Benefits of Joining a Homeschol Co-op: 4 Reasons Parents Love Them
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When we first began homeschooling, I wanted to control everything. I didn’t understand the benefits of joining a homeschool co-op. We had a bad public school experience that sucked the joy out of my sweet little girl. I could see the sadness in her eyes, and it just about crushed me. After that, I wanted to keep her all to myself. I didn’t want to share the teaching responsibility with anyone. I wanted nothing to do with joining a co-op. If a certified teacher could cause harm, what would happen if someone without a degree tried to teach her?
We just finished our 6th year of homeschooling and, honestly, I wish we had joined a homeschool on day one. We slowly dipped our toes into the co-op world. Now I see the benefits of joining a homeschool co-op and can’t imagine homeschooling without one.
Benefits of Joining a Homeschool Co-op
Socialization Opportunities for Students
I know, I know. Homeschoolers everywhere are tired of hearing about socialization. I get it. I really do. A lot of homeschoolers naturally socialize through sports, church, playing with neighborhood kids, and joining extracurricular activities. Homeschool co-ops are just one more way for homeschoolers to consistently interact with other children. One of the amazing benefits of joining a homeschool co-op is helping children develop close friendships.
Every co-op operates differently, but some common socialization opportunities include:
- Classes
- Pak days
- Field trips
Also, if anyone in your personal life is giving you a hard time about homeschooling, joining a co-op will likely quiet them down because socialization seems to be one of the biggest concerns.
Parents Don’t Have to Teach Everything
I love to teach. Sometimes, though, I want to do more than is realistic or reasonable. I see amazing lesson ideas on Pinterest, and I want to recreate them ALL. Unfortunately, there are only so many hours in a day, and there is only so much I can do by myself.
Co-op classes can teach things that are labor-intensive, so I don’t have to teach them myself. Hannah is currently taking a Taste the World Through Geography class. Each week, they learn about the location and culture of a particular country. Then they cook several traditional recipes. I am happy to let someone else plan the lessons, shop for the ingredients, teach the actual lesson, and deal with cleaning up. In my opinion, this is one of the biggest benefits of joining a homeschool co-op. Outsourcing this class frees up multiple hours for me each week!
Additionally, homeschool co-op teachers can use their unique strengths to teach things that I don’t know.
Ben is learning to play the recorder this year. I knew how to play a recorder…in fourth grade. That was many, many years ago! As an adult, I have zero musical ability. Honestly, I probably had zero musical ability even in fourth grade. It would not go well if I tried to teach him because I would likely teach him an incorrect technique. Instead, he is learning to play the recorder from a music teacher who not only understands music but has a passion for it as well.
A Built-in Support System for Parents
Homeschool co-ops can be a place for parents to make friends or have homeschool questions answered. It is a place to bounce ideas off your peers. One of the benefits of joining a homeschool co-op is that it gives me an opportunity to chat with parents of older kids. I can get a glimpse into the future and can benefit from their expertise.
Through a homeschool co-op, parents can benefit from a network that:
- Share ideas and resources
- Ask questions
- Celebrate successes with parents who understand the challenges of homeschooling
- Find encouragement
If you come across a homeschool co-op that has ‘mean girl’ parents, move on. Real adults do not treat other people that way, and there is no reason to put up with it. Most towns have more than one homeschool co-op, so I recommend trying a different one. I have heard a few horror stories about mean homeschool environments, and it always breaks my heart.
Opportunities to Learn Subjects or Skills That Are Tough to Teach at Home
Homeschool co-ops can teach life skills and academic skills.
In our first week of homeschool co-op this year, my kids learned two things that I hadn’t even realized they didn’t know.
1) My backpack is my responsibility, not mom’s.
2) I need to turn in my homework, not just tell the teacher that I did it.
It was shocking to me that these skills seemed to be totally new information! I think they are pretty responsible at home, but for some reason, it just didn’t translate to behavior outside of the home.
Some life lessons are best understood when gently taught by other trustworthy adults in the homeschool community. The teachers involved in these particular lessons gave grace and realistic consequences. I think the lessons were finally learned.
Homeschool co-ops are a great place to learn academic skills. Co-op classes let my kids take classes that are not realistic for me to teach at home. Hannah is in a business class this year. She is working with a group of other kids to start a small business. One child is the President, another is the VP, another is in charge of manufacturing, and another is in charge of design. I don’t have enough children to fill all of those spots, but I think it is awesome that they are learning to work together.
Some academic classes I have seen offered at homeschool co-ops:
- Advanced math (the co-op hired a local high school math teacher)
- Chemistry
- Foreign Language
- Personal Finance
- Drama
How to Find a Homeschool Co-op
- Google. Try searching for (your city) + homeschool co-op or (your city) + homeschool group.
- Ask other homeschool families. If you know other homeschoolers, you probably know how much we love to talk about it. Just reach out and ask for co-op recommendations.
- Facebook – Many homeschool groups have a Facebook group. Seeing how everyone interacts in a virtual space can give you an idea of whether you will get along with them.
- MeetUp – I have had success finding homeschool groups on MeetUp.
- Check with homeschool organizations in your state. They will often have a list of co-ops available to members.
- Instagram – This suggestion might seem weird, but it has worked for me. If you follow any homeschool moms in your area, DM them and ask if they know of any homeschool co-ops.
- Start your own! When we first began experimenting with co-ops, I asked a few like-minded moms to team-teach subjects like art and geography.
There are so many wonderful benefits of joining a homeschool co-op!
Related Posts:
Useful {and Fun} Homeschool Co-op Class Ideas
How to Start a Homeschool Co-op
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