Topic: Parenting
| Title: | What Can Dads do to Make Mom Successful in Homeschooling? | | Speaker: | J. Michael Smith | | Length: | 45—60 minutes | | Type: | Workshop | | Topic: | Encouragement, Parenting, Spiritual | | Audience: | Fathers, Support Group Leaders | | Description: | Almost every father has heard that he is to lead his family spiritually, physically, and in every other way. However, many fathers will tell you that no one has ever told them how to effectively lead their children, especially in the area of spiritual development. Michael Smith presents encouraging and practical tips to fathers for becoming a helpful participant in the home education program and a leader in the home. He provides insight on the mental and emotional benefits to mothers and children fathers can provide through specific activities, and offers suggestions to men on being more effective as husbands. Mike candidly shares his many failures and a few successes. The session concludes with a list of the six things homeschooling mothers have identified as the primary ways their husbands can be more effective in the family’s homeschool program. In one father’s words, “Inspiring and convicting—thanks for the straight talk!” |
| Title: | Principles for Principals | | Speaker: | Scott Somerville | | Length: | 50 minutes | | Type: | Workshop | | Topic: | Parenting, Spiritual | | Audience: | All, Fathers, Parents | | Description: | Fathers love to see their children thrive in the homeschool environment, but they often reap what others (their wives) have sown. Nobody knows this better than Scott Somerville, whose wife has taught their six children “forever.” Come hear Scott share the principles that have changed him from a homeschooling couch potato to a real principal. |
| Title: | What Wives Wish Their Husbands Knew about Homeschooling | | Speaker: | Scott Somerville | | Length: | 50 minutes | | Type: | Workshop | | Topic: | Encouragement, Marriage, Motivational, Parenting, Spiritual | | Audience: | Fathers, Parents | | Description: | Scott Somerville dared to ask 100 homeschool moms for their personal “wish lists,” and was relieved to discover there is hope for homeschool husbands! These women weren’t asking the impossible, nor were they looking for a whole new man; instead, they wanted their husbands to show their love in some practical, pastoral, and personal ways. Scott combines information with motivation for life—changing results! |
| Title: | The Spiritual Power of a Mother | | Speaker: | Michael P. Farris | | Length: | 30—60 minutes | | Type: | General Session, Workshop | | Topic: | Parenting, Spiritual | | Audience: | Mothers, Parents | | Description: | Have you ever wondered how Samuel could remember the prayer of his mother when she sent him off to be trained by Eli? Hannah is just one example of a mother who dramatically impacted the life of her child by her prayer, her protection, her instruction, and her overcoming spirit. These uplifting stories should encourage all parents—but especially mothers—as we sacrifice to homeschool our children. |
| Title: | Cross—Eyed Parenting | | Speaker: | Marcia Somerville | | Length: | 45-minute speech, plus Q&A | | Type: | General Session, Workshop | | Topic: | Parenting, Spiritual | | Audience: | Mothers, Parents | | Description: | Though we may start homeschooling with noble goals of discipling our children and leading them onward in godliness, it is easy to quickly grow weary in welldoing. We can become too busy to feed ourselves before attempting to feed our children. We can be deceived into thinking that our successes and failures rest on our own shoulders. We can develop habits of speech and action that are harmful to our children. In short, we are as much in need of sanctification and growth as are our students! Sound familiar? Come learn the releasing truth of how a daily practice of preaching the gospel to ourselves can inform many common situations in our schools and reveal one of homeschooling’s best—kept secrets: we are as much sanctified by the process of homeschooling as are our children! |
| Title: | Tips on Child Training from a Mother of Seven | | Speaker: | Tracy Klicka | | Length: | 1 hour | | Type: | Workshop | | Topic: | Parenting, Spiritual | | Audience: | Mothers | | Description: | 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. |
| Title: | Keeping the H.E.A.R.T. in Homeschooling | | Speaker: | Tracy Klicka | | Length: | 1 hour | | Type: | Workshop | | Topic: | Education, Encouragement, Parenting, Spiritual | | Audience: | All, Mothers, Parents | | Description: | 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. |
| Title: | Cravings and Conflict | | Speaker: | Marcia Somerville | | Length: | 45-;minute speech, plus Q&A | | Type: | General Session, Workshop | | Topic: | Encouragement, Parenting, Spiritual | | Audience: | Mothers, Parents | | Description: | Conflict is a part of life. Homeschooling doesn’t generally make conflicts less frequent; rather, our close proximity to our spouses and children often provides extra temptations. Add in the fact that we really have to accomplish quite a bit every day, and you can have a recipe for constant strife! Conflicts often seem painfully difficult and confusing. However, there’s a simple biblical principle at work in all conflicts. In every case, one or both of the combatants is craving his own way. Marcia speaks from James 4:1 (“What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?”) and demonstrates that most conflicts can be managed better when those involved admit their cravings and work towards glorifying God by focusing on understanding and seeking to meet the needs of others, rather than selfishly focusing on their own desires. Marcia give practical ways that parents can use these principles with children, and spouses can use them with one another, as families seek to glorify God in the homeschool setting. |
| Title: | Courtship | | Speaker: | Thomas J. Schmidt | | Length: | 30–45 minutes | | Type: | Workshop | | Topic: | Marriage, Parenting, Teens | | Audience: | Parents, Teens | | Description: | Having firsthand experience of courtship with his wife, Susan, Tj shares how courtship can be an alternative to dating. One couple’s story of how their families sought courtship as a foundation for a lifelong commitment in marriage. |
| Title: | Meeting with God: A Toolbox Approach | | Speaker: | Marcia Somerville | | Length: | 30-minute speech, plus Q&A | | Type: | General Session, Workshop | | Topic: | Parenting, Spiritual | | Audience: | Fathers, Mothers, Parents | | Description: | We teach every other subject; why not also equip our children to have daily, excellent quiet times with God? Marcia Somerville explores a variety of approaches to meeting with God each morning. Her own experience with her six very different children led her to adopt a “toolbox” approach. She taught her children a variety of ways to approach God each day, and then allowed them to choose the tools that worked best in various seasons of their lives: praying the Psalms, chart—based Scripture studies, praying the Lord’s prayer, Kay Arthur’s principle approach, and more. Marcia provides a list of techniques and explains most of them in this highly practical, informative session. She prays that this information will give you the tools you need to lead your children in establishing rich, daily times of meeting with God! (This session builds on, but is not dependent on, “The Nearness of God Is My Good.”) |
| Title: | Parents’ Rights—A Crisis Is Coming | | Speaker: | Michael Donnelly | | Length: | 45 minutes | | Type: | General Session | | Topic: | Education, Encouragement, History, Legal, Legislative, Lobbying, Motivational, Parenting, Political, Why Homeschool | | Audience: | All | | Description: | 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. |
| Title: | For You, Dad—Leading Your Homeschool Family | | Speaker: | Michael Donnelly | | Length: | 45 minutes | | Type: | General Session, Workshop | | Topic: | Encouragement, Marriage, Motivational, Parenting | | Audience: | Fathers | | Description: | In most homeschooling families, Mom carries the biggest burden. How can Dad pull a share of the load when he is gone all day earning a living? There are so many other good works dads are asked to do—how can we influence our families as God calls us to do? Come listen to HSLDA attorney and homeschooling father Michael Donnelly, as he discusses Kingdom priorities in homeschooling and practical ideas to balance the increasing demands on your time and resources. |
| Title: | Forging Ahead—Apprenticeships in the 21st Century | | Speaker: | Michael Donnelly | | Length: | 45–55 minutes | | Type: | General Session, Workshop | | Topic: | Education, Motivational, Parenting, Teens | | Audience: | All | | Description: | 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. |
| Title: | Juggling on a Tightrope | | Speaker: | Michael Donnelly | | Length: | 50 minutes | | Type: | General Session, Workshop | | Topic: | Encouragement, Marriage, Motivational, Parenting, Spiritual | | Audience: | Fathers, New Homeschoolers, Parents | | Description: | 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. |
| Title: | Singled Out! | | Speaker: | Michael Donnelly | | Length: | 50 minutes | | Type: | General Session, Support Group Leaders, Workshop | | Topic: | Encouragement, Motivational, Parenting, Political | | Audience: | Fathers, Mothers | | Description: | Homeschooling can be challenging even when Mom and Dad are pulling together with a common vision. How is it possible for single parents to manage these demands of providing for, protecting and educating a homeschooling family? Mike Donnelly was raised in a single—parent home and will share his research and thoughts on how hundreds of single moms and even dads are able to keep homeschooling on their own. |
| Title: | Organized (Well, Almost!)—Time Management for Busy Moms | | Speaker: | Vicki Bentley | | Length: | 1 hour | | Type: | Workshop | | Topic: | Education, Encouragement, Motivational, Parenting | | Audience: | New Homeschoolers, Parents, Veteran Homeschoolers | | Description: | 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! |
| Title: | Organizing Your Home—Creating a Lifestyle Learning Environment | | Speaker: | Vicki Bentley | | Length: | 1 hour | | Type: | Workshop | | Topic: | Education, Encouragement, Motivational, Parenting | | Audience: | New Homeschoolers, Parents, Veteran Homeschoolers | | Description: | Vicki will help you decide what is important to your family, where you need to begin, and will discuss organizational challenges unique to homeschoolers. Vicki Bentley, fellow busy homeschool mom, shares practical ideas that have helped her manage her household of ten.
Note to planners: There is some content overlap in the two organization talks, since some concepts are the same for “stuff” and “time.” If you anticipate having primarily the same audience for both, you can (1) select just one, (2) contact Vicki to present both in one workshop (with very abbreviated info), or (3) contact Vicki to adapt both so there is minimal overlap. |
| Title: | Fishing 101: Mentoring Groups in Action | | Speaker: | Vicki Bentley | | Length: | 50 minutes | | Type: | Q & A, Support Group Leaders, Workshop | | Topic: | Education, Encouragement, Motivational, Parenting | | Audience: | Support Group Leaders | | Description: | Learn how to meet the needs of your newer families without losing the veterans. What is a mentoring group? Hear how some groups have mobilized their veteran homeschoolers to help pass the baton to the new families. Vicki discusses various types of mentoring programs available, practical ideas for success, and the benefits to your support group. Sample materials will be available. |
| Title: | Inspiring Devotion | | Speaker: | Darren Jones | | Length: | 30—45 minutes | | Type: | Workshop | | Topic: | Parenting, Spiritual | | Audience: | All, Parents | | Description: | One of the most important things we can do with our children is to help them to meet God in daily devotional times. Come prepared to discuss ideas about family devotions and how to reach your children’s hearts with the love of God. |
| Title: | Preparing Your Teen for Life | | Speaker: | Becky Cooke | | Length: | 1 hour | | Type: | Workshop | | Topic: | Education, Encouragement, Parenting, Spiritual, Teens | | Audience: | New Homeschoolers, Parents, Veteran Homeschoolers | | Description: | The high school years present an opportune time to develop skills young adults will utilize the rest of their lives. Learn about the importance of teaching finance, health care, car ownership, job preparation, spiritual principles, and more. All of these areas will benefit your teens when they take that giant step into independence and adulthood. A list of suggested resources will be provided. |
| Title: | Preparing Your Teen for Life | | Speaker: | Diane Kummer | | Length: | 1 hour | | Type: | Workshop | | Topic: | Education, Encouragement, Parenting, Spiritual, Teens | | Audience: | New Homeschoolers, Parents, Veteran Homeschoolers | | Description: | The high school years present an opportune time to develop skills young adults will utilize the rest of their lives. Learn about the importance of teaching finance, health care, car ownership, job preparation, spiritual principles, and more. All of these areas will benefit your teens when they take that giant step into independence and adulthood. A list of suggested resources will be provided. |
| Title: | How Do We Measure Success in Homeschooling? | | Speaker: | J. Michael Smith | | Length: | 45—60 minutes | | Type: | General Session, Keynote, Support Group Leaders, Workshop | | Topic: | Encouragement, Motivational, Parenting, Spiritual | | Audience: | New Homeschoolers, Parents, Support Group Leaders, Veteran Homeschoolers | | Description: | Why aren’t your Christian neighbors homeschooling? What is the number one reason that parents do not homeschool? Their lack of confidence to believe that they can actually do the job, or, put another way—fear of failure. Many homeschoolers in the midst of homeschooling are wondering how they will be able to determine whether they are successful or not with their children. Mike will explain in very clear and decisive terms how you can know whether or not you have been successful when you get to the end of your homeschool experience where it says “The End.” One way to answer the question is whether or not our work homeschooling with our children has been in vain. The Bible gives clear and decisive direction in this area which should be very encouraging to all of us, and hopefully give us encouragement in even the most difficult situations. |
| Title: | The Angry Child: What Ticks Johnny Off? | | Speaker: | J. Michael Smith | | Length: | 45—60 minutes | | Type: | General Session, Workshop | | Topic: | Parenting, Spiritual | | Audience: | Parents | | Description: | Have any of your children demonstrated a tendency toward anger or a bad temper? If so, this session is absolutely essential for you. Anger is a God—given emotion and did not come about as a result of the Fall. However, the Bible says, “Be angry, and sin not.” This talk addresses anger from a biblical perspective, focusing on the positive and negative aspects of anger. Michael Smith also delineates the five steps that lead to rebellion. |
| Title: | Balancing Responsibilities for the Busy Homeschool Family | | Speaker: | J. Michael Smith | | Length: | 45—60 minutes | | Type: | General Session, Workshop | | Topic: | Encouragement, Motivational, Parenting, Spiritual | | Audience: | All, New Homeschoolers, Veteran Homeschoolers | | Description: | Many homeschoolers confess that the most difficult thing for the homeschooling family is to balance all the responsibilities the family has. This workshop will approach this challenge from a strictly biblical perspective. Mike Smith will explain that the key to solving the time crunch is establishing priorities, and how to carry out those priorities. This is an essential workshop. Lives will be changed, schedules will be met, and families, many for the first time, will go through days, months and years without the frustration of feeling like a failure because you have not accomplished your goals and objectives. |
| Title: | The Power of Praise with Our Children | | Speaker: | J. Michael Smith | | Length: | 45—60 minutes | | Type: | Workshop | | Topic: | Encouragement, Parenting, Spiritual | | Audience: | All | | Description: | Life and death is in the power of tongue. Deep scars can occur as a result of negative, condemning words and withholding of praise and affirmation. The goal of this talk is to ensure that our children do not grow up feeling rejection from us as parents because of bad communication. This talk uses James 3:1–10 as a model for how we use words to edify and build up rather than to tear down. The talk will explore some ways that we use our tongue to injure our children and how we can use our tongue as an instrument of blessing. The talk’s goal is to develop a relationship with our child that lasts forever. |
| Title: | The Greatest Deterrent to Homeschooling—Fear and Inadequacy | | Speaker: | J. Michael Smith | | Length: | 45—60 minutes | | Type: | Workshop | | Topic: | Encouragement, Motivational, Parenting, Spiritual | | Audience: | All, New Homeschoolers | | Description: | This presentation is based upon scriptural principles gleaned from King Jehoshaphat of Judah and the teachings of Jesus Christ. This session involves more of a general encouragement and challenge to homeschoolers than to specific direction on how to homeschool. However, there will be specific application principles that will be given in a 1—2—3 etc. format to help those who like to take away specific points to overcome fear of failure, one of the greatest enemies of homeschooling moms. |
| Title: | Is Today’s Military Right for my Child? | | Speaker: | Michael Donnelly | | Length: | 50 minutes | | Type: | General Session, Support Group Leaders, Workshop | | Topic: | Parenting, Spiritual, Teens | | Audience: | Fathers, Mothers, Parents, Teens | | Description: | Serving in the United States Military is generally considered patriotic and an honorable profession. Is it still? Changes in society are reflected in the military. How can this impact a parents view of service in the military today? What is involved in serving in the military and how should parents mentor their children in viewing service in today’s military? Michael Donnelly is an HSLDA attorney and homeschooling father of seven who served as a platoon leader in combat during Desert Storm with the U.S. Army’s Third Armored Cavalry Regiment. He will discuss practical and philosophical issues about serving in today’s military. Come with questions and be prepared to be challenged in your thinking. |
| Title: | The Spiritual Impact of Educational Choices | | Speaker: | Michael P. Farris | | Length: | 30–60 minutes | | Type: | General Session | | Topic: | Parenting, Political, Spiritual | | Audience: | All, Fathers, Mothers, Parents | | Description: | The best and most effective opportunity to win large numbers of Americans to Christ is found in our children. Based on the research of George Barna, Michael Farris presents homeschooling as the very best method to accomplish this. Church leaders are challenged to wake up to the spiritual damage occurring in their church’s children via public education. Parents are encouraged to make sure that the spiritual opportunity presented by homeschooling is not squandered. |
| Title: | How to Lead Teens | | Speaker: | Scott Woodruff | | Length: | 50 minutes | | Type: | Workshop | | Topic: | Parenting | | Audience: | Fathers, Parents | | Description: | The word “teenager” is not in the Bible, so where do Christian parents get the wisdom (and patience!) they need to raise their teenaged sons and daughters? In this encouraging workshop, Scott brings biblical truth and his own experience to bear on the task of raising teens. |
| Title: | Go Home and Love your Family! | | Speaker: | Michael Donnelly | | Length: | 45–60 minutes | | Type: | General Session, Support Group Leaders, Workshop | | Topic: | Encouragement, History, Parenting | | Audience: | All, Fathers, Mothers, New Homeschoolers, Parents | | Description: | Someone asked Mother Theresa what society could do to promote world peace, and she responded: “Go home and love your family!” Homeschooling is really about putting love in action, but does homeschooling really promote world peace? Parents who homeschool their children produce outstanding citizens, leaders and future parents. Isn’t this the essence of laying a foundation for world peace? HSLDA attorney and homeschooling father of seven Michael Donnelly shares why loving your family through homeschooling really does promote world peace, but more importantly, allows parents to fulfill their most fundamental and sacred duty. |
| Title: | Grades and Graduation—Do These Belong in a Homeschool? | | Speaker: | Michael Donnelly | | Length: | 45–60 minutes | | Type: | General Session, Keynote, Q & A, Support Group Leaders, Workshop | | Topic: | Education, Encouragement, Motivational, Parenting, Why Homeschool | | Audience: | All, Fathers, Mothers, New Homeschoolers, Parents | | Description: | 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. |
| Title: | Hey Dad, Let’s Get Involved! | | Speaker: | Michael Donnelly | | Length: | 45–60 minutes | | Type: | General Session, Keynote, Q & A, Support Group Leaders, Workshop | | Topic: | Encouragement, Marriage, Motivational, Parenting | | Audience: | Fathers, New Homeschoolers | | Description: | 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. |
| Title: | If It’s Broke, Fix it! | | Speaker: | Michael Donnelly | | Length: | 45–60 minutes | | Type: | General Session, Keynote, Q & A, Support Group Leaders, Workshop | | Topic: | Child Protective Services, Encouragement, Motivational, Parenting | | Audience: | All, Fathers, Mothers, New Homeschoolers, Parents | | Description: | 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. |
| Title: | The Keys to the Kids | | Speaker: | Michael Donnelly | | Length: | 45-60 minutes | | Type: | General Session, Support Group Leaders, Workshop | | Topic: | Encouragement, History, Motivational, Parenting, Political | | Audience: | All, New Homeschoolers, Parents, Support Group Leaders, Veteran Homeschoolers | | Description: | Who really has the best interests of children at heart, parents or the state?
There is a growing chorus of voices insisting that children don’t belong to parents. Children, they say, belong to the “community.” In order for democracy to survive, these voices claim, the government must require that children be taught approved values such as “tolerance.” Some of these voices say that children should only learn in government-approved schools or from government-approved standards and curriculums. Lawmakers are being prompted by these voices and misguided groups both in states and at the federal government level to hand over the keys to the kids. These forces want to dictate what children eat, what kinds of doctors they can and can’t see, and what they are taught! Skirmishes are being fought over this issue now—are you prepared?. HSLDA Director of International Affairs Michael Donnelly and homeschooling father of seven will address these serious issues and tie together events both current and historic, providing perspective needed to fully comprehend currents and trends in a timeless struggle for control. |
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