This is a sponsored post and I am proud to be partnering with Great Homeschool Conventions this year because I LOVE their convention philosophy.

Before Tiny was conceived (okay not a TMI post) and when I only had Mr. Senior 2013 and Mr. Awesome, I started my homeschool journey in a tiny 800 square foot cabin and that included the porch.

Having just two bedrooms and one main living area for both schooling and living was a perfect size as I started my homeschooling journey.  I loved that cabin because not only was it cozy but on the porch I spent countless hours reading and playing with my sons.

As much as I loved it though, I seemed to spend more time at the local teacher store hunting just the right hands on activities for my budding reader.  That is until I found out about homeschool conventions.

Too, because there were times the cabin did feel like cramped quarters, I focused on learning several things as a novice teacher and one was how to navigate a homeschool convention.

Homeschool Convention Tools, Techniques and Tips

Planning in advance with the same passion I planned a family vacation, I was sure to not miss any conventions that were close to me.  Guess what? Even if they weren’t close, I realized soon in my homeschool journey that attending a convention catapulted me ahead in honing my homeschool teaching skills.

Look at some tips I learned when I attended conventions and made an extra effort to attend the bigger ones.

1.  Love them and leave them kids.  When my kids were very young, I would try to leave them at home at least one day with Grandma.  It normally was the second day.  On that day I was more tired but also I had time to look through the booths.   Too, I have had many years of living in the cabin with no family near me so that I could leave my kids.  If it is the same for you, go slow and go the pace of the children.  Do not miss the convention, but take breaks and plan on attending some workshops.  When you attend workshops, you and the kids (hopefully) can sit down, take a break and at the same time still receive some much needed encouragement.

2.  Avoid convention-itis.   Try to give yourself one day to think about what you have looked over and then buy the next day.  However, if there are limited products of the curriculum you want and you already know that you need it, then purchase it and it’s done so you don’t have to go back.

3.  Deploy the Teens.  If you have teens, they can be a great source of help if you put them to work.   My teens enjoyed having a mission.   Let them tour some of the vendors and call you back with prices and information.

4.  Deploy the Gear.  No teens? Grab a super size stroller and it serves as both snack holder and place for the younger ones to sit down.

5.  Money Belt Must.  I always liked having my money belt around my waist so I constantly do not have to bend over.   Some moms I see leave their money on top of the stroller, but in this day and age even at a homeschool convention, we just can’t trust everybody.   By having it around your waist, you can still hold the little ones on your hips too.  My preference only, but I have never liked a backpack because I have seen many folks back into racks and other people.  I do bring a tote though that I can stick papers in that I want to look at later.

6.  Utilize the on-site Storage Room or Services.  Most conventions have free storage rooms for your convention purchases.  Even if they charge you for a space, it really is worth it instead of hauling around all your new purchases.  At the end of the convention, back your car up and load it all up.

7.  Distinguish between Workshops.  Keep in mind there are generally two types of workshops at conventions.  One is a “product workshop” and the other is an “informational workshop”.

A product workshop will be more specific and geared toward selling the product and it generally is hosted by a vendor.  This is not really a negative especially if you are interested in purchasing it for your use.   The product workshops can be so more informative educating you about the use of a product.

Information workshops will be about various homeschooling topics that are of interest to us and are normally put on by a seasoned mom who has had particular success with either a method or is sharing the how-tos of a subject.   Look ahead on the schedule and try to plot out your course of action for the days you are there.

8.  Make Ahead Do Not Forget List.  My packing list normally includes hair clip, phone, extra cell phone, water, lipstick (yes have to be purdyyy), comfortable shoes, tote, credit cards and/or checks, printable list of my curriculum needs and wants and waist belt with cash.  And do not bring all $100.00 bills (I did have a few of them at one time) because not all companies can make change for a $100.00 bill.   Small bills are best.

Get Excited for Great Homeschool Conventions

Homeschool conventions do not have to be a time of wondering around aimlessly with no plan or standing out with a deer in the headlight look.   The first time  attending any homeschool convention can be downright overwhelming, but soon enough the contagious spirit of fellow homeschoolers fills the building.   Walking away with enough zest and vigor to move ahead one more year in my journey, I make it a yearly habit of attending them.

I still love that old cabin with all its charm and character.   It has a special place in my heart because not only was it my first homeschooling area but my craze for curriculum and love for conventions was conceived there.

What about you? Have you decided which convention/s you are going to? Remember to register with Great Homeschool Conventions!

Need some checklists for the convention? Look at the links below:

Master the Subjects Form – 5 Days Of The Benefits & Challenges of Teaching Mixed Ages Together – Day 4: Embrace Homeschooling Multiple Grades

Teacher’s Manual Checklist – {How To Series} How to Determine if a Teacher’s Manual is Treasure or Trash? + {printable checklist}

Hugs and love ya,

This is also a blog hop. This blog hop is organized by iHomeschool Network, a collaboration of outstanding homeschool bloggers who connect with each other and with family-friendly companies in mutual beneficial projects.   Visit us on Pinterest, Twitter and Google Plus.   And of course, click the image below to visit all the other blog articles from the homeschool moms of the iHomeschool Network.