I had the chance to have coffee the other day with a good friend and fellow homeschooling mom and after our time together it reminded me why having a tribe is so important for us homeschooling mothers.
More...
The unfortunate thing is that, because we homeschool and have so many other responsibilities, we rarely take the time to foster those relationships. That, as I have learned over the years, is a true mistake.
The Benefits of Having a Tribe
1. Questions, questions and more questions
I remember when I had a bunch of little kids and I was just beginning my homeschooling, and faith, journey. That time was fraught with questions. That is when I started to realize how important my homeschooling friends were going to be to me. Who else could I call at all hours to ask questions about homeschooling and behavior problems and laundry issues?
Having a few good friends around at that time saved me so much added frustration! Sure, Google has the answers, but it's so much more personal to talk to someone rather than shout at my computer because I've spent so much time looking things up.
2. Sometimes You Just Need a Shoulder
How many times, especially as the kids got older, did I just need a compassionate shoulder to cry on? Too many to count. Many times having an independent party to listen and give an outsiders opinion can make a world of difference on coming up with a solution.
Having someone to bounce ideas off of and vent your frustration to is worth their weight in gold. You will need them and then sometimes they will need you. It's a beautiful thing to be able to be a shoulder for someone else.
3. And Sometimes You Just Need a Good Laugh
The benefits of getting away for an evening with your small group of friends can add years to your life! Okay, maybe not, but it probably can lessen the amount of hair you're pulling out on a daily basis.
My favorite night out with friends was the night we all went out for dinner and then went to the movies and saw "Mom's Night Out". I don't think I've laughed so hard since then. Seriously, if you haven't seen this movie, you have to get it! You could even do a Mom's Night In and watch it with your tribe.
But, what if I don't have one?
I have talked with women who have this problem and I tackle this issue in a blog post here. If this is you, don't let yourself get down. Start to brainstorm places you could go to meet more people and then I'll be sharing some of my ideas with you and we can compare notes.
If you have a tribe, when was the last time you connected with them? Maybe its time to plan a get-together or an impromptu play date if you have to bring the kids along. Either way, make sure you continue to foster these friendships because they will serve you well, even after you're done homeschooling! You can read more about that in this post.