I have always LOVED the Texas Home School Coalition Convention. As a kid, I remember my parents going to various events but for as long as the THSC convention has been around they have attended. Each year my siblings and I would stay with our Grandparents or friends while my Mom and Dad used the weekend for some school preparation, fun and much needed couple time. We always wanted to go too but weren’t allowed until we were older. They would bring us each a Dover coloring book as a gift. Later, as a teen I joined my Mom in the exhibit hall (which was like heaven for me since I love books!) and she let me have input on the next year’s curriculum. My Mom always told other homeschoolers she would “never skip Convention, its my vitamin B shot for the coming year” as a child and even as a teen, I didn’t really understand what that meant but I do know!
Over the years I have attended Convention many times both as a staff member and volunteer but this year was my first time as a homeschool mom. My husband, Dax and I left our kids with my parents for some quality time and we headed to Arlington!
There are two THSC Conventions each year, one in Arlington and one in the Woodlands. The Woodlands is my favorite because it was the original and holds so many good memories but this year Arlington fit best with our schedule. I love having options 🙂
As THSC members we get in free. There is also some incredible programming for kids, teens and even those with special needs! There are special events in the evenings and lots of add-ons. There are great speakers and an exhibit hall packed with vendors! This year they had Ken Ham, Ray Comfort, Emerson Eggerichs (of Love & Respect fame) Pam Tebow, Greta Eskridge (you might know her from Wild + Free), Susan Seay, Rick Green, Tim & Lyndsay Lambert, and lots of others. We went through the program and circled talks we really wanted to hear so we could prioritize our time. For the talks we missed they have recordings available for purchase so you don’t have to stress about missing info. Dax LOVES Ray Comfort and after hearing Ken Ham he was hooked. We now own almost every Answers in Genesis book they sell! Just kidding but we did buy quite a few!
I didn’t take a lot of notes during the weekend but I wrote down thoughts and ideas that really stood out to me. Sometimes less is more and in future I may come home with a whole notepad full of notes but this year it seemed like some key ideas stood out.
- “Duty is ours, the results are God’s” John Q Adams – Rick Green shared this quote on Thursday evening during the opening session and it went straight to my heart. How often do I worry and fret over things I can not control. I am not an anxious person by nature but I do think about the future and sometimes I worry. My oldest is in K and I wonder what the world will be like when he is in High school. What will the world be like? Will he know everything he needs to know? This quote was a gentle reminder that I am just to do the next thing. Whatever I am called to do. I am not to worry what will happen- that is in God’s hands.
2. Foundational Thinking – Ken Ham shared this idea in several of his talks. His point was that we need to focus on getting the foundation of our thinking right (God’s Word) and then build up from that foundation. Too often we try and do the opposite. This is true whether in the political realm dealing with issues like abortion or poverty or…you name it, but also academically. We can not separate the spiritual and the academic. We have to start by pouring that good foundation first. The idea isn’t ground breaking but it is good nonetheless. I need to focus on the foundational things. First, teaching my kids God’s Word. Second, and on a more personal note, this reminded me that I need to focus on the foundational things as I teach my son Kindergarten. It is easy to get busy with all the extras and leave out the basics. He has plenty of time to learn the periodic table! 😉
3. Legacy – What are we leaving behind? This word has been brought to my attention several times this year. I think the Lord is trying to make sure I remember. At the end of the day I want my kids to know and serve the Lord more than I want them to be wealthy, successful, or even happy. I want them to know that my faith is the most important thing to me. Is that the legacy I am leaving? This idea goes well with the next lesson…
4. Arrange your days to reflect your family culture. – Do the habits and customs of our day reflect our values? This was a question Greta Eskridge posed in her talk about cultivating a culture of learning in our home. What a powerful question! As the Mom, I set the tone for not only what we do but the attitudes with which we do them – Am I prioritizing the things I really want to teach my kids matter? Some things need to get done (laundry, eating, changing diapers etc) but the heart of my homeschool should be what I want the kids to remember long after they have graduated. My Mom did this so well.
5. Look for the nobility. – Emerson Eggerichs gave a powerful talk about Mom’s and sons. I cried! One of the things he mentioned was how even at a young age (starting at 4) our boys start desiring respect even if they can not express it in those words. This doesn’t mean they don’t need hugs and kisses and snuggles but it means that they start to wonder what you think of them and whether you believe in them. I have seen it in my son SO clearly! Maybe you have too. As a part of that he mentioned looking for the nobility even in the less than desirable behavior. Yes, our sons will misbehave and yes it will be frustrating BUT as you look at the behavior, try and see the strength behind the weakness being shown. Maybe they are being willful and disobedient, the strength of that characteristic is a strong conviction. Maybe they are bossy, do they have leadership qualities? Do they take everything apart and ask a million questions? Curiosity could be the noble quality behind that behavior.The key is to point out the nobility behind the bad behavior while NOT excusing the bad behavior. Maybe they have leadership qualities – affirm that but guide them to use them correctly and correct their wrong doing. “Son, I admire your desire to lead others and I know God can use you to lead others some day but part of learning to lead is to respect authority. You will want others to respect your authority and you will need to listen and be humble as you lead. When you yelled at your sister and chose to take things in your own hands that wasn’t showing good leadership or respecting my authority as your mom…” Something along those lines. It is so easy for me to get frustrated by my son and even my husband. This was such a good and practical reminder.
There is so much more that I learned in Arlington but these 5 were the main things. I look forward to learning more at the Woodlands. BONUS: If you come to this years “New to Homeschool Track” in the Woodlands you can hear me speak! I would love to say hi! Even if you can not come this year, I encourage you to attend a Convention. There is so much to learn, so much to see and so much fun to be had!
