If you had to choose between co-op or gymnastics...

[hands-on-mama]

Which would you choose?

 

Both daughters are starting gymnastics on Tuesdays in 2 weeks. Oldest DD has low muscle tone. We were planning to join a co-op in the fall, but it is on Tuesdays as well. We do both gymnastics, speech therapy, and OT on Tuesdays right now. It's possible we can change the day for gymnastics and therapy, but that's not a for sure thing. Our therapy center is the best in the area and our OT only works two days a week. That makes it tough.

 

So if you had to choose, what would you do? We would have to register for the co-op before i know what days gymnastics is offered during the fall.

[SFM]

I just dropped co-op in favor of ballet. I didn't feel like my daughter was really getting anything from attending co-op especially seeing as she is only almost 5. :) So, I am happy with the decision. I am honestly not sure if I will ever do a co-op again, I just wasn't feeling it. Maybe it's just not my thing.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

Which would you choose?

 

Both daughters are starting gymnastics on Tuesdays in 2 weeks. Oldest DD has low muscle tone. We were planning to join a co-op in the fall, but it is on Tuesdays as well. We do both gymnastics, speech therapy, and OT on Tuesdays right now. It's possible we can change the day for gymnastics and therapy, but that's not a for sure thing. Our therapy center is the best in the area and our OT only works two days a week. That makes it tough.

 

So if you had to choose, what would you do? We would have to register for the co-op before i know what days gymnastics is offered during the fall.

 

 

For little kids, I would definitely pick the sport. Especially since it sounds like this will be a big asset for physical quality of life.

 

You can defintely homeschool without being in a coop. They can be a great blessing in some cases. But they can also bring all the negatives of being locked into a schedule, having to meld the goals and attention span of different families and not always having a focus person who sets the standards of what the coop is for (Is it to give moms time together, to create a play group, to provide group science labs, to teach strong academics or to give group discussion time? Is it for enrichment or heavily academic?)

 

But if I'm reading your signature correctly and this is about two little kids, I would have no issue at all with picking gymnastics over coop.

[Zebra]

Well, we actually did drop co-op for gymnastics.

 

I don't like co-ops. Some people love them, and it completely depends on the family and the co-op. For me, it was far away and basically a whole day of classes like school. What she was doing there was basically a waste of time, and it was really hard to fit in the other stuff after a day of co-op. There wasn't any real socializing going on until AFTER co-op. I couldn't find the point to it. If it was closer with classes that seemed more interesting instead of, "we have to fill up this time with something" then I might be more interested.

 

I just don't like paying a lot for something that isn't exercise related. We can do almost anything else at home, but its hard to replicate gymnastics, or dance or something like that at home. Making a lapbook is not hard to replicate at home.

 

Ask yourself what you are going to get out of the co-op vs gymnastics.

[Dmmetler]

I'd also pick gymnastics. I'm convinced gymnastics and tumbling has done more for DD's sensory issues than OT did-for much less money. Our co-op is more social for the moms than the kids, I think, and I keep debating whether it's worth giving up a day of school, but DD says she wants to do it ( and ours isn't expensive).

 

I will say that our gym runs a lot of classes during the week, especially for beginning levels, so iit may be a non-issue if you decide to try to do both.

 

 

[ladydusk]

I'd choose gymnastics, but I know my local gymnastics coach has a lot of experience working with kids who have OT needs.

 

 

Then, again, I have very little interest in co-ops.

[JudoMom]

Gymnastics.

[Pawz4me]

Another vote for gymnastics.

 

I've been totally underwhelmed by the co-ops we've tried.

[Farrar]

I'd choose co-op, but I'm choosing based on my own tiny co-op of friends. In the situation you describe, where it sounds like co-op is a new thing and your dd specifically needs the activity that gymnastics provides, it seems obvious that you should do gymnastics.

[....]

Gymnastics.

[Bree]

Another vote for gymnastics. My dd loves it :)

[PeterPan]

The child is 4? Drop co-op. Co-op for that age is social time. There's nothing going on there you couldn't do (and do better) at home. And she's low tone? You might like to come visit us on the SN board. Lots of hindsite there. Wish I had found that out when dd was that young the way you have.

 

The co-op will sort itself out to a degree. She might get into gymnastics and find she doesn't enjoy it. Also, OT and gymnastics on the same day is redundant. You might see how it goes and consider switching to swim lessons (for the bilateral) or karate in the fall. Or move the gymnastics to Thursday. Is your dd tired after OT? I can't imagine doing that and gymnastics on the same day, oy.

[Ellie]

Gymnastics.

 

Almost anything would trump a co-op.

[Rebel Yell]

Gymnastics.

 

BUT: Can you register for the co-op and get a refund if you can't work it out to do both? Or if your co-op has a waiting list can you put your membership on hold for a semester/year? I registered a child for co-op only to find that an activity conflicted, so she dropped out with no penalty.

[texasmama]

gymnastics

[Georgiana Daniels]

Jumping on the bandwagon here--gymnastics! The confidence and self esteem my daughter has gained there can't seem to be duplicated anywhere else.

[Chris in VA]

My first thought was co-op, but then I see your sweeties are just 2 and 4yo.

I would not do the gymnastics the same day as OT, tho. I'd try to change one, or pick another sport that has more flexibility in scheduling.

 

I'd save co-op for when they are much older.

[briansmama]

We participated in our first co-op last Fall and while it was very well run, I realized that the classes/activities offered at a co-op are going to be much more general than specific individual classes. The social aspect was really fun, but I decided our time was better spent signing my dc up for individual, specific classes. Their classes are usually small group classes, so they still get the benefit of social interacts and group fun.

 

We actually dropped gymnastics to do the co-op (because something had to go, it was too much to try to do it all), and my boys miss it, even thought they play other sports. We will likely sign back up this spring, and we don't plan to return to the co-op.

[MrsMe]

Another vote for gymnastics. I think exercise is important! And dd loves it!

[MrsMe]

Duplicate post. UGH...lousy internet service stalls often. Sorry.

[maize]

gymnastics

 

:iagree:

[Lolly]

Another vote for gymnastics.

[Amy in NH]

Gymnastics, without a doubt.

[JumpyTheFrog]

I vote for gymnastics, since it is a sport that encourages kids to get strong and flexible.

[hands-on-mama]

Thanks so much for all the opinions!

 

My girls are actually 5 and 3 now. Not much older than my sig though, so i don't think it would change much.

 

Yes, my DD has low tone and SPD. I haven't seen a lot of progress working with OT honestly.DH thinks I accomplish way more with her at home.

 

I'm glad someone mentioned doing OT on the same day would be redundant. I'm so tempted to take a break from therapy and see wbat kind of progress we make on our own.

 

The gym i signed the girlsup with also offers an hour of open gym time for two days a week. It's only $3 per child for the hour and is supervised by the coaches. I'm almost tempted to try this two days a week and put therapy on hold for a bit. The gym did say that their coaches are used to dealing with kids that have her issues. I guess we'll see how it goes.

 

The co-op is only $25 per year. It's taught by parents so I think that's why.

[staceyobu]

Do you have some sort of homeschooling support network? Are you involved in any other activities that your kids can make homeschooled friends?

 

I think your kids will probably get more out of gymnastics. However, coops can be good for social purposes. So, I would consider that. If the coop is only $25, I would consider registering for it in the fall and just losing the money if gymnastics is on the same day.

[Samiam]

Gymnastics!

 

I've done co-ops in two different states, to get the "socialization and make friends" factor. I finally woke up to the fact that they are generally a waste of OUR time.

1. Classes are either way UNDER or way OVER my expectations....ie 3rd grade spanish class, one hour a week....no idea what curriculum was being used (never told), but 4-5 homework worksheets each week (umm, I don't know Spanish myself so how can I help my 8 year old with all of these worksheets!!)...really!?!? Or high school course for credit, with NO homework, and no labs (science)....really!?!?!?

 

2. Umm, they are in a CLASS....remember the concept of a class....sit in a desk and stare at a teacher who is standing in front and speaking...thus you should not be speaking or making friends. As I helped in many classes (part of the requirement to join the co-op, either teach or be an assistant to the teacher), I'd see over and over where we had to ask the children to stop speaking...and the teacher actually sent one little boy out to the hallway because he would not stop speaking (not sure I would have done that, but it was her call). Usually there was a few minutes before class and at the end of class, where children who were ALREADY friends would chat....but not enough time for most children to make new friends, nor did they seem that interested too.

 

3. The social thing...one co-op we were in , was VERY social...park days and field trips all the time....sooo met our needs, so the one day of week of classes that we didn't really need or like, we dealt with for the fun factor outside of classes. The other co-op...barely any social things...seemed some families were already friends and had their little cliques, so that was hard to break into, and had the co-op offered more group activities, perhaps that would have been easier. But they didn't so it was basically go to class and then go home. Not what we wanted. My boys made a few friends, in classes that were more loosely structured ie Lego Class, but it never went beyond co-op.

 

 

Overall, co-op was not worth it.....I'd go for Gymnastics!

[PeterPan]

Some OTs are really good, and some are mentally lazy and chalking time. Guess you can tell my opinion on that. You could find a better OT and only go once a month with them giving you homework. Yes it's stuff you can do at home when you have equipment. Never pay someone to do what you can do better and with less strain yourself. Pay them for the information you don't have, not to do what you can do easily if they just teach you how. If they won't teach you, there are other OTs out there who will.

 

There are some cumulative benefits to good OT (vestibular development, etc.). There are also some things you want to make sure are going ok (functional stuff like finger strength for handwriting, core strength for spine curvature, etc.). But just to say someone is low tone and therefore needs OT, well that sort of belies the fact that a significant chunk of people with low tone don't realize it and live just fine. So strike your balance. I wouldn't let things go untreated or turn into school problems, but you don't have to get sucked into the system either. There definitely are real life ways to hit a lot of the skills. Just depends on the severity of the tone and sensory issues. See if they'd go to every other week with more homework, etc.

[PentecostalMom]

Gymnastics! We are actually doing both right now and wish we only had gymnastics. My 6yo and 3yo both love it! We will finish this co-op because we made a commitment and are hosting at our church. Only 10 more classes and then we are done!

[jujsky]

Gymnastics.

[speedmom4]

Well I have a son with special needs and a competitive gymnast. We would always choose a good therapy (PT or OT) program over a co-op but I'm not much of a co-op fan. Also since my youngest son is a competitive gymnast we choose gymnastics over many other "good" activities all the time.

 

Good luck!

 

Elise in NC

[JFSinIL]

I'd keep things as they are and skip the co'op. That leaves you one day doing stuff away from home and the rest of the week to be more academic. Sounds liek the gymnastics will be of more benefit to the hypotonic kid than co-op anyway.

[Bree]

Some OTs are really good, and some are mentally lazy and chalking time. Guess you can tell my opinion on that. You could find a better OT and only go once a month with them giving you homework. Yes it's stuff you can do at home when you have equipment. Never pay someone to do what you can do better and with less strain yourself. Pay them for the information you don't have, not to do what you can do easily if they just teach you how. If they won't teach you, there are other OTs out there who will.

 

There are some cumulative benefits to good OT (vestibular development, etc.). There are also some things you want to make sure are going ok (functional stuff like finger strength for handwriting, core strength for spine curvature, etc.). But just to say someone is low tone and therefore needs OT, well that sort of belies the fact that a significant chunk of people with low tone don't realize it and live just fine. So strike your balance. I wouldn't let things go untreated or turn into school problems, but you don't have to get sucked into the system either. There definitely are real life ways to hit a lot of the skills. Just depends on the severity of the tone and sensory issues. See if they'd go to every other week with more homework, etc.

My dd has SPD too and gymnastics has really helped her. The outfits bother her, but she will wear them just because she loves gymnastics so much.

[Aurelia]

Yet another vote for gymnastics, and swimming, too, if you can. Both are excellent for building muscle tone.

[kdownie]

I was surprised to read through this and see how many people (I think everyone?) chose gymnastics. I've only the experience with one co-op but it is extremely well run with a couple hundred kids. It has semester-long topics in the morning (fall semester was government and elections, spring semester is our state's history). There are specialty clubs in the afternoon to choose from (science, art, drama, p.e., and more) with higher level classes for older kids. It is my dd's favorite day of the week!

[Tess in the Burbs]

based on your kids ages I wouldn't do a co-op.

[hands-on-mama]

Thanks again for all the responses! I have a lot of thinking to do.

 

We do get homework for therapy. We do exercises.at home. My daughter resists a lot at therapy. She responds much better to us..

 

I'm going to look around at OT'S.

[Woodland_Mom]

Ditch the idea of co-op and go for gymnastics. I was only able to dream of ballet and gymnastics when I was a little girl. You'll be able to keep the other things you need/ like as well.

[Mommy22alyns]

I chose gymnastics over co-op. Rebecca is a serious gymnast and the co-op was just for fun.

[Shellydon]

co-op

[hands-on-mama]

co-op

 

Could you say why when you have a chance? Just trying to weigh everything.

[klmama]

Gymnastics. Save co-op for a few years down the road.

 

I wouldn't dump the OT just yet; find out how your dd does with the gymnastics first.