Feels Like Home

by Dawnelle Breum

If you’ve moved, you know the feeling of unfolding a new map at a stoplight, trying to figure out how you got lost running errands. You know what it’s like to walk through the store, knowing you won’t bump into anybody you know because you don’t know anybody.

I couldn’t relate until two years ago, when we packed our house and left the city, state and country I grew up in, and moved for my husband’s job. I’ll never forget coming out of the airport and driving through the unfamiliar city, knowing that I was “home”. It didn’t feel like home at all. The weather was different, the stores, the restaurants, people’s accents were different. It was a strange feeling, knowing I didn’t know one person besides my husband and children. Not one! Plus, I was planning on homeschooling my three children. How would I meet anyone? Would I find other homeschooling families?

For the first few weeks, I hardly knew what to do. Then, I made a conscious decision. I was going to jump right into life, and make friends, rather than wait for friends and life to come to me. I knew it may not be easy. In the comfort-zone of the city where I grew up, I had never made an effort to reach out to newcomers. I had old friends, a tight-knit group. Some of my friends I had known since elementary school, one good friend I met before I was two years of age! Sadly, and much too late, I realized how much it would have meant to someone new if I would have invited them over for dinner, or even for coffee and a visit. I knew I would always make the effort from now on.

With my resolve to “jump into our new life” firmly planted, we started learning about our new town. We had moved in early fall, and the kids and I drove around with our map, exploring. We stopped at farms and bought local produce and baked goods. We visited the closest libraries to pick up local newspapers, fliers and brochures. We joined a church and met some wonderful families through it. We found a fabulous homeschooling group that met once a week. I signed my daughter up for ballet and my son for swimming. We plodded through, day after day. The unfamiliar slowly became familiar with each passing month.

Fast-forward two years, and you’ll find me in the same town, thousands of miles away from everything I once knew. I still miss my familiar places, mostly I miss familiar faces. But I don’t need a map to find my way around anymore. I bump into people I know at the grocery store. The kids have friends, birthday parties, soccer games. I’m so thankful we jumped right into life here, because it’s a good one. And it feels like home.

Once you settle into your new home:

1. Visit the local library. Libraries carry fliers, brochures, and local magazines highlighting events and activities in the area.

2. Join a church. This is a great way to meet people, and there are many ways to get involved.

3. Don’t wait for the neighbors to introduce themselves - walk over and introduce yourself!

4. Play at the park with your kids. I met a good friend while watching our kids play together at a park near our new home.

5. Sign your kids up for an activity (if possible) as soon as you move. Swimming lessons, dance, gymnastics, art...they’ll have fun and you’ll meet other parents as well.

6. If you haven’t already, get online and google your new city, state, province or country, and add homeschool to the search. Most likely, you will find local links and find a way to get connected with local homeschooling families and support groups.

7. Establish a routine as soon as possible. For us, it was as simple as academics in the morning, and an “adventure” in the early afternoon. The routine gives them something to look forward to, especially before they make friends. Some ideas for “adventures” include parks (discover all the local ones!), library visits, lessons, museums, concerts, school plays (many high schools put them on for little or no cost and they are excellent!), picnics, hiking, biking, etc. Have fun and enjoy your family while you settle into your new surroundings!

About the author:
Dawnelle Breum is a former first-grade teacher who writes for children and adults from her home in Ontario, Canada. Look for her upcoming work about homeschooling preschool-aged children in "Homeschooling Today" magazine this fall.