If you’ve been homeschooling for a long time, you may remember the original HomeschoolBlogger.com, which was extremely popular prior to the days of Facebook. In 2021, The Old Schoolhouse® brought back the HomeschoolBlogger.com social media platform. The new HomeschoolBlogger.com is turning two. Have you visited yet? If not, you’re invited to stop by, and while you’re there, become part of the online homeschool community.
What is HomeschoolBlogger.com?
HomeschoolBlogger.com (or HSB for short) offers a unique environment for like-minded home educators to be social online. You can start your own free blog and share your thoughts and insights, your homeschool journey, or any other topic you want to share on your very own site. Hopping on the HSB blog scene recently are a couple of teen show stealers who are showcasing their rabbits. (Don’t miss “The DG Blog” when you visit!)
Is 2023 the year for your blogging goals? There couldn’t be a better place for homeschoolers to blog than HSB. Blogger Heather Vogler shared, “By blogging on a homeschool-specific platform such as HomeschoolBlogger.com, you can reach homeschoolers across the globe, providing them with quality content.” She shares more blogging inspiration in her recent article from the digital side of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine: “Ten Benefits of Starting a Homeschool Blog.”
If you don’t want to build a blog, that’s no problem. You can still join the HSB community for the social media-style activity. Find and join groups that interest you, or make your own group. There are already nearly fifty to choose from. You’ll find a group on teaching ideas and several on learning styles like Charlotte Mason, Classical Education, unit studies, and unschooling. There’s a group for homeschooling with little ones and another for homeschooling high school. More groups include foreign language learning, field trips, healthy eating, and even a group that lets you post pet pictures.
If you’re a working homeschool mom, consider blessing others with your thoughts and encouragement by forming a group focused on balancing work and homeschool life. If you’re one with wanderlust, start a group to exchange ideas on travel. Proud of your province? Make a group and connect with others who also love your location.
The Groups listing on HomeschoolBlogger.com
Benefits of Joining HomeschoolBlogger.com
You just might form a few friendships on HomeschoolBlogger.com too. JoAnn Craten, Director of Website Management, has been working for The Old Schoolhouse® since 2013. She remembers the original HSB and envisions HomeschoolBlogger.com as a warm and positive place of connection for homeschoolers. In fact, JoAnn remains in contact with seven women that she met through various groups and blogs on the earlier version of HSB. JoAnn shares,
“I met some very dear people on the original HSB that I am still friends with to this day. One, in particular, is a dear friend of mine. I followed her blog on HSB and through commenting on each other’s blogs and in different groups, we became good friends—so good that one year when she and her family were traveling through my area, they parked their camper in front of our house to visit with us. Both our families had a great time together, getting to know each other more, enjoying grilling and a fire in the fire pit, going out and having coffee. It was great!
Though we were close online, we were just virtual friends, so when they were traveling through Idaho, we both thought a one-day visit would be just fine. We weren’t sure how it would all go. Once we met in person, it was even better than virtual, and we bonded immediately. They stayed for three days. We have done virtual Bible studies together since, and though we don’t connect as much as we used to, we do still stay in contact. I consider her a dear friend.”
JoAnn mentioned that the look and layout of the new HSB is more modern than the original. “The groups are easier to join now, and there are more options for creating blogs. Also, you can join HSB without even starting a blog. You can simply enjoy the social aspect of the groups. Previously, you had to have a blog to join HSB.”
What Separates Homeschoolblogger.com from Social Media?
When comparing HomeschoolBlogger.com with Facebook, JoAnn notes that HSB is a closed, private community. “Someone must join HSB to see things that are posted,” said JoAnn. HomeschoolBlogger.com would be an ideal home for homeschool support group leaders or co-ops to start their own private groups to interact with their members. JoAnn added,
“You can find people of similar thoughts and beliefs on HSB. In contrast, Facebook is so huge it’s hard to truly get to know anyone or see what people you care about are doing. There is so much other information that is on the main feed in FaceBook, and you have little control over it. HSB is a community of like-minded individuals. You can find groups that appeal to just about any area of homeschooling and life in general. Plus, you can customize your feed to see only what you want to see and not be overwhelmed with info that you have no desire to see.”
When asked what her favorite group on HomeschoolBlogger.com is, JoAnn replied with a smile, “That’s easy: the Organization group. I love all things organizational, and that group is fun to be a part of.”
Joining HomeschoolBlogger.com is free and provides the community that today’s homeschoolers seek. Once on HSB, you’ll learn why JoAnn and other homeschoolers are so enthused about this unique community, and you just might discover your own favorite group. (There’s one called “Teaching Parents of Canada,” by the way.) We hope you feel right at home on HSB!
Written by Heidi Mosher
Heidi Mosher writes from just across the border in Michigan where she homeschools three of her children and strives to point them to the Lord. She is also the mother of a recent homeschool graduate. Educated at Dordt College in Iowa (with a Canadian roommate), Heidi currently serves The Old Schoolhouse® as Press Release Manager and Marketing Writer. She loves hiking, studying God’s word, children’s literature, making things look pretty, and all things Dutch.
"Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6).