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Top 10 Reasons to attend a GHC
“I feel like such a nerd mom” was exactly what I said to my husband as we walked into the Great Homeschool Convention 4 years ago. The convention hall was buzzing with people and information and I felt like I was the only one who didn’t know what I was doing. I assumed that everyone else had it all figured out. (Isn’t that was we usually do as moms…think that all the others have it figured out and we are the only ones on the struggle bus).
After attending the sessions, meeting some very sweet families, and daydreaming about how I could use all the beautiful curriculum that was displayed, I was more than glad that I had gone. And I felt much less “nerdy” haha
Four years later, I realize that attending the Homeschool Convention was one of the best decisions I could make for the future success of our homeschool.
This post will highlight the reasons that attending the Great Homeschool Convention could transform your homeschool journey.
1. Expert Speakers & Encouragement
The GHS always brings in top speakers who have authority on the subject of homeschooling and parenting. I did not know what to expect going into the event, but I was surprised at how well the speakers were able to simplify the different teaching methods.
It was also great to hear their experiences and advice for all things homeschooling. To this day, I still have (and use) some of the notes I jotted down during the sessions. I was introduced to experts in homeschooling that I am able to go to when I have doubts or questions.
At the end of the sessions, many of them made themselves available for people to come and ask them questions.
2. Curriculum & Resource Fair
One of the best things about the Great Homeschool Convention is their curriculum and resource/book fair. It is an enormous set up of tables and booth showcasing curriculums, books, and other resources that you can use in your homeschool.
Instead of feeling overwhelmed by all the options, the book fair helps you to make a more confident decision about your homeschool curriculum.
I loved the fact that I could chat with the reps about the curriculums and touch the books to see how they are before actually purchasing them. Many times you can purchase books on the spot which is really nice too.
This little math board/game was such a fun purchase that I was able to make at the convention.
3. Practical Workshops
You can attend a workshop that will help you to choose the right curriculum for your homeschool, the right teaching method for your family, or ways to engage teenagers. They have workshops available for you to help your child get into the right college. Or you could join the Homeschool 101 workshop that helps you to know how to get started.
These tools are really so useful and will take out the guessing game as it gives you more confidence in your homeschool.
4. Community & Networking
I met some of the nicest people at the GHS. I remember getting to know a particular family after one of the sessions and it made me feel so much more normal. We shared experiences of our homeschool journeys and I realized that I was indeed NOT the only one who didn’t have it all together.
I don’t know about you but meeting people who are in the same life experience as you can be so life giving and encouraging.
5. Christian Perspective & Biblical Encouragement
I know that not all homeschoolers are Christian, but for us this was a big plus for visiting the Great Homeschool Convention. It is important for us to teach our children in a Christ centered world view so having the resources for that all in one place is KEY!
It was refreshing to be surrounded by so much positivity and truths.
speaking of the Bible…this children’s Bible is our absolute favorite. Get yours here. I highly recommend getting the physical copy, but the Kindle version is on sale right now for only $1.99
6. Kids & Teen Programs
One of the highlights for my daughter was the kids programs that they offered as a part of the family package.
It was fun, clean entertainment for the whole family. We were introduced to “Slugs and Bugs” which has really fun music videos that sings about the Bible. It has been a fun addition to our homeschool.
My kids are huge fans now and I never would have heard of them if it wouldn’t have been for the GHS
7. Special Needs & Unique Learning Styles Support
Another great resource that is available to you at the convention is support for different learning styles.
Again, this can be found in their curriculum fair or in some of the sessions but it is worth noting.
For parents who are struggling with special learning needs or difficulties in their homeschools, this is a great way to find support groups and tools that can help you.
8. Access to Homeschooling experts and one-on-one advice
When I say that you have access to these people, you really do!!!
They literally hang out at the booths all day and hang around for a long time after their sessions. If there is a group of people who I have found to be super helpful and accessible it is homeschooling moms, experts, and veterans.
Make sure you go with a list of questions and take advantage of their availability while you are there!! What a gift!
9. A refreshing break from the everyday routine
So its definitely not a vacation alright, BUT it can be an enjoyable break from the normal homeschool routine.
If the convention is not happening in your city, you could take a trip with the whole family; enjoy a nice hotel or airbnb stay; and get to know a city that you otherwise would not travel to. If the convention is happening in your city, you could leave the kids with the grandparents and enjoy some much needed mom/dad alone time.
Either way, any excuse for a homeschool field trip is always a good one!
10. Inspiration for the long-term homeschool journey
This is the last point but it is probably the most important of all.
Too often, in our homeschools we can get tied up in the details of organization, curriculum, books, activities, lessons, room decor, and planning.
But the most valuable thing that can be taken away from the Great Homeschool Convention is the inspiration and long-term vision. It helped me to be able to solidify the WHY of homeschooling and gave me the confidence that I needed to say that “I will not ruin my kids by homeschooling them“!!!
a peak at our very first homeschool set up đ
Attending the Convention
I hope I have convinced you of some of the benefits to attending a Great Homeschool Convention. I do not work for them and get nothing in return for recommending, I simply and truly believe that it is one of the best tools available for homeschool families.
Run, don’t walk to their website and find the next convention happening in a city closest to you.
If you are a Pastor/Pastor’s wife, you can get a discount on your registration AND find information about a free Pastor Networking Breakfast on this page!
This article was all about transforming your homeschool journey by attending a Great Homeschool Convention.
This post includes affiliate links that may be a commission to me at no extra cost to you
I suddenly realized that Easter weekend is quickly approaching and this is something that I love to add into our homeschool schedule. Any way that we can add in Biblical teaching/holidays/events in our homeschool day is a win! Truly, Easter is the most significant holiday of the year for us believers; we tend to celebrate Christmas more because of how popular it is and, lets be honestâŚthe food, traditions, gifts, and other treatsâŚits a wonderful time of the year – we love Christmas in our home! But letâs get back to Easter. We need to get better at celebrating Easter in our homes. I know that Easter bunny, egg hunt (how do those two even fit together?!!) are fun and cute, but what purpose do they actually serve in teaching our kids about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Easter is so much more than a fun little activity on a Sunday afternoon where they get rewarded with candy. The world is intentional about how they disciple our children *away* from Christ, so we need to be intentional about the way we disciple our children *toward/for* Christ.
This article is all about things I have done in the past to include Easter week in our homeschool and some that I am planning to do to make this significant event become a core memory for my children. You will be amazed at how well your kids will respond to these Easter ideas; I guarantee they will not miss that little egg hunt you were planning on doing.
Act It Out
Act out the events that happened each day of Passover week, leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. This can help the story of Easter come alive to kids in such an impactful way. They are guaranteed to remember details about Easter and the redemptive story of Jesus like never before. It is also a good chance for them to connect with Jesus emotionally as they “live out” His last week alive on earth.
Hang in there with me while I highlight each day of the week of Easter and how you can act out/teach each day in your homeschool or morning time together. If you would like, feel free to skip to the rest of the list!!
Passover Week (leading up to Easter Sunday)
Jesus Anointed at Bethany (Matthew 26:6-13): The anointing of Jesus at Bethany is not something we often associate with Easter Sunday, but it is such an important event in the story of Jesus. So much so that Jesus says that wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, this story would be told. The most important part of this story is that the woman who anointed Jesus was not a perfect woman, she was sinful. Out of all the religious people there, she was the only one who received revelation of the death of Jesus and gave her most precious item to Jesus as a gift. Encourage your kids to run to Jesus even when they have disobeyed or done something wrong. Encourage them to give their most precious thing they have to Jesus. Act out the story of the anointing of Jesus; make it as realistic as possible, break a real vase or jar, use real coconut oil, etc. Lead your kids in an exercise of confessing their sins to God and giving their deepest emotions to Him. Have each one separate their favorite thing and set it aside for the week (they can get it back on Resurrection Day)!
Triumphal Entry (Mark 11:1-11) On Palm Sunday, Jesus rode in to Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9. He became the sacrificial lamb who would soon take away the sins of the world. The people were receiving Him as their King by throwing their palm branches on the ground for Him to cross over. Act out the story of the entry of Jesus. Go on a walk and Have them gather large leaves or they could lay out their clothes or blankets for the âdonkeyâ to walk across.
Destroyed the temple: The next day, Jesus cursed the fig tree (teaching on the importance of constantly bearing good fruit in our lives) and He went into the temple to find the people buying and selling instead of worshipping and praying. He flipped the tables over and reminded them once again that their walk of faith is different than the way of the world. Act out the story of Jesus at the temple (Mark 11:12-25) by setting up stands with pretend or real food items and other sellable items (clothes or toys). Remind your children of the importance of having faith in God for everything that we need. We do not need to run to our own resources in order to survive, Jesus promises that He will provide for all of our needs.
Temple Teaching (Mark 12): the authority of Jesus was questioned at the temple and he begins to teach in parables. You could choose any of these parables to talk about in your homeschool morning time or have each child choose one and have them teach it as if they were Jesus. Something very significant that happened there was the old woman who came and gave her very last coin as an offering. You could definitely act out this scene, and lead your children in a moment of reflection: whether or not they would be willing to give everything they have to Jesus. I truly believe that it is so important for us to present these very deep teachings of Jesus to our children from a young age so that they can be rooted in their hearts early on. Even though they may not have a full understanding of it, it will be as a foundation in their hearts.
Mount of Olives (Mark 13; Matthew 24) Jesus is now alone with His disciples at the Mount of Olives. He begins revealing to them certain details about the end times. In our home, We love to talk about the âend timesâ and the return of Jesus. It is something our children are looking forward to, to be re-united with Jesus. One of the key verses for us as missionaries is Matt 24:14 which talks about the gospel being preached in the whole world. We love to talk about this and remind our kids that this is the reason that we came to Thailand and how important it is for us to be telling people about Jesus in this place. Act out the teachings of Jesus on the Mount of Olives
Passover and Last Supper on Maundy Thursday (Mark 14:12-72) This is one of my personal favorite days to act out with my kids. The Last Supper is a somber event in which Jesus predicts his death and betrayal of one of His own. But his love towards his disciples is so evident and He gives us the BEST example of what it means to be a leaderâŚ.a true servant to all. He washes the disciples feet. Growing up, our church always observed feet washing along with communion. As a child, I didnât understand but I grew to value this practice so much. This is an opportunity for you to âpretendâ that you are Jesus and wash your childrenâs feet, praying over them as you do. I truly believe that this simple act will leave a mark on their little hearts. After the feet washing, you could have the âLast Supperâ together. Make some simple unleavened bread and put it all together with a simple fruits/cheeses platter. Buy some grape juice and youâre all set to serve communion with your children. Doing this in our homes with our children is so so powerfulâŚ.you do not have to only do this at church with the Pastor leading it! Simply eat the bread together while you talk about what happened to the body of Jesus during the process of his crucifixion, how his body was broken so that we could be forgiven for the bad things we have done. Drink the juice together while you talk about the blood of Jesus being poured out, symbolizing a new promise (covenant) of eternal life with Him. After this, comes the garden of GethsemaneâŚanother solemn event that shows the humanity of Jesus: He wept and cried out to God, asking Him if there was another way. He knew the pain that was awaiting Him; not the physical pain, but the separation from God that He would be facing. This can be an emotional thing for kids to realize about Jesus, but so important for them to process. Have your kids act out the betrayal of Judas and the arrest of Jesus (including when the disciple cuts off the soldiers ear and Jesus heals himâŚ.my kids love that part).
Good Friday: This is the day of the trial, crucifixion, Death, and Burial of Jesus (Mark 15:1-47, Matthew 27:1-62, Luke 22:63-23:56, and John 18:28-19:37) Read through each passage with your kids so that they get a good understanding of how it happened and have them act out the story, including the betrayal of Peter. Challenge your kids about denying Christ among their friends. When we read it, itâs easy to say that we would never do what Peter did; help them to understand the circumstances and what was at stake for Peter in that moment. Challenge them of what they might do if someone asked them choose between Jesus or death. It isnât a popular topic to talk about with Kids, but I believe that now more than ever we need to prepare our kids to learn to defend their faith at this level (and us too âşď¸)
Saturday in the Tomb (Mark 16:1, Matthew 27:57-66) This is the day that they anointed the body of Jesus and wrapped Him for burial. Tell them the story of Joseph who had become a disciple of Jesus and gave his own tomb as a place to lay the body of Jesus. Talk about what the disciples must have been doing/thinking/feeling on this dayâŚ.they were sad, hurt, confused, disappointed, angry, lonelyâŚ.process those emotions with your kids.
Resurrection Sunday!!! Our faith as Christians is completely built on the account of the resurrection of Jesus. This is the reason that we have hope for a future resurrection and we have the promise of the return of Jesus. Celebrate BIG this day. Act out the story of the women going to the tomb. Help them to imagine how it happened that Jesus rose up from the dead and what the soldiers must have thought. Walk them through and act out the different encounters that Jesus had on that day (Mary, Peter, two disciples on the road to Emmaus, the disciples in the upper room). Wake up your kids before sunrise and go for a walk to âsee Jesusâ âŚ.go to a place where you can watch the sunrise together and talk about what the resurrection of Jesus means to us today. They could even act out the story there if you want!! Don’t forget to give back their special gift that they gave to Jesus…plus you could give special gifts along with it to show how the cross and resurrection is redemptive for our lives and Jesus always gives back more than what we give to Him.
Make a Passover Meal
Last year, I decided to make a passover meal on the Friday of Easter weekend with my girls, similar to what it probably looked like for Jesus and His disciples. We were having a hard time financially and did not have money to go buy all the special things and we barely had anything in the pantry to eat. So I gathered the last of the flour to make some bread without yeast that and the last of the fruits/cheeses, etc to make a fun little snack board for us to share together. We talked about what it was like for Jesus at that Last Supper and how He must have been feeling. We prayed together and thanked Jesus for his death on the cross and all that it means for us today while we ate the simple meal!
Things to include in your meal:
unleavened bread
crackers
loaf bread
vanilla wafers
jams
honey
cheeses
grape juice
orange juice
grapes
apples
bananas
olives
nuts
raisins
dates
the options are limitless
Wake up for the Sunrise
I remember when I was a kid we always had Easter Sunrise Service on Resurrection Sunday morning. My mom would always buy new dresses for my sister and I and we would go with our family to church just before the sunrise. We had our normal Easter service, while the sun was rising. I have such a fond memory of this that I get super emotional as I remember back, After the Easter service, the whole church would have a potluck breakfast together and I would get to play with all my friends. Then we went home and everyone took naps! It was the literal best! Ive been wanting to imitate this for my kids but havenât been able to do it yet. Who knows this will be the year!!
Memorize Scripture
There are literally thousands of verses from the Bible that you could choose from, but if you look through the 4 gospels and the story of Jesus (Easter), you will find lots of options for memorization. This can be done in the morning time of your homeschool. Kids thrive on memorizing things, why not use that to our advantage as parents and have them memorize Scripture. Some of the verses that I memorized as a child, I still can recite today! It is a powerful took for the Word of God to be set as a foundation in their hearts and minds.
Here is a little treat for you momma, if you happen to like coloring pages like I do đ And you can use the verse on this coloring page to memorize together as a family.
If your kids are like mine, they love a good coloring sheet. You can give them a coloring sheet for each day of the week leading up to Easter and let them color it while you read the events of that day. The visual images along with the story will help them to capture the information better and for a longer period of time.
Here are some coloring pages Ive put together for you and your kids to enjoy!
I am not so good at coming up with crafts. But there are so many people who are. Search for some craft ideas for Easter and take some extra time in your homeschool day to do a fun craft together. Or set them up to do it on their own while you make dinner, then you can talk about it over dinnertime.
Make toilet paper role people
create a 3D tomb
make the 3 crosses with popsicle sticks
paint the characters on rocks
paint book marks
trace palms of hands and glue on paper for Palm Sunday
make a bracelet to tell the story of Easter
Watch “The Passion of the Christ”
This obviously depends on their ages and maturity level. This movie is very intense, even for adults, and it shows a lot of detail in the violence that was committed against Jesus. So maybe this one is more for you as parents đ But it is worth mentioning here as a good resource. I would only recommend for teenagers.
Watch Superbook
Watch the Superbook episodes âThe Last Supperâ and âHe is Risenâ and Superbook Easter SpecialâŚ.all available on Youtube and they are so good.
Trueway Kids
If you haven’t added this site to your list of go-to’s in your home and homeschool, you should! They provide amazing lesson plans for dozens of stories in the Bible. They have a special 5 part series called “Gardens of Grace”that goes along with the Easter story. Do 1 lesson a week leading up to Easter Sunday, or do 1 per day in the week leading up to Resurrection Day. The lessons always come with craft ideas and fun songs to sing together as a family.
Instead of throwing an egg hunt and them collecting candy, you could give them a bag of goodies and remind them that the gift that Jesus gives us through his death and resurrection on the cross is a free gift. We dont have to do anything to earn it, just receive.
Things you could include in a goodie bag
Small Notebook/markers
ALL THE EASTER CANDIES (hello! chocolate/peanut butter bunnies and marshmallow peeps đ¤¤)
Here in Thailand, they have an “egg themed” lunch after their Easter church service. All of the dishes they make have some form of egg in them (and of course, lots of peppers) and they serve it potluck style together. It is a very special tradition for them.
Melissa Chaves
Hi! I’m Melissa and I am so glad you are here! Together, we can learn and grow as we navigate this marathon called motherhood!
Please Donât Tell Me to Homeschool While the Baby Is Sleeping
If I had a dollar for every time someone told me to âjust homeschool while the baby is sleeping,â I could probably afford a very fancy coffeeâand goodness knows Iâd need it! While the advice usually comes from a well-meaning place, I canât help but chuckle (or cry, depending on the day). Because letâs be real: ânap timeâ sounds like a glorious window of productivity, but in reality, itâs more like a fleeting, unpredictable whisper.
When I finally lay the baby down and tiptoe out of the room like a ninja, Iâm faced with a critical decision: Do I homeschool? Do I clean? Do I shower (I mean, itâs been⌠a while)? Or do I just stare into space, enjoying the sweet sound of silence? The truth is, we simply cannot be expected to do everything while the baby is sleepingâespecially when juggling homeschooling with a baby and keeping a household running on a budget.
How to Homeschool with a Baby and Toddler in Tow
Thankfully, homeschooling abroad (or anywhere, really) doesnât need a perfectly quiet house or a three-hour nap window. We just need a little creativity (and maybe some noise-canceling headphones). Here are a few practical and budget-friendly homeschooling ideas to make it work with a baby on my hip and a toddler at my feet:
1. Use the High Chair Hack
While Iâm teaching my older child, Iâll often pull the high chair right up to the action. I give my toddler some safe kitchen utensils, playdough, or a few snacks, and voilĂ âheâs part of the âclassroom.â He loves feeling included, and I can keep an eye on him while we get through our lessons.
2. Embrace Babywearing
Iâve lost count of the number of lessons i’ve given while bouncing a baby in a carrier. Babywearing keeps my little one close and calm while leaving my hands free to help with schoolwork, make lunch, or gesticulate wildly during history lessons.
After 4 kids I have found the best carrier that suits newborns up to toddler. This carrier is not the cheapest you can find but definitely will not break the bank and it is so worth it in my opinion to have a carrier that you can put on quickly and is comfortable and breathable.
3. Incorporate the Littles into Homeschooling
If my toddler wants to join in, I say, âWhy not?â I give him crayons and let him âdo schoolâ alongside his big siblings. Sure, his âassignmentsâ might just be scribbles, but heâs learning by watching, and Iâm keeping him entertainedâwin-win! This also gives me a great opportunity to help him learn those basic things like hand/eye coordination, stacking blocks like this, and putting mega legos together (these are our favorites) which I might not otherwise have time to do because of all the other house and ministry duties.
4. Tag Team When PossibleâIncluding the Older Kids
If my husband is home, or if a friend can help out, I take advantage of those moments. Even just 30 minutes of focused time with my older child makes a big difference. But when Iâm flying solo, I love to get the older kids involved. Whether itâs reading a board book to the toddler, playing peek-a-boo with the baby, or helping with snack time, giving my big kids small âjobsâ not only lightens my load but also fosters responsibility and connection among siblings.
5. Lower Expectations (Like, Really Low)
Sometimes, the best lesson I can teach my kids is that life doesnât always go as plannedâand thatâs okay. Some days we get through all the subjects; other days, reading a book together on the couch or playing with rocks and sticks in the yard counts as school. Iâm learning to embrace both.
Learning Happens in Everyday Moments
One of my favorite things about homeschooling as a missionary mom is the flexibility. Sometimes, our best lessons happen outside of âschool hours.â When Iâm cooking, my kids are measuring and counting. When weâre walking through a village, weâre exploring nature and learning how to serve others. When the baby is actually sleeping? Sometimes, I just rest. And thatâs a lesson in itselfâfor all of us. So, to the sweet person suggesting I homeschool while the baby sleeps: I appreciate the thought, I really do. But around here, weâre learning to do lifeâand schoolâwith a little bit of chaos, a lot of grace, and maybe a baby banging a spoon in the background.
If youâre looking for more encouragement on homeschooling with littles underfoot, I highly recommend Episode 231 of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast with Sarah Mackenzie. She shares practical tips and a fresh perspective on homeschooling during busy seasons. Itâs the kind of encouragement youâll want to listen to while folding laundry, pushing a stroller, or yesâwhile the baby is (maybe) sleeping.
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