In 1925 the U.S. Supreme Court said children are not mere creatures of the state. The 1945 United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes that parents have the “prior right” to decide what kind of education their children will have. Is homeschooling a “human right” of the first order? HSLDA Staff Attorney, homeschooling father of seven, and Director of International Affairs Michael Donnelly explores this question and shares a presentation he delivered at the world’s largest human rights conference on the philosophy of law and social philosophy. In this talk, Donnelly examines philosophies on the relationship between the family and the state and looks at how human rights doctrine is applied globally towards homeschooling.

Tracy Klicka identifies common causes of stress in homeschooling and family life, and provides helpful ideas on how to deal with stress from a godly perspective. Included in her talk are the issues of lifestyle, use of time, and getting help.

In this session, Tracy Klicka emphasizes the foundational importance of cultivating your child’s relationship with God. She will discuss the importance of reaching the heart of your child through study of the Word, prayer, and open, honest communication. She will share special encouragement for the toddler and teen years.

Struggling herself with the frustrations and interruptions that seven children inevitably bring, Tracy Klicka has a strong desire to encourage other moms not to forget their number—one priority. She shares realistic ways a mother can find time to walk with her Lord in this busy season of life.

In this workshop, Tracy Klicka will discuss the wisdom of doing “all things decently and in order,” and will highlight principles of ordering one’s day and organizing the home for the glory of God.

Tracy Klicka hasn’t met a homeschool mom yet who at some point in her homeschooling experience doesn’t desperately want to quit. Sometimes it seems the challenges are more than we can take, but there is hope. Be encouraged not just to survive, but to thrive in raising children for the Lord.

Is your child frustrated with schoolwork? Does he seem to detour easily? Discover hope from a non-standard learner who was told she would not graduate.

College? Homeschoolers may be better prepared for it than many other college—bound teens, but that doesn’t mean they should automatically get sucked into the “college conveyor belt.” But if not college, what do we do with our bright, well—educated, well—socialized homeschooled students? And where do we find resources and apprenticeships to help guide homeschoolers through this process of vocational preparation and calling? Get practical tips and insightful advice in this talk by HSLDA attorney and homeschooling father Michael Donnelly.

Grades and graduation may be part of school, but should they be part of your school? Are we limiting ourselves by thinking in these terms? Should we really care about grades in a classroom of one? Or is there another way to think about academic, spiritual, and emotional progress? HSLDA Staff Attorney and homeschooling father of seven explores the freedom and flexibility homeschooling offers you and your children.

Are you sitting on the sideline in your homeschool, Dad? Your wife needs you to get involved. But with so many demands in today’s world how can a busy Dad do it? How can you be involved in homeschooling? Teaching a class? Casting a vision? Leading devotions? These are important, but in order to find time to do these things, you have to manage your schedule and carefully prioritize your time. HSLDA Staff Attorney and homeschooling father of seven Michael Donnelly shares how you can do all of this.

Homeschooling families face many challenges. Financial, emotional, and physical demands put significant strain on our relationships and our families. The homeschooling community is not immune to the problems facing our society, including broken marriages and broken children. But, it’s never too late to try to fix something that’s broken. It may be easier to try to hide the pain than to confront essential elements required for “fixing” these complex and serious issues. HSLDA Staff Attorney and homeschooling father of seven Michael Donnelly was raised in a broken home and will explore the necessary ingredients to helping homeschooling families stay connected and whole amidst the pressures and stresses of life.

Today’s father has precious few waking hours that are spent going in countless directions to address seemingly great causes—not least of which is family. Our children have only one earthly father and our wives but one husband. How can we best invest our most precious resource time? And where should we be investing it for eternal value? How can we properly lead our families and serve God in an increasingly demanding and busy world of sports, music, drama, church, school, support groups, homeschool co—ops, extended family responsibilities, and ministry programs? How do we know when to say yes, and more important, when to say no? Must we choose between competing priorities to be effective stewards? Come hear thoughts on answering these questions from Mike Donnelly as he shares insights gained from his experiences as a father of six and as an army officer, entrepreneur, company executive and attorney for the Home School Legal Defense Association.

In 1923, the United States Supreme Court ruled that parents have the fundamental right to direct the education and upbringing of their children. So why are parental rights suddenly endangered? Come hear HSLDA attorney and homeschooling father Michael Donnelly discuss the next biggest threat to homeschool freedom and what you can do about it.

As Tracy Klicka has experienced, it is not always easy for a homeschooling mom to keep her focus, her joy, or the hearts of her children. More than academics, homeschooling is about growing in God’s grace for both parents and children! If you are feeling discouraged, come and be renewed in five crucial areas of your homeschooling adventure.