Whether you’re just considering homeschooling or you’ve been doing it for the last 20 years, there are always lessons to be learned from homeschool conferences.
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The BEST thing you can do for your homeschool is attend a homeschool conference. The encouragement and practical help are vital to your professional development as a homeschool mom.
Here are my top 5 lessons from attending live and online homeschool conferences.
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#1: I’m not alone
Everyone has a need for community, especially homeschool moms! Don’t you want to know that you’re not the only one with certain struggles? That you’re kids aren’t weird (okay, maybe they actually are, but *cough*cough*).
And when you know that you’re not alone in this homeschooling adventure, you can feel energized instead of burned out.
#2: There’s more than one way to homeschool
Attending a homeschool convention opens your eyes to the many flavors of homeschooling. The way you’re schooling isn’t the only way to do it. And it’s inspirational to see new approaches and be challenged to think outside the box.
We know that different kids need different approaches, and attending workshop sessions will give you new tools, resources, and ideas that you can implement in your homeschool right away!
Remember, you don’t have to homeschool with the same approach or same curriculum forever. If something’s not working for you or the kids, then change it up! This helps to prevent burnout and boredom and a great place to learn about new approaches is a homeschool convention.
Vendor halls, whether in person or online, also expose you to curriculums you might have never considered!
#3: Academics is only part of it
Many homeschool conventions have workshops related to academics and particular curriculum, but many additional workshops delve into the deeper parts of the homeschooling journey – things like love of learning, sibling relationships, family dynamics, and work ethic.
Being encouraged to see the big picture of why you’re homeschooling and how your kids can grow spiritually, emotionally, and relationally is a great bonus of attending a homeschool conference.
#4: Embrace the season
What’s your season? Homeschooling will change through the years and your role will change too – it’s supposed to!
Kids don’t stay in preschool forever and mom’s role changes from a direct instructor to a mentor and coach.
Attending a conference allows you to hear from others in different stages than you’re currently in. This helps you also see the big picture and prepare for the future with realistic expectations.
#5: There’s light at the end of the tunnel
I love homeschool conventions because I get to see families who have successfully graduated homeschooled kids and have lived to tell about it!
Hearing from other parents gives me a sense that I can make it through each new stage because there’s a whole tribe of other homeschool parents out there ready to offer advice, resources, or just a kind word.
Life Skills Leadership Summit
And what if you could attend a homeschool convention without leaving your couch and coffee! And did I mention you don’t need to book an overnight stay or arrange for childcare? Bonus!
That’s right! The 2022 Life Skills Leadership Summit is almost here, and you can get a FREE Basic Pass to watch any and all of the sessions within 24 hours of their release. If you want forever access to the summit, you can purchase an All Access Pass.
I’m honored to be speaking in this summit about Busyness + Priorities in Homeschool Life. Most of us are busy and being busy isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But we should check our busyness against our priorities. Be encouraged to stay on track with family and homeschooling goals instead of being distracted with busyness. Learn how to encourage your kids and teens to use their time well.
Who else is speaking? You’ll love this line-up!
- The Seven Keys of Great Teaching, by Andrew Pudewa
- Encouraging a Love of Learning, Even When They Don’t Like the Subject, by Annette Breedlove
- Continuing Education for Homeschool Moms, by Meredith Curtis
- Overcoming a Difficult School Year; Creating a Plan for Success, by Amber Smith
- A Home that Welcomes Your People: Let’s get a Handle on Housework, by Jennifer Merckling
- How to Find Time to Teach Reading, by Sarah Miller
- plus dozens more!
Ongoing Homeschool Support
Did you miss the latest homeschool conference? No worries! Grab your spot in the Homeschool Mom Collective and you’ll find a monthly action plan plus ongoing support you need to be doing the right things in each season to keep your homeschooling on track. Our goal is to bring you the right strategies and solutions so that you can enjoy the homeschooling adventure. For less than the price of coffee out with friends, the Homeschool Mom Collective will help bring more confidence, peace, and intentionality to your journey.
Hi Abby,
I’m a second generation homeschooler and I am finishing up my 5th year homeschooling my older 2 kids. This past weekend a friend took me to my first homeschool convention and it was WONDERFUL! Not only were there great speakers and topics, but I had to only take care of myself for 2 days!
So I agree on all of your points, so very true for homeschool moms and dads to get some “continuing education” classes under their belts and gain some perspectives on relationship.
Here’s my thought: I have been searching but haven’t found any homeschooling blog that addresses “the crash” back into home life. You plan for your family with food and child care before you go, you plot out your sessions and vender hall experience, but I didn’t plan for my re-entry back into daily life. It was 3 days of excitement first to implement new knowledge, then frustration at needing to retrain the kids after days with grandparents, then crying and break down over feeling like a horrible mother, homeschooled, wife…
This is a topic needing to be addressed. I know I’m not the only mom out there who has experienced this. I’d look forward to hearing your perspective!
-Jill
Oh, wow, Jill! I have dealt with these same reality-checks when returning from a few days away to learn and get refuelled. You’re right that you’re not the only one who’s experienced this kind of crash. But I think it’s also completely normal! Your kids were out of routine and you were on your own for a few days. Maybe part of the solution is to not have high expectations when you first return home? But I’ll definitely give this topic some more thought and pick some other people’s brains. Thanks for sharing your experience 🙂