Remembering the Reason, Renewing the Vision
A general overview of the challenges, burdens, and benefits of homeschooling from a veteran homeschool father and leader. Addressing the potential homeschooler, the new homeschooler, the veteran homeschooler and all homeschoolers in between, Michael Smith outlines the success of homeschooling in academics and socialization, describes legal and legislative advances, and concludes that homeschoolers have earned the right to be left alone. For homeschoolers who are losing the vision, he reminds them of the benefits of homeschooling and offers some practical suggestions for relieving the pressure on the homeschooling family, especially Mom.
What Makes Johnny Ticked Off: The Angry Child
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.
The Power of Praise with Our Children
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.
How Can We Afford to Homeschool?–Homeschooling through Hard Times
In these difficult times— when an economy is in recession, high unemployment rates and inflation on the rise— it is becoming increasingly difficult for homeschooling parents to provide basic necessities for their families, never mind the added expense of home education. The number of single-income households, which were the norm 60 years ago, is decreasing as both parents enter the workforce in order to pay the bills.
How to Respond to a Truant Officer or Social Worker Contact
As the government's evergrowing role expands to encompass family life and decision-making, the information presented in this seminar is critical for every attendee. Michael Smith calls upon over two decades of defending homeschooling families against social services and child protective service contacts to inform the audience of the newest threat to their freedom. This session primarily addresses your state's laws relating to social services contacts and provides general application for other states as well. Audiences find this session "very, very informative",—"clearly presented, enjoyable to listen to",—and "a necessity".
What's The Future of Homeschooling?
Throughout history, free nations and spiritual movements have shown a natural tendency to move from liberty to bondage. Placing homeschoolers on this continuum, Mike Smith reminds us that even though we are experiencing overwhelming success, we are in more danger than ever before of losing sight of the faith and courage that sparked the movement. If we want to preserve our hard-won liberties, we must defend them tirelessly. In this session, Mike suggests several things we can do to remain committed to the long-term vision of homeschooling.
How do We Measure Success in Homeschooling?
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.
Homeschooling through Hard Times
In this presentation, HSLDA President Mike Smith explores how the economy is affecting homeschoolers. Without minimizing the very real economic struggles you face, he provides insights and strategies to help parents think creatively and enable you to continue to homeschool your children through financial hard times. Topics covered will include how the economy is affecting homeschoolers; strategies for meeting the additional income needs, the legal implications of a double-income household, and practical suggestions for helping families homeschool through these hard times.
What Can Dads Do to Make Mom Successful in Homeschooling?
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!”
The Greatest Deterrent to Homeschooling: Fear of Failure
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.
Balancing Responsibilities: Family & Homeschooling
How to Accomplish the Impossible
The History of Homeschoolers' Struggle to Be Free
The History of Homeschooling
Triumph through Adversity: God's Purpose
What Does the Lord Require of Me?
The Battle for Our Children
Four Key Principles For Life
Law for the New Home Educator
Address to the Graduates
The Practical Homeschool Father: What Does It Look Like?
The Greatest Threat to Our Freedom
The Case for Homeschool & How to Measure Success
Ten Keys to Harmony Within the Family
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