Choices, Choices

One of the most overwhelming pieces of the convention puzzle is the vendor hall. With many vendors selling hundreds and thousands of different titles, where do we start? I like to make a written plan beginning months in advance. Starting with a list of each child in the family, I make a spreadsheet on the computer itemizing the staples each child needs for next year: English, math, history, geography, science, etc. Which curriculum do I have that can be used for another child? Do I need any support resources, especially consumables, workbooks, project kits, hands-on lab supplies?

What else do we need to round out our school year? Biographies of great Christians? Resources for unit studies? Maps, flashcards, geography games, math manipulatives, science supplies?

Once the list is made of exactly what we need for the next year, then I research which supplier has what will work best for us. I order their catalog, research their items on the Internet, and find out which vendors at the convention carry them. If a vendor spends time showing or explaining a product to me, I like to buy from them, remembering that their time is money.

Used Curriculum

Another upsurge in homeschool conventions is hosting a large centralized used curriculum sale. Homeschoolers bring their no-longer-needed curriculum and other resources, setting a price to sell to others. This is such a blessing to homeschool families—to be able to sell their unneeded items, and for others to be able to buy at a reduced rate.

If you are an impulse buyer, then it might help to have your husband go along with you to keep you focused on the list, or help you justify your purchases.

A suitcase with rollers, a milk crate, or another container on wheels is great to put purchases in. Just check out the constraints of the convention with the planners. Some prefer only open containers while others have no problem with closed.

Children

If you can arrange for someone to watch your children on convention day, it provides a wonderful opportunity for your husband to come along to the convention, to hear the speakers and rub shoulders with other homeschool dads. Dads also can get a vision for their own homeschool and learn more ways on how to be a good support for the mommy/teacher role you have. So, if you can get someone to keep your children while you’re at the convention, it will help you be able to better concentrate on the seminars and purchasing you do at the convention hall.

Some conventions plan for children with a camp or program created especially for their age. This can be a great blessing in their lives, as well as giving you the assurance they are well cared for.

Ask about protocol for strollers and nursing babies.

Homecoming

When you return home, everything will be a jumble. You might be tempted to throw out all you’ve been doing and copy someone else’s style or begin the new curriculum. Instead, pick the ball up and finish the school year following your previous plan. Use the summer months to put all the pieces together. Mull over all the notes you took at the convention. Let the Lord direct and guide you to the specific changes which will work best for your family, your children, your specific situation and needs. Then welcome in a wonderful new school year with all of your well-planned purchases—and the puzzle will all fit together nicely.

This article was originally published in the Mar/Apr ’06 issue of Home School Enrichment Magazine. For more information, and to request a free sample copy, visit http://HomeSchoolEnrichment.com