As homeschoolers, we seem to run in one of two directions, doing too much or isolating ourselves and our kids. It is so important to find a balance between the two.
Forming a nature group is a great way to incorporate time with friends, as it provides much-needed accountability to get outside and can be so much fun for the kids and the moms! Nature group was truly the highlight of our homeschool social time when my kids were in school.
To discuss this subject further, I have invited Joy Cherrick, author of the Nature Study Hacking Guides and host of the Naturalist Kids Podcast, to share her experience. Joy is passionate about helping families form their own nature groups, and I hope her thoughts will inspire you.
“I was crying and screaming at my kids. I hadn’t left the house in days. I was a mess.”
Debra (name changed to protect the innocent) confided to me that she was home all day, homeschooling, cleaning, cooking, wiping noses. She never went outside, never had a break and NEVER saw anyone outside her home apart from Sundays at church- and the guy at the grocery pick up. No wonder she was depressed. I didn’t know she was in such a tough spot!
My friend needed to change her pattern, but it was hard because she wasn’t even sure where to begin. A recent study published by Forbes shared that there is a startling rise in loneliness and depression among teens and stay at home moms. The increase is so prevalent that my neighbor, who was working as a telehealth nurse had to quit because it was too depressing to talk with the hundreds of patients calling in for antidepressants when really, they just need some sunshine and regular time with friends. So chances are, if you are feeling like you need community for your homeschool – for yourself and your children – there are other families who live nearby who feel the same.
Finding Your People and Build Community
It’s hard to put yourself out there when you are feeling isolated- so you look online for like-minded groups to help support your homeschool journey. These are certainly helpful, but they aren’t enough to provide a full life for you and your family. You need community- flesh and blood people who can know you and be known by you! But where do you find Your People? What does time with friends look like with school aged children? Will anyone show up?
In our local nature group we explore God’s creation together, take time to draw in our nature journals and even share a meal! I want the same for your families as well which is why I created a workshop where I share “How to Start a Nature Group.”
There are MANY families looking for homeschooling community. This is a well documented problem and each family has a name. Real families need in-person community. I know how large this need is because in the past several years our nature group has spun off five additional groups because the need for homeschool camaraderie is so great! So, I’ve already helped more than 50 local FAMILIES find community and develop connections through the use of a nature group.
What’s marvelous about a nature group vs. a co-op is that you don’t need insurance, facility fees or lots of logistical gymnastics. All you need is the outdoors and a meet-up time. It’s also a perfect way to learn together as a family without worrying what to do with the little ones! They can join in too! Win-win!
Learning to See
“Mom!!! Look at what I found!!!”
My son was excited… about MOSS! We’d recently studied moss types at our local nature group. We learned that moss has different leaf and spore shapes and that you could have many types of moss growing in the same patch!
Following his enthusiasm we let him show us the moss he’d found and as we explored we found FIVE different varieties in the woods nearby! We hadn’t noticed all the shapes and types of mosses before this! We were learning to see! When we learn to see the common things around us this new ability to see makes life richer. It is through this common exploration that we can not only learn more about the world around us- but about our Creator who made all things.
As my son’s experience shows us, nature study will:
- Teach us to know the names of common plants and animals
- Give us the fullness of life that comes with being outside daily
- Open our experiences to include the natural world
It’s such a joy when we have experiences like this one that show us we are on the right track. We are aiming for progress here – not perfection. There is always more to learn, and the best place to start is right outside your door!
Adding Life to your homeschool
School doesn’t have to be boring or hard to count as “school”. “School work” can be not only fun, but can actually be what enhances our lives.
When we commit to starting a nature group and getting outside with our friends each week we are deciding to watch the seasons change through the year. We get to set apart one day to stop and notice the passage of time as it is marked by the leaves on the trees (or lack thereof) or the blooming of flowers. As we come to watch these natural events closely we can know “the daffodils bloom in February” and “the Tulip Poplar Blooms at the end of March.” These are flags telling us where we are in the year and helps us to live fully in the moment. This is education. This type of school work shapes the person and trains us to slow down and pay attention to the everyday miracles.
We breathe life into our homeschools when we invite God’s creation into the common moments of daily life. It is such a joy to watch a child develop a relationship with God’s creation. It’s not a formula, it’s life in action.
I’ll leave you with scripture that shows us that God, in His kindness, speaks to us through His creation- that we might know Him:
“For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”
Romans 1:19-20 ESV
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Joy is a homeschooling mother of 7. She has 5 school-aged children with a preschooler and baby keeping it interesting. Joy writes Nature Study support guides at naturestudyhacking.com and is joined by her children on her podcast Naturalist Kids Podcast. Joy’s love of nature and community led her to create the “How to Start a Nature Group Workshop”. The replay is now available.