How to Get Refocused at a Homeschool Convention

This is the time of year when schooling gets hard, whether you homeschool or not. I remember as a teacher how hard January through March was…long days and not many breaks. Once spring came, there was the anticipation of summer and the break that everyone was going to get.

Homeschooling is hard and can be draining. Especially when you are dealing with crazy winter weather and you can’t get out much and explore. And we are with our precious children and students all the time. Which I love! Sometimes we need a little breather or a short time away to refocus on our purpose and passion.

Homeschool Conventions are a great way to do that. They start in the spring and help you really think about homeschooling and your plans. Or you may choose to go as a family or just you and your spouse to reconnect.

There is a fine balance between getting refocused and overwhelmed at a convention. Have a plan in place.

 

Speakers’ Sessions:

Attending the sessions is a good way to refocus. It gives you time to just sit and be “fed” and ministered to. It helps you evaluate where you are and what you can improve on. It can help you revisit your vision for your family and why you are homeschooling to begin with. Take a notebook so you can gather ideas that you would like to implement or consider.

Vendor Booths:

This is a place where it is really hard to stay balanced. You can go from zero to overwhelm in a flash when you see what seems like miles and miles of books and different curriculum. How in the world can you look at all that and not go crazy? You can’t. It is good to have a plan in place before as to what vendors are a must to see and which ones are maybes. If you have time to browse and it doesn’t overwhelm you, do that for new inspiration and ideas.

Take a Break & Have a Planning Session:

If you are at a convention alone, consider stepping away from the hustle and bustle and just breathe. Maybe take a nap and then grab your notebook and think about your homeschool. If you are with your husband, this is a great time to do this together.

Is it what you had planned? Are you happy with the direction it is going? What do you want to change? How can you simplify your life and homeschooling? 

Spend some time in prayer to seek the Lord’s direction and where He wants you to go with this. Consider your children’s hearts and whether what really matters is being valued.

Homeschooling is not for the faint of heart. It is hard and not an easy journey. But it is very rewarding. I treasure getting to be with my children, although there are some days that the school bus goes by and I wonder what all those alone hours would feel like. But my heart would ache beyond words without my boys with me.

If you are able to attend a homeschool convention, take some time and really think about how you want your family and homeschool to look in the coming year. Let go of the things that weigh you down that really are not important in the scheme of things.

Learn to embrace life and the gift and privilege that you have been given.

Check out Great Homeschool Conventions and the locations around the country. This is a great way to get refocused and refreshed! 

Visit the other bloggers at iHomeschool Network to see other hows and whys and get some great ideas!

Other posts you might like:

How to Survive a Homeschool Convention

Sharing at Christian Mommy Blogger, A Mama’s Story, The Modest Mom, Far Above Rubies, Time-Warp Wife, Growing Home, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Raising Homemakers, Walking Redeemed, Raising Arrows & Raising Mighty Arrows.