10 Marriage Myths that Will Steal Your Joy

How is the state of your union? When was the last time you stopped and put your finger on the pulse of your marriage? If you are struggling in your marriage, or even if you're not, this is a message of hope and encouragement that will remind you of what's important and help you stay on course as you navigate through the homeschool years with the man of your dreams. This is a 90 minute workshop that is geared toward the often overlooked issues that tend to weigh down our marriages over time. FACT: If your marriage is not a priority in your home (including your homeschool) then your family is at risk. Come and learn how to recognize the signs of weakness in your marriage, and what defines a joy-filled marriage. Hint: It doesn't have anything to do with your circumstances!

7 Keys to Successful Time Management

Tick Tock. Have you ever experienced a series of days, weeks or even months when you felt like you just could NOT get on top of all that you had to do? Have you just decided that it's either school or dinner? Or maybe you just gave up school and now everyone has matching socks again! Most moms struggle with finding a balance when it comes to homeschooling and staying on top of the rest of your day. Have you ever read 2 Corinthians 12:9? You probably have... it says, "My strength is made perfect in weakness". Homeschooling reveals weakness ... it's true! And that's a good thing, because it means you get to give even more glory to the Lord when you graduate your kids see that they are walking with the Lord. Homeschool mom, if you're struggling with trying to do it all, you will enjoy hearing some of Heidi's favorite tips for managing homeschooling and homemaking...and still finding time to fit in "other things" (like alone time with your husband!) This is an opportunity GET SET FREE from the expectations of others, laugh out loud learn how two words: BE INTENTIONAL can make a huge difference in your ability to manage your home and your homeschool well. Heidi really loves to use acrostics and this is one of her favorites! Bring a friend and leave your preconceived ideas at the door because real moms sometimes serve Cheerios for dinner!

Homeschooling High Schoolers

YES YOU CAN. Sometimes, these three words help parents who are "on the fence" about homeschooling through high school confident enough to give it a try. Hey, we won't lie to you! It can be intimidating. But the fact of the matter is that you really CAN do it! Homeschooling through high school is the gift that keeps on giving because it affords the one thing that is so fleeting in the teen years: time. Psalms says that children are like arrows in the hand of a warrior and this analogy is a beautiful picture of a healthy parent/teen relationship. Think of an archer and how he prepares to launch his arrow. The archer's goal is to have that arrow hit the target, and go as far as it possibly can when it is released from teh bow. If we follow this analogy, it holds several truths for us we consider the benefits of homeschooling through high school. We'll talk about this ~ and revisit God's heart for discipleship between parents and their children. It doesn't end in high school, and homeschooling, in the hands of godly parents becomes a tool that is unmatched as we raise our children to love and follow God.

Lapbooking: Toddlers to Teenagers

Lapbooking fchm logo Got kids? Have you ever seen a lapbook? Maybe you've seen one, and admired it but wondered how people "find the time" to fit that into their school day? Join Heidi St. John for an evening of encouragement and learning as she talks about Lapbooking! Heidi will show you how to make one from start to finish and share the benefits and basics of lapbooking as well as a few tricks for more "seasoned" lapbookers. YOU REALLY CAN turn any subject into a fun and rewarding unit study using lapbooks! Whether you are looking for an alternative to workbooks, or you just need a healthy dose of homeschool encouragement, this workshop is for you. Heidi will teach you this wonderful skill using the "show'n tell" approach, and she will have plenty of examples for you to look at and resources to take home. Be sure to bring a pen or pencil, and your camera, if you would like to take pictures of the lapbooks . Grab a latte and bring a friend... Don't miss it!

Multi-Level Teaching

Toddlers, Tweens and Teens, OH MY! Do you have a houseful? Are you planning on having a houseful? If so, then this is a great workshop for YOU! Heidi and Jay St. John are the homeschooling parents of six perfect, never messy, always obedient very sweet, usually tidy, generally obedient children. One of the most challenging aspects of homeschooling a houseful is figuring out how to teach them all while finding time to manage the rest of your day! Moms are always wondering if they are "doing enough" and finding the time to teach individual subjects, well, individually... can be overwhelming. In this workshop, Heidi will share seven secrets of multi-level teaching that will empower, encourage and enlighten you! If you've got a houseful, then you've got your hands full! Let's laugh together, and rediscover the JOY of homeschooling with a full heart AND a full house!

Notebooking and Multi-Level Teaching

Need More Life in Your Homeschool? Do you feel like your homeschooling has hit the wall? Or maybe you have hit the wall?! Tired of boring? Would you like to engage your children more? You're not alone! Have you been wondering how to get your 5th grader and your sophomore excited about learning at the same time? Heidi will teach you this wonderful skill using the "show'n tell" approach. Notebooking is easy, flexible and fun. Not only is it a wonderful to learn, you are creating a record of your child's work at the same time. Heidi will have plenty of examples for you to look at and resources to take home. Don't miss it! The St. Johns have been notebooking for several years and the result is that the children write more, learn better, and have a beautiful record of what they have learned at the end of the year. This is not a condemnation of workbooks (they do have their place) but rather it is an opportunity for you to discover a life-giving, truly interactive way of learning. This is also a very hands-on workshop. Heidi will walk you through several approaches to notebooking and as she does, you will discover that there is a notebooker inside of you!

R.E.A.L. L.I.F.E. Homeschooling

Let's face it. Homeschooling is challenging. Sometimes it can feel like a major accomplishment just to take a shower and get the breakfast dishes cleaned up before dinner! Most homeschool moms feel the pressure of providing their children with a solid academic foundation ~ but there's so much more to homeschooling than academics, isn't there? The truth is that the greatest accomplishment of your homeschooling is to nurture your children in the ways of the One who made them. REAL LIFE Homeschooling is about getting real when it comes to the issues that are unique to homeschooling families ~ but more important than that, it's about being reminded why we are homeschooling in the first place. It's about keeping our eyes on the goal of discipling our children. If you have been or are on the edge of homeschool burnout, if you are wondering why God has called you on this homeschooling journey, or if you just need some honest, real encouragement, this is the one homeschool workshop you can't afford to miss out on!

The Busy Homeschool Mom's Guide to Romance

What comes first? The marriage or the math lesson? Most homeschool moms (every mom, for that matter) have felt the pull and pressure of trying to balance their marriages and their commitment to motherhood. Hey, most homeschool moms are happy to find time for a shower, let alone a romantic night with their husband! Yes, it's true. Homeschooling adds a new dynamic to the pressures of motherhood - but it doesn't mean you need to let your marriage suffer! In fact, it's never been more crucial than it is right now to strengthen the core of your family. In case you are still wondering, your marriage comes first. In this workshop, you'll learn several key ingredients to balancing your love life with language lessons ~ and how you can become the most romantic homeschool mom on the block! Come hear a story of personal experience that will challenge the way you view your marriage and inspire you to seek God's heart as you model a strong healthy marriage for your children. This is Heidi's favorite topic, so bring a notepad and fasten your seatbelts! It's time to put the "real OO" back in your Homeschool!

Should the Church Support Homeschooling?

Churches have been largely silent on the issue of homeschooling. In this article, Heidi shares the story of FCHM, and shows why the church MUST become advocates for homeschooling families.

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine 2009