Community

Building community is the key to more effective parenting and stronger families. Community is connecting with families on a different level of socialization. Humans are meant to be together in a tribal atmosphere.

Here are some examples of community in action:

• Sharing Meals - take turns having family meals together. Each provide part of the meal and help with prep and clean-up. Make bulk frozen meals for the week or month together, each bring certain ingredients.
• Combining shopping trips - include each other in your shopping trips by asking if the other needs anything, not necessarily get all of the groceries for both families. When on-line ordering, ask if the other would like to order anything.
• Sharing helpful information - we all learn something new each day. Why keep it to yourself? 
• Sustainable living - share the work in growing your own food and/or livestock. Share a garden or split up what needs to be grown. Community gardens, even on an empty lot on your street.
• Childcare - helps with older children for date nights (take your baby with you), when together for meals or events, take turns watching the children so that work can be done, emergencies or doctor's appointments. Immediate family isn't always reliable or available for those types of things.
• Housecleaning - take turns scouring each other's homes. Think of how clean your house would be!

Finding Community

We are not meant to do this alone! Families are meant to be more than it's own unit. They are meant to be connected with one or more families and outside of your family. It can be difficult to find like-minded families or family members that you can function well with. Many times family members are miles away or busy with careers.
Many families have reached out to groups of like-minded orginizations to find their community/tribe. Although, you don't have to agree on everything. It's important to be open and honest in your communication than to let it ride and avoid talking about things you don't agree on. If you can come to a conclusion on what each other believes, it may work for you to build your tribe with them.

I'm so very thankful for my tribe. It has made my life richer, fuller and more knowledgeable.

Where to find community:

• La Leche League meetings - go for several months to really get to know everyone, also get involved. It's doesn't always work out, but I've seen many tribes form through the year's. (that's where I found mine)
• Play groups
• Church
• Homeschool groups - I haven't had any luck here, maybe you will. I still say they should have small group events and not field trips, field trips are glorified parallel play.
• Meet-ups.
• Attachment Parenting International groups.
• Neighborhoods/parks - approach people and start conversations.