Let’s Gather
Allow me to get right to the point… I’m speaking at the Texas Great Homeschool Convention this summer and you should come too. I mean, you don’t have to speak or anything. But what else is there to do in Texas in July? Sweat?
Here’s a link and a coupon code: HIFALUTIN
This code gives you $10 off an individual or family registration
to any 2022 Great Homeschool Convention!
Gather for Adventure Indoors
Even if you homeschool year-around and are summer schooling, you need an epic field trip or a mom’s day off. And at roughly 100+°F in the daytime, you can either stay indoors or stay wet. If you come see me at the Texas GHC July 7-9th at the Kalahari Resort in Round Rock, you can do both. Hello, giant playpen for the kids waterslides!
At the very least climb out of the wave pool and come to my booth and see my new dress. Let’s say hello out from behind our computer screens. Or you can come to one or all three of my stress relieving/humor filled/inspiring workshops, and then come to my booth bearing coffee (black) and pastries.
I’ll be speaking about the wonderfully wild life of homeschooling boys, feeling inadequate to homeschool, and my quick start guide to homeschooling for new nervous homeschool parents.
Between sessions I’ll be somewhere in the humongous exhibit hall chocked full of various unique homeschool vendors and speakers, learning programs, and curriculum you can flip through, ask questions about… and touch!… and feel!!…and smell!!…and pet lovingly!!!… and…
Ahem…
Take your time making wise unimpulsive curriculum choices for your individualized family learning.
Language Arts Fun for Middle School Writers!
But wait there’s more…
Gather for Homeschool Individuality
There is no absolute model way to homeschool. The multitude of different workshops, speakers, and vendors to speak with at GHC are proof that there are countless paths to success, and each diverges in many ways to meet individual family needs.
And yes, there are all types of homeschoolers at convention, so don’t fear being an oddball that still doesn’t own a laminator. Whether attending with a group of moms, your family, or completely alone. In flip flops or heels, as a newbie or know-it-all, everyone is doing their own thing.
The best way to attend a homeschool convention is to forget about fitting in .since everyone is weird and unsocialized anyways and use the brief time to gather as much information, resources, tips, tricks, new friends, and inspiration as possible.
Despite the outdated homeschool stereotypes that still poltergeist the public mindset, we’re anything but a uniform bunch, even when we gather in celebration of and perseverance for freedom in education.
Who’s Gathering and What For?
Who attends homeschool conventions? (psst… yup, even introverts) And how does GHC meet their needs? Where do you fit in and what’s in it for you?
Some very generalized types of homeschool convention goers:
- The Lady’s Groupers: Gal pals that go to convention every year as a sort of pep rally/mom’s weekend out sans the kids. They may also use this time as a cover story to sleep in and order room service. To unload, relax, and vent with others in the trenches. There’s even a special event for moms only to unwind and vent at The Real Moms Tour.
Get summer inspiration and laughs from me with a free read of this seasons Homeschooling Today Magazine! Get more homeschool help and Hifalutin fun reads in your mailbox with a yearly subscription!
However, these gal pals are sure to sit in on some favorite workshops, maybe sip coffee & nibble croissants while perusing curriculum they forgot they already own too. They are always on the lookout for great new education items, ideas, or reading material just for moms. And all this with their best-good-homeschool friends in tow.
- The Family Fun Pack: Those that return with the whole family in tow every few years to gather new ideas and take advantage of affordable, educational, family entertainment. As the kids reach different stages in learning and life, they can attend a ladder of skill/maturity level workshops such as:
Teen Track: Real Faith for the Real World
Kids can meet other weird unsocialized kids, curriculum authors, and homeschool legends and celebrities that possibly wrote their favorite and least favorite assignments.
Your littles can attend fun-filled kids’ activities with:
In the exhibit hall all ages enjoy swiping freebies from the vendor tables: pencils, bookmarks, candy, pocket constitutions, coupons, etc. And though at times some excited child may be forced back to a table to return superfluous items when mom catches them with eleven new rulers and new fairy wings made of online math pamphlets, often kids see something that sparks their interest and guides parents into personalizing their education more effectively.
- Mom(and Dads)-on-a-Mission: Parents of kids with special educational needs often attend convention to speak with specialists and authors of great resources to meet those needs.
Special Needs and Gifted Children
Other parents may be looking for help with high school math. Or a great new family history program. Maybe a way to get kids thinking like an entrepreneur. Or maybe parents are at their wits end over writing and attend convention looking for backup advice, inspiration, or unusual but effective methods and resources.
Such as… Revolting Writing for reluctant writers!
These parents don’t come to hear it all. They come with a target mission and seek out answers. And yet probably find out answers to questions they forget they had, and then go home with a program bag full of even more great resources and offers to peruse at leisure.
- The I’m-Just-Looking-Crowd: Are you reading this right now thinking convention might be scary confrontational, and you probably shouldn’t go because you don’t really fit in, and you’re muttering… please don’t talk to me if I do come. I’m just people watching…stressing errr browsing. You don’t see me.
But also… Help. I’m homeschooling and I can’t get up… the courage to ask what I don’t know to ask. It’s cool. Breathe. I was you once. I assure you, no one quizzed my kids, forced me to wear a denim jumper, or made my husband and I recite an oath.
Was I overwhelmed by all the homeschool material and info there? A lot little. Did I come away feeling inadequate and silly? No way! I came away reassured that doing things my own way was the right way, and that there were tons of tools, options, people, and places to go to for help making our best homeschool hopes happen.
Gathering Great Resolve with Like-Minded Folks
If for no other reason, attending a Great Homeschool Convention gives us all a chance to gather with others who value faith, family, truth, and freedom more than anything else. We gather in unity of these values, not for conformity. Hearing from prominent leaders on the forefront of fighting for our values helps us each to return home with new resolve.
I know I’m excited to hear Dr. Carol Swain speak here in Texas!
The Great Homeschool Convention is a chance to see we’re not alone in this volatile world. In fact, we’re a very large and growing segment of the population that can inspire others to embrace educational freedom and build strong loving independent families.
“Parents are waking up to the results of leaving things to the system and reclaiming their rights and responsibilities. Realizing kids are not pets to be boarded and trained without their input and often against their values.” Hifalutin Homeschooler
Who knows, you and your kids may come away with new like-minded friends to hang out with in person or virtually from across the country. Whether with gal pals, the family, or in disguise and alone, you’re sure to have a great weekend vacation recharging your homeschool spirit!
Will I see you at the Texas Great Homeschool Convention in July?
