Really divided about co-op this year

Is it worth it to you to take the time out of your day to go to classes that are not taught as you would like, have your children in a class they may not pay attention in and definitely won’t be excited about after buying another set of prints just to have them participate in a robotics class?  Obviously ony you can determine that for your children & family, but for me, it would not be worth it.  Why would I voluntarily heap a stumbling block upon them and cause them to view learning as something to be tolerated when CM’s methods offer a feast for our children that will lead them to a life-long love of learning? Please note I am not speaking harshly, just speaking plainly. After attending the CM Institute in Ferrum, VA this past week, I have realized just what is important to me in regard to our schooling and what most definitely is not.  It would take something extrordinary to get me to leave my home to participate in classes that are not taught as I would like &/or redundant. Once I leave my home for the day, I know that realistically we will not be schooling when we return, and if I feel that even a part of that bi-weekly event is not what I really want, I would drop it like a hot potato otherwise I’ll end up feeling frustrated with my year – and frankly, that will transfer to my children, and that’s not a feeling that I want my children to associate with learning learning.

I will pray for you as you mull this over.

Pax,

~jacqleene

Might you attend without purchasing extra prints, do what you planned at home for artist/composers, and benefit from the geography, robotics, and friendships? If those three aren’t worth tolerating the fine arts program, skip co-op this year….or, start one based on CM methods and find one or more families that would enjoy your leadership and plan for the year. You’d be surprised how many moms are looking for companionship and accountability for themselves and their children. That’s their motivation for attending co-op. You might be the one to help them find simplicity in CM methods. Just a thought.

@jacqleene. Was the CM Institute recorded?

Becca<><

I am really struggling this year with our co-op as well.  My dc absolutely love it, no matter what/how subjects are taught (although they know we are a CM family).  They thrive on the social atmosphere and somewhat from the classroom experience.  But quite honestly, it doesn’t take much off my plate.  The idea of starting a CM co-op would be great but I don’t know if I’d have but one family interested since our co-op is filled with most of who would join mine and they just couldn’t handle one more day out of the house.  If I wasn’t so vested in ours, and my kids didn’t love it so much, I wouldn’t do it or I’d start my own, but that’s just not the case for us.  Each year I try really hard to make good choices for my dc when it comes to the co-op, meaning classes with little to no homework, or a supplement to what we are already doing, but it just doesn’t work out that way each year.  *sigh*

I know how you feel and I how difficult it can be to want to do it for certain reasons but feeling that it’s just not exactly how you’d like it taught, etc.  It ends up feeling like a waste of time.  At the same time, for us anyway, I try to look at from the social interaction it provides for my dc and myself. 

Best to you as you decide what is best for your family.

It takes very little off my plate to go to our weekly co-op, but my children LOVE it and I have a wonderful community there as well. Maybe you could offer to teach a CM class next year, if you decide to stay? I know our co-op would be open to it — we are a diverse group of families with MANY homeschool styles and philosophies. I’m a brand new CM’er…was toiling over which history program to get and just loved all of the books and the history planner by SCM – I am very excited!