Homeschool co-ops can be a wonderful answer to prayer for some people, or they can be a temptation to more busyness. It all depends on how God is leading you each year for each child, how the co-ops are run and what they are used for, and what your family dynamics are at this season in your life. I believe it takes prayer and wisdom every day of every year on how involved your family can or should be in anything.
You can either attend a homeschool co-op or you can start one! Here’s my take on the Benefits and Cautions of attending Homeschool Co-ops:
Benefits: 1) Your children have the opportunity to learn things that you may not have the time or ability to teach alone. 2) They have the opportunity to learn from someone other than you. 3) You have the opportunity to use your gifts and talents in teaching a subject to bless other homeschoolers. 4) The children get to socialize with other like-minded kids. 5) They are great for those with older children who need specialized classes and great for those with younger children who want to expose them to a class setting. 6) They are helpful for having something tangible to show what your children have learned. 7) It’s a great thing to say to those who question your homeschooling, “My kids are in a co-op where they are learning this and this and this…”
Cautions: 1) You may find yourself spread too thin especially if you are running to piano practice and group meetings on Monday, soccer and ballet practice on Tuesday and Thursday, co-op on Wednesday, library and errands on Fridays, etc. 2) If you have only younger children, just getting out and about is more difficult, let alone preparing to teach a class. 3) There is a danger of relying on co-op classes as a replacement for teaching at home, and not merely as a supplement to your teaching. If you find yourself saying something like, “I didn’t have much time to teach my kids this week, but that’s okay, cuz they’ll get it at co-op” then you know something is wrong. 5) Making sure your Christian worldview is upheld by all the teachers and 6) Co-ops can be a huge time commitment inside and outside the classroom.
To find out more about Co-ops, here are some great articles:
10 Essential Elements of a Thriving Homeschool Co-op
To Co-op or not to Co-op-That is the Question
ABC’s of Co-Ops
The wonders of co-ops are numerous, and many times are an answer to specific prayer. You might just be the one called to start a co-op in your area! Just use wisdom and discretion as you plan your days. You don’t want to forget your first priorities of God and family and you don’t want to be running around so much that your children don’t know what it means to be home where they belong.
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12
~Deborah
dwuehler@theoldschoolhouse.com
