Family and Home Archives

This Unromantic Notion Will Give Your Marriage a Boost

What would you say if I suggested that on this Valentine’s Day, you celebrate your “average” marriage?

It doesn’t sound too romantic, does it?

The suggestion certainly goes against the Hollywood notion of love, with its exaggerated portrayals of couples blissfully, breathlessly enraptured with each other.

But let’s get real here.

Real life isn’t like a jewelry ad in a magazine where everything looks picture-perfect. It’s not as exciting as the song on the radio praising the thrill of a brand-new relationship.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage February 11, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

4 Tips for Parenting an Adult Child Who Has Made Poor Choices

Unfortunately, even good parents might one day see their adult children make poor choices. Here at Focus we’ve spoken with many heartbroken moms and dads who are grappling to understand and respond well to their grown kids’ decisions.

Here are four tips from our counselors on how parents can help their child get back on track.

1. Ease your guilt.
Every parent makes mistakes. However, as an adult, your son or daughter is now old enough to make their own choices and to take responsibility for them.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting January 20, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Parenting the Strong-Willed Child as a Team

Let’s be honest: Parenting isn’t for the weak – especially when you’re raising a strong-willed child.

It’s not fun when a pint-sized little one defiantly refuses to obey or when a 14-year-old talks back. Our natural instincts want to kick in. It’s all too easy to respond in anger.

My wife, Jean, and I know this well. We have two teenage boys, and one of them is a strong-willed child. It’s interesting to look back over the years and see how he’s impacted Jean and me in different ways.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family, kids, parenting January 15, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Is Your Family’s Schedule Overwhelmed?

I’ve got a riddle for you. “You can spend it, but you can’t keep it. And once you’ve lost it, you can never get it back.” Do you know what it is? Here’s a clue:

Let’s say you win a contest. The grand prize is $86,400 wired into your bank account each day at midnight. The money is yours to spend however you want. There’s just one catch. At the end of the day, every penny you don’t spend disappears from your account.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, parenting January 13, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How to Pep Up Your Marriage

Did you get married to work a job, to do laundry, or to pay bills? Most people don’t. Yet, many marriages wind up in exactly that kind of “ho-hum” condition. At some point after the euphoria of the wedding ceremony, life settles into a daily grind of routine activity. Careers are chased, children are born, a larger home is purchased with two new cars in the garage.

And, slowly, the romance fades.

What used to be hours on the phone together and regular date nights becomes two people who only talk about practical matters, like finances or the kids’ grades.

Topics: Family and Home January 9, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How Would You Answer This Critical Question?

I decided to sit down with my boys over the Christmas break and have a talk with them.

We’ve already had THE talk about the birds and the bees. Trent is now 14 and Troy is 12. Like it or not, they’re well on their way toward the battles of life.

In fact, we regularly talk about the big issues of sex, drugs and drinking. We have a mantra in our home which both boys can recite.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, parenting January 7, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Doing This Will Help Your Marriage

My wife Jean always knows when I’ve taped a broadcast with author and speaker Dr. Gary Chapman.

It’s uncanny. I’ll walk through the door and, inspired by my time with Dr. Chapman, I’ll ask her something like, “What’s one thing I could do to help you today?” And she immediately knows who I’ve spent time with.

And that’s how God uses Dr. Chapman. He’s a relationship expert, and he helps couples create and maintain an emotionally safe environment in their marriages that is conducive to positive growth.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, husband, intimacy, marriage, wife December 29, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Can I Have Your Favorite Christmas Recipe?

A favorite from a few Christmases ago, this post features many interesting recipes in the comments section. I hope some of these will inspire your family to spend some time cooking up some new memories together this Christmas… and if you think of it, please consider adding your family’s favorite recipe, too! -JD

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Food ranks high among the many wonderful traditions of Christmas. Depending upon your family’s heritage and where you were raised, you probably have your favorite holiday treats.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, events, family December 24, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Our Christmas Video Gift for You

There is something special and nostalgic about Christmas. You may find yourself back in the church of your childhood, lifting a lighted candle and singing the familiar carols of the season, your own kids by your side. Perhaps your children are now grown, and far from home this year. It might be quieter than you want it to be. Or maybe you’re far from home yourself this year, forging new traditions and experiences. Whatever your circumstance, Christmas is coming and the world’s largest birthday celebration is almost here.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: events, family December 23, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How to Be a Good Dad When You Didn’t Have One

If you want to know how much dads matter in the lives of their children, ask me – I didn’t grow up with a dad.

My biological dad, stepdad and foster dad were all out of my life by the time I turned 13.

It’s tough to go through life with a father who’s either physically or emotionally absent. But don’t take my word for it; just look at the statistics. They’ll show you how things go awry when a dad’s not at home.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, kids, parenting December 22, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura