Where Are All the Homeschoolers? Finding Your Village in the Homeschool Community

We are all looking for our “people;” our “village.” All homeschooling moms and dads want is one or two families that are like-minded, raising their kids with the same values and are fun to be around. But it’s not necessarily easy to find them, is it?

When you start homeschooling, you can immediately feel all alone. You may be asking: Where do I find all the homeschoolers? (Where are they HIDING?!)

The truth is we are everywhere; but we aren’t all organized into one place.

Start with your local library

If you are looking for ways for your kids to meet other home-educated kids, the best place to start is your local library. Bring your kids to the library during school hours and look around. If there are parents with school-age kids there, they are most likely are homeschoolers.

While you are there, sign your children up for the afterschool or evening library programs that your library might have.

Have a Facebook account

People have different feelings about Facebook, but, that is where a lot of the homeschoolers are for sure. In Connecticut alone, there are hundreds of regional homeschooling groups.

Each group is different, but the ones I frequent most often have thousands of members and events, classes, co-ops and such are posted on a daily basis.

Archery class? check Music lessons? check. Math tutor? check. It’s all there.

Local Clubs and Organizations

Any place where lots and lots of kids gather, you are bound to find some homeschoolers. Great places to find these families are the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and local recreational sports programs.

State Museums and Family Hot Spots

I guarantee that if you google up the CT Science Center, Connecticut Historical Society or Mystic Aquarium you will find that they have an official Homeschoolers Day or classes. These sell out quickly and are designed especially for our home-educated kids.

Local Churches

Even if it’s not your home church, several churches in the state run programming for the homeschooling community (especially if they have members who home educate).

Attend the Statewide Homeschooling Conference

The Connecticut Homeschool Network runs an annual conference. Lots of homeschoolers attend to shop, take classes and make connections.

Sports and Art Establishments

More and more athletic and art establishments are picking up on the fact that homeschoolers want classes too. The YMCA in Meriden for example runs a Gym class. The Art Room in Windsor Locks has homeschool art classes. And don’t be shy, if your local place doesn’t offer classes designed for homeschoolers: ASK! They will respond because it’s more revenue for them!

Admittedly, finding your people will take some time. But as a homeschooler, part of the joy of home educating is the ability to curate your child’s education around their interests and where their interests are, there are usually other kids.

Remember to be friendly, be open and to step outside of your comfort zone. Making new friends and assisting your children to do the same is a process.

Where are some places YOU have found some new friends?

6 Homeschool Planners I Have Used (With Honest Feedback) and This Year’s Pick!

You probably fall somewhere on the continuum; you either love planning for the new homeschool year or … you really don’t. It’s ok if you don’t – I tend to be a little spontaneous myself, so using a planner is just that little bit of a backbone I need to help me keep my year on track and moving in the right direction.

I have used several different ones for different reasons. Some years I literally used it to write out a daily plan for them and for me. Some years I used it to do more tracking of work, than planning. But as my children have grown up, I have needed to plan less and less, and now that I have only one to homeschool, I need the simplest planner I can find that merges both life and academics together because I can’t be bothered to carry two planners.

So, if you are like me and use a planner to structure your school year, check out these planners with my honest feedback.

Well Planned Gal Homeschool Planner (Available at Christian Book)

Pros: This was my first planner, which I used in 2013-2014 and again in 2017-2018. I loved the way it was organized and all the features it gave me like pages to keep track of websites, field trips, reading lists, report cards as well as a regular daily planner. It was also nicely affordable. They offer a standard planner as well as a customizable version and they all have really nice artwork. Christian.

Cons: They have changed things to be more competitive in the market. The fully customizable option has a lot of neat (but not free) pages. I started putting one together and it came out to more money than I wanted to spend.

A Simple Homeschool Planner (available at Mardel)

Pros: I used this planner last year (2022-2023). It’s colorful, has positive messages written throughout it and it has pockets! Tabs make it easy to find the current month and there is a big fat “notes” column to write important info. It also has a monthly page for reading lists, websites and answered prayers and it’s affordable! Christian.

Cons: It’s thick and a little bit heavy and clunky. I had a hard time with the lack of space to write in non-homeschool related things.

Plum Paper (Available at Plum Planner)

Pros: FULLY customizable. You can add and delete things, change the coil, change the size and the front cover. Super cool. Has budget options, a full teacher’s insert and lots of other features. Nice thick paper and durable. Secular.

Cons: Can be a expensive and shipping is slow. Like, they are well known for people emailing them like, “where is my planner?” But when you get it – so worth it!

The Ultimate Homeschool Planner (Available at Christian Book)

Pros: I used this one after the Well Planned Day in 2015-2016. It was similar enough to WPD but slightly different too. It’s colorful, has a master schedule which is hourly, some neat sections like “character goals” and Bible scriptures throughout. I would use this one again most likely.’ Christian.

Cons: The weekly calendar is blank. Some people might see that as a Pro. But I don’t have neat handwriting and writing ALL THE DATES in – makes it look ugly and sloppy to me. Also, it seems they only have two cover options and those haven’t changed in several years.

Pretty Simple Planner (Teacher Planner) (Available on Amazon)

Pros: I also used this planner one year when I needed something very mobile and small. It is thin, colorful and super simple with a daily and a monthly view of each month. They have added new pages like: attendance, monthly reading and year at a glance. It was a generic Teacher Planner vs. Homeschool Planner. Secular.

Cons: It’s simple and generic and will not “guide” your homeschool planning as much as other planners will. It is small and sort of uninspired. But that may fit the bit for someone looking for something that resembles more of a pared down plan. Affordable.

The Happy Planner (Available at Michaels)

Pros: A very popular planner with lots of extras. You can change the coils, add in sections, take out sections, get small or large. It is a straight planner for which you can buy the homeschool addition. I started watching Insta feeds with people using these and it was inspiring. Secular.

Cons: I find the Happy Planner confusing and all together TOO MUCH WORK. I don’t like writing in all the dates and I don’t want to have to do the work of shopping for all the right pieces. I am a busy homeschooling mama running a home, so I don’t have time for a weekly art session to make my planner look pretty, I need it to come pretty. I wish I did!

And drumroll please…… this year’s planner is….

Find Your Balance Homeschool Planner (Available on Etsy)

Since this isn’t even in my hands I will tell you why I purchased it. I am super intrigued by the horizontal paper layout. I tend to have large handwriting, so I like that there is plenty of space. The focus of this planner is that homeschool moms are still regular moms too with appointments and chores and stuff to do that’s not related to homeschool at all. I love that.

They have a page each month for “Preparing for [month]” that I like so that I can think ahead and plan some ideas on things we are studying or things for my other children (one in college, one in a private school).

It’s hourly! (Which I love) We sit down to homeschool about 1.5-2 hours a day, so there are lots of other hours to fill in – hourly works well for me (and it’s all pre-printed) so I don’t have to write it in every single week.

It has inspirational quotes throughout the planner and a coil which is a must have.

I hope this has helped you make a choice for your 2023-2024 school year!

J

3 Things That Will Make Homeschooling Your Kid Easier

I have been meditating on this post for weeks. I want to make sure the suggestions I provide you are legitimate, and not just fluffy content filler.

When you begin to homeschool, there is a lot to learn. Not only are you learning to teach, you are learning things like: patience, planning, scheduling, your students’ needs, your students’ learning style and so much more. The process of learning these things for the parent can make homeschooling somewhat bumpy.

But I want you to know that it is not uncommon at all and encourage you not to feel discouraged by it.

I am going to provide you with three pieces of advice I have learned over the years so you can put them into your tool belt and start using them RIGHT AWAY.

Try Not to be Rigid

You have this PLAN, right? And while I agree planning is vitally important, being flexible is literally just as important.

I have a loose plan where I have an idea of what I hope to accomplish in a week. Sometimes I am chugging along with my plan, and he is fighting me. He is not paying attention, he is being super-silly and then I realize he work up early this morning. He is tired. He is lacking focus.

Do I push him through the plan anyways?

No. I step away and I tell him that we can do it tomorrow. This is the joyous flexibility that is available in homeschooling and is one of the amazing blessings too! You get to craft and create your students’ day based on what their needs and limitations are.

Exercise

Add in some form of exercise to your daily routine. I know that this is essential because, well, I homeschooled three boys and they lose their minds if they are forced to sit still for too long. You might have a daughter like this too – who literally feels refreshed and renewed by running around outside.

Don’t worry if you are NOT a sporty family. We aren’t either. But, every day my 8 year-old goes outside at least three times, runs around and just uses his imagination. We also take walks on the sidewalk together, work in the garden, go to the park, take a hike/walk at the local park, and walk by the local river.

Exercise gives the kids fresh air, allows them to be free and in their imaginations and use their brains in a different way to what demands are placed on them during formal schooling time. It can even save US from a day going totally to the dumps.

Be consistent

It took me a long time to learn this lesson. I am not a consistent person. I am sort of a spontaneous-learn-what-I-want-to-when-I-want-to person and if that is you and it works for you – keep on trucking along, mama!

But what I found was my kids were not retaining material and making progress – because I would have to repeat material several times. They then felt defeated and not smart, which kills their motivation to learn.

We consistently homeschool 4 days a week now (one day we have co-op). It really has made a huge difference! Find what works for you and stick to it as best you can.

I hope these are helpful to you and I would love to hear any suggestions YOU have for making homeschooling easier BELOW!

Before You Start Homeschooling Your Teen, Do These 4 Things

It’s becoming more and more apparent that your teen would be happier if you were to homeschool them.

She dreads going to school, gets stomach aches every morning and despises riding the bus. He comes home every day and sleeps, complains about his teachers and is bored.

You have been thinking about it a lot. Perhaps you’re already home with the younger kids anyways or maybe you could give up that part-time job that brings your fulfillment, but, really doesn’t put much of a dent in your bills.

Maybe your full-time job is flexible enough that you can switch to remote work or some other working arrangement.

Whatever your situation is, you are seriously considering it.

Before you turn in the withdrawal papers, spend some time to start laying the foundation for a successful homeschool experience.

SOCIAL

Do the legwork to find a co-op, class or other social opportunity for your teen before you bring them home. Your son or daughter will need friends. And although they might express their undying love for their public school friends, they will need to make new pals (and of course, yes, keep their old ones). They will need friends that are in their same life situation and have a similar schedule as they do.

WHY?

Establish WHY you are bringing them home. What is your WHY? Let your WHY help you make their schedule and plan for their education.

If it is because they are stressed and overwhelmed, you should make a careful effort to NOT plan 6 hours of schoolwork a day or schedule their every minute.

If your why is because they are being bullied, making healthy friendships will be important and take special effort.

If your why is that their academic program is not challenging enough, make sure you get their input on choosing their academics.

GET THEM TO BUY-IN

Get their buy-in! Have a sit-down discussion with them about what they think homeschooling is exactly. Talk about realistic expectations and things that will not be optional like … math. Ask: What is their perception of what their day will look like? What would like like more of? What would they like less of? What topic are they particularly interested in?

TAKE A BREAK

DESCHOOL. I have a complete post on what deschooling is. Please consider reading it. This time is vital to switching the mindset of the student from public school to home, especially if they have literally been in the public school system since Kindergarten (that could be 7 years or more if you are bringing home a teen!)

From me to you: If you are bringing home a teenager I am proud of you. You have listened to their needs and you are stepping in in the last phase of their childhood education to make an impact. It is not too late to have a positive impact on their happiness, self-image and of course their education and I support you fully!

Can Homeschool Kids Play School Sports in Connecticut?(And What Does Tim Tebow Have to do With it?)

Every parent wants the best for his/her child. As more and more families transition to homeschooling, they do not want to give up the opportunity for their children to play a challenging and character-building sport.

The issue of homeschool-student participation in public school sports comes back to the forefront as every new school year begins. There are arguments both for and against and I will try to briefly discuss them here in order to give you a better idea of where we currently stand in CT. I will also present you with lots of places to go to better understand the issue.

Q: Can homeschool children currently play sports with their publicly educated peers?

A: The answer to this question is no, based on CIAC requirements. This quote from Attorney Marybeth Sullivan explains it clearly:

“Generally speaking, home-schooled students are not permitted to play on their neighborhood public school’s sports teams, while choice and private school students are allowed only if their school offers no sports programs of any kind and at the discretion of the neighborhood public school. These eligibility rules are not a matter of state law or policy, but rather are established by the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC). Boards of education have delegated their legal authority to oversee interscholastic sports in the state to CIAC, a private, nonprofit organization.” – MaryBeth Sullivan, Senior Legislative Attorney, Office of Legislative Research

To read the entire document presented by the Office of Legislative Research, go here.

The actual CIAC policy states:

“HOME SCHOOLED STUDENTS: Eligibility to participate in interscholastic athletics is not to be extended to any student whose program is not under the direct supervision of a CIAC member school.”

For more details, click here.

Q: What is the “Tim Tebow” law?

The Legislation has been passed in over 20 states to follow the Tim Tebow law allowing homeschool children access to public education sports program. Tim Tebow is a famous homeschooler turned football star.

Here is a complete list of states who passed this law.

Here is more information on the law.

Q: What are the arguments for and against homeschool students being allowed to play on public teams?

The homeschool community is divided on this issue. Some homeschoolers feel their children should have access to these sports programs and that it is vital to their educational experience.

Others feel that passing a law or demanding access would only open the door for interference into the homeschooling community by local, state and federal governments. People are very passionate about this issue and are concerned that it would be a slippery slope leading to more and more control over homeschoolers.

A very important issue: Freedom

As you know, Connecticut is one of the most open states to homeschool in. Looking at the HSLDA (Homeschool Legal Defense Association) map for state-by-state legislation, you will see that there are only a few green states and Connecticut is one of them (surrounded in a sea of red, I might add).

Maintaining our freedom to homeschool in Connecticut has required that the homeschoolers that came before us sacrificed their time and energy to contact their legislators, show up at the Capitol, speak up and even protest at times. The freedom you enjoy has been carved out by those who came before you.

The concern that surrounds the sports issue is that many states who have passed a law to allow homeschoolers to play public sports have had to sacrifice some of their freedoms to do so.

For example: Missouri, a “green” state on the HSLDA map passed the Tim Tebow law but now in order for home-education students to play sports, they must be partially enrolled in the public school system to play. The same goes for the “green” states of Illinois and Michigan. So, be warned that receiving access to these programs could literally cost you your homeschooling freedom.

And that is why, in my opinion, you will not find a lot of seasoned homeschoolers pushing for access to public education sports.

But we have plenty of options! If you are looking for places for your kids to get involved in athletics, check out my post: CT Sports Programs that Accept Homeschoolers.

Sports Programs that Accept Homeschoolers

Are you looking for a sports program for your kids to get involved in? Here is a sample of sport programs in Connecticut that will allow homeschool athletes to participate or make no mention of any rule barring non-public school students.

This list, by no means is exhaustive, but is mean to prompt your own search and perhaps give you a few paths to start looking down.

Most importantly, check your local Recreation program through your town as well as local establishments for sports such as martial arts, tennis, swimming, and gymnastics.

CT Homeschool Mom does not endorse any of these programs.

*specifically mentions homeschoolers are welcome to apply

The Cornerstone Christian School – Manchester *

Avon Soccer Club – Avon

Windsor Soccer Club – Windsor

The Master’s School – Simsbury *

Torrington Christian Academy – Torrington

Truth Baptist Church Sports Leagues – South Windsor *

Central Christian Academy – Southington

Gallup Hill Baptist Church – Ledyard

Hillside Community Church – Bristol

Windsor Water Rats – Windsor

CT Storm Track and Field – Southington

Norwalk Lightning Track and Field – Norwalk

Danbury Hatters Track and XC – Danbury

West Haven Swim Club – West Haven

Other Opportunities:

Romeo Athletics PE class – Enfield *

Suffield Gymnastics Homeschool Open Gym – Suffield *

Dunne’s Gymnastics Homeschool Class – Hebron

Star Hill Athletic Center PE Class – Vernon *

First Tee of Connecticut – various locations

Home and Homeschooling: Why a Doorknob Made Me Cry

We live in an old house. 100 years old. The corners are not square, there are cracks in the plaster, the foundation needs work and the toilet handle sticks. But it was the doorknob falling off that made me burst into tears.

My husband and I were set to go on a lovely marriage retreat this weekend – for the first time since my last son was born – and our furnace died (cue blustery, 20-degree winds). My son smelled smoke while I was out at homeschool co-op and called the firemen. He is fine, but the furnace….is not.

I won’t even tell you the price we have been quoted. But it was when the repairman started to head downstairs and the doorknob flew off that I started dripping quiet tears. He had a screwdriver in his hand, and out of the kindness of his heart, he fixed it.

The homeschooling life is so busy, there isn’t enough time to do it all.

As I have raised my children, I have felt at times that just when I get one plate up and spinning, another one falls down. Are your doorknobs falling off too?

I said aloud: “Lord, show me my blessings.”

The homeschooling life is busy in three ways: physically, mentally and spiritually.

Physically speaking you are teaching, driving, cleaning, prepping, parenting, cleaning, creating, cleaning…did I mention cleaning? Mentally speaking, you can be literally teaching a lesson and prepping the next one in your head to fill in the “gaps”. Spirit fulfillment always seems to come at the end, when you take 15 minutes to think, meditate, pray, read or find a place of peace in the sunshine.

And meanwhile, there goes the doorknob….flying down the hallway.

And yet, at the same time, the homeschooling life is extremely fulfilling and gives you a feeling of accomplishment and pride and purpose.

When I find myself having fallen behind (um, everyday?), I stop and make a plan. I make myself take 15 minutes to sit down with a pad and paper and write down the issues that need to be addressed, whether they be spiritual, or home-related or even that I need to get away from the house for an hour or two.

Once the ink has been placed on the paper, I am committed to making it a reality.

I will be utilizing this technique today to get my son over the “hump” of learning to read (which is taking forever!). I am setting down a two-week plan that will be my map for moving forward.

And then…I will go and get a screwdriver and tighten all the doorknobs in my house.

I am an Eclectic Homeschooler and Here is Why

It sounds a lot fancier than it really is.

When I first started homeschooling, I had this idealized image of what I thought our homeschool lives would be like.

I would choose one “style” and stick with it. It would work for all three of the boys, it would always make sense and by choosing one label to fall under, it would just flow and be easy….

Yeah. Then I started homeschooling.

I had to have a reality talk with myself about 6 months in. I said: “Jenny, is this who you really ARE?” The answer was, “no.” Honestly speaking, I am spontaneous, creative and like to dig into topics with my kids for several days of study at a time. The curriculum I had chosen was boring, repetitive and uninspiring.

So I began to assemble my own unit studies. And when I sensed the kids interest was petering out, I would wrap it up. No pressure.

I pulled away from the workbooks and read a lot of books with them. I utilized art and creative projects to solidify concepts in their heads. I planned field trips that accentuated topics we were already studying. I even used an online curriculum to teach initial math concepts. I played board games with them to teach them problem solving and prediction. And yes, I printed out worksheets to help them practice skills.

And before I knew it, the school year was over!

The funny thing is, year after year, I am tempted to try to fit myself into some homeschooling category. But I am realizing, that most likely these labels are not beneficial to my homeschooling journey. They do not make me more or less of a homeschooler.

There are no rules to say I cannot cherry-pick this feature of Charlotte Mason and that feature of Waldorf and still plug into an online program and read twaddle-free books.

So, I have set myself free and decided to use that catch-all term: eclectic. I follow my son’s education as he goes and as his needs change, I adjust accordingly using whatever I can to move his learning forward.

Fellow eclectics, join with me in putting my arms out to all that every style of learning offers and making the best of it (no pressure)!

Tell me about your style of homeschooling and how it is a good fit for you below!

March Fun for Homeschoolers

St. Patrick’s Day is coming on March 17 and we have several fun ideas that will make your little leprechauns extra happy!

For us, an annual tradition is creating a leprechaun trap where we “trap” the little trickster. We spend time designing it and then set it out on St. Patty’s night. In the morning “he” has left a couple of treats (and maybe messed up some stuff too, because, he’s like that).

For some great leprechaun trap ideas, check out my St. Patrick’s Day board on Pinterest.

Learn all about clovers with this free download.

Freebie! My friend Tiffany over at Adventures with Atlas has created a wonderful study on clovers – hurry because it’s only free until March 6.

National Pi Day is March 14.

Another homeschool community favorite is National Pi Day, on March 14. To most people, Pi is the ratio of any circle’s circumference, but to homeschoolers it a day to eat pi(e)!

Celebrate with this Pi-themed Unit Study!

Or grab a set of these Pi engraved pencils

Or have a Pi-themed party with this printable party pack!

How do you eat your oreos?

March 6 is National Oreo Cookie Day!

Wouldn’t you love to know more about the Oreo cookie? Everybody has a different style of eating Oreos from splitting them apart to licking out the icing or dipping the entire cookie in milk. But where did it come from anyway?

5 Facts About Oreo Cookies

Inside the Factory: Oreo Making Machines (lots of products, not just Oreos)

The History of Oreos

What is ‘Deschooling’ and How Do You Do It?

As you begin to research homeschooling, you might run across the term “deschooling.” Many people accidentally mistake it as a style of home education, but, in fact deschooling takes place BEFORE any homeschooling kicks in at all.

So what exactly is it?

Deschooling is essentially the transition period you have with your child after he/she ceases attending public education prior to any formal homeschooling.

Homeschooling experts have differing opinions on exactly how long this transition period should be. I have heard one month for every year the child has attended public education all the way to a standard 2-3 months. When I brought my son home from public education (in 2nd grade), I used summer vacation to deschool him (essentially 2 months).

So, why do you do it?

You may be wondering why this is event important. I understand that. I wondered too. But the longer I homeschool and the more parents I confer with as they begin their homeschool journey, the more I am convinced that it is important.

If you child has been attending public school for any length of time as a student, he/she has grown to have a certain outlook on what education is and what it is not. For good or bad, to your child, school has always included things like school buses, waiting in line, walking in line, bells ringing and tests. Your child has also been surrounded by peers all day, eaten subpar food in the caf, seen kids be bullied or sent to the Principal’s office.

Put yourself in your kid’s position: now he is supposed to have YOU be his teacher? It may be a confusing time for him and feel awkward and unfamiliar at first.

For example, after our deschooling period, my sons and I started our first school year. The posters were hung, curriculum was purchased, crayons were out…and all I kept hearing from my oldest was: “That’s not how Miss So n’ So did it.” Yikes. It took several months, but eventually he stopped saying that.

What do you do (not do) during the deschooling period?

Again, during the deschooling period, no formal educated is conducted. So, you can do anything but actual school.

Some suggestions might include:

• Going to museums
• Baking together
• Playing board games
• Arts and crafts
• Beach time
• Library trips
• Coloring together
• Traveling

Use this time to go on a fact-finding mission about your children.

How do they like to learn? How much say do they want in their education? Do they like to use videos to learn? Are they big readers or do they hate reading? Do they naturally write endless stories or do they hate picking up a pencil? Are they super artistic, decorating everything? Do they need physical exercise daily to get all the energy out? Does your child organize his//her own learning space or does he/she need you to do that?

Once this time is over, use this information and all you learned about your child to choose a curriculum that is a good fit and go on a search for others in your area who are homeschooling like you!

There is so much to learn during this time which will set both you and your child up to have realistic expectations as you begin this new period in your life. Deschooling will put some space between your child and his educational experience thus far and create a new and different path for the both of you to follow.

If you’d like to do some more reading on deschooling, check out my Deschooling Pinterest board!