Posted in Encouragement
It's that time of year again...time for refreshing, networking, inspiration and finding bargains at your local or state homeschool convention! I have had the blessing of both being a convention attendee for most of my homeschool career and, for the past 4 years, our family has had the double blessing of being vendors/speakers at these wonderful homeschool events. Since God has seen fit to allow me to have these experiences, I thought I would share some tips from both inside and outside the vendor booth.- Go! - I know we all live busy lives and it can be hard to set aside the time, money, home responsibilities, etc., but I want to encourage you to do it anyway. Even if you already know what curriculum you want or need to purchase, or already own, go to the convention to meet other homeshool moms and hear the wonderful speakers. You will be refreshed and inspired! One of the things I dislike about being a vendor/speaker is not being able to go to the many workshops - take advantage of the wisdom offered from speakers, many of whom are homeschool veterans with lots to share.
One word of caution here: after listening to a workshop, it can be easy to decide to make a major change in your homeschool methods or rush to the author's table to purchase their materials. I advise moms to find a quiet corner, take a walk through the halls, or stop by the cafe' or eating area and take a few minutes to pray and think. Ask the Lord to help you sort through this new, excitement you are feeling and ask Him what your response needs to be. If, after taking a few minutes to reflect, you still feel that a purchase and possibly a change in the direction you were taking in a particular subject is right, then by all means move forward. If you are unsure, wait. Enjoy some more workshops, talk to other moms, look over the materials you had planned to use and those recommended. If you wait to make that purchase and then find the vendor is out of stock, ask if they will ship the item to you. Many (not all) vendors will ship out of stock items for free if you pay for them at the convention. - Make a Plan, Stick to the Plan - Depending on the size of the event and whether or not you are a new or veteran homeschooler, some convention exhibitor halls can be quite overwhelming. I always find it helpful to do so 'window shopping' online and in catalogs before covention. This helps me have an idea of what I need to purchase. Also, I like to spend the first day (if the convention is more than one day) just looking at what is offered. I have met many families who don't bring any money, cards, or checks on that first day. That way they can stick to their commitment to look first, think and pray overnight, and then make their purchases on the following day. Of course, if you KNOW that you need to purchase a certain workbook or something that you are continuing to use from last year, then you might want to make those purchases on the first day, so you'll have less to carry around later. Whether you decide to shop from the minute you hit the convention or prefer to wait until day two - remember to do some "pre-convention" research and stick to whatever spending/shopping plan you and your husband have agreed to!
- Support the "Little Guy" - I really appreciate the wisdom shared by Donna on the HSB Community Blog. Whenever you can, please consider supporting some of the smaller companies, many of whom are homeschool families who genuinely seek to serve and minister to your needs.
- Bless Those Who Bless You - Several years ago, when I was at my first homeschool convention as a "newbie", a well-known conference speaker ended an encouraging and informational presentation with these words, which have stuck with me for over a decade (loosely paraphrased, as my mind has turned to mush over the years): "If, after a vendor takes their time to explain and answer questions about a product, you decide to make a purchase. Even if it is a decision you make later in the day. Please go back and purchase the item(s) from that vendor -even if their price is a couple dollars more than someone else in the exhibitor hall. The Bible says 'A laborer is worthy of his wages.' It is important to bless those who take their time to bless you with their knowledge and wisdom." As a young homeschool mom, I really took this speaker's words to heart and I hope I was a blessing to those wonderful, experienced homeschol families who gave me so much wise counsel about curriculum and homeschooling in general!
Fast forward a few years and now I find myself on the above speaker's side of things! I have found that, because we are a smaller homeschool business, we are able to spend more time answering questions and ministering to families. Although we carry a good number of products, we have used most of them and are able to really help people with the "ins and outs" of various resources. As much as we love talking to folks and showing them the resources that we have found to be some of the "best" available, it can be a bit disheartening to spend time pouring into a person, answering their questions, only to see them later carrying the item(s) you took so long to explain, and knowing the didn't purchase it from you. Most of the vendors I know price their products as competitively as possible, so often your savings from one booth to another is only a couple of dollars. I know budgets are tight - as a fellow homeschool family, we are in the same positioin as those who shop with us. I also know that when you are buying for several children, that a few dollars here and there add up to a lot! Spending our funds wisely, staying in a budget and finding bargains are all very important - especially in the exhibitor hall. If you know what you want and don't need lots of advice about a book or resource, then by all means make sure you are getting the best price. But, if you "hire" someone to explain a program or answer your many questions, please consider paying them their wage, buy purchasing from them (if you decide it is the product you need). - Recorded Workshops - Many convention organizers hire companies to record workshops. If there were workshops you missed or even some that you heard and loved - consider making the investment of purchasing it on tape or CD. I have found that there are some CDs that I listen to over and over through the years. It is also a great way to bless new homeschoolers that you meet throughout the year - loan them some of your favorites and help them benefit from the wisdom of these great speakers. You might even consider speaking to the leaders in your support group about them purchasing (or allowing you to donate) a set of recordings from this year's convention to have available to loan to members throughout the year.
As I wrap things up here, I am reminded of another important point. Beware of discontentment. As you prepare and plan for next year, listen to speakers share about their homeschool experiences, listen to other moms share about their purchasing plans, or look longingly at some "cool" curriculum resources that are way out of your budget, remember that God has called us to be content with what we have. Don't allow the enemies of discouragement and discontent to rob you of your joy or to cause you to stumble (spending more than you had planned, allowing coveteousness to get a foothold, etc.). Instead, turn your eyes upon Jesus - He knows exactly what you and your children need! Although you may not see it today, He often chooses to bless us with many of those things that we "want" for our homeschool. I am constantly amazed at His goodness and how He provides those blessings in the most unexpected ways and always at just the time we need them the most!
Leaning on Him,
Cindy
