Isn't there a homeschool convention in every state? What makes the Texas Conference any different? This Labor Day, instead of going to our local support group's annual Not-back-To-School-Night pizza party, I will be flying to Dallas, to stay in a fancy schmancy hotel downtown with hundreds of other families who are "Rethinking Education."
This is the 12th annual Rethinking Education Conference and it's definitely unlike any homeschool convention I've been exposed to.
From their website;
"Imagine a four star hotel in one of the wealthiest venues in the U.S.
Now see hundreds of children running up & down the stairs, playing in the elevators,
& laughing at the top of their lungs for a week-end without anyone trying to curtail their exuberant expressions."
Yeah right- If I were bringing my little ones, which I'm not, I'd still be saying "shhh, walk nicely, use your inside voices" for at least the first half of the week.
This conference is ginormous. Have you ever seen a homeschooling convention that lasts FIVE DAYS LONG? It's not just about education, the speakers are addressing an entire lifestyle, with Nutrition, Yoga, Music and other whole-self-improvement topics designed to improve families. Rethinking Education isn't just about unschooling; relaxing our vision of what it means to be homeschoolers and appreciating and encouraging our children's quest for knowledge. Nope, that's not enough of a rethink. They want us to rethink ourselves a bit, too. This conference is definitely for the whole family. In fact, Grandparents admission for the entire event is only $25. There's a huge family buffet, a talent show, an 80's night, a few all-day immersion classes, mini classes, activities and seminars for teens and children. Men's things, Women's things. It's an entire family-improvement event. I told you this was so much more than a homeschooling convention.
Have you read Magical Child? Joseph Chilton Pearce will be speaking. So will Valerie Fitzenreiter, the author of "The Un-processed Child." Jody McLaughlin, the publisher of Compleat Mother magazine and Rachel Gathercole, author of "The Well-Adjusted Child." There are at least 40 speakers and presenters, I couldn't possibly list them all here. I just wanted you to get a feel for what's going down in Texas this Labor Day.
Incidentally, I , myself will be performing a Stand-Up Comedy act on Sunday just before the Talent Show. I hope to see you all there, and please laugh REALLY loudly even if I'm not funny so I don't feel like a dork. Thank you.
Mom Types 
