| Author | |
Bella
Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 18 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 571
|
| Posted: May 05 2009 at 8:48pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
JodieLyn wrote:
I've never been to one either. I have nothing against the idea of them. But like Natalia, I have to travel and many of them seem to have something against mothers with infants.. and as you can probably figure from my siganture line.. I rarely don't have an infant.
My kids by age 2 will casually wave goodbye to me and stay with someone for hours and hours.. but before then unless it's someone close.. their daddy or now that my sister lives here, their aunt. It just would not work.
And many of the ones I've looked at online just to see.. if the infant is more than 6 months old.. forget it. And since my littles nurse to at least a year and some exclusively past 6 months.. that makes it even more impossible.
And while I understand on the one side that parents are there to learn stuff too.. on the other it's like.. we love homeschooling and keeping our kids with us unless it's during our conference. 
I hope to go to one maybe next year.. up in Washington, there would be 4real ladies to meet and they sound child friendly  so my dh and I could both go and trade off and get to visit etc. |
|
|
Jodie,
You bring up a very important factor! I was surprised last year, when I inquired into a local protestant hsing conference, and I wasn 't able to even bring my 12 year old!! I was hoping to find a math curriculum, and dh and I really wanted her to get a eyes and hands on experience with the curricula the "vending hall" offered. They would have nothing to do with it! 
OH! If I had a nursing toddler...and couldn't attend-yeah-that would be a frustrating no-brainer. 
ETA...Whoops! Not sure how I put a "Martha: at the end!! Deleted.... 
__________________
Peace and Blessings,
Bella
Wife and Mom to my sweeties!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Bella
Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 18 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 571
|
| Posted: May 05 2009 at 8:52pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Natalia wrote:
I have never been to one.I take that back, I remember I went to a Wholehearted Mother Conference about 7 years ago. I don't have anything against them, it is just that to go I have to travel. If they were in my town I would probably go. I think it can be energizing to be with other homeschool moms and to be exposed to speakers and their ideas. The only thing I would approach with caution, if I went to one, would be the vendors hall. Those things are dangerous!  |
|
|
I completely understand, Natalia! I ,too, would have to travel a ways to get to a conference I would be truly excited about! And the vending hal...yes, dangerous-yet a delicous temptation! 
~~~~~
Martha! Wow! You give me hope!! 
__________________
Peace and Blessings,
Bella
Wife and Mom to my sweeties!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Aggie gal
Forum Pro
Joined: Aug 02 2007
Location: Illinois
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 192
|
| Posted: May 05 2009 at 10:19pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Hmmm.... We move around a lot, so I've been to conferences in STL, Mo.; NE; Dayton, OH; VA; and NJ-- all made the exception for nursing babies (no 6 month age limit) and I had a baby hanging off my hip just about every time. I enjoy them. Helps me reconnect with like minded folks when we're such a transient family. I like to hold the books and leaf through them.
I can totally understand being overwhelmed though, and I've been known to part with more $$ than I planned just 'cause something looked purty.
__________________
Amy
Married to Rob, Momma to Patrick (17), Braden (14), Nathan (11), Benjamin (10), Aurea (8), Peter (6), Rosie (3) and Baby Blaise
Eight is GR8
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Bella
Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 18 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 571
|
| Posted: May 05 2009 at 10:53pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Lauri B wrote:
| We attended our first (and last) homeschool conference in 1994. :) |
|
|
Whoa! Very telling, Lauri!
__________________
Peace and Blessings,
Bella
Wife and Mom to my sweeties!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Bella
Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 18 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 571
|
| Posted: May 05 2009 at 10:59pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Maggie wrote:
Jodie,
Unfortunately, I have found the same thing. I only have a 4 yo and an almost 2 yo...my 4 yo nursed until she was two...and my 2yo son, I think, will be nursing beyond 2.
There was a conference here in FL that I was interested in attending this year, but it said that "we are not able to accommodate children." I don't need anyone to accommodate my children. Just me. :)
It drives me nuts that people see children as a nuisance...especially Catholics. I feel like the "Culture of Death" seeps into things like this--unintentionally, I hope--but when children are viewed as distractions and nuisances, I think that's a bit problematic.
I think parents should be able to make parenting decisions for themselves...and not let a conference administrator make those rules.
So...I probably won't be attending a conference anytime soon, unless it was local...but we don't get too many of those...especially with Catholic, home school families.
Oh well...guess the Lord wants me to lean on Him. :)
A bit of a touchy subject for me, as you can tell. ;)
God Bless,
Maggie |
|
|
Amen, Maggie! Understandably a touchy subject! I have seen this even within our parish. Argh.
Off topic for sure, but I was stunned by the price it cost a family attending our Lenten parish dinners!
__________________
Peace and Blessings,
Bella
Wife and Mom to my sweeties!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Bella
Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 18 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 571
|
| Posted: May 05 2009 at 11:07pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Bookswithtea wrote:
| I used to attend a small Catholic one that was local when we lived in CA, but I haven't been to one in years now. Honestly, I find them overwhelming rather than encouraging, and a lot of the time, the speakers aren't ones that I would be excited to hear. Shopping by catalogue is so much more peaceful to me, and there isn't the baby/toddler issue. |
|
|
Books, I think this is what has kept me away. I am much more of a shop at the small local health food store-rather than a WHOLE FOODS. When I go to Whole Foods, I spend too much time, money...and end up with a huge headache.
Just like I would rather curl up with a book than a computer...I guess I keep telling myself I will be fine with a catalog, and don't need a whole conference.
I think.
__________________
Peace and Blessings,
Bella
Wife and Mom to my sweeties!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Bella
Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 18 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 571
|
| Posted: May 05 2009 at 11:11pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Jody wrote:
I was just at the Wisconsin Catholic Conference as a vendor (with baby, toddler and pre-schooler in tow) and was just amazed at how wonderfully family oriented it was.
Not only do they have a CHILDREN's ROOM where the littles could do lots of fun activities, games, toys, etc...But they also had a great FAMILY AREA filled with comfy couches, colorful carpets that kids love, and bins of safe fun toys!! It was close to the vending area but nicely separate so my littles never wanted to venture out there. It was fabulous!
Also they had a private NURSING BABY AREA for those babies that prefer quiet.This was stationed in a private hall way with a privacy curtain , couch, diaper changing table and supplies if needed.
There was a tea, coffee, water station on hand as well.
There were lots of families with lots of babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers, all the way up to the teens. It was really a wonderful conference.It was Very family friendly!! |
|
|
Jody, that sounds sooo inviting! How blessed ya'll are up there! 
__________________
Peace and Blessings,
Bella
Wife and Mom to my sweeties!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Bella
Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 18 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 571
|
| Posted: May 05 2009 at 11:25pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
TxTrish wrote:
I love conferences/curriculum fairs and like to attend when I can. My first conference was about 1994 before I had begun homeschooling, but knew I wanted to. I had a 2 & 4 year old at the time. My dear friend and neighbor took me, she had eight children at the time, and had always homeschooled. She was such and angel and it was amazing! All those other homeschoolers, family-centered christian folks in one place. That was back in the day for sure. Nearly all the ladies wore denim jumpers, had long hair, no makeup and it was exactly like the cliche's you hear. And most importantly they were wonderful. Kind, honest, and just lovely ladies one and all. I was hooked. We were living in the DFW area at the time.
Fast-forward, 10 years pregnant with #5 and living in west Texas, after a number of moves with work. My husband and my best friends husband sent us to DFW for mothers day weekend to attend the very same conference alone. They put us up in the Galleria (her hubby travels and has "points") and it was an ooh laa laa marvelous weekend. We went to our favorite thrift stores (you should have seen us dragging our good-will bags into that hotel) and searched out food to cater to my cravings! We had a perfectly lovely 2 days together and returned home refreshed and relaxed. It was the last year I went to a conference.
It isn't something I want to do yearly, especially with the internet the way it is now. I love the excitement of being there at the fair/convention in person, I am a curriculum junkie, a book junkie, and an educational stuff junkie in general - but, I can get get all the support I want and see materials virtually. But, I do love the talks. So, now I have even solved that one with the internet. Last year, for the first time I did Cindy Rushton's Ultimate Homeschool Expo - no crowds, no makeup, and all the talks I want! Yippee! Much easier on my family and on me (I hate to travel) Last year I did the Expo, and will again this year.
My kids were really super - we planned fun activities and got a couple new movies, and fun stuff for the week it was on, easy dinners and it was great. I got to sit in on all the talks I wanted to be "in" on for the chatting/question part, and have listened to the rest at my leisure on the ipod. (Ipod was a mothers day gift after the Expo last year.) Here is a linkfor the Expo: http://www.ultimatehomeschoolexpo.com/
So, my answer to your question.....
I think it is worth attending a conference - they are fun. It is so nifty to be surrounded by people who are aiming for the same thing my family is aiming for - heaven. The ladies are wonderful and sweet, the children who are about are pleasant and by and large polite, it is great.
Necessary? No.
Are you missing out? Yes.
|
|
|
Trish--thanks for sharing your experience and sage advice!
That,too,would be me-dragging in bags from thrift stores...back to my nice hotel room.
Back up on the fence I go!!
__________________
Peace and Blessings,
Bella
Wife and Mom to my sweeties!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Bella
Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 18 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 571
|
| Posted: May 05 2009 at 11:32pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Willa wrote:
I've never been to one -- I started hsing 15 years ago.
For a long time I had babies and no conferences nearby, and now I figure I made it this far so why change?
Unless I end up going with a friend sometime.... just for the experience. |
|
|
Wow, Willa! Well, I suppose you're spot on!
After reading all of the responses, I think I,too, will hold out for the conference like the one in WI. That would defintiely support my overall view of how "functions" should be run.
There seems to be quite a lot of long time HSers here doing quite well without attending a conference. I am almost feeling at peace.
__________________
Peace and Blessings,
Bella
Wife and Mom to my sweeties!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Nedra in So. CA
Forum Rookie
Joined: Nov 25 2008
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 79
|
| Posted: May 15 2009 at 11:16am | IP Logged
|
|
|
n/a
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
time4tea
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 02 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 511
|
| Posted: May 18 2009 at 6:01am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Bookswithtea wrote:
| Honestly, I find them overwhelming rather than encouraging,,,,,,Shopping by catalogue is so much more peaceful to me, and there isn't the baby/toddler issue. |
|
|
Books,
I'm with you! While I don't mind the idea of them, I have never been to one in the entire time we've been homeschooling (8 years now). I think they are good to have for those who want to go and also to get the word out about homeschooling, but I just don't feel driven to go to one.
__________________
Blessings to you!
~Tea
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Does anyone NOT attend HS conferences?
