Conflict with our children can cause a great gulf between us. Discipline in the home is a must, but it need not create tension between us and our children.  The Smiths will share how Biblical discipline is often misapplied, but more importantly, how we can pattern our family discipline after that of our Heavenly Father.  Stories of parents doing it well will empower you to make needed adjustments in your approach to discipline.

Have you ever said, “My kids are out of control!”?  The Smiths will show you why it is not such a bad thing, and will even encourage you to transfer more control for the good of the children, and for your own sanity.  Though this is not a new idea, the way of thinking about it is foreign to most people.  Having raised 4 children to lead productive lives as adults, the Smiths bring real-life stories from their past to illustrate both good and bad approaches to control in the family.  You will be encouraged, and you will be inspired.

Children are dreamers from birth, but education seems to take it out of them, according to research.  The Smiths will share ways that you can bring to life their ability to dream big, and to pursue their dreams.  We all need to be inspired to be great, but is your job to inspire your children to become something bigger than they are today.  Gather ideas from this session that will help you be more inspirational.  But be careful, your children may take you places that will stretch you.

How are your children growing toward adulthood?  Children have essential needs that enable them to grow up, and it is our job to help meet those needs.  This session will identify the core needs that must be met to provide optimal growth toward maturity, and the Smiths will discuss how we, as parents, can effectively meet those needs.  Home is the place where children grow the most.  Be inspired to change your home environment resulting in a better outcome for all. Handout included.

Having watched their children approach life with gusto, sensing few boundaries, the Smiths will share some of the things they think made it possible for their children to think outside the box, and live like it!  Stories from others they know, and examples from scripture will be used to help make the ideas and approaches applicable to your home.  We all want our children to be brave.  This session will examine what that may look like in its development.

How are your children growing toward adulthood?  Children have essential needs that enable them to grow up, and it is our job to help meet those needs.  This session will identify the core needs that must be met to provide optimal growth toward maturity, and the Smiths will discuss how we, as parents, can effectively meet those needs.  Home is the place where children grow the most.  Be inspired to change your home environment resulting in a better outcome for all. Handout included.

What’s a dad to do?  In a busy home, dads often find themselves being dragged along in all the activity involving the children.  But can it be another way?  The influence of the father can be the thing that helps all the activity stay on course.  Dr. Smith will share ways he and others have made significant contributions to the home in the midst of a busy career.  This session will not be an attempt to produce guilt about failures, but will offer solutions and hope for increasing the influence of dad in the home, resulting in everyone being more happy.

Many parents are confident managing decisions and educational choices through the middle school years, but shake with fear when looking ahead to the high school years.  The issues do seem to have greater consequences, but Dr. Smith will show a mindset and approach that can energize you to make them the best years.  Your emerging adults can become the one who praises you, instead of being your greatest critic.  Together, you can not only save tons of money, but you can launch your teen to find  own purpose.

Learn from pediatrician, Dr. Roger Smith, how stress and trauma affects a child’s ability to learn
and perform. Research on stress has yielded a better understanding of the biochemical and
neurologic responses we see as “behavior.” Parents can tap into this research to better guide
their child through life’s stresses. This session will review both the science and the social impact
of emotions in the context of a Biblical worldview. Dr. Smith will transform scientific
gobbledygook into layman’s language with tangible application.

When getting started, or when change is needed, it helps to know the options that may be a better fit
for you and your child. This workshop will discuss several approaches (they all work) and review some of
the curriculum providers in each category. Finding the one that is a best fit for you and your child will
increase your success and reduce frustration. Information from this session will enable you to make
more confident choices as you face decisions for education.

Fear can paralyze us in the pursuit of something good.  Even avoiding fear does not eliminate it, so we must attack it a different way.  In this session, Jan will share practical ways that  we can manage the fear that arises and the chaos that accompanies it.  A bit of humor will shed light on the fact that some of our fears are imagined, while other real issues escape our notice.  Some time-tested tips offered here may help with the fear, even if the chaos remains.

Often falling on the heels of making a bold decision in your family, a little voice in your head cries out, “What was I thinking?!! I can’t do that!”  Even when we are being obedient to clear direction, we can become insecure and fearful.  Humorous stories will lighten your load if you are feeling the press to make changes, and will help you to stop listening to the accusations from within.

Some changes are so important that the initiator cannot wait to become the recognized leader.  It is essential to be able to lead from “the middle of the pack” in order to move the cause or organization forward. Forging relationships and honing communication skills are invaluable when one must lead from the middle. Great leaders don’t use people so they can win. They lead people so they can all win together. As an added bonus, learning to lead successfully at one level is a qualifier for being able to lead at the next. Principles we will discuss in this session include:
• Lightening your leaders’ loads
• Being prepared when you take your leaders’ time
• Becoming a go-to player
• Being a friend
• Expanding your circle of acquaintances
• Letting the best idea win
• Seeing everyone as “10”
• Modeling the behavior you desire

New or uncertain situations can cause the paralysis of an organization, or even worse—reactionary decisions. It is precisely during these times that leaders must increase the frequency and the clarity of communication in order to establish strength and stability. Never underestimate the value of your team members. Principles we will discuss in this session include:
• Dealing effectively with different people’s responses to change
• Working through the idea of who gets the credit—and deciding if that is important
• Emphasizing the value of courage and vision
• Communicating the power of hope.

Leaders must create a motivational environment.  There are common reasons why people are unmotivated, but effective leaders can take steps to overcome these reasons in order to move their people to a place of making a difference.  While many of these steps are simple, they are key to the success of any organization. Principles we will discuss in this session include:
• The importance of mission, training, vision, and attitude
• The power of appreciation, celebration, and recognition/reward
• The value of relationship

Because we, as a society, have come so far from what a marriage can be when
God’s principles are followed, it’s hard to know what a healthy relationship looks
like. We will discuss Biblical principles and Bibilical examples that are key to
answering the question, “What do you need from me?”

Lifelong learning about how to better accept and understand your spouse leads to
a deeper love and appreciation of each other as the years click by. Grow in
understanding of personality, temperament, biologic clock, impact of home of
origin, and other considerations that lead to more effective communication of
love.

Things that enrich our lives can also become points of contention. These may be
difficult to navigate with grace. Let’s discuss some common problem areas that
can occur concerning hobbies, in-laws, spending habits, childrearing, and others.

Communication patterns open, or close, doors to connectedness. Conflict is a
normal part of every relationship, yet healthy conflict resolution is not common.
Simple principles help us develop this skill that can be learned. This session will
review some of the basic communication principles that are foundational to
successful conflict resolution.

The ups and downs in the bedroom can be a great joy and frustration. Men and
women will separately discuss God ordained intimacy and oneness, . . . and the
barriers to achieving that goal. This session will be general enough to not be
legalistic, but practical enough to impact each marriage.

Good intentions in childrearing can do damage to marriage. We will discuss
common practices to avoid to prevent tearing your own house down!