6 Tips to Make the Most of a Homeschool Convention

I was homeschooled as a child, and LOVED attending the state convention with my parents as a teen. (Talking my dad into purchasing tons of books for me was definitely a motivator.) And, I still love attending conferences as a homeschool parent. And now, as a state homeschool organization board member, I also get the wonderful (and daunting) task of helping organize our convention!

I encourage you to make attending a convention this year a priority! Just as you wouldn’t walk into a job unprepared, and I urge you to fully utilize your state’s homeschool convention to prepare yourself for your unique job as the primary educator of your children.

Having experienced homeschool conventions as a child, an exhibitor, an attendee, and an organizer, here are my top tips for making the most of your experience at a homeschool convention!

1. Figure out what you need. Make sure that you’re going to the right convention. Don’t pick a convention just because of a big name speaker––determine whether the workshops and resources being offered will meet your needs. Find a convention that fits with your goals for your homeschool. Ask the Lord to guide you in determining how you need to learn and grow this year. Seek His face and ask Him to guide your direction at the event.
2. Stay close to the convention. If at all possible, I highly encourage you to book a hotel close to the event if you live far away. (Some conventions are even held in hotels and offer group discounts.) This gives you time to unwind and utilize moments to reflect and relax that you might not otherwise have if you are facing a long (exhausting) commute at the end of each day.
3. Assess what you have. Make a list of the curriculum you already own for each grade level. (Maybe even list your reading materials, too!) Consider what is working and what isn’t for each of your children. From here, you can determine what materials you want to examine at each event. You might even make a list of what vendors you want to make a point to visit! Utilize the vendor hall to its fullest extent, paging through curriculum and examining it carefully to see what will meet your goals. Vendors are there to help and support you!
4. Plan what sessions to attend. Don’t just focus on big-name speakers. If the topic doesn’t meet your needs, reconsider. If the workshop isn’t going to meet your family’s needs this year, select something else. Planning will keep you from feeling overwhelmed, but don’t forget that you can adjust as needed!
5. Don’t overwhelm yourself. During your time at convention, you will likely encounter many new ideas, things you want to implement, curriculum ideas, and more. Slowly make a plan for changes. Remember you can write things down and come back to it later! A good rule of thumb is to only change one thing at a time, and wait until it fits into your family’s rhythms to move on to your next idea. Don’t try to alter everything at once!
6. Relax and enjoy! All you have to do is show up. Soak it all in. Don’t succumb to the comparison monster. Refuse to compete! Don’t let doubts or “I can’t” be whispered in your ear. Don’t give into the idea of “information overload.” Just take notes and come back to it later. Enjoy time with fellow homeschool parents, and grow in your journey!

I have gone to a homeschool convention almost every year since the time I was about 12 years old. Sometimes, it is easy to think “I’ve already been there and done that, I don’t need to attend anymore.” Do not make that mistake. God will use the time you invest for His glory and your family’s good. Don’t show up for your family with less investment and being less prepared than you would show up for a job. You won’t regret attending.

You will learn, laugh, and sometimes even cry right along with other parents as you sharpen the skills that you use each day. You’re not alone in the journey! May your homeschool convention be a blessing to your family!