Get Ye to a Homeschooling Convention!

Feeling weary and battle worn, homeschool mom?

We aren’t made to walk this path alone.

As we all know, homeschooling can be one of the most worthwhile things we can do for our kids, but it’s also one of the most challenging.   We all need a fresh dose of encouragement to refresh our hearts and give us fuel for the journey!  It’s the season for homeschool conventions, and I want to urge you to attend one!!

Have you participated in a homeschool convention yet??

Homeschool conventions are FULL of equipping for us as teachers.   The workshops are invaluable!   Last year, I was trying to get my mind around teaching language arts to my kids, and I felt like I literally followed Andrew Pudewa (of the Institute for Excellence in Writing) from workshop to workshop.  I relished the opportunity to soak in his perspective and wisdom, gleaned from years of teaching, as well as the chance to ask him questions.

They are also a wonderful gathering place for vendors, who bring their curriculum offerings for us to touch, feel and flip through to see if they are a good match for our kiddos.   As well as finding our core curriculum, I also love the supplemental surprises.  Last year, we were introduced to the wonder that is Jim Weiss and the audiobooks of Story of the World became part of our family.   (If you haven’t heard him yet, stop right now, gather your kids, and listen to his rendition of the Tortoise and the Hare.  The. Best. )     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isSG1skiMwY

I put together a few tips for success to help you have a GREAT time!

1. Print out a copy of the workshop schedule ahead of time and mark your top picks for workshops. This will give you a game plan going in, and help you prioritize where you really need to be.
2. Think through your needs and current plans for the upcoming school year BEFORE you walk into the exhibit hall. The exhibit hall is like a giant toy store for homeschooling parents, and it is so easy to get swept up in the swirl of shiny materials.
3. Visit the exhibit hall fairly early on during the convention. Make a list of curriculum you’re interested in, the prices, and any convention specials.    Use the next couple of days to refine your list and decide your priorities.
4. Do comparison shopping online. Sometimes, you can find the material you want on a curriculum swap site.
5. Take some time to chat with the vendors. Often, the people working the booth are the ones who actually wrote the curriculum and they are happy to help answer questions!   Steve Demme, the creator of Math U See, gave me some great strategies to help my son with his math.   The vendors create curriculum because they want homeschooling families to succeed.  They are a joy to talk with and I always come away freshly encouraged.
6. Pack snacks! The food is often just typical convention center food, so save some money and bring along a few snacks.

Do you have any tips to add?   Feel free to share in the comments!  Blessings to you!

Sarah Falk graduated from Baylor with a major in bioinformatics and is currently pursuing her Naturopathic Doctor’s degree from the Trinity School of Natural Medicine. She is a homeschooling mom to 3 and blogs at Renaissance Mama. She loves to escape to the barn for a few hours to recharge, or to sit near the lake with a chai tea latte and a good book.