In May of this year (2023), I got to attend my first homeschool convention ever. My husband, Phil and some of my in-laws have been involved with different homeschool conventions over the years (in both work and volunteer capacities). Since we have been married, Phil has worked with a few and I’ve always longed to go. This year Phil was asked to be the onsite nurse at Teach them Diligently in Pigeon Forge. And my mother-in-love and youngest SIL volunteered to watch Isa and her 3 cousins.

For my first convention I was not disappointed. I have to say that Teach Them Diligently does a really good job; not that I have anything else to compare it to. But I’ve heard from quite a few people that this is their favorite homeschool convention to attend or be involved with. I was also privileged to get an insider’s view of what goes into a convention since I had multiple family members working with them. And A LOT of work and effort goes on behind the scenes.

“And these words, that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” -Deuteronomy 6: 6-7 Teach them Diligently “was born out of a recognized need for more events that celebrate gospel-centered homeschooling. It is our mission to help families fulfill the Great Commission, by providing them with opportunities to unite around the Gospel, and with resources that encourage, equip, and inspire them to bring up and educate their children as ambassadors for Christ.” (taken from their website).

In the weeks leading up to the convention, I looked over the session options and different speakers that would be there, and wow was I overwhelmed. How would I ever be able to choose? Before you start thinking presentations on Math and Science curriculum, teaching reading, and homeschool management, let me stop you. Yes, there were sessions on these things- but it was so much more than that! I definitely recommend attending if you homeschool (I also think many sessions would be applicable to parents who don’t homeschool). Here are some snippets of why:

It was Inspiring & Encouraging

There were sessions on discipleship, raising your children well, understanding the cultural climate in which we live, building a biblical foundation, spiritually leading your family, disciplining and training your children, scripture memorization, the benefits on the outdoors for your children, and handling screen time; just to name a few! When we headed to Tennessee, I was feeling exhausted and a bit burnt out and I left the weekend feeling refreshed and refueled.

Fellowship & knowing you are NOT alone

I was surrounded by hundreds of families who care so deeply about discipling their children and raising them well. Parents who care about the negative impacts the culture is having on the up and coming generations and many parents who are wanting to speak up and stand firm on the truth of God! I saw believers worshiping together and praying for each other and it was so encouraging.

It is Family Friendly!

The entire family can attend for a reasonable price. Teach them Diligently offers a children and teens program, but children of all ages are also welcome to attend the sessions with their parents. There were children and babies everywhere and activities and booths specifically set up for children to engage with!

Tons of Amazing Resources

In the vendor hall there were HUNDREDS of booths of curriculum of all types, books, devotional and biblical resources, activities, and manipulatives for children. It was incredible seeing so many biblical books; history, science, fiction, fantasy, picture, and books about hard topics! With all the junk out there, I now have a pretty hefty list of authors, publishers, and resources with solid book options for our family.

If you are homeschooling and haven’t attended a convention-I also recommend checking out their online resources (the have a blog, podcast, and books). If you are thinking about homeschooling (read about why we homeschool here), attending a convention would be great to get your foot in the door, however the curriculum choices and resources might be too overwhelming-I personally wouldn’t know where to begin. So I would recommend not getting your first curriculum (books are a different story ;)) while there, but rather take some notes, do some follow up research, and try to connect with families who are already homeschooling.

The co-founder of Teach Them Diligently, Leslie Nunnery, spoke about Heart schooling, which is not just about academics but also about nurturing your child’s heart and soul. She shared the importance of aligning your family’s mission, goals, and vision with your daily family rhythms. As a whole, the convention is such an encouragement to parents, giving us the tools to nurture and guide our children, as well as define our mission, vision, and goals for our family. Make sure to add attending a Teach Them Diligently convention to your list for next year (find 2024 conventions here). You won’t want to miss it!