Truth
from the Trenches
Truth
from the Trenches … what the heck it that all about?! In a word …
Homeschooling. I'm starting this blog for the simple edification of
what it's really like. The Ups, the Downs, and everything
in-between.
I
remember researching the subject quite thoroughly before we decided
to follow this track and inevitably, nearly every Homeschooling
Mother I spoke too seemed to give me the same lines …
- “Have confidence … you can give your child the best education!”
- “No matter how poorly you think you're doing … it's better than public schools!”
- “We just play games all day! That's how kids learn!”
- “Read, read, read!”
- “I can't imagine doing anything else!”
While
these well-put-together, super-smiley Moms seemed to have all the
answers … they weren't the answers I needed. Everyone means well,
but how does that help me figure out what I'm doing? It doesn't.
The generic, re-hashed phrases don't help with planning, weeding
through tons of curriculum, worries, or worst of all …
expectations.
So
here it is! Everything I've figured out so far. Let's see if we can
arm you with some hard experience and concrete expectations!
Keep
in mind … the experiences will be my experiences and those of some
close friends I've observed, so take them with a grain of salt …
but take them freely!
Post
1 Curriculum Fairs
The
Tale
I
remember my very first Curriculum Fair! I ran wildly from tent to
tent stunned by the sheer volume of material and vendors. My husband
and daughter juggled along with me taking in the sights and sounds.
“Oh
My God!!” I shouted as I raised up a book! “Sweetheart, over
here!”
“No
way!!” I breathed rustling through an art bin.
“Oh
My God!!” ….
Yes,
I mentioned that phrase quite a bit. Yeap … and it was loud too …
'cuz ya know … if you're going to scream the phrase “Oh My God”
… there's no better place to do it than in a tent full of
Mennonites and Amish.
LOL
When I didn't respond to my husband's subtle lure to get me outside
with a snack … he finally brought my attention to the stunned and
disapproving glances my direction. Thank You, Hubby! :)
note:
We live in the East so we have large Mennonite and Amish
communities, which apparently all homeschool. It wasn't something I
had put any thought to and was a little surprised to see so many in
one area.
Curriculum
Fairs are wonderful places to go to get your hands on physical
material! (LOL Just don't scream OMG at every bargain you see!)
They are also great places to go to get some answers.
My
first fair I asked all the vendors … forget that! They were all
wonderful and very helpful, but they are there to sell a product. It
wasn't until my second fair that I had the guts to ask the Moms! Ask
them … there isn't a single mother there that won't tell you the
straight up truth about what they liked or didn't like about some
material!
Expectations:
Expect
to pay a small fee to the organization that is sponsoring the Fair.
They may ask you to join their organization. Don't be afraid to ask
them what it entails. If it's not much and you get a discount …
heck … sign up. In our area they ask you to join for a small fee
$20 for the year and they send us a Homeschooling magazine every
quarter.
This
is just like attending a car show, or home show. Booths, booths, and
more booths! Vendors galore! You will be spending quite a bit of
time here, come armed with an easy to carry bag of water and snacks.
Just like all show or fairs, the line for the food is crazy!
Even
if you don't plan on purchasing anything … bring an easy to carry
bag or backpack anyway. Otherwise, you end up with a massive handful
of plastic bags stuffed with all sorts of freebies, goodies, and
advertisements and yes … you will want to weed through when you get
home. Experienced Moms will bring wheeled pull along carts since
most of them do a majority of their book purchases for the year.
You
will be here for quite some time … if you're bringing the kids …
be prepared. I suggest either bringing someone with you to help or
leave them at home for this particular event.
Ahhh
… DO bring your husband! Why? Because when you find your favorite
fair and general curriculum you like, he will have a good sense of
the layout as well as you. (Since the layout and vendor slots pretty
much stay the same from year to year.) Nothing like a little
tag-team action to find the best deals and finish up faster. (Thank
you txt-ing technology!)
The
homeschooling community in general is very heavy with families who
have a strong belief in God in one form or another. If you are NOT
religious, like our family, this can be a little disconcerting.
There have been times I felt as if I was attending church instead of
a Homeschooling event. I have found that no one minds, and every one
is very helpful. LOL At least I haven't been kicked out for any of
my boisterous outbursts yet! :)
So … in summary:
- Do go to Curriculum Fairs!
- Do ask questions!!
- Do bring money and expect an entrance fee.
- Do bring snacks and water!
- Do bring a backpack to hold freebies.
- Do have a plan for the kids!
- Do bring your husband!
- Do NOT shout OMG in the middle of the tent!! :)
