July 29, 2026 – Should I Join a Support Group or a Co-op?

Mercy Every Minute

Deborah Wuehler, TOS Senior Editor

What Keeps Me Going: Ten Reasons to Join a Support Group

As I began homeschooling in the early 90s, I quickly sought out those who had gone before me and were homeschooling successfully. I needed to see someone who knew what they were doing and could share it with me. I found many homeschool mentors in my local homeschool support group. I can look back over thirty years of beautiful friendships for me and my children, and that support has kept me going until today. Here are ten reasons why support groups are valuable.

Support Groups Are Where You:

1. Are understood and validated.
2. Learn how to teach a subject, and investigate styles and curriculum others use.  
3. Discover you are not the only homeschoolers in your area.
4. Create friendships for yourself and your children with those that have the same values.
5. Laugh and cry, and play and learn together.
6. Communicate concerns and listen and pray for each other. 
7. Ask all your questions and have them answered.
8. Receive information for group discounts for field trips, museums, etc., and have fun in a group. 
9. Are encouraged to continue on when you feel like giving up. 
10. Study God’s Word together and remember why your children are home (Psalm 1; Colossians 2:8).

There are now many online forums and social media groups to help direct a newcomer. But there is nothing like spending real time with like-minded families. Especially in this day when we are bombarded with every evil way, let’s continue to meet together and build each other up as we all disciple our children at Home. Where They Belong.

~ Deborah

RESOURCES: 

• If you’d like your church to become a Schoolhouse support group, visit www.ChurchSchoolhouse.com.
• Podcast with Yvonne Strachan, author of Inspirational Homeschooling, on this topic. Hey, Mama Homeschool Podcast. 
• Local support groups in your state: Legacy Issue The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.
• Helpful articles from The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine:

Homeschool Support Groups: Do You Need One?  by Pamela Greer

A Special Journey in Starting a Wonderful Support Group by Erica Jarrell

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Amanda Wares

Is a Co-Op a Must?

You might have seen social media posts or heard from friends that joining a co-op is a must when homeschooling. But do you have to be part of a co-op to homeschool effectively? Absolutely not.

Support is vital in homeschooling, but it doesn’t always have to come from a formal group.

You can create your own community or find casual support in everyday interactions. Getting together with friends for park days, playdates, or casual meetups provides socialization for kids and support for parents. As one experienced homeschooler said, “Let the kids play at the park and the moms talk so that they don’t feel lonely.” This kind of fellowship is often more meaningful and adaptable than structured lessons or organized groups. Joining a support group or co-op can be beneficial—offering resources, socialization, shared lessons, and encouragement—but it is not a prerequisite of homeschooling. Whether you participate in regular group activities, occasional meetups, or none at all, your child’s education can still be rich and well-rounded.

Connection is key when seeking support during your homeschooling journey, and that connection does not necessarily have to be found in a co-op setting. 

You get to choose what kind of community best fits your family. The question to ask yourself is this: Is this co-op/class/group a blessing to my family and our homeschool or not?  

Amanda Wares

Homeschool Helps Director, NCHE

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About the author

Amanda is married to Michael and has four children, three of whom graduated from their homeschool, with one teenager left to go! This is their twenty-first year homeschooling and her fifteenth year on the NCHE board, where she currently serves as homeschool helps director. In addition to her roles as wife and stay-at-home mom/teacher, Amanda also serves on the board of her local homeschool group. In all her spare time, she loves to read, plan field trips and encourage new homeschoolers! 

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Krysten Traylor

Why Should I Join a Homeschool Co-Op?

You should join a homeschool co-op because homeschooling is harder to do alone. I understand that joining a homeschool co-op is a big decision, often involving money and a loss of control over your schedule. My family has participated in a co-op for years and the benefits have always outweighed the drawbacks.

I asked my homeschooling friends for reasons they participate in a homeschool co-op. 

1. A Christ-centered community for my kids where they are making friends with all ages. An unexpected benefit is that I also found a community for me.
2. Outsourcing classes we lack time for or that aren’t in my wheelhouse. Bonus: kids catch the excitement of a teacher passionate about the subject.
3. I’m learning alongside my kids.

I know that in different seasons, being a part of a co-op is not the right choice—my own family took a break when we had a newborn. But I do think that families benefit from being together with other homeschool families. One of my favorite parts of co-op is lunch, when the moms discuss what curriculum and other resources we are using, what’s working, and what’s not. You’re talking with people who are also teaching your kids and can give feedback based on what they’re seeing. That’s hard to replicate if you are not part of a consistent group. 

Only you can decide what fits your family right now. But if you are looking for encouragement, shared wisdom, and a place to belong, finding the right co-op community might be just what your homeschool journey needs.

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About the author

Krysten Traylor has been a homeschool mom for nine years. She has a degree in early childhood education. She lives outside of Louisville, Kentucky, on her family’s farm with her husband of eighteen years and their three kids. She wants to help families feel confident in their decision to homeschool.

Not all homeschoolers choose to join groups or co-ops. Some, however, find that these groups provide accountability, relief, interactions, and learning experiences they wouldn’t get otherwise. You might consider looking into Schoolhouses. Is there a Schoolhouse close to you? Would you be interested in starting a church Schoolhouse? Find out all this and more on SchoolhouseTeachers.com! Want to take part in an online community? Be sure to join the SchoolhouseTeachers.com community on Facebook to ask questions, get ideas, and share your homeschool wins.