Homeschool Conventions. Why go? It’s so people-y!
Sure, there might be some cool key chains and stress balls to grab off the vendor tables, maybe an awesome discount on your favorite curriculum and a chance to hear the author speak, but what about socialization?
Wait…. what? Did I just type that out loud?
If you are not a real people-y person, the thought of going to a homeschool convention might be the equivalent of a root canal. Or mom testimony share day at co-op. Read and laugh at my preconceived notions on homeschool conventions here.
No, thanks I’ll just be over here dying a slow and painful death of anxiety, right?
Wrong!
Big Scary Homeschool Conventions
The first 3 years that we homeschooled I avoided conventions like I avoid those fundraisers blocking the grocery store entrances. I was afraid we weren’t the right kind of homeschooler, that somehow people would be able to tell, just by looking at us, that we weren’t studying Latin and had never entered a Bible Bee.
(and other lies I tell myself about homeschooling)
How ironic is it that the only time some of us worry about blending is when we are around other homeschoolers?!
But I finally gathered the guts to drag my family to a convention, and was fully prepared to be hit in the face with all I was doing wrong. And you know what? It wasn’t at all like what I imagined.
Plot twist spoiler alert…
I’ll be speaking at the Texas Great Homeschool Convention in Ft. Worth on March 12-14, 2020! Also, I’ve got this booth where I give out mostly unprofessional advice, stickers, candy, and sell my funny homeschool books. So, just plan to come already.
The Refreshing Truth About Homeschool Conventions
Like homeschooling in general, there aren’t a lot of playground rules to abide by or popular kids hanging out by the snack machines at homeschool conventions. (ahem…They’re hanging out at my booth.) It’s a come and go as you please kind of setting.
Shop a little. Listen a little. Hide in corner with a good new book you find. Go out for lunch and come back for coffee and a fun talk (with me)! Find what you’re there for, then stumble upon what you never knew you needed to see, learn, or try. No one is forcing you to show a transcript or repent for not using Saxon math. (Though it is the best.)
You can sit in the back of all the speaking sessions and slip out for coffee (or over into my sessions if you get bored), and no one throws darts at you. There are no pop quizzes or hoops to jump through to prove your level of homeschool-y-ness.
At Great Homeschool Conventions there are all kinds of homeschoolers attending and speaking, and no ugly finger pointing. Unlike the social gatherings you might stumble onto on social media:
What Type of Homeschoolers Go to Convention?
I did a lot of people-watching that first time we dared step foot at convention. And you know what?
Only some homeschoolers look like “homeschoolers.” Read about that weird homeschool family here. So it’s hard for any one to figure out anyone else’s homeschool style, successes or failures just by looking at them. Also, before letting them wander off in the homeschool convention exhibit hall, most everyone threatens their kids to stay together, don’t take without asking, and say thank you, just like the rest of us.
Basically, what I’m saying here is, get over yourself. Like I tell my teens, everyone isn’t looking at you. Loosen up and enjoy yourself. You can even stay all alone in your own family bubble. You go to learn and improve homeschooling for you and your family. Just don’t stick your tongue out at anyone perusing Latin curriculum. That’s their dragon to defeat.
Reasons to Go to Convention
Now that you have learned to blend by not worrying about blending, let me tell you why you should go to a homeschool convention, and rather specifically, to the Texas Great Homeschool Convention.
Because the Hifalutin Homeschooler will be there.
The end.
Okay and also because…
Reasons to Go to the Texas Great Homeschool Convention:
- You’ve never been and, like all good homeschoolers, should try new things. Register here!
- You’ve been before and already know you want to go back. You just need the link for family registration.
- Choose from dozens of speaker sessions on topics ranging from everyday homeschooling, specific subjects, special needs, Christian homeschooling, and timeout just for inspiration and laughs with me, the Hifalutin Homeschooler! (Bring chocolate.) About that here.
- For the chance to touch, flip through, and ask questions about curriculum you’ve only seen online. And you don’t even have to buy it do all these things! Though you can and get a convention discount! See exhibit hall!
- Hundreds of vendors in the exhibit hall are there with the latest science kits, games, tech, books, etc. and are ready to talk shop with you, or throw promotional goodies at you as you stroll on by! You can get your hands-on cool stuff not available anywhere else! (i.e. These really awesome, snarky, one of kind bumper stickers for the family wagon.)
6. There is affordable family entertainment! Comedians, Sing-alongs, and Inspirational Celebrities!
7. Kidnap your best good homeschool friend or spouse and check into a comfy hotel with a discount and make it a kid- free weekend! Or bring the kids and make it an epic field trip. Downtown Ft. Worth is oozing with great food, museums, and entertainment, all surrounding the convention center!
Which Convention Should You Attend?
Obviously, the best Great Homeschool Convention this year will take place in Ft. Worth, TX on March 12-14, 2020! Duh, I’ll be there to make you laugh through all the hard days of homeschooling!
But if you absolutely can’t make it to Texas, there are 6 other Great Homeschool Conventions to choose from across the entire continental US that will be almost as great. Other locations include: SC, MO, OH, CA, FL, NY.
Just go and try it!
You know you want to!
Plan to go now and enjoy yourself! Relax knowing that most everyone else in attendance is probably also worrying whether or not they are the right type of homeschooler. And remember, no one is judging you because we’re all too busy judging ourselves.
Really, we should just stop worrying about fitting in perfectly. We don’t have time for this nonsense, since we’re supposed to be teaching our kids to just be themselves and do the dang math lessons already! (So we can take a break in the spring and go to convention.)
If you have any questions about the Texas Great Homeschool Convention, feel free to email me and ask away! [email protected]
