Ten Timeless Tips for Tackling a Homeschool Convention

Posted by Beth | Comments Off

One of the biggest mistakes I made at my first homeschool convention was heading into a football field sized room full of used books for sale without a plan. Can you feel where I am headed? Can you guess what horrible mistake I made?

Photo Credit: Darcy LWM3B

Fortunately, I did have a spending cash limit but the sad thing was I bought a lot of great books that were not on my list for that year and in my excitement I had spent the money that should have been used on what we really needed for that year. Now, five years later I would like to share some of my favorite tips to help prepare you to spend your money wisely, without a lot of stress, while getting the most out of your homeschool convention experience.

Plan and Prepare for the Best

Start now by creating a spreadsheet for each child that has every subject you need and want to cover. Under each subject list the items that you plan to purchase for that category including the price. If you are unsure of what you will use, then make a running list of the items you want to explore for that subject. Conventions are a great place to compare resources and research what will work best for your family. There is nothing like holding a book in your hand and flipping through the pages to give you an honest feel for what that resource is really like. If you have a general plan before you head to the book mecca, you will be less likely to spend your money on things you really don’t need.

Make Hubby your Spending Ally, not your Adversary

There is nothing more discouraging to an excited homeschooling mom then to hear her husband say, “You spent how much?!!!” as you walk through the door. A husband needs to know the bottom line before you start spending money. To avoid this happening in your home, make a spreadsheet for each child showing each subject. Under each subject list the items that have to be purchased with the suggested price. Decide together how and when you want to purchase these items.

Transform Your Scoffing Spouse into a Homeschool Cheerleader

Do you have a spouse who is still questioning the validity of your joint decision to Homeschool? Then by all means find a way to take them with you! This is one of the best things a new homeschool family can do. Some spouses do not realize how vast the homeschooling community is, nor do they grasp the potential it can hold for their children. They usually have not had the chance to soak in all of the info that we have and there is nothing like walking into a convention and being startled by the fact that there are thousands of other families there. They suddenly realize you are not the only family who has chosen to Homeschool. After attending his first convention, my husband went from being my faithful supporter to being an adamant pro-homeschooling cheerleader. It enhanced his perspective and gave him the information he needed to become totally committed to our decision. It makes a huge difference when both spouses are equally committed to the task of homeschooling.

Quick! Find that Money Tree!

My husband is always telling me, “Babes, we don’t have a money tree growing in the back yard.” Well ,we may not have a money tree, but there are ways to beef up your wallet with some extra spending cash. Somehow I have always found a way when there wasn’t one, when I really knew I needed something we couldn’t afford. Here are some things I will gladly admit I have done:

• Have a Yard Sale
• Recycle and Sell Your Curriculum
• Exchange those Baby Items for Cash – Most big cities have used baby boutiques that will gladly give you immediate cash for your nice baby through toddler items.
• Remind the Grandparents – Let them know what you are doing. They may just bless you with some extra cash that can help you buy that expensive writing program you have always wanted.

Put a Padlock on Your Wallet

Warning! Warning! Be careful! The atmosphere of a Homeschool Convention has a way of making us want to overspend and buy too much all at once. Decide before you go what your budget will be. If you have that spreadsheet ready, it will be easy to see what you will need to buy and how much that it will cost. Decide now how you will attack your plan. Can you afford it all today or do you need to pace your spending? Most families find it necessary to spread their spending out over a period of time rather than purchasing it all in one day. By creating your spreadsheet and then making a planned budget before you go, will ensure that you invest your money wisely.

When You Can’t Buy It All

Sometimes we have to make hard choices. If you have to spread your purchases out, consider buying your history and science first. These two subjects tend to need more planning and take more time to bring together. If you buy them first, you can ensure that you will have the time necessary to sit and plan out your year in a way that is best for your family. I have also found it helpful to bring a small notebook so that you can make a list of the things to buy later that you didn’t plan for.

Don’t Stop to Smell the Flowers

It is so easy to walk into a convention and get sucked in and before you know it they are announcing it’s closing time and you still haven’t made it to that one place yet. To avoid this happening to you, go ahead and download a vendor map before you go.

Most conventions have a map you can download and print that tells you where the vendors will be. It’s important to print this off before you go and highlight the ones you don’t want to miss. This really comes in handy when you are pressed for time and it’s convenient to be able to quickly locate them, especially when you are in a hurry.

Plan for Inspiration

One of my favorite resources available at a homeschooling convention is the speakers. No matter how many years you have homeschooled we all can use the inspiration and encouragement that comes from the voice of experience. Print off your list of speakers and make it a point to be encouraged.

Plan to Buy the CDs
More often than not conventions will have multiple speakers speaking simultaneously. Don’t worry! Pick your favorite and then buy the CDs of the ones you missed. You can help your pocketbook by splitting the cost with a friend.
My Best Advice
Don’t be afraid of buying mistakes. It is going to happen. You can count on it. As your homeschooling journey continues, what you base your decisions on will morph. You will gradually have a better understanding of what works for your family and what does not. You are going to have those moments when you suddenly realize that what Suzie raved about on the phone for over an hour does not fit your family’s needs. And you will come to understand that it’s okay.

Give Us Your Feedback

• What tips can you share that have helped you?
• How do you prepare for a homeschooling convention?
• What’s a mistake that you have made that others can learn from?
• How has going to a homeschooling convention helped you?

Beth discovered how fun learning can be when she began homeschooling in 2003. She considers homeschooling to be a treasured blessing.On the path with her are her 2 boys and husband John, who is her biggest supporter and fan. Somehow she has enabled her frog loving outdoor boys to love tough subjects like Latin, Writing and Grammar. (She is not kidding!) Now if she could only get them to eat all their vegetables. Beth loves capturing life’s precious moments with her camera and decorating them with Photoshop. You can visit her blog at Pages of Our Life.