I had a great weekend!  It began Friday morning when I drove my oldest son, Clayton, to The Woodlands for the Texas Home School Coalition‘s (THSC) Annual Conference.  THSC hosts the conference at the Marriot Waterway.  Speakers, vendors, and activities fill the 2 1/2 day event.  My son had a great time participating in the Teen Program.  My husband and I were greatly encouraged by the speakers to whom we listened.  The conference is for homeschooling veterans and newbies alike.

I met one woman who was a retired public school teacher who had been volunteering to teach at a home school co-op.  She remarked to me that homeschoolers don’t think the same way as most people so she came to find out how we think.  She was so inspired by the speakers that she purchased CD recordings of their workshop and is encouraging her son to now home school.  It was truly an inspiring weekend.

If you have not attended a homeschooling conference, there are 5 reasons you need to soon.

1. Encouragement-  I don’t care who you are, you are going to need encouragement every once in the while to stay the course.  The speakers at the conference offered up encouragement throughout their talks as well as the fellowship with other homeschoolers.  It is even encouraging to just watch other families engage with each other.  I found it greatly encouraging to see all the couples participating in the conference.  Homeschooling is a family lifestyle; it is not just about a teacher and her students.
2. Inspiration- This might sound too similar to encouragement, but it is a little different. Encouragement is needed for one to choose to stay the course of the homeschooling lifestyle.  Inspiration, however, speaks more to change.  Feeling inspired to try something new whether it be curriculum, methodology, or some change within your family’s day.  Attending a conference enables you to learn about new products and/or hear different ideas from other homeschoolers.  You can easily be inspired to try something new.
3. Products and Deals- The first floor of the convention center was filled with vendors from all over the country offering everything from automobile insurance to curriculum in a box.  It is an opportunity to actually hold a book that you have only heard about.  I look forward every year to being able to see the different activities open to homeschoolers like theatre, band, robotics club, etc.  You learn a lot just walking and browsing the booths in the convention center.
4. Fellowship- Sometimes it is easy to feel like the only ones homeschooling.  My son often thinks he is, which is why the Teen Program was so good for him.  He participated in the program with hundreds of homeschooled teens from all over the state.  It is wonderful to be surrounded by like-minded families.  The one lady was right when she observed that homeschooling families think differently.  It is nice to be with families who think like you even if only a few days.  Simply sitting down and watching the people pour out of the conference rooms into the very crowded hallways amazes me.  The numbers of homeschooling families has grown and my guess will continue to grow.  You walk around saying to yourself, “All these people home school?”
5. Support- THSC acts as a legal defense on the subject of homeschooling on behalf of its members.  Each time the state government convenes some try to erode our right to home school.  THSC is on top of the issues, proposed bills, etc. and lobbies on our side.  It does not cost much to join THSC.  They have your back if and when you ever have problems with school districts, CPS, etc.  If you don’t live in Texas, there is a national defense association called Home School Legal Defense Assoiciation (HSLDA).

I greatly encourage you to find a convention in your area to attend.  The Homeschool Mom has a listing by state of the conventions and conferences in the United States.  They usually have them in large cities.  Make a vacation of it.  THSC also offers vacation add-ons.  If you can make it next year to The Woodlands, maybe we will see each other.  Mark your calendars it is set for July 29-31, 2010.

Tags: 5 reasons to attend homeschooling conference, conference, deals, encouragement, fellowship, fun, Homeschooling, HSLDA, inspiration, legal support, products, THSC

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