Last weekend I attended the Apologia Live Mom’s Conference with my friends Crystal and Crystal. To say it was an encouraging, refreshing weekend would be an understatement. The conference had everything, from great worship led by Anne MacCallum, to great speakers, to great food, the folks at Apologia really know how to host a quality event.
The theme of the conference was Standing Strong and the various speakers tackled different topics like Standing Strong for Your Marriage, Standing Strong for His Glory, Standing Strong with Teens, Standing Strong in Prayer and several more. Each speaker was so engaging, I felt like I was being encouraged by a friend in each of the sessions.
During the conference, a few of the speakers graciously sat down to chat with me. Even spending a short amount of time with these women was amazing! I left each interview with a refreshed vision and desire to serve my family.
Rachael Carman is an amazing woman whose face lights up when she talks about her children. I spent time with her and her family throughout the weekend and they were truly delightful. I asked her about the pressure homeschooling moms sometimes feel to graduate successful kids and what words of encouragement she had to help them trust God in the journey. She shared with me several stories about her own children, and explained that it was evident their successes were only because of God’s grace. She said she had learned over and over that often times God showed His plan to her children in spite of her, rather than because of her.
She gave me a copy of her book SoundBites from Heaven: What God Wants Us to Hear When We Talk to Our Kids and I look forward to reading it after I finish the Bible in 90 Days.
I have to admit I was a little nervous about meeting Zan Tyler for the first time. I have been reading her homeschooling articles since I started homeschooling and consider her a homeschooling pioneer. After meeting her I immediately felt at ease, as if I was talking with an old friend. We discussed the early days of homeschooling, the direction it is headed now, and some of her homeschooling memories. What amazes me about Zan is that even though she has finished homeschooling her own children, she continues to be a leader in the homeschool movement. While many mom’s happily take a (well-deserved) break, Zan keeps on leading, influencing, and encouraging homeschool families.
I asked her how she would encourage moms who are growing weary during the long days of winter and she had some great practical advice. Get out of the house. She encouraged homeschooling moms to take a few field trips, exchange childcare with another family, or just do something to break up with routine. After spending several months inside the house during the winter, a change of pace can be a good thing.
On Saturday I sat down and had a long chat with Debra Bell. Deb (and, yes I can call her Deb because we are friends now) is the author of The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling
Deb spoke on Standing Strong with Teenagers, and as a mom of two teenagers, I was excited to learn from someone who has four homeschool graduates. One thing that really impressed me was that all of Deb’s children were serving overseas or in the inner cities of America. I asked Deb if there was anything she did to help cultivate an adventurous spirit in her children. She told me that she did not homeschool her children to protect them but rather to prepare them for life after homeschooling. Those words are still in the forefront of my mind days after our chat. While I do want to protect my kids from certain worldly influences, my true desire is to prepare them for a life beyond this home. Many days I lose sight of that goal, because protecting is so much easier than preparing.
Debra also encouraged homeschooling moms to involve their families in a local co-op or homeschooling program. Every family has strengths and weaknesses, and joining other families helps give your child a well-rounded education. I felt relieved to know someone else taught her kids art, while she taught writing to other homeschoolers. It was a great reminder that we are not alone in this journey.
Deb’s new book, The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling Teens come out next month. I am sure this book will be a wonderful resource for the homeschooling family and you can count on a book review from me this summer.
I cannot wait for the next Apologia Live conference. The timing was absolutely perfect, as many homeschooling moms start looking longingly at June right about now. I am thankful for my renewed desire to finish the year strong and excited about the future of our homeschooling.
Silas had a great time at the conference!
The food was delicious and there was plenty of it!
I love this quote: She told me that she did not homeschool her children to protect them but rather to prepare them for life after homeschooling.
This was my primary purpose as well as to teach them to stand alone. 2 1/2 years left!
Fun, Fun, Fun….the days are long, but the years are so short. What a wonderful time to get rejuvenated.
Looks like a great time! I just hope something like that will be offered in my neck of the woods when we get into homeschooling.
I entered the contest you had a while back for the tickets, but even though I did not win, I decided to go anyway. I will be going to the one in Chicago in October with a dear friend of mine who moved from here in Washington to St Louis. I emailed her after seeing your contest (she entered too) and asked her if I came to the conference, would she come too so I could see her again?? She said yes – so here we come! I cant wait. I need the Homeschooling aspect to a woman’s retreat… REALLY Looking forward to it. Thanks for telling us about it on your site! Speaking of which – I need to go buy my tickets!!
As a travel mom, this quote stuck with me, “I asked her how she would encourage moms who are growing weary during the long days of winter…Get out of the house. She encouraged homeschooling moms to take a few field trips, exchange childcare with another family, or just do something to break up with routine.” It’s called Cabin Fever and it’s real! Even the FamilyTravelMom has to have time to stay put and write (3 new books by spring!) so the most I’ve gotten out was a research visit to the town of Rock n Roll (cleveland, oh) and Kalahari waterpark resort to preview their upcoming celebration packages (DC area friends, you’re getting a great teen waterpark, Kalahari, in Fredericksburg in 2012). Haven’t left Ohio in 5 months. So, I’m itching to get out and do some sidetrips during all the homeschool shows we have coming up this spring and summer. Field trips or daytrips with added friends is sweet!
-Michele
I’m actually feeling very alone in this journey, and the ladies at my co-op did not encourage me. I was actually told some very mean things.
I am so sorry to hear that, perhaps a different co-op or group might work better for you?
Thank you for responding. I have pulled out of this co-op and am just going to keep away from people for awhile.
I am so sorry that you are feeling so alone in this journey! It can certainly be a lonely at times, and more so if you don’t have a strong support system! People say dumb things without thinking! I am with Happy- find a new group! We made lots of new friends at the YMCA Homeschool PE program – I am on an Email loop and have made good contacts there. I read blogs like crazy to encourage myself that I am not the only one with a messy house, piles of laundry, and kids eating leftover cereal for breakfast while I breathe on the couch.
May you be blessed today – I am praying for you right now – really.
Jennifer, your words prayers really mean a lot to me. I am not one to mope around, but this has been extremely hard on me for some reason. I think because when I was second guessing myself and needing to be reminded that what I am doing is worth it (I was struggling with feeling overwhelmed and inadequate) , I was told that I put myself on a pedestal and I try to make people think I’m something that I’m not. I don’t understand how sharing my faults and inadequacies would mean that I am painting a false picture of myself?
You cant control what other people think or say – but know the truth in your heart about who GOD says you are because he created you! YOu are doing something amazing for your kids when you keep them at home with you to love and train them. Yes, we are far from perfect and will do things incorrectly and struggle. But your goals are goals set for you by God – and in HIM they will be fulfulled – not by our perfect or imperfect choices and actions.
I dont know where you are in the world – but there IS hope! Dont isolate – but find others, keep looking for support and trust in God to bring you encouragement!
Email me directly if you want – niffer2525(at)comcast(dot)net