In episode 12 of season 6, I talked about how to create a healthy, diverse homeschool community.

Thanks for the enthusiastic reception that you gave to

that podcast. I had a follow-up question from one of our listeners. She talked

about leaving a community after having invested and feeling bonded to the families,

but the differences that arose between her family and the standards of this co-op made the departure inevitable.

How can you make that transition seamlessly, perhaps without trauma to the kids or the friendships?

And unfortunately, my answer is not a panacea or a magic bullet.

Any kind of breakup is painful.

I've been through them in my marriage.

I've been through breakups with friends.

This is a breakup, leaving a group

that was a source of support and kindness and gave your children friendships, leaving because you

are no longer qualified to be there because something about you is perceived as dangerous makes it very difficult to sustain

those relationships. Now you may be able to find one or two families from that group that choose to stay in it but still want you as a friend and you can make a case by case evaluation.

The bottom line is, when we have to break up there is pain there is a time of

healing and then there is a moment where you make peace and you can really move on

the timetable for that will differ based on the family and just

how painful the separation is. I recommend if possible finding new people that are for you. If there is another group locally

that has standards that allow you to join that can be a really healthy way to move on.

If, however, that doesn't exist, it may fall to you to build a new community,

maybe for misfits, people who haven't been able to find what they're looking for in your city.

And of course, you are always welcome in our community, the Brave Learner Home. home.

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