Bummer, isn’t it? Wouldn’t it be nice if homeschooling was the answer? I mean, wouldn’t it be nice if all of the problems in our families could be solved with good family time and top of the line curriculum? Wouldn’t it be great if all we had to do was adopt a certain daily schedule, read aloud certain books, and follow a certain educational philosophy? Wouldn’t it be awesome if there were just a simple checklist of “To-do’s” each day that would guarantee success? Yes, it would, but alas, there’s not. However, there is an answer to all that ails us: the sin and death, the pain and misery. Come be reminded of the Answer and the hope it engenders.

There are 10 Essentials needed for a joyful homeschooling journey. You might be surprised to find out they aren’t using a perfect curriculum, reading a particular book, or following a specific methodology. The 10 Essentials to homeschooling are far more foundational than that (and they are super easy to apply this week)! In this session, Carrie shares the 10 essentials and how to incorporate them into your homeschooling today whether you are new to homeschooling or you have been homeschooling for years.

If you are just getting started on your homeschool adventure then this is a great workshop for you to attend! Come with questions and leave with answers. Homeschool Idaho Board Member Audra Talley is a homeschool graduate as well as a homeschool mom. She has a wealth of information to share, so join her for an interactive hour.

As you consider how to go forward in your homeschooling journey, where are you standing? Are you on the field, in the stands, or in the blimp? It matters. What is obstructing your view? Who’s on your team? Where is the finish line? How can you best proceed? Why are you where you are? It’s difficult to answer any of these questions in the heat of the battle. It’s important to take inventory, to step back, to step away. Sometimes you have to go backwards to go forwards, to go down to go up, to go left to go right. What if there’s a place to stand so that you can really see?

Most of us know that homeschooling has great academic benefits and is good for families, but did you know that the benefits go beyond reading, writing and arithmetic? In this session you will learn how you can use your homeschool to grow strong, healthy kids: physically, mentally, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

You can do this and you can do it well. If I can do it, you can, too! I will give you some Rock-solid foundational principles and practices that, when put in place, will confidently and successfully usher your teen across the highschool finish line.

Homeschooling provides an education that is beyond comparison with any other method. That said, Idaho code requires that homeschoolers provide instruction, “in subjects commonly and usually taught in the public schools.” This is often summed up as a requirement to provide a “comparable education.” But how are we to meet that requirement without stifling the amazing educational freedom that homeschooling offers? Join Linda Patchin as she unpacks various teaching methods used by homeschoolers and how they can each meet, and exceed, the statutory requirement of a “comparable education.”

American homeschoolers cannot and must not become complacent after several decades of freedom. Storm clouds are gathering rapidly on the horizon. From Ivy League law professors and government bureaucrats to international organizations and unions, the threat to education freedom and home education is real. Multiple governments have banned homeschooling in recent years. It is time to prepare by learning about the danger.

There are many existential threats to fundamental liberties and the very fabric of Christian civilization building on the horizon, but homeschool families are uniquely positioned to help hold the line. From rekindling an awareness of the biblical principles at the foundation, to re-imagining education, to getting involved in the cultural, political, and spiritual battles raging all around us, we have an obligation to be a part of the solution. In this talk, Alex will offer concrete ideas for action.

The world has a vision of education and its purpose. Christians must as well. In this talk, Alex Newman will explore what the Bible teaches on education and discipleship, and how this differs radically with what the present education system offers. He also provides an in-depth look at the history of Christian education — the very education that built Western civilization and the United States of America. Finally, he will equip parents to rethink education in light of Scripture, with practical tools to honor God in this critical realm of life.

We’ve all heard the adage, “Nothing is easy,” and it’s true. So why then do we use ‘ease’ as the determining factor in our life choices? As a culture, we want dinner-making to be easy. We want house projects to be easy. We want relationships to be easy. We want our jobs to be easy. Look around, ‘easy’ seems to be a pretty high-value today. But what about the Christian life? What about marriage? What about parenting? Are any of those easy? Could it be that our longing for easy is what keeps us from becoming the people, spouses, and parents that God has intended for us to be? God is calling, He’s inviting us to be a part of His plan to change the world. It won’t be easy, but it will be for His glory and our good. Let’s get to work together.

Every day we are bombarded with messages that try to convince us that we are individually important. The basic theme is that we should seek self. It’s all a big lie, from the king of lies. We must shift our focus away from ourselves and on to our awesome and mighty God. The world is relentlessly pursuing peace and contentment that can only come from a life that is totally surrendered to Christ and His will. Come learn how this realization radically changed Rachael’s life, direction, and purpose. It can change yours too!

Just like mothers, fathers are critical for homeschooling, and not just for paying the bills. In this fun talk, Alex — who homeschools his 5 children alongside his wife — will share insights into the role of dads in the education, upbringing, and discipleship of their children. He will also offer practical tips for fathers and families that can make home education even better!

The Bible teaches more about government than it does about heaven. But for several generations, pastors and churches have remained largely silent on the issue, partly due to concerns about their tax exemption. This is inexcusable. The Bible calls on leaders to teach the full counsel of God. America’s founders understood the biblical view of government, and that is why Americans have been blessed for centuries with security, peace, prosperity, and liberty. In this talk, Alex will go into great detail on what the Scriptures teach.

We all want to raise children to be responsible and diligent individuals. Teaching them to become independent learners is also helpful for our sanity and the efficiency of our homeschool. It’s an important life skill for our kids to develop! Come hear practical tips for how to teach our children these habits, from preschool to high school, through your homeschooling and family life.

So here we are. Most of us would have chosen something different than what we’ve recently had to face. I mean really, who would have signed up for the crazy chaos that has characterized the last few years? Not me. But, if I believe in a sovereign God, and if I believe that He has a plan, and if I believe that He has a role for me to play, and I do, then how do I lean into that and His plan? And what is my role in this cultural moment? Let’s take a look at some other similarly chaotic cultural moments in Scripture and see what we can learn from those who’ve gone before us. This is our moment. Let’s dare to live it for Him.

Jesus declared, “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). As followers of Jesus, He has called us to let our light shine! This begins by living for Christ in the context of our family relationships. God wants to use our struggling, ordinary Christian families to impact future generations and shine for Him!

The way we are parenting today impacts our grandchildren and great-grandchildren yet to be born. In this session, Dr. Rienow will share key Scriptures, from both the Old and New Testament, which will equip you not only to raise your children for the glory of God but to also accelerate faithfulness in the future generations of your family.

This session addresses the goal of education from a Christian perspective and answers the question, “What is the end game in homeschooling?”

Is it possible to have well-educated kids without drowning in a sea of drudgery? All six of Hal & Melanie’s homeschool graduates were offered academic scholarships to great colleges, even though (once Melanie got her feet under her) they’ve been very relaxed homeschoolers. Learn the difference between learning and schooling—hear what’s important that you get done and what’s not! This workshop will lift your burdens and free you up to enjoy these years with your children and prepare them well for their future.

Parents considering homeschooling often worry about whether or not their children will turn out “normal”. They wonder if their children will emerge from homeschool truly prepared for success in life, or if they’ll emerge socially inept and uneducated. In this session, Daniel Craig, a homeschool graduate, will share why he is glad he was homeschooled, and why your children will be too. Based on both his personal experience, and the unchanging truths of God’s word, Daniel will help you understand what homeschool “success” really is, where it comes from, and the real reason it matters.

You made the hard decision to pull your kids from school, and now you are feeling like you don't have any idea what to do next. Maybe last year didn't go the way you think, and you don't know what to do next. Sometimes the co-op filled your time but left you with gaps in your child's overall education. In this empowering and practical session, Andi Elliott will guide you through the process of homeschooling successfully and confidently without relying on boxed curricula or rigid co-ops. Whether you're new to homeschooling or feel like you're drowning and need some help forward, this class will provide you with the tools and insights needed to create a successful learning environment for your children. Let this year be your best year yet!

Education and discipleship are not the same as mass schooling. They have different traditions and different expectations. Have you ever asked, "How do I know if they are on pace?", "What if they miss something?", "How do I know if they are learning?", or even "I'm not sure I know enough to teach high school!" then this session should settle your mind and help you plan for discipleship with excitement. Explore some of the key differences and save massive amounts of time and stress trying to recreate schooling at home.

Ever find yourself asking: "Can I really do this?" or "What if I'm failing my child?" or "Do I really have what it takes?" Join us for a raw and illuminating discussion on the silent struggle of self-doubt in homeschooling. Delve into the questions that haunt homeschooling moms in the dead of night and uncover strategies to silence your inner critic. In this workshop you will gain valuable insight to navigate the doubts that threaten to overwhelm and emerge with renewed confidence to embrace your homeschooling journey.

Uncover the secrets of seamlessly managing a diverse homeschooling environment, which includes toddlers exploring their world and teens focusing on advanced subjects. Come for ideas and activities to engage those young learners as well as your older students. We will delve into time management techniques, resource organization, and practical tips for orchestrating a harmonious educational experience for all.

Homeschooling through medical trauma; whether it is caring for a parent, caring for a child, or caring for yourself I invite you to walk with me in a journey of learning how to maneuver through unmet expectations, shifting of priorities, and how to accept help. Focusing on what God has shown me through these opportunities and how to seek peace and joy during times of uncontrollable changes.

A life-long student of motivation, Andrew Pudewa has organized fundamental ideas of motivation into categories: four forms of relevancy, three laws of motivation, and two secret weapons. This expansion of Andrew’s previous talk Teaching Boys & Other Children Who Would Rather Be Making Forts All Day includes new and updated stories, tips, and information.

Opening session, primarily Nebraska Christian Home Educators Association Board members. Review of speakers, history of NCHEA, thanking sponsors, Conference Committee members, etc.

This seminar will cover some background of our home education experience, the one guarantee of home education, pitfalls to avoid, and finishing off with some statistics and research information.

Twenty-plus years and 17 kids later, what a veteran homeschool mom would repeat and what she would do differently on this homeschooling journey!

This seminar will address some of the most common researched-based motivations to home education followed by some of the perceived impediments to home education. Some barriers will be shown not to be the obstacles that they may appear to be, while others, which may be genuine hindrances that emerge during the home education journey and how to overcome them.

This will be a practical seminar to encourage families to pursue foreign language learning in their home education environment, regardless of whether there is an inherent capability or local “expert” that the family can utilize. It will not focus on any one curriculum or resource as ideal, but how to maximize language training by using multiple resources and how to tailor training to each family’s goals, preferred pedagogy, and specific learning requirement.

This seminar will address the biblical role and responsibility of fathers in the education and discipleship of their children. Although home education is often seen as the purview of mothers, there is much that fathers can do to bring together academic instruction and faith formation and even assist their wives in formal or informal instruction. The goal is to encourage fathers to have a lasting and meaningful impact in the home education journey, raising children that become followers of Christ, and strengthening marriage relationships as both parents work together for a common goal.

Parents, we are imperfect. We are flawed. We don’t always do or say the right thing. We don’t always react to our children like we should. We don’t always make good parenting decisions. So how is this supposed to work? How are our children going to be successful, happy and productive if the people teaching them and raising them often don’t know what to do or how to do it? If you worry that you may have already made too many mistakes and you’re concerned it might be too late, then come and listen to motivational speaker Monica Irvine give you peace and hope. There’s only one person who wants you to feel inadequate, helpless and overwhelmed and it’s not God.

This seminar will cover some basic research on home educating, but will mainly focus on practical tips, drawing information from seminar participants and providing resource for families to use in their continuing growth as home educators. As time allows, I will cover why parents are the perfect teachers for special needs home educators, why home education can help families find the perfect way, and tips for teaching reading to special needs students.

This engaging workshop is designed to spark creativity and keep learning fun! This session will explore innovative strategies for making lessons dynamic and interactive, featuring hands-on sensory activities, practical tips to prevent burnout, and ways to ensure that your teaching remains fresh and exciting. You’ll leave with a toolkit of inspiring ideas to transform your homeschooling journey, making it a joyful experience for both you and your children.

As a busy mom, do you sometimes struggle with lesson planning, keeping the house somewhat presentable, teaching, keeping up with the laundry, AND getting dinner on the table the same day you homeschool? Come hear practical tips and encouragement from a fellow homeschool mom of many. Your husband and children will thank you, and you will have hope for another day of science and language arts!

A sinister force is working in the homeschool community. It has hurt countless children, families, and churches. It’s caught the attention of mainstream media, and Satan is having a heyday. This force is not an organization, ideology, or teaching that’s “out there harming people.” It’s closer to home. It’s me, my pride, and my fear of man. It’s my desire for quick fixes and control. It’s my unwillingness to repent, believe the Gospel, and rely on the rescuing grace of Jesus Christ for every need in my life, in my wife’s life, and in my children’s lives. The problem is worse than you think...and only Jesus can save us. Welcome to impossible homeschooling, where our only hope is the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Homeschooling in America is freer from restrictions and more accessible than ever. With so many successes, you’d think that homeschooling would have convinced critics of its place as a proven educational option. However, this year we’ve witnessed yet another wave of persecution aimed at home education. Christian homeschoolers have shown that we are uniquely equipped to serve and lead our culture. As individuals and as a mature institution, we must do what only followers of Christ can do: draw our neighbors to the gospel that offers forgiveness, sustenance, guidance, and reconciliation. We need to champion homeschooling as an enduring institution that continues to shape children’s characters by encouraging and modeling virtue.

As parents, we desire to disciple our kids and help them grow the authentic faith they need to live #NotConsumed by the hard things in life. Join Kim as she shares her journey, as well as ideas and resources for reaching the hearts of our kids as we help them develop a real-life faith that impacts their todays and shapes their tomorrows.

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!

Kerry Beck Most homeschoolers continue to offer their children the same type of education they received; they just do it at home. There’s a better way! Kerry reveals how she homeschooled her three kids to give them a love of learning, as well as the tools of learning. Her goal was to train her kids to become leaders of tomorrow. Godly leaders who can think critically and biblically! Godly leaders who will change the world!

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.

Doubt is the number one enemy of all homeschoolers. So it stands to reason that overcoming doubt is the key to homeschool success. Peggy Ployhar, the CEO of SPED Homeschool, has 18 years’ experience battling doubt in her own homeschooling endeavors. But, instead of letting those doubts creep in and destroy her homeschool, she learned with each battle just how much God’s grace and truth provided strategies for conquering her doubts. This talk is filled with biblical fighting strategies to equip every homeschooling parent to do battle head-on with their own doubts so they can overcome them and homeschool victoriously.

You’ve tried all the things that seem to work for other people yet still can’t find the right homeschool schedule for you. Trust me,-you’re not alone. Figuring out how to teach multiple ages, fold the laundry, and keep the toddlers from writing on the walls with markers can feel overwhelming. Join homeschool veteran of over 20 years and work-at-home mom, as she shares practical ways to wrangle your homeschool schedule for good.

You can’t do everything, but did you know that you shouldn’t even try? In this message, 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!

Every parent wants grace to be the biggest part of how they interact with a child who has done wrong. But a parent looking back often sees regretfully that in the heat of the moment, they fell short of the way they wish they had acted toward the child. Anger, fear, and judging are the three main suspects that can overwhelm the deep desire to act graciously. This presentation will lay down a solid Biblical foundation for dealing with those so they can no longer hijack our heart’s desire to transmit grace to a child.

Join Nick as he helps you explore practical ways to integrate AI into your homeschool routine. He will show you how to create a future-ready homeschooling environment with virtual tutors, AI-driven content recommendations, and live examples. You’ll learn how AI works, what tools are available, and how it can enhance your teaching and your child's learning.

Do you find it hard to relate to and teach your children who have different learning/processing styles than you do? Understanding how your student processes information can be the key you need to help them unlock a love of learning. In this session, we will be exploring the neurobiology behind information processing and decision making. The focus will primarily be on how the right brain and left brain function and work together. As we develop applications for understanding communication, you’ll begin to understand why the same message can have vastly different meanings for two people. Take-home applications will help improve communication, relating, and efficiency in learning. Dr. Joe has an engaging way of making the complex simple, and while his two sessions aren't connected, it will be helpful to attend both as you will learn two sides of a coin (how information is processed and how an individual relates to the world around). This session is more focused on external interpretation than internal processes.

Homeschooling while dealing with challenges – learning, health, or more – is challenging! Seriously, it can be tempting to quit and let the “experts” take over, but homeschooling offers some benefits that no school can match at any price. Hal & Melanie have homeschooled through learning disabilities, children with chronic medical conditions, and bouts of serious illness themselves. They’ll give you hope and practical encouragement to leverage the flexibility of homeschooling to bless your family.

What do you do when you know your child is bright, but school is way harder than it ought to be? We’ve been there! One of our boys didn’t learn to read until he was eleven, but he’s a very successful college graduate and entrepreneur now. One of our kids had migraines that lasted weeks, sometimes making school impossible, but is able to use her God-given gifts in amazing ways. This encouraging session discusses how to keep hope alive in you both, how to adapt your homeschooling to the child in front of you, how to help them through the social embarrassment that can come with being a struggling learner, how to know when and how to get help, and how this trial can ultimately bless your child. Get hope for the future!

If you find yourself constantly comparing your homeschool to others or looking outward for answers, you might be an insecure homeschooler. Join a second-generation homeschooler who lives to tell the story that this is possible and that your kids are going to be okay. Learn some tools and key points to help you trust your own discernment and listen to what God is saying to you about your homeschool so you can follow His lead. Give yourself some grace for the journey and then rise up and stand firm—not easily swayed or moved with your feet planted on your path. You are not doing this by accident, and you, my friend, are not alone.

If you’re experiencing burnout or can’t seem to stay on top of the homeschooling, you’re not alone! If you’ve lost the joy in your calling as a homeschool mom, then maybe you’re making homeschooling harder than it needs to be! This session will help you refocus your vision, while learning how to implement effective systems to get the most important things done in your homeschool.

Whether you have or are considering starting your own business, entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart and truthfully, it’s not for everyone. In this session, Rebecca will share some of the highs and lows of her own journey creating multiple businesses and some of the things she has learned along the way about leadership, innovation, and following God’s lead. If you have a big idea you’ve been sitting on and are trying to make your way to financial freedom, make sure to bookmark this session!

Are you dealing with broken relationships, heartbreak, depression, or even bone-wearying exhaustion in your family? In this session, you’ll be inspired by stories of real revivals through history and how children, men, and women were forever changed and marked not by striving, but by God’s presence. You don’t need a five-step plan—you need the one who can bring beauty from the ashes, joy in the morning, and rain on a dry and thirsty land. May you walk away full of anticipation for the great plans that God has for you. He’s not finished with you yet.

Bible literacy is a growing concern in the church, even among those who grew up in Christian homes. Sometimes our kids know the Sunday School stories, but they don’t know how to read and study the Word for themselves. This session will discuss the case for Bible literacy, why it’s important to find resources that dive deeper than simply learning Bible facts, plus how families can start studying whole books of the Bible together – even if you never learned yourself!

Maybe you’re new to homeschooling or maybe you’ve been on this journey for years. One thing is true for no matter how much time you’ve logged as a homeschooling parent: we all need encouragement to keep going. In this session, we’ll talk about potential stumbling blocks to staying encouraged and staying the course. There are practical as well as emotional obstacles like sensing a lack of skills or knowledge, the tendency to compare ourselves to others, or even a lack of cooperation from friends and family. Please join us as we bring some of these issues into the light and assure you that you are not alone!

In this talk I share stories from my own homeschool upbringing and the indelible lessons I unknowingly learned through the experience. In a profound way they informed my own journey as a homeschool parent. I hope these lessons from the perspective of a homeschool graduate will encourage homeschoolers from all backgrounds and remind them that they are uniquely positioned and equipped by God to teach their children in ways that reach deeper than the pages of any textbook, lesson plan, routine, or test.

There are ten things I’d like to share with you that I learned along the way in almost two decades of homeschooling. Some may surprise you! You will focus on the most important things needed to get you through this journey.

Why do you homeschool? A customized education? A more flexible schedule? The ability to teach to your children’s unique gifts and talents? Are these blessings enough to withstand the hard times? What if your plan starts to unravel? What if these things don’t pan out? Having a why is important, but having the right why is crucial to staying the course. Come and join Aby as she discusses the heart of homeschool and the greatest ‘why’ of all. This session is for all homeschool parents; the new homeschool mom that is just now discovering her why as well as the mom that has been doing it so long she may have lost her ‘why’ along the way. You will be inspired, encouraged and have your passion for His calling lit on fire!

Is behaving like a gentleman an outdated and antiquated idea? Join Dr. Steve in a lively discussion of how to teach our young men to be masculine in a society that seeks to squeeze them into a feminine mold. Becoming a gentleman starts at home. Discover ways to cultivate a culture of masculinity without raising men who are brutes!

If we homeschool simply to achieve high academic marks, we are squandering the opportunity to influence our children for Christ. Character-healthy leaders are those children who have learned to elevate virtues above feelings. If we spend our homeschooling hours simply on academics and activities, we may win the praise of man, but we risk losing the hearts of our children. In our few short years with our children, we must focus on first things first and character is always the first thing! In this session, Megan, a homeschooling mother of eight, will challenge parents to use every opportunity to teach their children to serve God by loving others and to love others by faithfully serving God.

Karen has graduated three out of four of her children. They did not all follow the typical post high school path, but have been successful as adults- not necessarily worldly success, but as disciples of Christ. Come hear their unique story of running away from homeschooling in kindergarten, to raising adults that are living for Jesus!

Join veteran homeschooler and mother of eight, Megan Scheibner, as she discusses the importance of thoughtfully traveling the road of change and maturity with your children. Discover the significance of traditions in building security, the necessity of relational transitions for building trust, and the power of transparency to break down communication barriers. Homeschooling isn’t just about preparing our children for success. Successfully homeschooling is a ministry training ground for parents and students alike. Come be encouraged as you see how God can use your faithfulness in homeschooling to reach your world for Him.

Our social media doesn’t dictate how our homeschool should look. God does. Learn to take your eyes off internet ideals and onto what God says. Let His Word saturate your mind rather than getting caught up in the false expectations of social media. Find freedom for your family to walk this journey with God leading you!

Recognizing that a healthy marriage is the basis of a healthy home, this Marriage session is a fun and fruitful way to invest in your marriage relationship. Steve and Megan teach from their book The Eight Rules of Communication for Successful Marriages and finish the session with a fun-loving look at marriage and F-R-I-E-N-D-S-H-I-P Practical advice in a guilt-free environment makes the teaching real and applicable to all those in attendance.

Want to transition your young adults from simple obedience to mature responsibility? In this session, Dr. Steve shares the important phases teens need to learn to take responsibility for their lives. Watch your kids move from childish irresponsibility to becoming young adults who embrace ownership and initiative as they move up the “Responsibility Tree."

Wait what? That’s right. This journey is about so much more than school. We are raising up our children to be capable human beings in a world that is often chaotic and confusing. Don’t get so caught up in school that you aren’t living life and training for life!

Although it’s easy to get caught up in our role as “MOM,” the greatest gift we can give our families is to show them how much we love fulfilling our primary role as “WIFE.” The Wise Wife session is jam-packed with practical ways to focus on becoming a wife who brings glory to God, delights the heart of her husband, and models a Christian marriage for her children. Being a godly wife is serious business, but you’ll get plenty of time to laugh as Megan shares some “What the Heck!” differences between men and women. Come be challenged and refreshed in your most important role!

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 how 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. Powerful teaching that produces proactive fruit in our homes.

Ever feel like homeschooling is for those ‘blessed enough’ to afford it? Ever feel like you don’t have the financial resources to give your kids all the opportunities everyone else is giving their kids? Ever feel like if you just had a little more, your homeschool would be so much better? Come and learn tips and tricks to homeschool affordably and be reminded of the heart behind the Great Provider that has called us to this gig in the first place!

Homeschooling provides an education that is beyond comparison with any other method. That said, Idaho code requires that homeschoolers provide instruction, “in subjects commonly and usually taught in the public schools.” This is often summed up as a requirement to provide a “comparable education.” But how are we to meet that requirement without stifling the amazing educational freedom that homeschooling offers? Join Linda Patchin as she unpacks various teaching methods used by homeschoolers and how they can each meet, and exceed, the statutory requirement of a “comparable education.”

Being a Mom is about so much more than feeding, dressing, and driving our children to play dates! With only a few short years to impart critical spiritual truths to our children, every day becomes an eternal opportunity for teaching, training, and modeling Christlikeness. The Disciple-Making Mom session will give mothers the tools they need to disciple their children in the most critical areas of prayer, service, Bible study, scripture memorization, and genuine fellowship. Moms will walk away encouraged and strengthened, knowing that although discipling their children seems a huge task, God is on their side!

As Christians we face a spiritual battle every day of our lives. And homeschooling is no different. Expect battles. Be equipped for them. And know that as you fight them, you are becoming stronger in the Lord each day.

As a pilot for American Airlines, Steve was very close to the events of 9/11. Although initially scheduled to be the First Officer on Flight 11, the first flight to be hijacked on September 11, 2001, Steve was bumped from that flight the night before through an extraordinary set of circumstances. In this session, he tells his deeply moving story of God's providence on that terrible day in our history. Discover why God gave Steve a second chance, and how He now uses Steve to teach parents around the world to parent with purpose and urgency, as he introduces you to The Nine Practices of The Proactive Parent. Intensely practical and Bible based, the Nine Practices of The Proactive Parent is designed to give parents the tools they need and the necessary hope, to build a Christ-centered and character-driven home environment. We’ll never be better as homeschoolers than we are as parents! The Nine Practices are a great way to revitalize parents in their all-important task of parenting. This session will take highlights from the 10- week Parenting Matters small group study. Join Steve as he unwraps the Three Pillars of Parenting, The Motivation Model, The Growth Continuum, The Proactive vs. Reactive Parent, and more.

Dr. Swain tells her story about growing up in abject poverty and going on to earn 5 degrees and teach at Princeton and Vanderbilt universities. She reveals her major life lessons learned and how that all fits together in today's divisive world.

Do you feel like joy is missing from your home and homeschool day? Do you find yourself frazzled and running on fumes? We are going to discuss practical things we can do to infuse joy into your day through habits, systems and intentionality. Planning peace into your day will reap abundant joy! As Proverbs 12:20 says, "Those who plan peace have joy."

Recognizing that a healthy marriage is the basis of a healthy home, this marriage session is a fun and fruitful way to invest in your marriage relationship. Steve and Megan teach from their book The Eight Rules of Communication for Successful Marriages and finish the session with a fun-loving look at marriage and F-R-I-E-N-D-S-H-I-P Practical advice in a guilt-free environment makes the teaching real and applicable to all those in attendance.

If we homeschool simply to achieve high academic marks, we are squandering the opportunity to influence our children for Christ. Character-healthy leaders are those children who have learned to elevate virtues above feelings. If we spend our homeschooling hours simply on academics and activities, we may win the praise of man, but we risk losing the hearts of our children. In our few short years with our children, we must focus on first things first and character is always the first thing! In this session, Megan, a homeschooling mother of eight, will challenge parents to use every opportunity to teach their children to serve God by loving others and to love others by faithfully serving God.

Women thrive on relationships! But are our relationships glorifying God or do they draw our hearts away from faithful obedience to the Lord and His Word? In this session, Megan will encourage women to use their relationships to encourage, edify, and exhort one another. As sisters in Christ and homeschooling mothers, we have the unique opportunity to build up and strengthen one another. Every homeschooling mom will benefit from giving and receiving encouragement from other women. This session will challenge women to examine their friendships and to structure Christ-centered, God-honoring, and faith-deepening relationships.

Throughout the history of Israel and Judah, God raised up several great men to rule over His people. But it was a king who took the throne at the tender age of eight who became the most godly king of all. II Kings 23:25 tells us: "Before him there was no king like him who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might...nor did any like him arise after him." The life of Josiah provides parents with dynamic principles for training up the next generation of godly leaders to turn OUR nation back to God!