As the 2025 Midwinter Conference fast approaches, I was reflecting on what was discussed at last year’s conference. In 2024, I attended my first Midwinter Conference. Not knowing what to expect when I walked in, I was surprised and blessed by the quality of the speakers and comradery with fellow attendees. While I learned much, here are my five big takeaways from that conference.

  1. “Wisdom is a prayer away.” This pithy quote from Bonni Greiner is a great reminder of Biblical truth. James 1:5 tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” How often do we find ourselves turning to God when we are struggling with everyday practical problems in our lives or the lives of our children? This quote is a helpful reminder to seek our Heavenly Father in such times. He is only a prayer away.
  1. Make godly goals. This was another charge from Bonni Greiner, who notes that if you don’t, they probably are not going to just happen. She encouraged each of us to find something to work on in each season, whether that be patience, listening, self-control, etc. As Christians, we know sanctification is an ongoing work, so there is always something TO work on. This step makes us give thought to WHAT that something is.
  1. “Just say ‘no’ to screen time.” Ginny Owens gave an eye-opening presentation on the detriments that excessive screen time brings to young children. She cited research that found children between the ages of eight and eighteen are averaging 7.5 hours per day in front of a screen/computer. That is more than 114 FULL DAYS out of the year spent entirely in front of a screen. Ginny encouraged parents to not introduce screens until their children are at least twelve years old, and even then, to be sparing. What to do until they turn twelve? Encourage reading and doing activities just as you and I did when we were growing up.
  1. “Follow me as I follow Christ.” This quote came impromptu from another attendee in a workshop for fathers. He was speaking to the essence of what message we as parents should be ultimately trying to communicate to our children. A main blessing and benefit of homeschooling is that parents and children get to spend more time with one another than many families with kids enrolled in traditional schools. A natural byproduct of this is that our children will see us living out more of our lives in front of them. What are our lives teaching them? May it be to imitate us as we imitate Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).
  1. You are not alone. There are many other moms and dads earnestly doing the hard work of educating their children at home. Conferences like this help you connect with others who have similar struggles and challenges. More than once I saw a parent ask a question in a session that another attendee was able to answer because they had faced the same challenge with their own child. That is something special you just cannot replicate without being in the same room with other parents who are in the trenches, doing the work just like you.

We all need encouragement and community. While time is in short supply for so many of us, I think you will find the hours spent at the Midwinter Conference revitalizing, encouraging, and perhaps more needed than you even realized. I hope to see you there.

Stephen LaSpina is the Digital Magazine Coordinator and E-News Editor for CHAP.  He resides in Northeastern Pennsylvania with his wife and daughter.