Start the conference with this inspirational message

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.

It is true that opposites attract–for a while. But often as the years go by in our marriages, opposites may also begin to attack. The habits and characteristics we once found endearing about our significant other are the exact things that drive us crazy years later! Whether you and your spouse disagree about finances, parenting, or how to load the dishwasher, your differences don’t need to divide you. They can actually bring you closer together–and closer to God. Discover how your “incompatibility” can become the strength of your marital team in this real-life guide to both living with and loving your spouse–differences and all.

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

Are you feeling overwhelmed or are you just trying to make it to the end of each day? Let's refresh your purpose so you can exchange discouragement for fresh vision for your homeschool. Declutter things that are weighing down your days and gain tips for being fully present, prioritizing rest, and delighting in the time spent with your children when the days are long and the years are short! "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12

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.

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.

Our culture is obsessed with self. But in the midst of this near-narcissism, people are less content than in decades past. They have forgotten the joy that comes from putting others first. This is both biblical teaching and doable suggested actions. Some are heart-tugging and sentimental. Others are sneaky and hilarious. All are simple and practical. As we scatter kindness, we create a safe space where we can openly share the gospel with others.

Should parents send their children to public schools to be missionaries and evangelists? Homeschoolers are often accused of retreating from society instead of impacting it. What is the balance between protecting our children and reaching out to a lost world around us? Israel explains how you can equip your children for the ‘real world’ without putting them in harm’s way.

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.

Male leadership has been and continues to be assaulted by the culture. A recent television series ‘Shiny Happy People,’ is just the most recent barrage against male headship in the home. Indeed, men have sinned against God and their families, but that doesn’t remove God’s mandate for men to lead their homes. Is this really God’s mandate? How can men spiritually lead their homes if God has commanded such? Let’s talk about it together.

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.

How can we faithfully obey God’s command to raise children in the way they should go? Will it work? God’s command means God expects us to do our part as faithfully and diligently as possible with His help by the power of the Holy Spirit. What can we do and should we do to provide the best probable outcome for producing children who love God, love others, and are good citizens of our nation?

Looking for ways to teach communication in the midst of a busy life? In this talk, Given Hoffman shares practical steps for training your child in communication, no matter what age they are. Be empowered to enjoy your child while growing their ability to communicate.

How do you know if your children have been with Jesus? It was clear that those men who had been discipled by Jesus had been with Him. But how would you know? The discipleship program of Jesus is quite different than that provided by the world. Jesus trains in faith, prayer, and the Word. Are your children in Jesus’ discipleship program?

Literacy in early America was at its highest until the responsibility for education was stolen from parents by the government. When nineteenth-century Massachusetts parents resisted new mandates to hand their children over to government schools, they were met swiftly with threats of violence. The long arm of the law won the battle by physically enforcing attendance, and literacy rates dropped like a rock after that. Where did education begin in the first place, and how did it end up on its downward trajectory of today?

Do you feel like productivity ends after your morning lessons? Are you discouraged with the afternoon slump that hits before dinner? Learn how efficient, intentional scheduling can make all the difference for your family. Be inspired to integrate a simple 15-minute activity into your schedule to defeat the afternoon slump and revive your children's love for learning! "Brisk work and ample leisure and freedom should be the rule of the Home School. The work not done in its own time must be left undone." -Charlotte Mason

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!

Through a Biblical worldview lens, Professor Wagner looks at the unalienable right of parents to direct and control the upbringing of their children- especially in regards to their education.

In this session we delve into the concerns about losing ourselves when we dive into the homeschool life. We cover the misconceptions about the personal drawbacks homeschooling would appear to have in regards to our own personal growth and well-being. Learn how you can be a homeschool mom and thrive beyond your imagination, all at the same time!

What relevance do Jesus' teachings have for contemporary life? Find clarity on tough questions in the Bible regarding life, marriage, race, gender, materialism and education.

Learn the steps needed to venture into entrepreneurship in your homeschool and also what the long-term benefits are of trying new things and even of failing! This session will be helpful for student or adult entrepreneurs.

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.

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.

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.

As a parent, you are uniquely qualified to be the primary educator of your children. You have more assets than you realize. Listen and be encouraged by a veteran homeschooling father of four sons.

Do you ever wonder about the type of world your kids will inherit? What about their contemporaries? Do you want to understand the children your kids will study with and work alongside in the future? Meeke explores the big-picture questions of who exactly has the next generation and how they are shaping that generation right now. Christian parents don't need to be alarmed; we just need to be equipped

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.

If you are married with children, and homeschooling on top of that... you probably find that there is a huge balancing act between caring for your children, educating them, and nurturing your own relationship as a married couple. This straight-forward message by Brook and Israel Wayne gives practical and Biblical advice on how to keep the fires of love alive in your marriage, even when you are busy raising children.

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!

It's a fact! The only thing tougher than being a homeschooling mom is... being married to a homeschooling mom! Dad, your wife needs your help. Come join me as we discuss how to support and assist our wives in the homeschooling journey. We'll also do a lot of laughing, as I encourage men to be encouragers of their homeschooling wives.

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!

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!

Are you a caregiver for an aging parent?  Are you facing care giving in the future?  Do you ever wonder if those little memory slips are old age or the sign of something worse? Even if you aren't actively caring for someone, most likely you know someone who is, since 34.2 million Americans reported caring for an elderly parent in 2015. Many of us are in the sandwich generation, caring for parents and young children at the same time.  Care giving, especially for those with dementia, takes a special kind of grace and fortitude.  Add in home schooling and young children, and you have the makings of a hairy mess.  Join Danielle Olander, home schooling mother of five, as she shares her family's on-going experiences caring for a parent with Alzheimer's.  Juggling schedules, locating resources, and finding time to recharge, caregivers need support, resources, and sometimes, just someone to listen.  This workshop is designed to bring encouragement to those who are caring for aging parents or for those who want to support those that are caregiving.

Linda’s heart is to build up moms and help them find humor and God’s purpose in the most important calling on earth – motherhood. Linda vividly shares her amusing struggles and triumphs as a busy homeschooling mom. Homeschooling can be a lonely time for moms, but it doesn’t need to be! From the baby stage through high school, learn to find the true source of joy and how to choose joy! Following examples from God’s Word, Linda prepares mothers to face their daily tasks with peace and joy in their hearts and homes.

Sometimes, the opportunity to homeschool is squelched by real financial barriers. The temptation is for both parents to work outside the home and place their children in public school. Beth Mora, mom of eight kids and wife of one hardworking man is no stranger to managing a large family. Learn how she whittled their family food budget down to $500.00/month while her family (One husband, who burns a lot of calories as a contractor, six VERY hungry teenage boys, and two girls) still ate like kings and queens! Her frugal ways saved over $1000/month! Yes, it was work but embracing a fabulous and frugal lifestyle enabled the Mora’s to keep on homeschooling! Are you ready to carve out a part-time job in your home by becoming a top-notch home economist? Your employment application is waiting for you at this workshop! All who are willing will be hired!

New clean copy uploaded July 7 - It’s such a temptation to stress over teaching predicate nominatives or the steps of division that we forget to delight in our children and make time to enjoy being with them. In this session, Marilyn shares how she has found this to actually be the key to instilling values that stick and building in them a heart for things of the Lord. Take the time to give your children the security of knowing they have your heart. In so doing you are making it easier for them to freely give their heart back to their Creator, and that is our mission. Catch a vision of how you can reach and hold the heart of your child and build fulfilling family relationships that will be passed on through generations.

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.

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.

Marilyn Boyer has taught all fourteen of her children at home, so she has plenty of experience with any age group you can name. But her very favorite age to teach is those eager, curious, exciting, challenging munchkins we call preschoolers. This, Marilyn says is the time when we lay the foundation for greatness by pouring love and acceptance all over them – instead of treating them like a nuisance. Preschoolers aren’t just little interruptions to be kept “occupied” while older siblings study. This season in a child’s life is the time to tap into his huge potential by maximizing his natural love for learning and helping him to see that God is preparing him for a lifetime of important service. Come and learn from Marilyn how to make your little ones a valuable part of the team!

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.

Christian marriages are breaking up everywhere. How can this be? What is wrong when a family at the forefront of the culture war spins apart? If you homeschool, you know you are in a spiritual battle. Don’t let your marriage be the weak point in your armor. Find out about challenges your marriage may face, and how to work it through, not just to stay together, but to find joy and strength in each other as you mirror the relationship of Christ and the church to your children — and the rest of the world.

In the flurry of work, homeschooling, church, and extracurricular activities, romance and physical affection can sometimes seem like unattainable dreams. How can you find the energy for romance? Revive your marriage and enjoy your relationship more every year.