homeschool and see if they want to get together for playdates or outings.
What do you do when your child has no friends?
The best thing you can do is to encourage your child to be outgoing and to try new things. Try joining a homeschooling group or taking classes at the community center. You can also reach out to other families who homeschool and see if they want to get together for playdates or outings.
Alex is a passionate writer who shares his thoughts with strong facts and evidence. His research skill is amazing allowing him to write on life tips and development advice that the readers pursue.
