6 Ways Awaken Conferences Will Inspire You
1.
BE AWAKENED in the living books educational methods. The daily grind can put us to sleep. This time is bathed in prayer so that we can be Awakened to the joy and life of a living books education for Ourselves and our Students.
2.
RECOGNIZE YOUR VALUE. The work of the home educating parent can be lonely and weary. But, oh, the value of it cannot be overstated. You are doing hard work physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Good parenting takes effort. We see and recognize those efforts. We support and value the work you are doing and will do.
3.
RENEW YOUR VISION. Somehow, we keep forgetting “why” we do this work of home education. Remember that you have been called by God to this work, because at it’s heart, parenting and home education are Discipleship. There are biblical principles of education that lead to Freedom. We are not enslaved by text books or fear or systems or agendas! We need Vision!
4.
TIME TO THINK & LEARN. There are so many things to know before we can teach them to our students. This time is set apart to learn, with the goal of becoming a better teacher/parent/person. Time between sessions is for writing notes, narrating to oneself or a friend, and processing. Each parent must be continually educated in the method, as each year, level and student brings new experience and challenges.
5.
RESOURCES. From workshop notes and links, the speakers and the vendors, all these wonderful resources are available for assimilation, and Purchase. A reminder of the Vision we’ve been given, resources help us follow through with the education of ourselves and our students at home.
6.
REST. Please, make this a time to Rest. I know there are things to do, but there should be time to rest, too. You don’t have to accomplish anything other than be restored so that you can be fresh when you return home, eager to see your family and inspired for what is to come.
I’m going to be honest and write that I never attended a home chool conference till my oldest was twelve. Up to that point I was very confident in my own ability to research, shop and plan without input from others. But as high school was rapidly approaching, trepidation crept in. The conference I chose was a few hours away and I planned to be there for two nights with a friend. We shopped for books, reveled in the chance to look at curriculum in person and to browse ALONE, with ample time to think and speak without having to care for little people. Then the speakers came to inspire, educate and encourage. Wow! I was filled with enthusiasm and ideas! I ate good food, walked briskly, talked to mom friends and shopped some more.
When I returned home, I looked my husband in the eye and said, “I’m going to do that every year from now on.”
I felt a release of so much stress, tension and responsibility. REST. That was key. But also, INSPIRATION. I was reminded how important is this choice to home educate. To be counter cultural and to raise kids who think and act outside of that box. RESOURCES had been gained and I was well on my way to planning and preparing for the next year.