After two years of classes, the homeschool co-op that I helped run called it quits early last summer. It was a really good run, and while I knew it wouldn’t last forever, I was still so sad to see things end. The co-op had met 2-3 times a week since 2016, first in the homes of the members, until we eventually found a space to rent in a local church. We had a total of 10 families and over 20 children during our years together, and I will always treasure those school days!
Running a co-op isn’t easy. Each member had a lot of expectations and wishes, and sometimes those ideas clashed. However, we worked hard to make things successful for our kids, and in the end, the reason we disbanded was mostly due to our location. We had a few ongoing issues with the church we were at, and after months of not getting a resolution, we decided to break our lease and go our separate ways.
I had already been researching different schooling options for Ace. He is super social, and I can’t always keep up with how much he wants to be out of the house. I had toured a few schools, but nothing felt exactly right. We eventually fell in love with an outdoor-classroom school, but ultimately there were a few safety issues that kept us from attending. When some of the other co-op families found a local Montessori school, we decided to tour it as well. And we loved it!
After a very long, very hot, very boring summer, it was time for Ace’s first day at his new school. I knew he would do great, and he did. He adored it from day one. For me, it’s been an adjustment. I miss being with him all day, even when it was sometimes hard. I miss knowing exactly what is going on in his classroom — I live for his weekly class newsletter! I miss my mom friends and hanging out with other adults on a regular basis. I miss knowing that he is safe and within arm’s reach. Sometimes I think I’d like to go back to homeschooling. Most of the time I can’t get over how much he is thriving.
Did you plan to homeschool, and then ultimately end up with a public school? Or maybe the other way around? Schooling decisions are so difficult, and I understand just how tough it can be to feel confident in such a big choice!
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
It’s great that it ended up working out! But a homeschooling co-op is so intriguing! I feel like there aren’t much options where I live, and home schooling really isn’t in the cards for us. I am just kind of hoping that since I turned out ok from public schools that the girls will too
apricot / 390 posts
I’m super jealous of all of your options! Maybe that does exist where I’m from (Northern New England), but if it does I’m not aware of it. So good to hear that he’s thriving!
ETA: Wanting to be a Papa when he grows up is
guest
So awesome! I would love to read more about your time at home preschool co-op! Thank you for giving us a peak into life!
blogger / cherry / 138 posts
Childcare choices are so difficult! I never considered homeschooling; it’s just not an option for us as I need to work. But I love Snowy’s school. And I’m so glad you found a school that seems so great for Ace! So glad he is thriving!
pomelo / 5084 posts
What a cutie he is!
Isn’t it so funny how many of our parenting motivations come from wanting them to have what we felt we missed as kids? It’s so interesting to me. I do the exact same thing.
clementine / 874 posts
This is part of why I have trouble moving back to my small hometown. Less options!
grapefruit / 4361 posts
ah I didn’t know you lived in Phoenix! DH & I live in and work in public schools in the West Valley. I struggle with our educational environment and I want to be a “force for good,” and I don’t have a lot of financial or ethical options.
blogger / grape / 99 posts
@DesertDreams88: hi neighbor! we are in the east valley, and I feel you. I didn’t know a thing about “school freedom” before we moved here, and I still don’t know how I feel about it. It’s so hard when our state is consistently ranked so low in education. I’m hope the school we are at now works long term so I don’t have to go through the process again.