This morning mine and Jeff’s alarms collectively sounded no less than 10 times, and no, that is not a hyperbolic statement. I would make excuses for being a sluggard, but there are none. However, there are a few reasons…three, to be exact.
1. It was raining. Need I say more?
2. Alarms. In an effort to wake gently, our alarms lull us back to sleep more than they encourage us to rise; they frequently play on and on and on without either one of us becoming irritated. We’d be wise to replace our gentle guitar strum and wind chimes with something more jarring, like a siren or bullhorn, but is it worth it? You might be able to guess that our answer is, “No, it isn’t.”
3. Late night. We were up late reviewing the workshops and speakers for the 2014 THSC Southwest Convention & Family Conference next weekend.
I.am.so.excited.
I have a couple of publishers I’m meeting up with, and I’ve exchanged several emails in the last few weeks with people attending. If you plan on going, please look for my platinum head (Platinum is the new “grey.”) and matching clipboard and introduce yourself.
And then, don’t get offended if after walking away you happen to glimpse back and see me frantically writing, “Jane Doe – Stunning momma with gorgeous turquoise bracelet and a smile to warm the coldest heart.” It’s the only way faces and names come together in my brain. I do this in my journal at church when I meet visitors. Yes, seriously. If I carried a polaroid, I’d probably take photos and have people sign them–including their email. Hmmm…that’s not a bad idea.
Oh, and I also have this “thing” on my neck. IT IS NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE. I burned myself with a curling iron Sunday morning, which is one of the many reasons I don’t use curling irons anymore. When I was a teenager, I burned my lips singing into the hot curling iron. I’d say I’ve matured…somewhat.
Back to the conference…
The following is my tentative schedule. I’m calling it “tentative,” but I rarely change my mind once I arrive. There are a few time blocks I still am uncertain about–maybe I’ll flip a coin. Jeff makes his own schedule 15 minutes before we leave home, or after we get there; the gall of the man.
FRIDAY, JULY 25th
9:30 AM: Todd Wilson ~ Raising Dangerous Sons in a Safe and Mediocre World
Description: “Let’s face it! Most men today are yellow-bellied, lily-livered weenies. They may wear tall Stetsons, drive fast cars, bungee-jump from bridges, collect souped-up power tools, and carry big black Bibles, but they’re weenies. They flex their biceps and proclaim their faith, but when the economy collapses, the newest pandemic hits the scene, a family crisis arises, or the going gets tough…they play it safe. Truth is: God wants your sons to leave the heavily populated, safe waters and live dangerously. He wants your sons to trust dangerously, work dangerously, and love dangerously. But that doesn’t come naturally. Everyone around them, from the talking heads in the media to pastors in the pulpit, keeps repeating, ‘Play it safe.’ Here’s a secret: Dangerous living leads to joy, family happiness, and real success while safe living results in worry, family failure, and heartache. So join Todd as he encourages you and your sons to get dangerous.”
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10:45 AM: Rick Boyer or Jean Burk (See below.)
Rick Boyer ~ Raising Cain Without Killing Abel
Description: “Few things create more tension for parents than hearing their children fight with each other. But it’s nothing new, as the Bible clearly shows. Scripture also shows several causes of sibling rivalry and teaches us how to deal with it effectively. Peace in your home really is possible! Come and hear how you can help your children learn to live at peace with each other and lay foundations for successful relationships all throughout their lives.”
Jean Burk ~ Free College at Your Fingertips
Description: “Are you ready to make $500 an hour? Although it sounds too good to be true, it’s possible to earn this much in scholarships for college. Author Jean Burk will teach you two important concepts: how to get into the college of your choice and how to find the scholarships to pay for it. You will learn methods of receiving substantial scholarships that go beyond tuition and may include room and board, graduate school, and money to study abroad! Unlock the keys to finding free college at your fingertips!”
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1:45 PM: Jeff Myers ~ Generations of Influence: How to Start a Legacy of Four Generations
Description: “Explore the tremendous spiritual power of ‘four generations’ and discover the world-changing legacy you can have on the lives of your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Hear stories of how past generations did it—and what we can learn from them.”
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3:00 PM: Tim Lambert ~ Fulfilling the Good Citizenship Requirement
Description: “Tim explains what our state government means when it requires us to teach ‘good citizenship’ and talks about how to incorporate the subject into your home school. He addresses maintaining priorities and keeping a balance between teaching the academics of government and politics and practicing activism at all levels. Tim encourages parents to take a synergistic approach to teaching their children about government in the classroom while participating in the governmental process in practical ways.”
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4:15 PM: Todd Wilson ~ 10 Things to Teach Your Daughter Before She Graduates
Description: “When you’re choosing what to teach your daughter it really boils down to what matters and what doesn’t…or, what your daughter needs to know to live happily ever after. The only problem is that everyone seems to have a different answer. Experts stand on every street corner shouting something different: ‘They need to know state history…master advanced algebra…speak a foreign language…’ It’s enough to give a well-meaning parent a headache and an ulcer. After all, what if you forget to teach her something important, dooming your daughter to a life of misery and failure? Problem solved. During this hour, Todd will cut away the tall grass and share with you the top ten things you need to teach your daughter before she graduates that will guarantee happiness and success.”
SATURDAY, JULY 26TH
9:30 AM: Todd Wilson or Rick Boyer
Todd Wilson ~ Taming the Techno-Beast–Parenting in the Internet Age
Description: “X-Boxes, Game-Cubes, the Internet, MP3 players, and iPhones have all changed the way we live, have fun, and interact. Children quietly glued to game monitors for hours have replaced laughter and creativity. They beg to play, whine when they can’t, and even lie about the time they’ve spent on ‘the gadget.’ Teens and preteens spend most of their waking hours texting, chatting on Facebook, or ‘tweeting’ on Twitter. Today’s latest-breaking technology becomes tomorrow’s obsession, demanding more time, attention, and sacrifices. Technology has become a powerful tool and ‘everyone is doing it,’ but maybe you feel like you’ve lost control in your own home. Does the chill down your spine tell you that something is terribly wrong? Do you feel like a beast has invaded your home, but you don’t know how to handle it? If so, then join me as we talk together about the timely topic of taming the Techno-Beast!”
Rick Boyer ~ Careers Without College
Description: “More and more colleges are welcoming—and even advertising for—home educated students. But just as college is not the only means of acquiring a higher education, neither is it the only way of preparing for a rewarding career. This workshop discusses the routes taken by several prominent Americans who reached the pinnacle of their chosen fields without attending college.”
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10:45 AM: Jeff Myers or Dr. Duke Pesta
Jeff Myers – Wise, Not Just Smart: The Characteristics of Kids Who Make a Difference
Description: “Teddy Roosevelt said, ‘To train a child in mind and not in morals is to train a menace to society.’ The biblical idea of wisdom gives four guidelines for raising kids to live meaningfully and make a difference. Here are practical ways to apply them in your family.”
Duke Pesta – Have You Heard About Common Core?
Description: “The chilling truth behind these new national educational ‘standards’ will terrify you. Common Core represents the latest and most comprehensive step in the drive toward complete government control of our children’s education. Join us for a special presentation exposing the truth about Common Core and the ongoing struggle to roll back its implementation.”
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1:00 PM: Todd Wilson ~ Dream Big
Description: “Everyone has dreams—you, your spouse, and your children—but for every dreamer, dream killers lurk in the shadows. They’re the ones who constantly remind you why you shouldn’t home school, have more children, be a stay-at-home mom, start a new business, or take that step of faith God’s telling you to take. Dream killers grew up with you. They live in your house and sometimes they even . . . are you. Their intentions may be good, but if you listen to them, you will miss out on God’s best for your life. Join Todd as he helps you revive old dreams and fan the dreams in others’ lives and urges you to throw caution to the wind and set sail for the adventure of a lifetime.”
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3:00 PM: Davis and Rachael Carman ~ Two Parents: One Purpose
Description: “Husband and wife bring different gifts, styles, methods, and perspectives to the parenting and home schooling process. Davis and Rachael give a visual model for how two parents can work together with one purpose. The results can bless the marriage and the children when done in harmony and love.”
Impart the Vision: Impact the Future
The theme of this year’s conference is “Impart the Vision: Impact the Future,” which I have been chewing on the last few days.
I believe the vision for each of our kids’ lives is two-fold, one of which parents play an essential role, but the other–the actual “vision,” I believe, is woven into our kids’ DNA.
Whereas parents work to impart what they feel are important components for a well-balanced life; for instance, faith, love, character, work ethic, and service, a person’s life vision is more of a “calling,” and it is, for all practical purposes, a responsibility they personally bear.
Each year I go into the conference with an idea of what I want to “get out of it,” but the nuggets I take away differ each time. Beyond a doubt, it is always a blessing, so if you live anywhere near The Woodlands in Texas, come–you won’t regret it. Here is the list of workshops and speakers; check it out.
Do you attend homeschool conferences? If so, what is your primary motivation for attending? If you don’t prefer going, what holds you back?
Heather Sanders is a leading homeschooling journalist who inspires homeschooling families to live, love and learn. Married to Jeff, Heather lives in the East Texas Piney Woods where she currently home schools two of her three kids.