It’s quiet, but deadly. It can poison a whole family when no one even knows it’s there. It dampens affection, kills communication and leaves hearts wounded and hurting. It is the number one reason why marriages break up and why parents lose the hearts of their children. The Bible describes it as a “root” that springs up and defiles many. In this talk, Rick Boyer explains how the poison of bitterness damages relationships and how the grace of God can put them back together again. Peace and love in your home are not just a dream.

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.

Character is a the key that opens the door to successful adult living. It is the first thing wise people examine when evaluating a prospective employee, spouse, or friend. That's why Christ-like character is the MOST important subject you will ever teach your children! Come hear Marilyn Boyer, mother of 14 homeschooled kids and learn as she shares how to intentionally teach this most important of all subjects!

Learn from pediatrician, Dr. Roger Smith, how stress and trauma affects a child’s ability to learn and perform. Research on stress has yielded a better understanding of the biochemical and neurologic responses we see as “behavior.” Parents can tap into this research to better guide their child through life’s stresses. This session will review both the science and the social impact of emotions in the context of a Biblical worldview. Dr. Smith will transform scientific gobbledygook into layman’s language with tangible application.

Time must be budgeted just like money. We must determine the difference between the fixed - what we must do, and the discretionary - what we would like to do, and set our priorities. This workshop will be filled with practical tips and encouragement for everyday living as a homeschool family. Areas covered include understanding your calling, relationships, schooling, meals, household clutter and cleaning, and general household management.

Parenting style MUST SHIFT as your child grows. Developing influence with your child is essential to reducing the struggle for control as he matures. Having raised 4 children to lead productive lives as adults, the Smiths bring real-life stories from their past to illustrate both good and bad approaches to controlling kids in the family. Effectively handling each stage of growth, from toddler to teen, will set the stage for more influence. You will be encouraged, and you will be inspired.

What’s a dad to do? In a busy home, dads often find themselves being dragged along in all the activity involving the children. But can it be another way? The influence of the father can be the thing that helps all the activity stay on course. Dr. Smith will share ways he and others have made significant contributions to the home amid a busy career. This session will not be an attempt to produce guilt about failures but will offer solutions and hope for increasing the influence of dad in the home, resulting in everyone being happier.

One confusing aspect of the life of a believer is the war between their spirit and their flesh. This war and its consequences are personal and will determine a person's effectiveness as a believer. Understanding the biblical basis for this battle is paramount for living a victorious, joyful and faith-filled life. You will discover the power of the Spirit that lives within and cause the Enemy and his minions to tremble. This is also an excellent topic for parents hoping to prepare their teens for this challenge aspect of faith.

Conflict with our children can cause a great gulf between us. Discipline in the home is a must, but it need not create tension between us and our children. The Smiths will share how Biblical discipline is often misapplied, but more importantly, how we can pattern our family discipline after that of our Heavenly Father. Stories of parents doing it well will empower you to make needed adjustments in your approach to discipline.

Every person has a dozen or so defining moments in their life that have the ability to change their future. Many people don’t recognize them or at the very least, don’t allow them to significantly impact their lives like God has intended them to. Chuck shares life examples, biblical lessons, and encouragement on how to recognize and respond to your next defining moment so that you are blessed, the kingdom is advanced, and your future is filled with purpose. God loves using average people to do amazing things because then the glory all goes to Him. Learn how to let your next defining moment propel you into the amazing promises of God.

Communication patterns open, or close, the door to connectedness. Conflict is a normal part of every relationship, yet healthy conflict resolution is not common. Simple principles help us develop this skill that can be learned. This session will review some of the basic communication principles that are foundational to successful conflict resolution.

More than ever before, raising teenagers that care about their faith is hard, especially in a culture that is quickly becoming increasingly hostile toward Christians. Chuck and his wife raised six children in this age of technology, learning to fight back against teen apathy and help their chidren's faith not only survive, but thrive. Chuck shares insight and techniques to equip parents for the challenging teen years.

What will really matter 10 or 50 years from now? Not how well you taught mathematics or sentence diagramming, or whether your laundry was always caught up. Sometimes we forget--or don't even knowhow to delight in our children and make time to enjoy being with them. Come hear Marilyn and catch a vision of how you can reach and hold the heart of your child and build family relationships that will be passed on through generations.

Come hear Marilyn Boyer, who over a span of 37 years homeschooled all 14 of her kids. She started out pretty traditionally, but as time went on, many powerful lessons were learned and she is excited to share those things with you.

Sensory concerns are rising, and they can quickly cause stress on a homeschool day. During this session, Alysia will share her experience as a pediatric occupational therapist working with children with various sensory needs. Learn about the sensory systems, therapy techniques to implement immediately in your homes, daily rhythms that support a sensory diverse learner, and ways to begin to understand your own sensory system and how that impacts how you teach and respond to your children.

Fear can paralyze us in the pursuit of something good. Even avoiding fear does not eliminate it, so we must attack it a different way. In this session, Jan will share practical ways that we can manage the fear that arises and the chaos that accompanies it. A bit of humor will shed light on the fact that some of our fears are imagined, while other real issues escape our notice. Some time-tested tips offered here may help with the fear, even if the chaos remains.

Note: This is Part 1 of 2, the original session (Traditions, Transitions & Transparency: Lasting Success for the Family) slated for this time slot was replaced with this 2-part session. Recognizing that a healthy marriage is the basis of a healthy home, this session is a fun and fruitful way to invest in your marriage and family. Steve and Megan teach from their book, “The Eight Rules Of Communication For Successful Marriages” and take a fun-loving look at marriage and friendship. They offer practical advice in a guilt free environment making the teaching real and applicable to all in attendance.

Recognizing that a healthy marriage is the basis of a healthy home, this session is a fun and fruitful way to invest in your marriage and family. Steve and Megan teach from their book, “The Eight Rules Of Communication For Successful Marriages” and take a fun-loving look at marriage and friendship. They offer practical advice in a guilt free environment making the teaching real and applicable to all in attendance.

In recent years, homeschooling has become a responsibility placed solely on mothers. The Scriptures, however, give a very different recipe for success in training up children in the ways of God. In this workshop, fathers will learn not only the vision that God has for them in the area of homeschooling, but also some great ideas for being involved in their greatest calling. Dads are essential to their children’s education.

Second mile leaders are those counter-intuitive servants of God who earn the right to be heard by developing a consistent love of virtue, a disciplined approach to gratification, and a submissive love for the authority of God’s Word. Male leadership is essential to the success of marriages, families, the church, and society. This session will teach men to Earn The Right To Be Heard, Prefer Proactivity, Reject Reactivity, Learn to elevate virtues above feelings, Build Moral Muscle, Seek Forgiveness, and Develop A Finisher’s Attitude.

Time must be budgeted just like money. We must determine the difference between the fixed – what we must do, and the discretionary – what we would like to do, and set our priorities. This workshop will be filled with practical tips and encouragement for everyday living as a homeschool family. Areas covered include understanding your calling, relationships, schooling, meals, household clutter and cleaning, and general household management. Attendees will leave with practical and applicable tips.

The Bible teaches that the basic economic unit of society is the Family—not the corporation, not the government, not the individual. This talk explores the basic elements of a family-centered economy and provides practical steps for families to reclaim productive households that will thrive in uncertain times.

Do you long for a life that has more joyful peaks than crash-and-burn joyless valleys? Do you want to be joyous but wonder where Joy fits into your days full of busyness? This session will provide a biblical road map to the joy-filled, God-honoring life that we all long to live. By uncovering the definition of Joy, the eternal Source of Joy, and our part in snatching and holding on to that Joy, you'll discover a wellspring of Joy to refresh you in even the "stinkiest" of times! When we overflow with Biblical Joy, we can become joy-bearers who bring encouragement and hope into the lives of everyone in our sphere of influence.

Misunderstanding in a Marriage is a Good Thing! (?) Misunderstanding in marriage hurts...deeply. But misunderstanding in marriage happens...often. It must be a sign of a failing marriage...right? No! Meet with Try and his wife Marcy and learn from their experience. Explore misunderstanding and why it hurts, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Are you teaching three or more children, managing preschoolers and/or a baby, trying to keep the house nice, cooking healthy meals, and desiring to be beautiful and romantic for your husband? Yes, it is possible. Listen to ideas and tips from a home school veteran mom of 14 children who has had a wonderful marriage of almost 45 years, written and published several books, and was/is a part of three home-school support group leadership committees.

The majority of youth raised in Christian homes by Christian parents abandon their faith before their high school graduation. Research has shown four proven steps that parents can take to dramatically improve the likelihood that their children will remain vibrant and active Christians throughout their adult lives. This message will help you understand those four steps.

In this session you’ll discover the Seven Principles of Family that were embraced from Creation until around 1890. These are great mission objectives for the Kingdom family. If you will embrace, apply, and pass on these principles to your children, and they will be set up for success in God’s Kingdom.

What does it take to have a wonderful marriage? Why do marriages grow apart? Jared will discuss how to get rid of lie-based thinking and bitterness, have courageous conversations, and how to truly be one. He’ll also discuss the impact this transformation will have on your family as a whole. Couples, singles, sons and daughters are all welcome to attend.

Pornography has become one of those awkward, taboo topics that too few Christian parents discuss with their teens, especially sons. This is exactly what the enemy wants! All parents need to be aware of the massive prevalence and the physical, emotional, and spiritual perils of pornography. Young people are falling victim to it at greater rates than ever before, and falling much deeper into depravity, because of its ready availability on the internet. You’ll be given practical steps for having open dialog with your teens. Keith will answer questions like: What do I say? What’s the right age? What if my teen is already addicted,? What about long term accountability? Parents will walk away encouraged and empowered to speak to their teens about this crucial issue!

Are you ever embarrassed or shocked by what comes out of your child’s mouth? Based on her newest book, I Can’t Believe You Just Said That, Ginger provides a practical, three-step plan to reach beyond the behaviors of tongue-related struggles—such as lying, defying, and manipulating—to address your child’s heart. After all, as Matthew 12:34 tells us, “the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

How important is your child’s purity? Is there a safer way to find a soulmate? In this session, we will explore what the Bible says regarding the path to marriage and expose some of the common pitfalls that many well-intended homeschoolers fall into.

Is the world sending you mixed messages? Have lies about your identity from the pop culture, high expectations from others, and confusing self-talk from your own emotions and brain become a jumble of exhausting mental activity tossing and turning like a washing machine’s agitator? Many teens are secretly wondering, “How do I sort through all of this to find out who I really am and what I’m supposed to be? Do I really have what it takes to be a Christ- follower in this culture?” Angela will reach into the hearts and minds of teens with the TRUTH of God’s Word that brings confidence, peace, and wisdom to those who are searching.

Romance, passion and negligees...for too many home-schoolers these are things of past. Dad goes to work, Mom is busy from sun up to sun down with the house and kids, and there are still obligations outside of the home. Everyone falls into bed exhausted! But marriage is still the bedrock of the home and must be nurtured! Dara will give you some creative ideas on keeping your marriage a priority and maybe even a little bit steamy.

~This workshop is for ladies and young ladies only. Some material may not be suitable for boys and young men~ Learn how God has intricately designed the female body.

How did our wonderful home-trained son go off the rails? He forsook his faith and all he was taught. Lies consumed our relationship. He plunged into the lifestyle of worldly passions and fell into the deep end of the legal system. We lost our son... but God! This prodigal came back to the kingdom of Heaven taking it by force and revenging his former disobedience. The impossible happened in our son. That son is Jake MacAulay, and he’s here to share his story. Parents, there is hope.