In this episode of the OT is IN Podcast I chat with both Colleen Kessler and Christy Faith about community. Colleen opens our hearts to the evolving nature of finding and nurturing communities for our children, while Christy sheds light on creating meaningful connections beyond our traditional circles.

We covered a lot as we talked about the fluid essence of friendships and how some people fit into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. I shared anthropologist Robert Dunbar's community model which underscores the sobering statistic that 29% of people lack community support. Christy Faith shared her bold approach to establishing a homeschooling mothers community, revealing the highs and lows of building a support system.

We all agreed about the working homeschool mom's dance with balance, while Colleen reminded us of parenting's unpredictable nature. My friends shared valuable resources and personal experiences that illuminate the importance of community for homeschoolers and beyond.

In this episode you'll hear about:

• Sarah, Colleen, and Christy talk about the relevance of community, with references to public school and church sermons.
• Colleen shares her journey of finding the right communities for her children as their needs evolve.
• People enter one's life for a reason, season, or lifetime is discussed, alongside the changing nature of friendships.
• The significance of learning until saturation and allowing children to explore their interests with the support of their community.
• Various levels of connections in Robert Dunbar's community model and the spectrum of community support.
• Research shows 29% of people feel they have no supportive community.
• Christy Faith encourages putting oneself out there and being open to rejection to find a fitting community.
• Overcoming challenges and leveraging existing friendships to combat isolation after leaving a church.
• Sarah notes the difficulty in finding friends at different life stages and the benefit of children engaging in play across age groups.
• The struggle of balancing homeschooling and work, Colleen stresses the impracticality of perfect balance in parenting.
• Colleen's experiences with shifts in homeschool community dynamics during the pandemic.
• Challenges in finding appropriate programs as family needs change and Colleen's emphasis on her neurodivergent kids' needs.
• The relationship with children is prioritized over other tasks, including suggestions for managing priorities during crisis periods.
• Mourning the changing dynamics of relationships as children grow and being okay with those changes.
• Recognition of the complexity of forming relationships in a tech-driven world, especially for the younger generation.
• The significance of guiding children in distinguishing authentic community and connections outside of social media's influence.
• The value of homeschooling in facilitating important conversations about emotional intelligence and healthy relationship skills.
• Encouraging children to recognize red flags in various types of relationships.
• A caution to homeschooling parents, to stay conscious of their own social life, as it may influence their children's social experiences.

Links and Resources From Today's Show

• Robert Dunbar 5-15-50-150-1500 model
• Strengths Based Autism Interventions
• Christy Faith's Thrive Community
• Raising Lifelong Learners community
• 8 Quick & Easy Questions to Ask Your Homeschool Teen About Their Social Life

Connect with our Guests

Christy Faith

• Christy Faith's Website
• Instagram
• Buy Homeschool Rising

Colleen Kessler

• Raising Lifelong Learners Website
• Connect with Colleen on Instagram
• Pre-Order the Homeschool Advantage