"Whatever is the meaning of life?" "Whatever happens when one dies?" "Whatever is your highest value?"—questions that demand more than a "Whatever!" answer. The "Whatever!" answer of Secular thinking dampens and even squelches serious thought and attempts at engaged conversation in our culture. The "Whatever!" of Secularism even invades the church. Rather than be discouraged, take heart in God's command in Deuteronomy 12:32.

Fear-based parenting drives us to make bad decisions despite the best of intentions. We choose curricula based on what our friends are doing, not what our kids need, because we're scared they'll miss something. We micromanage our teens because we're afraid they'll make mistakes. We stress and worry and can't sleep at night. Why do we fall so easily into the what-ifs? God has not given us a spirit of fear. This eye-opening session will point you to the real source of security and hope and free you to do what is best for your children no matter what anyone else is doing. Step up and take courage!

Often falling on the heels of making a bold decision in your family, a little voice in your head cries out, "What was I thinking?!! I can't do that!" Even when we are obedient to clear direction, we can become insecure and fearful. Humorous stories will lighten your load if you are feeling the press to make changes and will help you to stop listening to the accusations from within.

Have you just started your homeschooling journey? Come to this workshop to get information on legal requirements, what to expect in the first year or two, and how to navigate the various ages and stages of homeschooling. Whether you're starting with preschoolers or high schoolers, this session will help you start strong!

Do you want to make your homeschool journey memorable in the lives of your children? Do you want them to look back with fondness on their growing up years and their educational experience? Jackie learned early on in her homeschool journey that she needed to keep homeschooling fun not only for her rambunctious children but also for her own sanity. She shares her continuing experiences and adventures with her children. Jackie will talk about different ways to get the most out of the few precious years we have to educate our children from preschool to graduation. Get ideas on how to take the drudgery out of homeschooling for both you and your children.

Learn from pediatrician Dr. Roger Smith how stress and trauma affect 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 children 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 applications.

Do you want encouragement and strategies to help re-ignite your student's love of learning? Many factors impact a child's motivation level—stress, executive function, nutritional needs, media usage, and more. With a little bit of theory and a whole lot of practical application, Dr. Somerville equips parents with the tools they need to tap into their child's God-given gift of curiosity.

When you get to the end of your homeschooling, and your child leaves home, things get real. At that point, the only thing you'll have is relationship: their relationship with God and their relationship with you. Learn about encouraging research that highlights the critical importance of relationships in the spiritual life of our children, find out how to rebuild strained relationships, and get practical help to build the kind of relationship that will last through adulthood. Hal & Melanie's six oldest children have grown up and left home, and are their best friends.

Struggling to teach all the kids all the things? Finding it difficult to plan your days or keep from falling behind? Learn from a homeschool mom of six practical ways to organize your days, maximize your teaching time, and still make time for the joys of homeschooling.

This workshop will provide parents with ways to talk about sex and sexuality with their children so that they will be prepared to make choices that reflect a Biblical Sexual Ethic. -Learn how to "go there." - Gain strength knowing you are not alone in wondering and stressing over this "age-appropriate" question - Discover creative ways to be intentional without a lot of stress - See the grave importance of being early versus too late to these conversations—the world wants to be first — I want you to be.

Your house is a disaster, your kids seem out of control, and you wonder how you'll ever make it through another day of school. Your "get up and go" has "gotten up and went". You used to think homeschooling was the best thing since sliced bread, but now you’re feeling like burnt toast. Take heart - you're not alone! No one homeschools because it's easy. You do it because you believe it is best. But there are times when you need to be reminded once again why it's best. Join me as we do just that. You'll laugh and be encouraged in the toughest job you'll ever...love.

Are you having trouble finding the time and energy to meet the needs of your husband after a hard day of homeschooling? Maybe you've forgotten what his needs are. Would you like your husband to take a more active role in homeschooling? Maybe your husband refuses to be involved in training your children. Join me as we look at your role, not as a homeschooling mom, but as a homeschooling WIFE. Your husband will thank you for coming! The discussion will be led by a real husband of a homeschooling mom.

The homeschool movement coined and promoted the idea of fostering a LOVE of learning…and yet most homeschooling moms have fostered a “hate” of learning. Instead of inspiring their children to love exploration, discovery, and learning, all of which homeschool SHOULD foster, moms find their children fighting them tooth and nail to “do school.”

Homeschooling is hard, parenting is hard, and marriage…well, that’s way hard. And that’s OK and even normal. Trouble is we don’t like hard. We want easy, fast, and cheap, and at the same time we want successful results. But the truth is that good things are hard and hard things are good, and they go hand in hand. Sadly, most people don’t ever experience the good because they can’t handle the hard. They put the hard thing off, hoping it will get easier, or they avoid it all together, and all they end up with is a pile of regrets. Here’s the good news: you can handle the hard. In fact, if you’re faced with two choices, pick ‘HARD.’ During this hour, you’ll laugh with Todd as he shares how to embrace the hardness while keeping your eye on the joy and experience God’s best for you.

This engaging workshop will review several different teaching approaches found in homeschooling, and then help attendees identify resources and curricula to fit their family’s particular style. Are you just getting started homeschooling? Needing to refocus and redefine what homeschooling could look like for your family? Come benefit from Nancy’s almost 30 years of experience and enjoy her dynamic style.

In a world that is moving at warp speed, it’s easy to forget that kids are still kids. Their needs haven’t changed: they need time to explore and experiment with the real world around them, to absorb life through all their senses, to process their thoughts at their own pace. All of these are crucial in laying a firm foundation for higher learning, but this TAKES TIME. Learn why this is so important and how to protect and defend your kids’ childhood.

Can you recall those early days when your children were very little? What do you remember most? The happy times? The fun adventures? Or do you remember the mistakes you made and the ways you failed? Science and research have shown that our brain is hardwired to recall negative memories over positive ones. It’s vital that you take steps now to ensure your memories are not distorted with this natural tendency to focus on the negative. In this session Jeannie will share what you can do now to preserve joys of your homeschool journey and how this will increase the joys your family experiences in your daily life.

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

Sometimes unexpected things disrupt the homeschool year. When this happens, it seems like all the best-laid plans go out the window. We will discuss how to make realistic adjustments to academics and life rhythms, manage stress and model resiliency for your teens.

We all have clear reasons that we decided to homeschool, but as we continue this journey, the lines can become blurred. It can be so easy to get caught up in how our kids (and we) are (or aren’t) performing when it comes to homeschooling. But what if that isn’t actually what we are called to? Mastery can be important. God talks about becoming skilled and the importance of diligence. But what if we are giving up purpose and exchanging it for performance?

The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties lends itself to overcoming the countless obstacles that life can bring. As adults, we have all experienced things we never thought we would face, and we know that our children will have their own share of difficulties. Though there is no way to know what those will be, we can prepare our children by helping them build resilience throughout their childhood

There is a reason that American school children score at the bottom on international science assessments. It is the ineffective way in which science is taught in schools. Most of us were subjected to this system and obtained only a cursory understanding of science. As homeschoolers, we have the freedom and opportunity to throw out those unproductive techniques. We can truly impart a deeper knowledge and love for science. Jeannie will share five vital steps, inspired by Charlotte Mason, that will ensure you impart a superior science education. These five steps will not only enrich your homeschool, they will prepare your children for high school and college.

In every generation except the last two or three, parents have taught their children how to grow their own food, keep animals, and provide for their basic needs. With wit and wisdom, this talk presents some ways parents can teach their children homesteading skills and “mend” the chain that has been broken with our great- grandparents.

As a homeschooler you have a plethora of opportunities to enroll in classes, co-ops, extra-curricular activities, clubs, and organizations, as well as service, and ministry. You even have an abundance of curriculum choices for every area of education. The question you must ask yourself is, “How will choosing to do this affect your day, your week, and the atmosphere of your homeschool?” It’s vitally important that you guard against being overscheduled with courses or activities that ‘seemed wonderful’ when you were presented with the idea but do nothing but create stress and an atmosphere of chaos and hurry. Jeannie will share stories of her own mistakes and triumphs, as well as how you can know when to say “yes”, and when to say “no” when creating your homeschool schedule.

This is THE most popular topic I speak on! Most of us didn’t factor into the equation just how much sibling conflict would be part of our homeschooling days! It can be exhausting! As homeschooling parents, we have a unique opportunity to nurture sibling relationships among our children. Find out practical ways to do this and what an IMPORTANT part of our homeschooling it really is!

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.

The homeschooling journey becomes such a big part of our lives as moms. Sometimes it seems as though we will never see the finish line but talk to any homeschool mom with grown kids and she will tell you, ”The days are long, but the years are short.” What feels like a lifelong commitment soon becomes a distant memory and when you’ve given your all to this worthy task of homeschooling, the next season can bring a conflict of emotions. Durenda has graduated seven (so far) whom she has homeschooled from the beginning, and, in this session, she shares some key thoughts to consider as you near the finish line.

You can do this! The high school years can be the best homeschooling years of all. We will discuss the basics you need to know about planning and goal setting, figuring out what your unique teens need, finding the right resources, record keeping that doesn’t give you headaches, and preparation for your teens’ futures.

Writing is one of the subjects a homeschool mother dreads to teach. There is a reason for this. Most people do not understand the difference between academic writing and creative writing. In fact, the difference is so vast that most publishers won’t publish a novel from a person who is accomplished in writing nonfiction. Nonfiction, like math, is formulaic and easy to master. But few students are given the formula. Instead, they are given curriculum that increases writing anxiety, requiring flowery prose, metaphors, similes, onomatopoeias, alliteration, and the list tirelessly goes on. The truth is that this is not the kind of writing that earns one A’s in college; it’s quite the opposite. In this talk, Jeannie will share the simple formula that will make writing the easiest subject you teach.

Throughout Charlotte Mason’s six volumes we read about dozens of notebooks. We will look at this wide variety and see how they were used, why they were used, and which ones we should use today. Nancy will share examples from Mason’s day as well as what her own family has implemented, inspiring attendees to begin or continue this life-long habit of self-education.

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.

Wellness and how we fuel our bodies have become confusing topics, haven't they? It can be even more confusing to try to explain these concepts to our kids. What if you could strip away some of the noise around this topic and instead make informed, intentional decisions about how you fuel your body and your family? In this course, we'll walk through the foundations of wellness including a simple strategy for categorizing food (so easy my four-year-old can do it!), mindful eating, the key components of a nutrition label, and how you can incorporate these ideas into your homeschool. We'll wrap up with a brief discussion about our habits and the stories that surround them. At the end of our time together, you and your kids will be empowered to have positive conversations about how you fuel and move your bodies with intention.

We all begin our homeschool journey with high hopes, but it often doesn’t take long before we realize that some things simply are not working. We find ourselves and/or our kids in burnout mode. At the same time, we are confronted with the fear that we may somehow fail our children if we let go of something. Learn the importance of creating a sustainable homeschooling life unique to your family, bring joy back into your homeschool days, and help equip you to go the distance!

The apostle Paul calls us to “work with your hands ... so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.” (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12). This talk explores the biblical mandate to work hard, build community, and decrease our dependence on worldly systems.

Does your child have a learning disability or severe special needs? Have you pulled your child out of public school where he used to have an IEP (individual education plan)? Participants of this workshop learn the purposes and benefits of an SEP (student education plan), the homeschool version of an IEP. This workshop also provides guidance on drafting an SEP. Participants look at sample student education plans and receive a template of a Student Education Plan as well as a resource list of books that will assist them in drafting their own homeschool student education plan.

We daily face giants of culture that cause our kids to lose hope instead of embracing God's promises. How do we prepare kids to stand alone even when everything seems to be falling apart? With our guide Dr. Jeff Myers from Summit Ministries we'll look at four areas where we and our children can make daily progress in getting a vision for our lives, developing a strong sense of mission, staying motivated, and setting worthy goals.

Weaknesses! Not only do all of us have them, but they are often the greatest source of our disheartenment as Christians. Whether it's in our role as husbands, wives, children, or homeschooling parents, we are all often haunted by our shortcomings and besetting sins. Enter Christ—our High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses, and who experienced our same temptations. In this session, we will be refreshed by the delightful truth that Jesus calls weak sinners like us to come boldly to His throne of grace, where we will find mercy and grace to help us in our time of need.

NOT FULFILLED BY ALLIANCE RECORDINGS
Weaknesses! Not only do all of us have them, but they are often the greatest source of our disheartenment as Christians. Whether it's in our role as husbands, wives, children, or homeschooling parents, we are all often haunted by our shortcomings and besetting sins. Enter Christ—our High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses, and who experienced our same temptations. In this session, we will be refreshed by the delightful truth that Jesus calls weak sinners like us to come boldly to His throne of grace, where we will find mercy and grace to help us in our time of need.

Many girls try to change their wrong?actions, but never learn to discern the wrong?thinking?behind the actions. As girls learn to identify lies which are the root issues behind struggles they face and replace them with truth, they will see how God’s Word will transform each area of their lives as the truth sets them free! In this session Sarah will include many stories, illustrations and practical tips for both mothers and daughters as she discusses topics such as a girls’ emotions, purity, an understanding of who God is, and a proper view of who we are in light of the truths from Scripture.

As women, we can experience a wide range of emotions each day. What we do with the emotions that we face is crucial to living a life of focus and peace. This workshop will stir you up to be serious about dealing with your emotions in a biblical way, and in turn encourage you as a homeschool mother in the midst of the emotional challenges that you may face with your children.

Our children are the future of our country and the Church. They must be trained to stand in the day of battle, lead when others falter, and live lives that exemplify character, courage, and perseverance. We do not have to invent historical examples of such leaders, nor despair because such men are hard to find today. The exemplary lives of Washington, Lee and Churchill provide ample illustration and witness of the kind of men whose lives can inspire our children today.

Children have serious questions about God and the Bible that shape their lifelong worldview. Based on thirty years of working with young adults, Dr. Jeff Myers helps parents answer questions such as What is God like? How do we know the Bible is true? Why doesn’t God stop pain? What happens when we die? What about those who have never heard?

“Growing up” shouldn’t be a passive activity. But do you know what it takes to get from childhood to adulthood? I’m not talking about the trend-of-the-week parenting success advice—do you know the foundational, unchanging principles every generation needs to become effective adults? This inspirational conversation will teach you the principles you need to understand yourself, your path, and the kind of difference you can make in the world.

As fallen creatures living in a fallen world, we are relentlessly tempted to scratch the stubborn itch of indulgent self-centeredness—daily battling an unrequited yearning to be the focal point of everyone’s attention.? But the real Master, who is undeniably worthy to be incessantly waited on, said of Himself that He did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.? God has given us plenty of opportunities to imitate the servant-heartedness of Jesus—the greatest servant in existence.? Discover what glad servanthood really looks like, and how we can become willing and joyful servants to our loved ones and the world as we follow in the footsteps of Christ.

Every homeschool mom can always do with a good dose of encouragement, and reminders of the confidence and joy that is readily available in Christ. Come and hear Rachel share about the faithfulness of God in her homeschool journey and the hope that we can have, despite the many challenges, as we commit the education of our children to Him

There are no easy answers to teaching a number of children of different ages, and there’s no doubt that doing so is a real challenge that requires patience and creativity. Though we may feel it’s pushing us to our limits, it provides opportunities for our kids to learn responsibility, independence, and self-control. Kathie Morrissey, mother of 8 children, will share many practical tips and ideas to make your school time more productive, and your job easier.

Looking for ways to engage your student in the political process, but don’t know where to start? Generation Joshua, HSLDA’s offshoot for youth engagement, assists parents in raising up the next generation of Christian leaders and citizens by equipping them to positively influence the political processes of today and tomorrow. As an HSLDA attorney and GenJ alumna, Amy will share how GenJ empowers through relationships and how it will inspire your student to engage in the political process.

Public speaking and thinking on your feet are vital communication skills in the workplace and society. Don’t let fear and uncertainty shut you down. These proven practical strategies from Dr. Jeff Myers have been used by difference-makers all over the world to communicate with confidence in speeches and conversations, even in the face of hostility.

Have you ever noticed the way that people respond when you speak words of encouragement into their life?? It’s almost similar to the joy that a lost traveler in a hot dessert exudes when he suddenly finds a lush oasis.? We know this because it’s exactly what each of us has experienced when others have thoughtfully taken the time to encourage us.? The trials of life can often be extremely disheartening, but this session will help us discover that the greatest source of encouragement to our own souls comes from being used by God to encourage others. Amid the current homeschooling season of life that God has placed us in, we will dive deep and uncover what the Bible has to say about how we can become ready and eager encouragers toward those in our immediate circle of influence, and beyond.?

In this session Sarah shares key lessons the Lord has taught her about trusting the Lord in the area of singleness. The Lord gave her amazing opportunities in her single years, before getting married at age 41. Yet, it wasn’t always an easy road. Sarah will share honestly about the joys and the challenges of singleness, encouraging single women of all ages to trust God’s timing and pour themselves out for the Lord. She will share ways the Lord encouraged her when she needed it, and insights from Scripture that helped her through the journey.

It is easy to underestimate the tremendous potential we have as families for the Kingdom of God. In this workshop, Harold and Sarah, speaking as a father-daughter team, will share how important it is for every family to be serving the Lord together. When a family works together for the Lord, the young people are given motivation and vision, the family learns to overcome struggles and work in harmony, and mighty works are accomplished for God’s kingdom. This workshop will give encouragement, direction, and practical ideas for developing a “ministry mindset” in children and ministering together as a family.

The high school years offer a prime opportunity for parents to together with their teens to review and to evaluate their teens preparation for adulthood. They can determine a plan of action how to equip and solidify their teen’s beliefs, skills, and relational abilities necessary for future success and passionately following Christ. Whether male or female, single or married, specific training is necessary to be able to face the demands of these roles with confidence and ease.

Do you know what it takes to make your relationships extraordinary? Let’s take some time to debunk a few relationship myths and talk about the essential formula you need to follow to make—and keep—authentic relationships.

One of the boldest stratagems of the Second World War involved the bombing of Tokyo shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Jacob DeShazer, one of the Doolittle’s raiders who participated in that assault, led a life fleeing from God until his captivity as a prisoner of the Japanese. His story and that of the commanding Japanese pilot in the attack on Pearl Harbor, Mitsuo Fushida, intertwine in a way only God could orchestrate through a series of remarkable providences. This story shows the hand of God in the lives of two relatively obscure warriors, which in the end resulted in the conversion of many Japanese people and the witness of the Gospel to untold thousands of others in the post war world. History is not only stranger than fiction, it displays the glory of God in amazing ways.

The main goal in this workshop is to see the creation through?new eyes. Often when we observe common familiar creatures, our initial reaction is “been there, seen that, ho hum” when there?really is nothing ho hum about it. I will survey a few animals, plants, and fungi that we deem boring, and then (without exaggerating) showcase God’s handiwork by unveiling the hidden yet awe-inspiring features of these living masterpieces. We will find out that the boringness is in us, not in the animal,?plant, or fungus.??

How homeschool beats all other forms of education from a public school teacher. This session will address the most important components of education and it will explain why homeschool is the only model that works. It will include the stories of many homeschoolers who are leaders in their respective fields because of their homeschool background.

Greta shares a variety of practical tips for successful home schooling. These tips come from her own experience as a homeschooled student, her early years as a novice homeschool mom, to her current position as a happy veteran homeschooling mom. This is to encourage both new and veteran homeschool moms alike.

How to use homeschooling to prepare your children for a culture that wants to cancel them. In a world where deconstruction is the norm, how do we construct a model of discipleship that helps our children not make a shipwreck of their faith? Our children will face a tidal wave of opposition to their Christian worldview, how do we prepare them to stand in the gap unwavering in their faith.

Why Homeschool? This is a question we must even ask ourselves. In a culture that has abandoned truth, it is more important than ever that we build our homeschool ‘why’ on a solid foundation that will not give way as the storms come. The right ‘why’ is what will keep us rooted and grounded on hard days, thwarting off the doubts that come. It is what will stop the naysayers in their tracks and encourage those that are looking for answers. Aby discusses the heart of homeschool and the greatest ‘why’ of all. Have your passion for His calling lit on fire! This session is for all homeschool parents.

Greta shares parts of her own educational experience as a homeschooled student in the early days of homeschooling. She shares how her parents allowed her to forge her own educational path and the beautiful successes it led to, ultimately shaping the educational journey Greta took with her own children. Greta offers encouragement for parents to follow or create the path that is best for their children from the early years through college, and to homeschool from a place of confidence rather than fear.

Mistakes and successes from the last generation. This session will address how to raise children that change culture rather than flee from it.

This presentation shares how Gretta's mother cultivated a love of reading for her and her 3 siblings. She shares reasons why parents should cultivate a love of reading and books in their own children, as she provides concrete, simple ways parents can do this. Greta ends with a great book list for kids from babies to teens.

How do you keep going when it seems like you are going nowhere? This seminar will talk about maintaining endurance through all the various stages of child development from infant to teen. This session will emphasize both practical and spiritual implications.

Lesson plans, diaper changes, times tables, and dinner…again! Do you ever catch yourself, during the mundane days of motherhood, dreaming of more? Do you feel like the daily demands of mom-life takes a super-human strength that you just aren’t sure you have? Do you feel ‘less than’ as you look around at all the super-moms out there? Do you ever dream of trading in your apron for a cape and doing bigger things in this world? Then this session is for you! You are guaranteed to walk away encouraged, changed, and ready to embrace your calling like never before.

So often, parents of passionate children feel alone in their parenting journey. It can be very lonely when you are struggling with your child. You wonder what you are doing wrong, or what's wrong with your child, if you are the only parent who has ever struggled to like their kid, and if you are a terrible parent. It's hard! In this talk Greta encourages every parent of passionate children and tells them they are not alone. She shares real honest parts of her own journey parenting two very passionate children, and all the positive things God has brought about in their lives and my own through the journey. Greta also offers practical tips to help you help your passionate child grow and blossom. Her goal in this talk is not to tell parents how to fix their children, but rather to see the gift that passion is to our children and how it can be used for good.

Greta shares some personal stories from her own journey as a homeschool mom of a child who has dyslexia and has struggled to learn to read. Greta also addresses the role of marriage in homeschooling and shares what things have seen her through when she was full of doubts about homeschooling successfully

Are you ready to run the race set before you? As in any race or journey, the better informed you are, the better the experience. Whether you’ve already made the decision to homeschool, or are still sitting on the fence, come learn more about homeschooling and requirements here in Massachusetts. Susan will address a few of the most frequently asked questions and address common concerns of parents just getting started. She hopes her practical advice will leave you informed and encouraged as you begin one of the most important adventures you’ll ever take – the journey of homeschooling your children.

Everyone is a leader. What kind are you? Paul shares seven practical steps to developing leadership. Teens will be entertained and inspired hearing Paul share lessons from his own leadership journey and will walk away with real-life applications drawn from Scripture.

If Godly children are the answer to the evils of the future, then Godly parents are the answer to who should teach them. What do Godly parent/teachers look like? God desires parents that will teach the next generation not only academically, but most importantly, biblically. The outcome is good for the society, the church, the student, and our future generations. The best teacher that cares about your children and their future as much as you do—is you! Deborah reminds homeschoolers that they are making the best educational choice possible as they keep their children Home Where They Belong.

The heart of leadership is influence and everyone influences someone. That means everyone needs some basic leadership skills, no matter who you are or what you do. You can spend a lifetime reading and studying leadership, and that’s not a bad pursuit, but this session will give you the basic leadership skills you need to understand so you can apply them immediately.

Are we pushing too hard or doing too little? Are we teaching the right things at the right time? Will there be gaps if we teach outside the box? This workshop is all about fostering a love of dreaming while still meeting the academic needs of your kids and keeping the important things in focus.

Parents are often surprised when their homeschooled teen becomes unmotivated, angry, or uncooperative. — Up to that point, homeschooling had been a magical learning adventure marked by self-directed learning and effortless discovery. Parents wonder What happened? — What did I do wrong? This workshop will address common challenges when homeschooling high school: motivation, attitude, puberty, achieving high school requirements, and more. It will also provide solutions and insights that produce real results and homeschool success.

Do you feel like you just don’t have what you need to fulfill God’s purpose for your life as a home educator? Do you feel like you don’t have what it takes to be a Godly parent? Do you feel like you lack patience, understanding, kindness, or joy? Where we lack, God’s divine power provides. In this workshop, we see God’s power and grace given in order to do all that He asks of us and reflect Him to our children and to the world. His grace gives us all that we need to abound in every good work—even homeschooling!

Adolescents today are starving: they’re aesthetically and culturally undernourished. Among the many culprits: Our poor use of literature throughout secondary education. Great works on high school reading lists are treated as mere boxes to checked off, and do students really learn to love Dickens in AP lit? — Our STEM students, moreover, will have few electives in college; the high school years may represent their real taste of literature. This homeschooling dad shows how we can use literature to nourish our teens, expand their emotional intelligence, and sharpen their insight into human relationships.

In a bygone time, plans were paramount, caution was king, and deciding was marked by deliberation. In that old world knowledge trumped experience. We don’t live in that world anymore. In our world iteration is better than planning, action holds the throne, and deciding is marked by doing. In our world knowledge is still necessary, but knowledge without experience holds little value. This session will teach you how to adapt to this new world and use project-based education to train students to take action for the real world.

Maybe you struggled with math, so how do you choose a curriculum to avoid the same fate for your child? Maybe you are really good in math but are unsure how to teach it now? Should you include manipulatives or not? What DOES it take to be the best teacher for your child? Find out the science and the art of teaching math. It is a science because much research has been done on how children learn, especially in math. It is an art because each child is different and lessons need to be tweaked. Come learn and be encouraged to become a great math teacher.

Discover practical strategies for teaching your child HOW to learn. 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 you can decrease burnout, develop successful students, and bring peace into your home once again. Listen and experience a renewed vision for your homeschool.

You are a human being, not a human doing. Culture and society will tell you that changing the world and making a difference with your life will require you to become rich, famous, and/or powerful. Unfortunately, it’s extremely difficult to become rich, famous, and powerful. Fortunately, that’s not the way you change the world and make a difference. Christianity has a different plan for world changers, a plan that anyone can follow, that requires community, and that you can start today. This session will teach you how you really change the world and find meaning. Caution: If you attend this session you will have to start today!

Have you made a list of rules only to get discouraged when your teen doesn't follow them? Do you feel your attempts to create close relationships feel one-sided? Rest assured, mom, you aren't alone. While every family needs rules, limits, and boundaries to help protect your child and keep order, they cannot come at the expense of your relationship. It's not the rules that cause our children to rebel. Often something is missing. Connie Albers, the mother of five adult children, shares how to create rules, build relationships, and reduce rebellion.

Death, illness, finances, marriage struggles, catastrophes, struggling teens, rebellious and difficult children, discouragement, or that feeling you are failing at life. Hard things happen to homeschool families, but there is great hope in the midst of hard things. Deborah talks about ten years of hardships in her journey and shares the hope in the midst of the hard things, as well as tips on practical, simple homeschooling through them. Deborah loves to encourage homeschool families that God has given them all that they need as they keep their children Home Where They Belong.

Whether you have toddlers or teens, we all have a desire to see our kids walk with the Lord and grow in faith. In this session, we will explore fun and simple ways to teach your kids to have regular devotional study, a meaningful prayer life, and engaging family discussions.

What if homeschooling and the homeschool movement was about more than education, but was the training corps for the special forces whose mission is to take and hold the cultural anchors of our civilization? What if your local church was more than a building to worship in once a week, but was the headquarters for an army whose mission was to rebuild a civilization? What if we understood that this army doesn’t build walls and fortifications to keep the barbarians out, but builds homes and communities that lower the bridge, open the gates, and invites those outside in, to a better world? This session will challenge you to think big, think long, and join the mission.

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 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.

The homeschool movement coined and promoted the idea of fostering a LOVE of learning…and yet most homeschooling moms have fostered a “hate” of learning. Instead of inspiring their children to love exploration, discovery, and learning, all of which homeschool SHOULD foster, moms find their children fighting them tooth and nail to “do school.” Let me just say from the start that I BELIEVE homeschooling and learning should be fun for our children and us. Its very design enables learning to be experienced in a way NO public or private school can provide. So why is it not the case in most homeschools? I think the answer is simple: we’ve believed and adopted some ideas that are not true and that kill inspiration and the love of learning. Join me as we talk about helping our children LOVE to learn.

Do you have a child who doesn’t want to be homeschooled, in-laws who don’t understand your reasons for homeschooling, a spouse who isn’t sold on the idea, or a guilt complex reminding you that you have no business homeschooling your children? Those nagging, sometimes-silent disapprovals can crush a person under the weight of guilt and despair. You sometimes feel like a wave tossed to and fro because in your heart of hearts you feel God would have you homeschool…but then again, the arguments against it are almost drowning you. Join Todd, as he goes face to face with the naysayers and shows you how to address their concerns, questions, and logic of why you shouldn’t homeschool your children.

Hardships come in every category of life; however, they are not always a reflection of who you are, your parenting or your homeschooling. Learn to go from living in “survival mode” to learning to live in “revival mode.” There is hope in the midst of the hard things if we are fully prepared, fully armed, and hidden in Christ.

Newsflash: homeschooling is growing. Millions of new students are benefiting from a customized education at home, which has placed homeschooling in the national spotlight. With a decade of experience advocating for homeschool freedom at HSLDA, Dan will bring to life the latest policy debates surrounding homeschooling and conclude with encouragement for 2022’s homeschool graduates.

Self-esteem can have a negative connotation among God’s people, but it is really about a right relationship with God and a true perspective of Who God is and who we are. As parents we have the responsibility to raise kids with a positive understanding of who God says they are. Claiming these truths can change attitudes and actions. Are you aware of how your words and actions can help or hurt your child as they find out who they are? Is communication in your home healthy and honoring to God? Dara will speak about the importance of words that build up and emotions that are handled carefully. Learning and teaching how to take every thought captive, how to replace Satan’s lies with God’s truths, and how to give praise to our Amazing God will give you tools towards building a healthy and Biblical self-esteem within your child’s heart.

Despite many stereotypes, homeschooling programs are unique and vary widely based on the student. Dan, a homeschool graduate himself, shares from his experience the benefits and challenges of homeschooling as well as the reasons why he is homeschooling his children.

Years ago, a homeschool mom came up to me with a pen in hand and a notebook in the other and said, “I believe that the relationship with my children matters more than anything else…so can you tell me what “relationship” is? I didn’t have a great answer at the time…but I do now. Join me as we look at TWO homeschooling moms. One spends her days doing what matters and one spends her days on what does not last. My desire is to help you and me do what matters.

It's about getting our eyes off of our own circumstances and seeing the bigger matters of a lost and dying world. This particular message addresses the Christian homeschool family. How can a homeschooled family live boldly for Christ? How can they change the world in which they live? How can they say “no” to the bait of self-focus and snatch up the call of God to audaciously serve in the Name of Jesus Christ? How can they dare to do as Stanley Dale?