There are many different types of co-ops offered to the homeschool community, especially in higher populated areas. This is our 3rd year homeschooling, and we have never belonged to an official co-op until this year. We are attending a gym co-op, it is wonderful and overwhelming all at the same time. The past two years we joined the YMCA, they happen to have a homeschool gym class that we participated in and it was wonderful. Unfortunately we just weren't using our membership that often. Our membership fees were $67 per month. The gym class was $20 for swim (1 kid), $25 for gym (2 kids), plus you get a 10% discount for siblings. Our total for the 7-week gym class at the YMCA was $65.50. We were spending about $105 per month for 7 months out of the year, for something we were only using about once-per-week. Trying to be frugal, since I am no longer working, we cut our Y membership, which also meant if we wanted to do the homeschool gym it would be almost double the price since we are no longer members. I heard about a gym co-op that was a lot more affordable, but we were on a waiting list. We got in this year! It cost us $20 for the entire family for one year, plus we opted for special shirts which were each $9. Total cost for the year only $56! There is a kicker, no standing around visiting during instruction time (you help), you had to sign up to co-teach 4 classes. It has been an adventure, tomorrow is my first co-teaching moment. We are teaching soccer to the K-3 group, and it is a large one. I know nothing about soccer. I played volleyball through 9th grade, and then I cheered for football, basketball, wrestling and hockey. I have been looking up soccer drills for kids. I found a great website with super fun drills and detailed instruction at Kids-Soccer Drills.com, I printed out 3 of them. I also pinned it under my co-op board on Pinterest.
Now that I went off on a ramble. This co-op has given me a greater appreciation for what the great teachers do, especially with a large, easily distractible class of 5, 6, and 7-yr-olds. Teaching my own kids isn't always a walk in the park. I can discipline them without fear of reprisal, I may say some things in the heat of the moment, that I will regret. Not often. I am pretty patient, but I think as moms or dads we have all been there. Homeschooling isn't for everyone, I am just glad I have been given this amazing opportunity. I can thank God and my amazing husband for the opportunity to really get to know my kids.