Today while I was at work in the restaurant downtown a young mother came to pick up a fajito for her husband. With her was her nearly-two-year-old daughter… an adorable blondie. We also had a pint-sized blondie on hand. My co-worker’s daughter at times has the run of the place, and at that moment she was looking for something to do. Would it be to get into the salad bar lids, or beg for olives, or explore the no-nos under the sink?

Her grandmother, who also works there, scooped her up and took her to the counter so the tiny people could see each other. Such a look of surprise and shock I’ve rarely seen on faces so young. Wide eyed, they examined each other wondering how it could be that another little tiny blonde girl existed. They were so accustomed to being tiny people in a world of great big people, they apparently didn’t know there were others just like them.

Homeschooling makes us feel like the tiny, unusual people in a world that accepts schooling as the norm. When we meet other homeschoolers, or find out an old friend is homeschooling, it is often a cause of joy and celebration.

As our movement grows, it will become more and more common to find homeschooling neighbors. And for this reason, we should understand that what we’re going through to secure homeschooling rights is a special honor and not likely to be repeated soon.

As people who want to see homeschooling expand, as a movement, there are many things we can do to connect with other parents who might be considering it, but aren’t quite sure how to proceed.

First and most importantly, you can connect with and join your state’s homeschooling organization(s). These groups are there to protect your legal right to homeschool your children. They often have excellent pamphlets or flyers that can be distributed to parents who are considering homeschooling. Take some with you wherever you go. If you see a bulletin board, post one. If you meet another young parent, offer the information.

You can get your own homeschooling business cards from Vistaprint. Use these anytime you meet someone you want to give your contact information to. On them, list reasons why homeschooling is your educational choice.

Create your own homeschooling posters and put them on bulletin boards at laundromats where parents are likely to have time to read them. Tell why parents choose to homeschool their children.

Print out news articles that are positive regarding homeschooling. Have them on hand to distribute or put on bulletin boards.

If you have extra homeschool magazines you’re willing to part with, leave them in the local laundromat or clinic or hospital waiting room.

Donate a homeschooling magazine subscription to your local library… or a book about homeschooling.

Have a party to show off educational books and toys. Invite both homeschoolers and non-homeschooling friends, and let them mingle.

Invite non-homeschooling friends to your homeschool park days so they can get to know your homeschooling friends and see what a diverse and fascinating group of people they are.

Offer to speak about homeschooling at parenting classes, family resource centers, or any kind of convention that might include parents.

Start a regular talk show broadcast about homeschooling. Contact your local cable station to see if they will help you set that up.

Start a website about some other area of interest to all parents… then introduce homeschooling concepts.

Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper telling people about why homeschooling is important.

Ir you live in a small town your local independent newspaper is likely to want articles. Write one about homeschooling and submit it… it may be printed.

Whatever you decide to do, be sure it is known that you are proud of your homeschooling. Keep a list of things about homeschooling that work for you and your children so that if someone asks you how it is going, you have immediate recall of all the great things that make homeschooling the perfect solution for your family.

The more people who honor their children by educating them in the peace and love of their family home, the better it will be for all of us.

Many times I hear people saying that everyone should choose the solution right for their child… whether it be public school, private, or homeschooling. While that sounds great to me, I think the issue is deeper. Many people don’t know they are capable of homeschooling. Many don’t know how to legally pull their children out of the public education system. And many are mistaken about how effective homeschooling can be. These people need information that can be given to them by active homeschoolers.

If we truly believe homeschooling is good for kids, then it is up to us to spread the word. What you do today to tell other parents about homeschooling can save many children the trauma of having to adjust to public education during their early years.