Daly Focus Blog
At the 2008 Summer Olympics, both the U.S. men’s and women’s 4 x 100 relay teams were expected to compete for the gold medal – but shockingly, neither team even made it to the finals.
Neither American team exited the competition early because other countries were faster but because they dropped the baton during an exchange. Runners almost never drop the baton during the middle of their relay leg. They drop it in the hand-off.
The exchange is where things often go wrong for parents as well.
Dr. Lee Warren, a neurosurgeon for 25 years, says emotional wellness begins when we treat ourselves like our own “brain surgeon” by performing regular “thought biopsies.” He suggests that we pause, identify toxic lies, and refuse to let our feelings act as our ultimate authority.
According to Dr. Warren, if we’re sad, stressed, or think we’re stuck, our perceptions about ourselves, the world, and other people can mislead us into thinking we’re powerless to change our situation when, in fact, our thought patterns influence outcomes in our lives.
One of the hardest parts of parenting during the teen years is understanding how to have conversations that really matter about tough issues like broken trust, difficult friendships, or dating. We want to help our kids become who God created them to be, but tough conversations can quickly turn emotional or tense and leave us wondering if we helped the situation or made it worse.
You may find it helpful to reframe those moments. Think of your child as a dump truck filled with diamonds.
Texas Children’s Hospital’s agreement to stop harming kids under the guise of “gender medicine” is a great victory for children’s rights and common sense in the Lone Star State.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton spearheaded a lawsuit alleging the hospital falsely billed Texas Medicaid for illegal “transgender” medical interventions.
A settlement was first announced in May. Now, it’s been finalized.
As our Daily Citizen team reported, the settlement requires the hospital to:
• Stop performing sex-rejecting surgeries and hormone interventions on minors.
Unless you’ve been completely unplugged this past year, you’ve inevitably heard of the WNBA’s Sophie Cunningham – a standout star in the women’s professional basketball league best known for her aggressive play on the court and her boldness and courage off it.
The former University of Missouri All-American, Cunningham has been in the WNBA since 2019. Drafted by the Phoenix Mercury, the 29-year-old was traded to the Indiana Fever last year. Playing alongside star Caitlin Clark, Sophie helped lead her new team to win the 2025 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup.
You may have seen the news that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is estranged from several members of his family – a heartbreaking story that sadly is becoming increasingly common.
In fact, Focus on the Family counselors speak every month with mothers and fathers whose adult children have cut them off from any meaningful relationship. A recent survey found that 38% of adults refuse to talk with at least one of their parents.
In most cases, the son or daughter weren’t abused or mistreated.
If you’re married, you and your spouse probably recited vows to each other at your wedding. You probably also discovered that once you stepped down from the altar, words weren’t enough. You had to live it out.
Marriage can be a struggle. You’re not living a fairytale where everything is “happily ever after.” Conflict happens. You’ll face unmet expectations, differing viewpoints, and unexpected storms – like a job loss, trouble with your kids, or heart-breaking news that threatens to pull your marriage apart.
Middle school can be a confusing time for your children.
They’re experiencing physical changes. Their bodies flood with hormones, which leads to physical growth (some kids grow several inches during this time), hair development in private places, and skin changes: pimples, body odor, etc.
On top of all of that, school can be socially exhausting. They’re surrounded by peers they didn’t choose, and everyone is changing as quickly as they are. It’s a confusing environment within which your child is struggling to discover his or her identity.
One of the most intimidating verses in Scripture for many Christians is Matthew 28:19-20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
Many of us struggle to share our faith because we’re embarrassed, we don’t want to impose our beliefs on someone else, or we fear they’ll find our views offensive.
There are two reactions to change:
1. Excitement.
2. Struggle.
Most of us understand that change can be good for us, but we still experience mixed feelings. We want to improve ourselves, but we struggle to let go of what used to be. Even positive changes, like a new job or upgrading to a larger home can stir up sadness over what we’re leaving behind.
Change is a complicated and unavoidable part of life for adults.
Jim Daly is a husband, father and President of Focus on the Family and host of its National Radio Hall of Fame broadcast. His blog, Daly Focus, is full of timely commentary and wisdom designed to help you navigate and understand today’s culture. His latest book is Marriage Done Right.
