How Do I Connect with Other Homeschool Families?

Building connections with other homeschool families enriches your children's social experiences and provides valuable support for parents. Homeschool Hive offers multiple ways to find, connect with, and build relationships with homeschooling families in your community and beyond.

Quick Answer

Connect with homeschool families by joining groups that match your interests and location, participating in group events, engaging with the social feed through posts, comments, and reactions, and attending both in-person and virtual activities. The more you participate, the more connections you will build.

Why Community Matters for Homeschoolers

Connecting with other homeschool families provides:

For Children:

• Friendships with peers who understand homeschooling
• Socialization in diverse settings and age groups
• Group learning experiences and collaboration
• Extracurricular activities and sports teams
• Field trip companions and study buddies

For Parents:

• Support from others who understand homeschooling challenges
• Resource sharing and curriculum recommendations
• Co-teaching opportunities
• Adult friendships and community
• Mentorship from experienced homeschoolers

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Find and Join Groups

The foundation of connecting is joining homeschool groups that align with your interests.

Discover Local Groups:

1. Click Groups in the main navigation
2. Allow location access to see nearby groups
3. Browse groups sorted by distance
4. Use filters to narrow results:
   • Age range matching your children
   • Faith alignment
   • Academic focus (Classical, Charlotte Mason, etc.)
   • Activity type (co-ops, field trips, sports)

Evaluate Groups Before Joining:

• Read the group description carefully
• Check the event frequency to gauge activity level
• Review membership requirements
• Look at the member count for community size

Join Groups:

• Public groups: Click Join to become a member instantly
• Private groups: Click Request to Join and answer any membership questions
• Paid groups: Complete the checkout process to join

Multiple Groups

Most homeschool families participate in several groups for different purposes - an academic co-op, a field trip group, a sports group, and perhaps a support group for parents.

Step 2: Complete Your Family Profile

A complete profile helps other families get to know you and makes connections more meaningful.

Update Your Profile:

1. Go to Account Settings
2. Add a profile photo
3. Write a brief bio about your family
4. Include relevant details:
   • Number and ages of children
   • How long you have been homeschooling
   • Curriculum or approach you use
   • Interests and hobbies

Add Family Members:

1. Go to Family settings
2. Add your children with:
   • Names and ages
   • Grade levels
   • Interests and activities
3. This information helps connect your family with appropriate events

Step 3: Engage with the Group Social Feed

Every group has a social feed where members share updates, photos, and discussions.

View the Feed:

1. Go to your group page
2. Click the Feed tab
3. Scroll through posts from group members

React to Posts: Show engagement by reacting to content:

• Like - Show appreciation
• Love - Express strong appreciation
• Haha - Found it funny
• Wow - Surprised or impressed
• Sad - Sympathetic
• Angry - Frustrated

Click the reaction icon on any post and select your response.

Comment and Discuss: Join conversations to build connections:

1. Click on a post to open it
2. Type your comment in the text box
3. Click Post or press Enter
4. Reply to other comments to continue the conversation

Mention Other Members: Tag specific people in your comments:

1. Type @ followed by their username
2. Select from the dropdown list
3. They receive a notification about your mention

This is a great way to bring someone into a conversation or acknowledge them.

Step 4: Attend Events Regularly

Events are where online connections become real-world friendships.

Find Events:

1. Browse upcoming events on your group page
2. Check the Events tab to see all scheduled activities
3. View your personal calendar for events across all groups

RSVP and Participate:

1. Click on an event that interests you
2. Review the details and requirements
3. Click RSVP or complete ticket purchase
4. Add the event to your calendar
5. Show up and participate!

Types of Events for Connection:

Event Type	Connection Opportunity
Field trips	Extended time together during travel and activities
Co-op classes	Weekly interaction with the same families
Social gatherings	Casual conversation and play
Park days	Informal meetups for all ages
Parent nights	Adult-focused networking
Workshops	Shared learning experiences

Consistency Builds Friendship

Attending events regularly helps you see the same families repeatedly, which is key to building lasting friendships. Choose a few recurring activities you can commit to consistently.

Step 5: Participate in Polls and Discussions

Groups often use polls to make decisions and gather input.

Vote in Polls:

1. Read the poll question
2. Select your answer
3. Click Vote
4. View results and see how others voted

Start Discussions: If you have permission to post:

1. Click Create Post on the group feed
2. Share a question, topic, or update
3. Invite responses from other members
4. Respond to comments on your post

Step 6: Connect Through Shared Experiences

Build deeper connections by sharing experiences:

Share Photos and Updates: After attending an event, share highlights:

• Post photos (with permission) from the activity
• Write about what your family enjoyed
• Tag other families who attended
• This reinforces connections and creates shared memories

Volunteer and Contribute: Get involved beyond just attending:

• Offer to help organize events
• Volunteer to teach a skill or subject
• Bring snacks or supplies to activities
• Help with administrative tasks

Follow Up After Events: Continue connections after activities end:

• Comment on posts from families you met
• Reach out about future events
• Offer to carpool to upcoming activities

Step 7: Explore Events Beyond Your Groups

Discover additional connection opportunities:

Public Events: Some groups host events open to non-members:

1. Browse the Events section
2. Look for public events in your area
3. Attend to meet families from other groups
4. This can lead to discovering new communities

Online Groups: Connect with homeschoolers regardless of location:

1. Filter groups to show Online Groups
2. Join virtual communities for specific interests
3. Participate in online discussions and virtual events
4. Build connections with families across the country

Building Lasting Friendships

Be Consistent

• Attend the same recurring events regularly
• Participate in the group feed consistently
• Follow through on plans and commitments
• Show up even when it is inconvenient

Be Open and Approachable

• Introduce yourself to new families
• Ask questions about other families
• Share your own experiences authentically
• Be willing to try new activities

Be Patient

• Friendships take time to develop
• Give relationships multiple interactions to grow
• Do not be discouraged if connections do not happen immediately
• Quality relationships are worth the wait

Be Proactive

• Reach out rather than waiting for others
• Suggest get-togethers outside of scheduled events
• Create opportunities for your children to play together
• Organize activities for families you want to know better

Tips

• Start with one or two groups rather than joining many at once - deeper involvement leads to better connections
• Attend events consistently - seeing the same families regularly builds familiarity and trust
• Engage online between events - comment on posts, react to photos, and participate in discussions
• Bring something to share - snacks, a game, or activity supplies give you reasons to interact
• Include your children in choosing groups and events - they are more likely to engage with activities they are excited about
• Be patient with shy children - friendships develop at different paces, and some kids need more time
• Look for families with similar-aged children - while mixed-age socialization is valuable, same-age friendships are often easiest to build
• Consider parent-only events too - your own friendships matter and help sustain your homeschooling journey

Introvert-Friendly Options

If large events feel overwhelming, look for smaller gatherings, one-on-one playdates, or interest-based activities where you can connect over a shared focus rather than purely social settings.

Overcoming Common Challenges

"I feel like an outsider in established groups"

• Attend regularly - consistency helps you become familiar
• Introduce yourself to group leaders
• Ask questions about the group's history and activities
• Offer to help with events or tasks

"My children are not making friends"

• Help facilitate introductions
• Arrange smaller playdates after group events
• Find activities aligned with your child's interests
• Give it time - some children need more interaction to warm up

"I do not have time for group activities"

• Start with monthly events rather than weekly
• Join online groups for virtual connection
• Participate in the social feed even when you cannot attend events
• Quality of involvement matters more than quantity

"Local groups do not match our approach or values"

• Consider starting your own group
• Look for online communities that align with your values
• Create connections through interest-based activities
• Be open to learning from families with different approaches

Related Articles

• Find Groups - Discover homeschool groups in your area
• Join a Group - Learn about the membership process
• Social Feed - Detailed guide to feed features
• Find Events - Browse activities and events
• Start a Group - Create your own homeschool community