Homeschool Co-ops can add tremendous value and excitement to a homeschooling situation. Families interacting, sharing ideas, playing together and meeting learning goals are all benefits of joining a co-op. However, homeschool co-ops can be joy-sucking, life-defeating, and time-robbers for a homeschooling family. Wisdom is found in locating the right group and learning to say the words “no, thanks”.
When I moved to my current town, I couldn’t find a co-op with kids the same age as mine and that held to a schedule with which we could align. So, my two friends and I came up with a crazy idea to start our own. We began with seven kids that first fall and now have about 30 just two years later. From my experience and watching the families and co-ops around me, I have learned a few things.
Time Commitment
First, decide how many hours a week or month you can devote to your co-op activities. Here in Connecticut, there are so many options for homeschoolers that we have to decline more than we accept. I find myself defending our “table time” to ensure we get in the academic hours I feel we need. In our situation, our co-op officially meets for just two hours a week for three weeks out of the month. Often moms will plan a pop-up playdate and we join if our time allows. Some co-ops meet for a full day of academics and social time, and if that works for your family, then go for it.
Icing For Your Homeschool Cupcake
Second, think about what you want out of your ideal co-op. Do you want the co-op to fulfill some of your academic requirements? If so, check for their class offerings and age /grade requirements. Do you want a social time for you and the kids- something that gets you out of the house and gives you a chance to have grown-up conversations? Then look for a group that offers some free-play time and space for moms to gather to talk. Maybe you are looking for a co-op that fills in the gaps- a little academic, but not something rigorous- and becomes icing on your homeschool cupcake? Sometimes your perfect group might not exist nearby. Think about starting you own or asking to add or modify a group that already meets.
Homeschool Co-Op BFF’s
Third, make sure the group members are those you want to spend time with. In the ideal situation, co-op families grow and learn together. You end up spending a lot of time together and your kids (and sometimes, spouses) wind up making close friends with the others. If you’re unlike everyone in the group so much that you- or your kids- aren’t comfortable, try a different group. Don’t limit yourself to groups that identify themselves as homeschool co-ops. You might find likeminded families on the sidelines of the local soccer club or in the audience of piano recitals. Developing friendships with those you keep running into might be your best bet.
Our Homeschool co-op has become a close-knit group of moms and kids that are learning great things together. Most of all, we are learning to live alongside those that are a little different than us, think of others before ourselves and how to have fun in a larger group. My kids and I all look forward to our weekly co-op time!
Click here to see a homeschool co-op (support group) near you!
Lindsay Banton is a caffeinated mother to three great kids. She never expected to homeschool,but has found that it is a wonderful addition to their lifestyle and wouldn’t change it for the world. In addition to homeschooling, Lindsay works alongside her husband in campus ministry at a large university in Connecticut. She grew up in Virginia but has settled into life in New England, learning to love the long winters, cool springs, green summers and gorgeous autumns- and has built a boot collection to meet all the demands. She is currently blogging at www.oaksreplanted.blogspot.com.