Family and Home Archives

Is Yelling the New Spanking for Parents? 5 Tips for Screaming-Prone Moms and Dads

Parenting children at any stage can be a real challenge. From the toddler who throws a lay-flat-on-the-floor-and-cry tantrum to the school-age brother and sister who won’t stop fighting, parents regularly navigate a wide array of situations that require dealing with unacceptable behavior.

The Today Show recently ran an interesting post exploring a growing trend among parents to manage these discipline issues through screaming rather than spanking. Maybe this tendency is due to a growing reluctance among some moms and dads to use spanking as a tool of discipline.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: discipline, kids, parenting March 12, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Compromise Not Always the Best Answer to Marriage Disagreements

Many people think that learning to compromise is one of the keys to a successful marriage.

Would it surprise you to learn that Focus marriage experts Dr. Greg Smalley and Erin Smalley disagree?

According to the husband-wife team, compromise – an agreement where each person makes concessions – may not be the best way to help ensure long-term satisfaction in a marriage.

“I hate the word ‘compromise,’” explains Greg. “I don’t want to settle. I want to reach for something better.”

That’s why, instead of compromising, the Smalleys have found that it’s best to find a solution that feels great to both of them.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, husband, marriage, wife March 10, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Man with One Ear

I’ve always been fascinated by the story of Peter cutting off the ear of the servant of the high priest. It’s by no means a major part of the Passion, but it communicates quite a bit in just a few short sentences.

According to John’s Gospel (18:10), the servant’s name was Malchus.

But that’s all we know about this man, except that Jesus stepped in and miraculously healed him.

We don’t know anything about his family, his background or what happened to him after that fateful Thursday night.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, faith March 5, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Focus on the Family Friend Has Gone Home

Speaker and author Ann Kiemel comforted others with the comfort she herself received from the Lord (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). Now this woman with the soft voice and strong faith is in heaven, receiving her eternal reward.

Ann passed away Saturday after a difficult battle with cancer – but most of you know her because she so openly and bravely shared about her battle with infertility.

Through her books (she sold more than 20 million of them) and her numerous times on our broadcast, she told her story of multiple miscarriages.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: adoption, broadcast, faith, news, parenting March 4, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Guest Post: Oscar Season Reminds Us That Entertainment Shapes Us

It was the late Ingmar Bergman, arguably one of the world’s most accomplished Hollywood directors in history, who once suggested that “No art passes our conscience in the way film does, and goes directly to our feelings, deep down into the dark rooms of our souls.”

He was right.

Film is an incredible medium that shapes us individually, and as such, shapes culture. This Sunday’s Academy Awards celebrated this power and, in doing so, highlighted priorities and passions of a world-famous industry for both good and bad.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, kids, parenting, pop culture March 3, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

VIDEO: The Best Social Media Product of the Year?

Coca-Cola is rolling out a new product sure to help those of us who might be dedicated enthusiasts of social media.

Well, not really. The giant soft drink company actually debuted a new tongue-in-cheek commercial that nevertheless sends all of us who have a smart phone always-at-the-ready a worthwhile message:

Put down the phone. Look up. Connect with your loved ones and share a “real” moment with them.

What a great reminder to take into the weekend.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting, technology February 28, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Loving the Prodigal Home

Chief Financial Officer.

The job title alone can be a little intimidating. It might conjure images of a serious, somewhat gruff individual who’s more interested in numbers than people.

I’m happy to say that Focus’ CFO, Dan Mellema, is nothing like the caricature would suggest.

Dan is a warm and friendly man with a real heart for our ministry and the people we help. He’s been with Focus since 1994 and has headed up our finances since 2011.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, kids, parenting February 26, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

VIDEO: Skiing with My Boys

In Friday’s post, I mentioned the need to keep the fun in our marriages. Even as we juggle the many challenging aspects of married life, it’s good to find things to laugh about. Not only is laughter good for the soul (Proverbs 17:22), but I also think it’s God’s perfect medicine.

I like what Victor Hugo once wrote, that “laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.”

I know some of you have already had too much of winter.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting February 17, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Valentine’s Message: Be Joyful and Have Fun

A Christian woman a few years into her marriage once reflected back on the days leading up to her wedding:

“As excited as we were to start our new life together, my husband and I were also a little fearful. We had heard from so many Christian couples, and in so many sermons, about how difficult and challenging marriage is. You can’t help but think, ‘Am I crazy to go through with this?’”

She’s right – Christians spend a lot of time talking about marriage in light of the commitment it requires and the sacrifices we must make as husbands and wives.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, husband, marriage, relationships, wife February 14, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How to Love Singles this Valentine’s Day

All married people were once single – but it’s surprising how quickly we forget what it was like to navigate everyday life as a single person.

Sometimes that “memory loss” is evident in the way we interact with singles. Perhaps, without meaning to, we ask insensitive questions or brush aside their heartfelt fears and concerns with a pithy statement.

Other times that memory loss manifests itself in what we don’t do: We fail to invite our single friends over to dinner at the house.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, relationships February 13, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura