Homeschool Co-Ops? Thanks, but no thanks..

This week’s TOS Blog Cruise question is “What do you think about Co-ops?” 


Honestly, we’ve only participated in one co-op since we started homeschooling, and I have to say, it wasn’t for us. It was our first year homeschooling. We were part of a homeschool group that decided to start its first co-op. Ever. It was an enrichment co-op, where the parents, including myself, taught the kids enrichment classes like Phys. Ed., Music, and 4H Club, I believe. Honestly, I could be wrong about the classes, because the only one that sticks in my head to this day, was Phys. Ed. for several reasons I’ll get into later, but one of them was because I had to teach a class. The rest were just a blur, and probably better off forgotten.

Once a week on Fridays, instead of doing school at home, we would show up at our church where we would meet with other homeschoolers for these “enrichment” classes. The parents were required to teach as part of this co-op.  As the P.E. teacher, I did my best to come up with fun, interesting activities for the kids in my group, which were the 4-8 year olds. I borrowed several books from the library, brought hula hoops, and a jump rope, and was prepared to give the kids some fun Physical Education. I had a co-teacher, and she was great, she also came prepared, and introduced my little ones to what became one of their favorite games – Hullabaloo. Our class was fun, and the little ones had a great time.

My oldest daughter was in the older P.E. group, and all that parent had planned for her P.E. class was dodge ball. Indoors. With my 9 year old little girl, and a whole lotta boys. Boys almost twice her age. She looked terrified. I probably did too. She actually did very well at it, because she was so afraid of getting hit by the ball by one of the bigger boys, that she was able to “dodge” very quickly. Thank God.

So, this continued on for a few weeks. Then one week, during lunch break at our co-op, the same dodge-ball parent, (no I’m not making this up) yelled at my 5 year old for touching something he shouldn’t have touched. Nothing breakable, this lady just didn’t want anyone touching her stuff. Sure, she could have handled it better, and yes she apologized to me, which I then in turn told her she needed to apologize to my child, because he was the one that she screamed at over touching some paper. It was not pretty. I think every parent was upset, and this lady was embarrassed as well over her own behavior.

That was it for me, I’m afraid. The co-op just wasn’t our thing. I didn’t have my kids in school where adults I didn’t know could yell at them, I sure wasn’t going to participate in a homeschool activity with another parent yelling at them at free will, while I stood there with my jaw on the floor. We stopped going to the co-op after that, and starting doing some real learning on Fridays again. At home. No more dodge ball. Needless to say, my kids were thrilled. They weren’t enjoying it anyway.

Now, don’t get me wrong. This particular co-op was not for our family. It was their first year, and our first year, and I’ve heard that it’s going really well now, they have all kinds of other classes too, and sound like they are much more organized. No more dodge ball or mean ladies that think it’s ok to yell at other people’s 5 year olds. Since we moved back to the area, they’ve asked us if we were going to participate. I told them, “Thanks, but no thanks.”

There are several co-ops in our area to choose from. There’s even an “Academy” where homeschooled students can take all of their classes in one day, do their work at home, then return in a week to learn some more. They can even earn an “official” diploma. It costs a fraction of private school tuition in this area, and this works well for many busy homeschool families. I just prefer to do the teaching here at home. I prefer to be at home. We don’t go to any activities during the day during the week. The only time we go out during the day, during the school week is for a doctor or dental appointment. We stay home and learn. That’s where God wants us to be. If not, I’m sure another plan would have showed itself by now.

There are co-ops that teach classes like Lab Chemistry and Geometry, and some days that sounds really inviting. I have have flashbacks of geometry class, and let’s just say that I’m not a mathlete. It would be nice for someone else to teach my children those harder, more difficult classes. But then again, maybe teaching them or learning them alongside my children is God giving me another chance to really learn them well this time around. It’s amazing how much I’ve learned while homeschooling my children. I am the eternal student. And, I appreciate it all so much more as an adult too. It also helps that my husband, bless his heart, has the math gene. He helps them when I just can’t figure it out. I think that’s nice, because then he can be included in their education too. God knows what he's doing with our family.

So, even though Co-ops aren’t for us, and my my oldest is probably scarred for life, (just kidding) over having to play dodge ball with a bunch of tween and teenage boys, that doesn’t mean that it’s not right for everyone. I know many homeschooling families that love their co-ops. It fits their style. It fits their family, and their homeschool. It fits the plan God has for them.

Homeschool support groups are a completely different topic, and another question for another day, but I just want to say that our homeschool group that we left behind in Arkansas when we moved was such a blessing to our family. Being part of a homeschool group as opposed to a co-op for classes was a very different experience, and a much more positive one. If you can find a group to socialize with, that you and your children can click well with, then I highly recommend it. It’s just not as much fun to homeschool without one. It’s a great place to make lifelong friends and find support to get you through those rough days now and then!

So, what say you? Do you just love your homeschool co-op? Do you think I chalked up one bad experience? Do you prefer to do all the teaching, like me? Or do you get help from your local co-op? I’d love to hear from both sides on this particular issue. Please leave a comment and share your experience.

To read what my TOS Crewmates had to say about this week’s question, just click the TOS Cruise Banner at the top of the page. I know I can’t wait to read all of their responses!

Don’t forget to stop in next week, when I answer the question, “Do you keep grades?” I think you’ll find my answer very surprising.

**All ORIGINAL text and photos belong to The Homeschool Desk**