There has been a fundamental shift in our culture’s view of the role of parents versus government in the past two hundred and fifty years. Contrasting the statements of America’s Founding Fathers with ivy league professors and journalists today, you can better understand the battle over who should control the education and upbringing of children.

Studies show that 70% of churched youth abandon the Christian faith sometime before high school graduation. While there are no guarantees in parenting, there are steps parents can take that have been proven through various studies to statistically improve the chances of your child embracing and remaining in the faith. Learn what actionable steps you can take to help strengthen your child against unbelief.

Do you want to start building the foundation of educational readiness for your littlest learner? If so, this is the perfect workshop for you! Cheri Kay will teach you about the stages of development, the importance of learning through play, and the foundations for lifelong learning. She will share tips and tricks for making learning fun and engaging for you and your child, while sparking their curiosity about the world around them.

If you have a unique learner, it’s easy to get tangled up in the stress of trying to get your child ‘caught up’ academically. In this encouraging and practical workshop, Krisa points out areas of progress that are sometimes forgotten. She helps you see that when it comes to kids- academic progress isn’t the only measure of success!

Sibling rivalry and squabbling is something we all deal with every day. It can be frustrating, as well as discouraging. We must teach out children how to respond to conflict Biblically so that arguing and strife don’t disrupt our home, and so they will be prepared to handle conflict in life. Learn the most common causes of sibling conflict and get practical Biblical solutions to the problem

When children of any age struggle with big emotions like worry, sadness, and anger, they often push back against the very help they need. Their reactions can make it hard to know how to support them without escalating the situation further. But these moments—while challenging—are also opportunities to connect with your child’s heart. Learn the CALM approach to guide your child through emotional storms with wisdom and grace. Discover how to connect with your child when they struggle with a big emotion, help them navigate their big emotions in a healthy and effective way, anchor them in biblical truth, and equip them with a plan to move forward and face the challenges of life that brought on those big emotions. You'll also learn simple parenting scripts to use when you feel triggered, helping you respond with calm instead of chaos. Walk away with this powerful strategy to strengthen your relationship while fostering emotional resilience in your child.

Boys have more energy than you can keep up with? Providing an intentional atmosphere of learning for your son will result in successful lessons and joyful days. Hear stories and helpful tips from a veteran homeschooling mom of three boys. “Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.” Proverbs 1:8-9

Using Matthew 18, learn how to empower your children to handle disagreements biblically. Discover practical tools to teach them how to ignore without bitterness, confront without anger, and tell without tattling—while also equipping yourself to coach your children through conflicts rather than just referee their fights. Learn how to adapt these strategies to fit your children/teens’ ages, stages, and specific challenges. You'll also learn how to actually reduce conflicts through nurturing deeper relationships within your family. Walk away with a clear, actionable, heart-based family peace plan that everyone in your family can use.

Don't react in ways you regret! Parental anger is a signal. Hear what the Bible really says about anger; listen for it in yourself, recognize its triggers, and redirect it toward meaningful growth. Respond with wisdom instead of reacting in frustration, create a more peaceful home environment for both you and your children. Walk away with biblical insights and practical strategies to help you break free from guilt, foster connection, and become the homeschool parent you aspire to be.

Big emotions can easily derail a homeschool day, leaving both you and your child feeling frustrated and exhausted. But what if those emotional moments could become opportunities for growth, connection, and discipleship? In this session, you'll learn how to use a heart-based approach to helping your child/teen process anger, anxiety, sadness, and more—while still making academic progress. Walk away with practical tools to manage emotional challenges, reset negative patterns, and equip your child with lifelong skills for emotional resilience.

Sibling rivalry and squabbling is something we all deal with every day. It can be very frustrating as well as discouraging! It’s important that we teach our children how to respond to conflict God’s way. Don’t let the arguing and strife disrupt your home. Find out what some of the most common causes are, and learn some practical Biblical solutions to the problem.

If you are struggling with postpartum depression or know someone who is, this is for you! Shanda personally experienced postpartum depression with three out of four of her pregnancies, and she shares practical insight and HOPE for those who are also walking this road. Her husband James will join her and offer a man's perspective on supporting and loving your spouse through the sometimes hard season following the birth of a baby. You will leave feeling encouraged and have a better understanding of what postpartum depression is, as well as how to move forward helping yourself or someone you love.

Gone are the days when people would choose a career and stick with it for life. Many careers these days last less than three years and the majority of 20-year-olds will have four career changes within that decade. In fact, it is likely that the careers they will have, haven’t even been invented yet. How are we supposed to prepare our homeschooled children for a world that we can’t predict? Learn research-backed ways to ensure your homeschooler is prepared for an uncertain future.

The most important thing we can do as we raise our kids is strive to win and keep their hearts! When we have their hearts, we are able to influence them and their values. That is one of the main reasons many parents feel led to home school their children - so THEY can be the ones influencing their children's values. When we fail to win their hearts, or that heart connection becomes weak, our kids will often begin to look to their friends for relationship, and no longer be open to our teaching. Kathie will share some things to avoid that often lead to losing their hearts, and then give 6 key things to help you win & keep their hearts.

Calling all pastors, fathers, and homeschool advocates! Join Paul Suarez with The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine as he unveils The Pastor Plan Initiative (PPI), a groundbreaking nonprofit aimed at guiding evangelical churches and Fathers worldwide to prioritize Christian education. Backed by alarming statistics, Paul will shed light on the staggering 87% of Christian youth abandoning their faith post-public school education. With homeschooling emerging as the fastest-growing form of education, Paul offers a beacon of hope and a tangible solution for churches and families alike.

Discover insider tips on the most important tactics to homeschool your children successfully as a single parent. Learn how to quiet the skeptics and thrive with the unique opportunities homeschooling presents. Sarah, a ten-year homeschooling mother (who homeschooled as a single mother) will show you practical applications of prioritizing, simplifying and collaborating. You too can step away from fear and step into the boldness and authority Christ gives to homeschool your children.

“All knowledge is rooted in wonder.” - Sharon Lovejoy. Add wonder to your school year by gardening with kids. Learn how gardening will help your kids learn and will add joy and excitement to your school year. You’ll come away with lots of project ideas and inspiration.

Internet safety is a serious issue, but most parents feel overwhelmed, unqualified, and out of control when it comes to navigating the digital world with their kids--unsure of where to begin or how to effectively protect their family online. But it doesn't need to be this way. Despite the seeming complexity of the issue, there are plenty of simple, practical steps that any parent can take to drastically improve their children's online safety. In this session, we will cover numerous, specific techniques you can start implementing today--most of which require essentially zero technical expertise. We'll also cover common mistakes most parents make, and how to fix or prevent them. You'll come away with a sobering perspective on the seriousness of your role in protecting the hearts of your children as well as a new sense of empowerment that even you can take control of your family's digital safety.

Recent years have seen an enormous increase in the use of technology in education for even the youngest students. But is technology really the cure-all that many believe it to be? While traditional skills such as cursive penmanship are seen as unnecessary in the modern world, the actual research tells a different story. Join Andrew Pudewa to learn the compelling reasons to read paper books instead of electronic devices, handwrite instead of type, teach cursive instead of printing, and grab a pen instead of a pencil. Discover how to unleash creativity that goes beyond technology.

Evangelism is a scary word for many of us. We imagine door to door visits, handing out tracts, or street preachers with a megaphone. But what if evangelism was something you did naturally, in your own home, every week? Hospitality is a biblical command, but many of us forget it's also one of the best ways to love people well and show them who Christ is. Modeling a lifestyle of hospitality to our kids sets them up for a habit of diverse social experience and selflessness. Learn how to cultivate the habit of hospitality and how it equips us for evangelism in this session.

Do you have a child that needs to have the last word or grumbles under their breath? In this workshop Sarah will share approaches that have worked with her children from ages 1-18 that gave a super fast turnaround in the sass department. They are easy and work in most any situations. Keep your sanity and peace in tact while teaching your child to be respectful and obedient.

You can’t do everything, but did you know that you shouldn’t even try? In this session, you’ll learn how independent learning decreases burn out, helps students excel, and equips them for life. This workshop will give you the tools to guide your child as they gradually transition to learning independently, whether you have preschoolers or high schoolers!

In this session, we'll take a guided tour of the current landscape of tech that homeschool parents need to know about in order to keep their kids safe in an increasingly internet-connected world. We'll cover iPhones, Androids, tablets, computers, online classes, internet filters, parental control apps, screen time, social media, home networks and more. You'll get both a high-level overview of the dangers, tools, and decisions you'll need to grapple with, as well as some opinionated advice and recommendations from a computer programmer homeschool dad. We'll also cover how to test your family’s current internet safety, common mistakes most parents make, and how to evolve and adapt your family's tech security as your kids age and technology continues to change.

Faith, family, and freedoms have faded in Europe and the Americas. But God has given us a tremendous opportunity now — islands of freedom and culture unlike anything we’ve seen. He appears to be using homeschooling as a catalyst for good things. How can your family plant fruitful, beautiful gardens at such a time as this? How does the Gospel of Jesus Christ break through in our homes?

Do your kids “forget” to do their chores? Is their schoolwork just a box that gets sloppily checked off? Do you feel like they’ll never take initiative? If you’re looking for the magic pill to help your kids get off the couch and work hard, this isn’t the session for you. But if you want practical ways to kick laziness to the curb, be sure to join us as we learn how to encourage and nurture our kids to be disciplined and responsible workers.

As a homeschool dad responsible for my family's internet safety, I've got a major advantage over most parents: I've been a professional computer programmer for nearly 20 years. And I literally wrote my own parental controls app because I wasn't satisfied with the available options. Not everyone can (or will want to) replicate all the steps I've taken, but sometimes just hearing a detailed breakdown and retrospective can help parents gain valuable insights and inspiration to tailor their own approach to internet safety for their families. Join me as I delve into a case study of the specific measures I've tried (and rejected) over the years, and get a detailed description of how one homeschool family has navigated internet safety with kids ranging in age from 7 to 18. We'll cover parenting issues, home network, parental controls, phones, and more.

Meeke explores the best way to grow Christian children who are able to resist the strong pull of the culture. Learn a new term: Culture-proof. Learn how to do it and what results you should expect. The loss of generations of Christian kids should be enough to force the question, "How do we help them resist?"

Like you, when we began our homeschooling journey we asked ourselves, “Will we be able to teach them all they need to know for success?” There were so many options and subjects to teach them. They were loaned to us to us knowing almost NOTHING and we were expected to fill up their noggins and prepare them for adulthood. Little did we know then that homeschooling turned out to be not only what we taught them…but what THEY taught US. Never would we have believed how God would use homeschooling to teach us what he needed us to know as parents, homeschoolers, and as His children. So join me for an intimate time of sharing and laughing at the lessons my children taught me. My hope is that you’ll start to view your homeschool day less as a time to teach and muscle through... but as a gift.

We're all set. We've got the curriculum, the co-op, and the extra-curricular activities. The days shape up nicely, when they do shape up nicely... but what about Christ? Have we neglected the primary reason for homeschooling? In this presentation, Meeke and Wil encourage parents to check the heartbeat of their homeschool. The end of homeschooling isn't homeschooling or even education!

Many well-intentioned parents make harmful mistakes as they relate to their children. These mistakes often contribute to bitterness in relationships and in their children. Over time, they can result in children rejecting their parents, their faith and their values. Learn to avoid these pitfalls.

Frustrated by the fact that what works for your homeschooling friends doesn't seem to work for you or what works for one of your children doesn't work for all your children? For the first time ever discover the FOUR homeschool Temperaments. You'll discover if you're a Falcon, Owl, Swan, or Sand Piper and how to homeschool in light of those traits. As you listen, you'll laugh, nod your head in agreement and find yourself saying, "That finally makes sense." Todd will discuss tips for each temperament, how to teach your children who may NOT be your temperament, and what types of homeschool curriculum works best for your temperament. This will be fun as you discover your homeschool temperament!!

From rolling eyes to slamming doors, sometimes a kid's attitude is simply frustrating! If you're at your wits' end or just looking for practical ways to get to the HEART of the matter, this session is for you. As Proverbs 4 says, your attitude determines your life's path.

Are you inspired by Charlotte Mason's philosophy, but overwhelmed with how to serve an educational feast to your children? This session shares how applying the principles of minimalism to your weekly lessons will result in a rich education, a joyful home atmosphere, and the abundant life you were created for. We will walk you through narrowing down your priorities, eliminating clutter in your homeschool, and focusing on quality over quantity.

An in-depth look at the neuro-physiological differences between boys and girls- how they hear differently, see differently, handle stress and pain differently-- as well as the implications for our teaching of both boys and girls. (This is an expansion on Andrew's "Boys" talk.) With added research, together with humor and practical stories, this presentation will delight and enlighten parents of boys, girls, or both!

Managing sibling squabbles and rivalry can feel like a part-time job, and a stressful one at that. In the homeschool environment, where siblings are not just sharing dinner together, but most of their waking hours, the struggle can be long. All that time together can bring out the worst in these sibling interactions ... or it can be a catalyst for healthy growing relationships. Come to this down to earth, solutions oriented session to explore options that will be right for your family.

SmartPhones, X-Boxes, Playstations, online gaming... Facebook, InstaGram, SnapChat, TikTok, and all the other social media platforms- They have changed the way we live, have fun, and interact. Children silently glued to screens for hours have replaced laughter and creativity in our homes. They beg to play, whine when they can't, and even lie about the time they've spent on "the gadget". Teens, pre-teens, and even their parents, spend many of their waking hours tweeting, texting, chatting, FaceTiming, and "snapping." Today's latest-breaking technology becomes tomorrow's obsession, demanding more time, attention, and ever-increasing distraction. Technology has become a powerful tool and 'everyone is doing it'..but maybe you feel like you've lost control in your own home. Does the chill down your spine tell you that something is terribly wrong? Do you feel like a beast has invaded your home, but you don't know how to handle it? If so, then join me as we talk together about the timely topic of taming the TECHNO-BEAST!

One day a terrible parent in your state may do something criminal to a child-and the media may push the narrative that because the child was homeschooled, more restrictions should be placed on homeschooling families. This session will analyze some real-life situations where this has actually happened and equip you to give a compassionate, commonsense answer when family, friends, coworkers, or the local media assert that the problem is not enough homeschool regulations.

Do your kids "forget" to do their chores? Is their schoolwork just a box that gets sloppily checked off? Do you feel like they'll never take initiative? If you're looking for the magic pill to help your kids get off the couch and work hard, this isn't the session for you. But if you want practical ways to kick laziness to the curb, be sure to join us as we learn how to encourage and nurture our kids to be disciplined and responsible workers

Homeschool principal? Teacher? Provider? What is a homeschool dad supposed to do? Homeschooling allows you to become the dad you always wanted to be. You have both responsibilities and opportunities to impact your children significantly for Christ through homeschooling if you embrace them. Let's talk about where you are greatly needed and where you can have great fun as a homeschool dad.

Are you trying to homeschool, keep up with your house, fit in your job, and find time for yourself? How do you juggle it all when you are doing practically three full-time jobs at once? If you are working (or considering how feasible it might be), this session is for you. Hear from Rebecca- author, speaker, CEO of an international company, and homeschool mom of five-- as she shares her strategies and tips. Yes, this is possible... but it is going to take determination, a fresh perspective, and a whole lot of God. Bring coffee and a notebook-- we have a lot to talk about!

The high school years are a prime opportunity to equip your teens with skills they will need for future success. If your teen is headed to college, a career, or the military, they will benefit from study and time management skills. This session provides parents and teens with ideas to incorporate these skills into high school coursework and lists resources to help cultivate these essential skills.

Are you a frustrated homeschooling parent? Many homeschooling parents struggle with stress, anger, and discouragement. Kathie discusses several causes of frustration, and then tells how to deal with them. She also stresses the importance of dealing with anger, and having the right spirit in dealing with our children.

At some time in our future, is it imaginable that freedom of speech and freedom of religion could be suppressed where we live? History would indicate so. How do we prepare ourselves and our families for such a contingency? What curriculum might best prepare us for persecution, even martyrdom? How do we cultivate necessary virtues without sparking burdensome fears? This may not be a pleasant subject to contemplate, but perhaps it will be an important one.

This message is for anyone who is homeschooling a child that just doesn't seem to be "into" it. Books aren't really their thing, and the idea of writing is deplorable. Rebecca will introduce you to her spunky 12-year-old son, Malakai, who doesn't fit the mold of a book learner. You'll be laughing through the stories of these amazing kids who stretch us beyond what we thought was possible and walk away with some practical tips of how to understand the child you have and tweak your expectations to line up with the gift that God gave you.

In the last few decades, childhood has largely moved inside. With so many great opportunities that vie for our time, it's easy to consider outside play as frivolous. In this session, Ginny Yurich, founder of 1000 Hours Outside, reveals how "just" playing outside offers a myriad of developmental benefits to your child and how these benefits will extend through adulthood. Do less and yet gain more with nature immersion!

Every family has a culture ... a way of living. And every family is defined by it. Are your family's mission and culture breathing life into your days? Being intentional and purposeful is the best way to make sure your mission aligns with your worldview. You'll leave this session armed with a list of practical ideas and an encouraged heart!

In our media-saturated society, how do we both protect our kids while preparing them to be media literate? This talk discusses the intersection of timeless Biblical parenting skills and timely technology guidelines.

Ken Ham will give examples from his upbringing in helping parents understand the importance of training children from a truly Biblical foundation. What does the Bible say (not your opinion) on how to bring up children; how to train them; how to discipline children; and how to educate them? What should the priorities be in education? Come be inspired and equipped with answers as you lead your family in the truth!

In spite of what the culture is telling us, boys and girls are different. Have you ever had a war break out in the middle of a playdate or had a single math lesson take three hours? Then, you’re probably raising boys! If the world seems intent on gender-bending and forcing our sons into a feminized mold, Hal and Melanie, parents of six boys, explain the Biblical way out – and a better way to turn wild little dirt-lovers into strong Christian men!

Is my child behind if they are not reading by four? Will my child be okay if they prefer to play in the mud instead of write their letters? How can I make sure that my child will be successful in school? Join me for a fun and creative presentation that will answer these and many other questions parents have about academic success. I will share how to create an amazing foundation for your child based on the latest in scientific research on brain development. This information packed session will help you prepare your child for lifelong learning, while making wonderful memories along the way!

Eighty percent of the children labeled “Learning Disabled” in school are boys. That’s why wise parents understand that the confinement, boredom and regimentation of school are things to be avoided if boys are to thrive. The key to understanding and cooperating with the drives God has built into boys is in recognizing that boyhood is preparation for the roles of family protector, provider and leader that naturally and Biblically fall upon men. We must understand that we are not raising boys, but training future men if we are to make boyhood the exciting and profitable season of life that God intended it to be.

The most important part of an education is the teaching of worthy character. Otherwise, we are only training more competent rebels! Character is the key that opens the door to successful adult living. It is the first thing that wise people examine when evaluating a prospective employee, spouse or friend. That’s why character is the most important subject you will ever teach your children! Marilyn Boyer is mother of 14 homeschooled kids. She'll share how to intentionally teach this most important of all subjects!

None of us want our children to turn out to be rebellious, but how can we stop it? Is it normal and necessary? Often, as parents we are unconsciously instilling a rebellious attitude in our little ones that is revealed in their teen years. Biblical answers will be given as to how to deal with rebellion, as well as things to avoid that may cause rebellion.

No matter how much we avoid it, we’re surrounded by the messages of media, from our computers to songs on the radio. Learn how to teach your children discernment, protect them from being manipulated by the messages around them, and instead to engage their culture for Christ.

Two forces that are often exerted: Positive and Negative Reinforcement. Israel explains the importance of Affirmation as a way to inspire and motivate your reluctant child. Drawing from practical and Biblical examples, this session will help you to keep those important relational connections as you are attempting to impart knowledge.

Marriage is tough. As Christian homeschoolers, we are not exempt from the trials and temptations that end so many marriages today. In this seminar, we will discuss the reason our marriages struggle (the answer is found in Genesis 2-3) and 3 practical ways each spouse can demonstrate greater love for one another.

The high school years present an opportune time to develop skills young adults will utilize the rest of their lives. Learn about the importance of teaching finance, health care, car ownership, job preparation, spiritual principles, and more. All of these areas will benefit your teens when they take that giant step into independence and adulthood.

Everyone struggles with anger on some level, but when anger is a frequent occurrence with your children, over time, it will damage your relationships and hinder your effectiveness. Are you tired of being stressed-out, and ready to have a peaceful atmosphere in your home? Learn how in this important workshop.

How, when, and why should you teach your kids about sex? This practical presentation is anchored in the Scripture where parents can learn how to use the Bible as a starting point for sex-ed in the home.

In this workshop Lesli demonstrates how to create a set of activity boxes that can be used to entertain and educate toddlers, providing Mom with an easy, organized way to keep those little ones constructively busy while educating older children or attending to household tasks.

Why can my academically gifted student calculate geometric ratios but he can’t find his shoes? If can be baffling, can’t it? One moment you’re conversing with your gifted student about the latest research on genetics and the next moment he’s arguing with you that his superman cape can sustain flight because it has super powers. Gifted children often experience what’s called “asynchronous development,” or out of sync development. How do you meet the developmental and academic needs of a gifted learner? Not an easy answer but one that Beth Mora will address in detail from experience with her two academically gifted kids.  

In this session, Dr. Sandi Queen shares how, during her youngest son’s 3 1/2 year battle with cancer, and her own diagnosis two years into her son’s struggle, the Lord allowed her to continue to not only persevere through daily life in a busy household and care for her ailing son, but also write 40 books during this time. No matter what your struggle is – caring for an aging parent, loss of your own health, going through a divorce or other difficult family time, this session discusses practical ways to get through your days, and will be a blessing and a help.