March 26, 2025 – Conventions: A Plan for the Overwhelm

Hey, Mama!

Gena Suarez, Publisher of TOS

Support Your Local and State Conventions

Hey, Mama,

Are you drooling over this year’s upcoming homeschool convention yet? Maybe you’re a mama who highly anticipates attending these events—or maybe it’s your first time ever going and you feel just a little overwhelmed (and giddy inside, too) about all you’re about to see and learn.

Either way, there is a world of fun, knowledge, and friendship awaiting you—that you will be much the better for! The Old Schoolhouse®  Magazine highly encourages its readers to attend their local and state conventions, first and foremost, over any others.

Why? 

Well, your local and state non-profit organizations work diligently to serve you. They are the folks who tirelessly answer all the telephone calls with questions from new homeschoolers and help homeschooling families who run into any challenges. They’re the ones parents run to when they need help—and they always answer that call, faithfully. They are the people working year-round monitoring school board meetings and state legislatures in order to maintain your legal right to educate your children at home. They are your first loyalty. Your local events are the ones to plug into first. And if you don’t already have a membership to your state’s homeschool organization, call them today. Show your support and thankfulness for all the hard work they do to keep homeschooling safe and legal for you and your friends and neighbors who choose to home educate. Get out to that convention and hug them when you see them! 🙂

So jump in, Mama! And if you want to find out what happens at homeschooling conventions, check out these insightful reads from The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine:

An Insider’s Guide to Conventions
Confessions of a Convention Veteran
Put New Wind in Your Sail! Attend a State or Local Homeschool Convention

Love,

gena

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Heather Vogler

Conventions—Who Are You Taking With You?

Conventions across the country are dropping their early-bird deals, and for those of us on a budget, we are determined to buy our tickets early—and save. Most of us have a homeschooling convention happening somewhere in our state or a neighboring state this year. These are an excellent opportunity to get our hands on the curriculum we have been considering but are unsure about. Reading online reviews and watching unboxing videos can only show us so much. Having the chance to get our hands on the materials—whether we buy any of them on-site or not, can allow us to look inside and see if it is what we were expecting—if it is what we want to spend money on. 

Before you hit that purchase button on your convention tickets though, you need to nail down one significant detail—who are you taking with you? This question is key because it will dramatically affect the dynamics of your experience. You need to ask yourself what you hope to gain from this year’s convention; it is perfectly fine if it differs from what you have ever done! Below are different ways I’ve approached attending conventions, which were all enjoyable and memorable.

1. Just the Girls: The first time I ever went, I attended with a group of women. We had a blast! 
2. Going Alone: Sometimes, we just need to get away and regroup.
3. Date Weekend: The perfect bonding opportunity and a chance to rehearse why you are homeschooling together.
4. Family Time: A family vacation like no other! 
5. Business Opportunity: Sign up as a vendor and connect with other homeschoolers who have a family-friendly business. Connections!

Once you decide how to approach this year, buy those tickets and make the most of this year’s convention.

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About the author

Heather Vogler, her husband, and five children call the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia home where they homeschool and homestead. Heather has homeschooled her children from the beginning and enjoys an eclectic style of teaching. As a freelance writer she has been published in Focus on the Family Magazine, War Cry Magazine, and Brio Magazine. Heather holds a BA in Christian Ministries and currently writes at ThriftSchooling.com.  

Shanxi Omoniyi

A Second-Generation Homeschooler’s Three Best Convention Tips 

When I was being homeschooled as a child, virtually all the workshops and vendor items at conferences and conventions targeted parents.

Now that I’m a second-generation homeschooler, my family goes to our local Midwest Parent Educators (MPE) conference every year. We’ve found so many incredible benefits: opportunities for all of us (adults and children) to volunteer together; “children’s conference” (MPEKIDS) while my husband and I attend workshops; and designated shopping hours where we explore the vendor hall as a family. My kids love all the resources that didn’t exist during my generation!

Some tips to avoid overwhelm:

1) ​Schedule bite-sized chunks of action, interspersed with many breaks for margin. When all my children were super little, I restricted my “busy” conference activities to a few minutes or hours, as opposed to all-day marathons for a different life stage. You can expand if time allows, but it’s hard to cut when you’ve already committed to several workshops or events.

2) ​Adjust to your children’s age-specific needs. Plan around naps and early bedtimes as needed. If I have a nursing baby, our conference has a moms’ room where I can rest and swap notes with other moms. Some of my best conference times and fellowship happened right in that room filled with snacks, water, diapering supplies, and other items lovingly prepared by our amazing volunteers!

3) Plan time to decompress, before and afterward. We usually set aside a few days’ preparation before the conference, and a few days to rest and recover from busy travels and learning once we return home. Don’t open the presents—ahem—”educational materials” all at once! Space them out. :‑) Over the years we’ve learned the importance of planning “a vacation from our vacation,” and this applies to conferences and conventions too!

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About the author

Shanxi Omoniyi is Midwest Parent Educators’ (MPE’s) online content director. A homeschool alumna who graduated with MPE, she now oversees the website and other online accounts, social media, and email marketing. She also directs her own digital marketing business. She is very grateful to have been homeschooled and now homeschools her own children!

Lona Gorman

Tips for Preparing to Attend a Homeschool Convention

As a long‑time homeschool mama, one of my favorite things about homeschooling is going to conventions. Homeschool conventions are an amazing treasure of resources and information. But, with all those choices, workshops, and all the people, it can feel overwhelming. You can avoid some of that stress with just a little preparation.

First, register online before you arrive at the convention, even if it is the day before. This allows you to skip the long line at the entry, and save you time and frustration.

Next, look over the convention website and get familiar with the schedule. What are the vendor hall hours? Are there any special events during the convention that you absolutely do not want to miss? Knowing the overall schedule will help you manage your time better and you can attend the parts of the convention that are most important to you.

Take a look at the list of workshop sessions before you arrive and choose the ones you really want to attend. If you have time conflicts, recordings of the sessions are usually available for purchase. Do the same with the vendor list, making note of the ones you most want to visit. This can help avoid impulse purchases because you have a mission to buy the items you really need.

Finally, wear something you love and feel comfortable in. Maybe your favorite graphic T-shirt or fun shoes. It will be a long day at the convention so enjoy yourself by feeling comfortable and amazing.

Homeschool conventions do not have to feel overwhelming. A little preparation will give you the chance to really enjoy the experience while you find amazing resources for your homeschool.

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About the author

Lona Gorman is a homeschool mom of 27 years (and counting!) with six adopted children, and five grandchildren.  Lona has served in various capacities as a volunteer for Kansas Home Educators, the support group representing homeschool throughout Kansas.  One of her favorite things is teaching homeschool workshops for parents.  As a Board Member of KSHE and the Kansas Homeschool Expo Director, Lona has many opportunities to encourage homeschool families.  You can find more information at kshomeeducators.com.

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