By Shari McMinn

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (Acts 2:42 ESV)

In my blog post last month, I shared about creating a support net for your special needs child, especially while preparing them for adulthood. How do we find people willing to befriend and help care for our child now and into the future? Well, we can consciously make an effort to make friendships with like-minded believers. God’s Word exhorts us to fellowship with those of like faith, whose teaching is biblical, even eating together and praying with each other. This should be our first level of support for our own benefit, that will additionally bless all of our children, including those who have unique qualities and needs.

In my own life, this consisted of becoming friends with other Christian, large families who homeschooled, lived frugally, and showed loving kindness and patience toward my very diverse group of children, whether typical, special needs, or highly gifted. My unique learner children sometimes had challenges with relationships and socializing, and therefore needed other families who would accept, understand, and make an effort to love them unconditionally.

We established a support circle with like-minded families in the following ways, which might be helpful suggestions for you to consider and begin implementing:

• A family integrated church, where children are allowed to attend the main worship service with their parents. This helped us closely supervise all of our children on Sunday mornings instead of having them separated from us in children’s church, the nursery, or age-graded Sunday School classes. There is a growing trend for this among some church denominations. This website explains the concept, with links to family-integrated churches, one possibly in your area.
• A local homeschool support group that included families who were understanding of unique learners and possibly had their own. Ours was a cooperative group, with parents staying to volunteer or otherwise participate the entire time (as opposed to a drop-off enrichment program with paid teachers). A few of the families had cognitively or physically challenged children, as well as some highly gifted students.
• A family-friendly extracurricular activity such as 4-H, where parents are directly involved with the meetings, projects, and county fair exhibits. It is not only fun for your whole family, but can provide hands-on homeschool learning opportunities.
• Neighborhood or other civic groups where caring adults can extend friendships to you and your children through hosting events, mentoring, and regular socializing.
• Medical practitioners who take the time to get to know you and your child on a more personable level, so that you can discuss your child’s future and what might be needed and how that would be provided for in a supportive network.
• Volunteering for CHEC and attending the Rocky Mountain Homeschool Conference were annual opportunities for us. We participated as a family and sought out the like-minded families we observed as we served and attended in-person. Seeing other families with unique learner children at the conference, Homeschool Day at the Capitol, the Homeschool Introductory Seminar, and High School and Beyond Seminar, allowed us to meet and become friends with others who were on a similar homeschool journey.

These numerous community circles blessed us as parents and our children. Though my homeschool journey has now changed from teaching my children to mentoring other homeschoolers, my adult children and I enjoy lifelong friendships with others, and my special kids have a wide support network heading into their future.

For a fun-filled, family vacation this June, be sure to register for the Rocky Mountain Homeschool Conference, so you can attend the Unique Learners Seminar on BONUS DAY Wednesday, June 12th, and/or the Unique Learners track workshops Thursday–Saturday, June 13–15, 2024. There are lots of supervised kids activities to occupy your children while you attend workshops, but they sell out fast so register NOW!

Looking for fellowship with other Unique Learner parents? Join CHEC Outreach Director, Kashia Davis, as she facilitates a “meet-up” for families just like yours at the RMHC Unique Learner Community Resources and Support, 11:30am–12:20pm on Thursday, June 13, 2024 for like-minded connections. 

My next Unique Learner blog, “Doubt Yourself? Trust Christ” will be posted on May 22nd (the 4th Wednesday).

And if you have a topic I should write about, please email me with your suggestion(s). This blog is for you!

Shari McMinn, your trusted homeschooling friend

About the Author: Shari McMinn

Shari Howard McMinn has graduated from homeschool teaching and is a professional editor, public speaker, and writer. After living in Colorado for 45 years, she continues to work remotely for Christian Home Educators of Colorado (CHEC) from her new home in the Fort Myers, Florida area. Shari is the author of four books, which are detailed on her website, ShariMcMinn.com. She is an advocate for adoption, homeschooling, safe and stable families, and unique learners. A few years ago, she entered a very fun new season of life: grandparenting! She is available to answer your questions via email, Shari@CHEC.org.