Speaker, Homeschool Mom of 9April Lesh is married to Ladd Lesh, General Manager of Apologia. She is a homeschool mother of nine children, who are, (in her non-biased opinion), exceptionally sweet and adorable. April enjoys afternoon nature walks with the kids, nap-times on the couch (also with the kids), and most especially (due to a plethora of shattered teacups and tea-stained apparel) a daily tea-less Tea Time— with, you guessed it— the kids. Her favorite nightly routine is Family Devotions, where Ladd teaches from the Bible and reads (with all the character voices) from the latest chapter book. This is followed by her second favorite nightly routine, affectionately known as Bedtime.
For speaking inquiries, please email Michelle Vantrease.
We’ve all seen the disturbing studies. We know instinctively they are right; our children’s brains are being rewired through the ubiquitous presence of screens. But is it necessary– or even possible to attempt a screen-free childhood in this modern age? Join me for practical tips that we’ve personally tested in our own family! I pray you will be inspired and encouraged to choose the road less traveled. The results are worth it!
Maybe you’ve noticed the fragility of our food supply. Or you long for cleaner, more natural sources of nutrition for your family. Or maybe you’ve just always loved animals and you dream of raising your kids on a thriving homestead. Yet your days are filled with school books, sports practice and weekly grocery hauls of lunch meat and frozen chicken nuggets, while you promise yourself that next week you will break out that sourdough recipe book. You have a box of random garden seeds and stacks of books on raising milk cows, but no clue how to implement this bold dream. The overwhelm is real! Join me to learn the mistakes to avoid– all knowledge gained through the fires of personal experience! And catch the vision of a peace-filled homesteading life that starts right where you are!
When all is said and done, our goal is not just that our children are “educated”– whatever our definition of that. We want our children to look back on their childhood with happiness and gratitude. We want them to love the homeschooling life that they choose to carry on the legacy for the next generation. Not only that, but we want to actually enjoy these years ourselves! I pray you will come away with renewed zeal for your homeschool journey and that you and your children will discover great joy in these precious years together.
What if the theological training of our children wasn’t supposed to be left primarily to children’s ministries and Sunday schools? What if all Christian parents endeavored to humbly and passionately expound the Word of God daily, around our own dining tables and by our own firesides? What eternal impact might we bring to their souls and the souls of our future grandchildren and great-grandchildren? Join me as we explore simple and manageable ways to implement this routine into our daily lives. We will discuss first why this important practice ought to be prioritized, and then how to fit family worship into our busy lives. This one rhythm, over the years, has become the foundation of our entire family life, and the rewards have been indescribably joyous.
When it comes to homeschooling options, the sheer magnitude of information available can be overwhelming. A brief online search can result in confusion and a compelling urge to take a nap! Here we will break down the seven most popular homeschooling styles and delve into the pros and cons of each method. Come away with a working knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, and with a better understanding of yourself, and what style would best fit your family.
We have an Enemy, always prowling, intent on destroying the family structure that God ordained. We will discuss five areas where poor theology has infiltrated Christian practice, leading to dysfunctional families and anemic faith. We, as Christian parents, can engage the culture with joy and boldness, while bolstering our children’s faith and preparing them to face spiritual attacks with a firm reliance on the Providence of God. I pray you will leave encouraged and resolute as you lead the family God has given you.
We’ve all heard the accusations that toxic masculinity is destroying the world. But what if we’ve been lied to in a big way? What if the attacks on manliness come from the Enemy of our souls, the Great Deceiver? What if God designed masculine strengths for His glory, and they are not bad habits to be discarded, but gifts to be harnessed for the leadership of future generations? And what particular role do mothers play in training young men for God’s Kingdom? I will share lessons we are learning as we raise our own seven sons.
Incessant digital diversions pose a unique parenting challenge for our generation. We are allotted only a short season with our children, and –whether consciously or unconsciously– we are building legacies that will impact generations to come. How do we navigate this brave new world of influencers and highlight reels while holding fast to the ancient truths of Scripture? How do we stay informed while avoiding doom-scrolling and discouragement? Join me as we discuss practical tips for being present in our callings of motherhood, engaging meaningfully with our children amid myriad distractions, and building legacies of unshakeable faith for our families, despite the inconstancy of our world.
Twenty years from now, your child could pull a book off the shelf and be immediately transported to the garden bench where Mom read this out loud or to the cozy bunk bed where Dad flipped through the pages of this picture book. Such is the power of the read-aloud life. Memories are made, bonds forged, and imaginations inspired. Join me for ideas on how to implement this simple, but powerful habit into your daily rhythms. It revolutionized the trajectory of our family, and it can do the same for yours!
We can’t escape the barrage of gloomy headlines. Threats of war, famine, natural disasters and organized globalist control can lead us to veer into either extreme: anxiety or apathy. But what does the Bible say about this volatile and chaotic age? How do we strike a balance between the command to pattern our lives after the ant, who prepares for the coming winter season, and the command to trust God for our daily bread without fear of tomorrow? We will explore a Christian theology of preparedness, steps to building a more dependable food system for ourselves and our communities, and how to approach our times with calm hearts and resilient minds.
