Family and Home Archives

Overcoming Summer Boredom with Kid Smarts

“I’m bored.”

Mom and dad, if you haven’t heard your children say that by now after weeks of quarantine, just wait. Summer’s coming.

Hours of schoolwork will be replaced by hours of free time, and your children will seemingly delight in reminding you, “There’s nothing to do.” Some days, you’ll feel more like a cruise ship director than a parent.

We have answers for helping your children beat summer boredom on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Overcoming Summer Boredom with Kid Smarts.” Popular guest Dr.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family June 3, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Controlling Anger So It Doesn’t Control You

Just a few wayward sparks is all it takes to burn down an entire city. That’s what happened in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, one of the largest disasters in American history.

In popular accounts from the time, Catherine O’Leary’s cow kicked over a lantern in a humble barn on DeKoven Street. A few sparks became a small fire that quickly grew into an inferno that destroyed miles of homes and razed Chicago’s business district.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: anger June 1, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Complicated, Beautiful Life of a Foster Mom

May is National Foster Care Awareness Month.

We’re honoring all those who have stepped into the world of adoption and foster care on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “The Complicated, Beautiful Life of a Foster Mom.” Our guest is Jessie Gallaher, who is with us to share her story, a difficult yet rewarding journey of adopting five children from foster care – all at once!

When Jessie and her husband first brought the kids home, a lot of people gave the same advice: “Just love them.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: adoption, foster care May 29, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Modeling Generosity for Your Children

Do you practice “everyday generosity”?

On our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Modeling Generosity for Your Children,” father-and-son team Brad and Drew Formsma explain how you can use your time, talent, and influence to benefit others and create a habit of generosity that will impact the next generation.

They’ll share how to be generous with:

In a “me-focused” culture, we can help our children develop an other-centered attitude, which creates the opportunity to show Christ’s love to others through simple acts of kindness.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family May 28, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Coronavirus Pandemic Chaos Offers Couples Seeking Divorce a Second Chance

If it’s true that every cloud has a silver lining, is it possible that virus-related disruptions in divorce filings and court proceedings could possibly buy seemingly incompatible couples more time to work out their differences and save their marriages?

I think so.

Since the virulent pathogen began wreaking havoc in mid-March, courts and local municipalities that process divorce have been upended. From canceled hearings to shuttered county courthouses, it’s become a lot more difficult for couples to untangle or sever the proverbial marital knot.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: divorce, marriage May 26, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Ideas for Simple and Budget-Friendly Meals at Home

“What’s for dinner?”

With many items in short supply at the grocery stores and restaurants still closed, answering that question can be difficult.

On our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Ideas for Simple and Budget-Friendly Meals at Home” we’re talking about how to simplify at-home cooking and make it a fun, budget-friendly activity that’ll save you money and create quality time for the whole family.

Our guests are Mary Beth Lagerborg and Mimi Wilson, the creators of the Once-A-Month Cooking method and the authors of Once-a-Month Cooking: Family Favorites.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family May 22, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Ravi Zacharias, an Indispensable Christian Giant

I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias who passed away on Monday after a brief but very public battle with cancer.

I’ll be forever grateful to have met Ravi, who was always a gracious gentleman. He was a guest on our radio program and appeared on Focus’ award-winning “The Truth Project” with Dr. Del Tackett. Millions in our audience appreciated his brilliant and passionate work explaining the Bible and promoting objective truth and morality.

Topics: Family and Home May 19, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Better Than Before: Re-Prioritizing Your Post-Quarantine Life

A couple of months ago your schedule was probably a lot like mine: full. The faucet was all the way open, and there wasn’t much free time between work, family, marriage, church, school activities, music recitals, and sports practice.

Then, all of that ground to a halt. Overnight. And just like that your entire family was at home together, not for a few hours or a few days, but for weeks. Maybe at some point you even awoke to your own personal Groundhog Day.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: Coronavirus, family May 19, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Traffic Stop that Saved a Baby’s Life

I want to share a remarkable story with you about Focus on the Family, a police officer, a distraught young woman – and a baby whose life was spared minutes from certain death.

The names have been changed to protect all the parties involved – but it’s a true story of providence and God’s remarkable and mysterious ways.

“David” is a police officer and a military veteran. A brave and courageous guy – tough as nails type.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: pro-life May 18, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Kids: You Gotta Love Em

When times are hard, it’s important to enjoy some laughter.

That’s what we have in store with our guest Kenn Kington, our guest on the Focus on the Family Broadcast “Kids: You Gotta Love Em.”

Kenn is a popular comedian and motivational speaker who has quite a knack for finding the humor in everyday moments with his wife and three kids.

I know you’ll enjoy his message. It’s fun. Yet it communicates an important point: Children mimic us!

Topics: Family and Home Tags: children, parenting May 18, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura