Hi there. BEFORE I start...we're involved in an okay co-op that meets every other week and right now teaches Art, Music, Gym and an elective - this year it was Spanish. It only costs $140 for the whole year for ALL THREE of my kids. Now...it's not perfect, and it's all parent taught, and I have to teach 4 times over the course of the year for each class I'm set up in - which REALLY wasn't that bad. And I got out of a lot of it by teaching a full semester of Cooking this year). MOST of the people in this co-op I did not know before I and I haven't really developed a FEW friendships but maybe only 1 or 2 significant ones where I'd spend time with these folks outside of co-op. The other thing is even though I'm not totally thrilled with it. The KIDS LOVE it. I'm willing to do absolutely ANYTHING if my kids love it, they learn, and they make friends. OKAY...now to the point of my post... Do you guys ever experience this...there's another co-op that is closer to my home BUT... They have "Academy" classes and "parent led classes". In order to participate in the "parent led classes" you HAVE to have one child enrolled in an "Academy" class (they offer Drama, Latin, Creative writing, that sort of stuff), The parent led classes are like art, music, reading adventures (uses sort of a loose FIAR style of teaching a book using activities, etc). The thing about this co-op is that most, if not ALL of our friends do this co-op. I don't even know what the fall schedule is and probably won't know until August. And although I'd LOVE to be a part of this one, there is just no earthly way we'd be able to afford it (the Academy classes are like $300 each...worth it for sure b/c there's a lot of learning that goes into it!). The parent led classes are not that expensive - maybe $25-$50 per semester. I'm in a quandry. Mostly b/c the FIRST co-op is prepping for next year already and are looking for commitments - there's literally a waiting list to get into this one b/c it's so inexpensive. It is inexpensive b/c the parent's do all the teaching. I'm so jealous that my other friends have the means and ability to be part of this OTHER co-op...and won't even consider the one I'm in at all. AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!! I hate the green eyed monster.
Krista.. I sometimes get jealous of all of you who are near other homeschoolers, who have a group to get with.. and co-op with. Honestly though, groups and co-ops aren't my thing. We are very much a family of loners, and really we like it that way. Hubby and I are both quite independant, and prefer to figure things out on our own and stick to ourselves.. and the kids seem to follow that lead quite a bit. I just sometimes feel alone here, because even though quite a few people we know say they would love to homeschool, or wish they could.. no one else does.
Dunno know what else to say, crazymama did a great job with her response, so...................... ((((HUGGS)))! We didnt do co-ops because the distance was one hour away, one way. We didnt have the means to buy curriculum AND spend hours on the road/gas $$ to join those groups.
We actually live close to 6 "co-ops". Can you believe it? We don't even live in a big metro area! All are set up differently (parent led to paid teachers), cost different amounts (super cheap to very expensive), and teach different things. We've done all but 1 of them over the years. Now we don't do any. My kids liked them, but now that we are involved in other things, they don't miss them. We made ALOT of friends in those co-ops. We aren't doing those co-ops anymore (while most of our friends are) but we are still friends and do other things together. You said your kids LOVE your current co-op, but you aren't thrilled. Why? My suggestion would be to look at the reason you want to be involved in a a co-op. Is it for your kids to have an outlet? If they love the one now, why break the bank? Is it because you want them to have a subject that you feel is too difficult (or that you don't like) to teach? Maybe the other more expensive is better if they offer those subjects. Personally, I would avoid spending alot of $ on co-op classes when kids are younger. If anything I'd save up my $ for when they are older and need something like a biology lab for high school credit. That's just my opinion though. Be careful making your decision based on what all your friends do. If the less expensive co-op that your kids love fits your reason for going to one, that's what you should do. There isn't a rule that you have to hang out with those co-op people outside of classes. Keep your other friendships by having a park day every once in awhile or continuing the activities that made you friends in the first place. Best wishes! PS. Love your quote, by the way. I think I've told you that before.
I know how you feel, I have the same thing. When we lived in Florida and DS was in PreK we joined an awesome Coop/support group. I love these guys and the group is just awesome (tons of classes, activities, and events; welcomes younger kids etc). I still keep up with them through email and when we go to Disney on vacation, I schedule one day to spend with them and normally a few of my friends from the group will do a day of Disney with us. Anyway, I'm envious of them. There is nothing like that here and I want it and I don't know how to get it. So I understand the feeling.
I have the same feelings crazymama has I am jealous of alot you who get to put your kids in those co op, we cann't afford it and the curriculum too. So, we have to do things our self. Yea, I feel bad alot of times, but what does one person do. The best you can with what you got and go from there and hope you are doing a good job for the kiddos.
Welcome to the board Miley, are you in public school now? I love hs and will help my girls through it to the end. Discipline what do you mean? No one to help you with school, or other kind of discipline?
There is a local coop that is like $400 just to JOIN!! No way jose!!! Both kids want to take voice and guitar this coming year... luckily there is a person who is a homeschooler who charges 1/2 price if you take the class during "normal" school hours which makes it work. I would LOVE to have some sort of other thing for them to go to - and not cost a fortune. Sign Language - probably again next year... we shall see they changed the schedule and I might be stuck.
I've had that same green eyed monster pop up here... That's when I shoot him with my trusty chocolate coated brownie gun! Seriously, I've had to realize that I do the best I can with what I have. If I'm going to compare myself to others, maybe I need to compare myself to people who have less than I, not more.
I suffered some of this when I moved to NC. I found other homeschoolers who did these coop things and it all sounded so neat. Then it occured to me......they are not teaching there kids at home. They are taking them to classes outside of the home. I choose to do this for some stuff, but many of these parents do not teach there kids at home much at all. They cart them around from one class to another. It's actually sort of alike a progressive dinner version of private schooling. I am not saying it is bad, and I will likely participate in such things when the kids are older, but it is not what we are trying to accomplish at this point.
vantage that is what I was leary of too, we have a nice little co op that we joined to be able to do small group ativities, such as feild trips and projects, you knwo the things you need more than just one. They are not right there wiht out studies but they are fun for the kids and we made really nice friends though it. That was my main objective, to have friends agan who homeschooled!
Yes. I SO get that. A few years ago when we moved back to PA I hung out with some friends who homeschooled in a county below us (about an hour away). They were all raving about the co-op they were going to, etc. But it was THREE days a week...the co-op picked your curriculum, etc. etc. I said in the middle of the conversation "how is that different that sending them to school?". They all stared at me blankly. The funniest thing, is that NONE of them do it anymore!!! LOL Anyway...the thing I like most about the coop we are doing (not the one I'm jealous over) is that it's every OTHER week. We met together 14 times this year. It's not majorly taxing, and it does cover those subjects that you don't ALWAYS get to, because they are fluff.
OT Krista has it been a few years since you moved back. It doesn't seem that long ago we were praying about that for you. Anyways that just struck me when I read that.
i too of more of homebody. we are so busy with things here that we don't even really need a co-ops. leave live farther out than alot of my friends, which makes it hard, too. i woldn't mind maybe 1 co-op a year just to get out and have the kids meet some new friends, but the cost is also a factor. my kids seem to be fine without doing many co-ops. it can be overdone.
I KNOW!!!! We've been back for THREE YEARS!!!! When we first moved back, we lived in a apt. And we're even about to celebrate 3 years in this house on the 24th! Is that tomorrow? Wow...
