Family and Home Archives

Are You Sleeping Together?

You don’t have to be married for long to know how tough sleeping together can be. And I don’t mean that kind of “sleeping together.” I mean actual sleep. Getting some shut-eye.

Who can sleep with all of that loud snoring, blanket stealing, tossing and turning, and bad breath? And don’t forget the inevitable tug-of-war between early-birds and night-owls. It’s no wonder so many of us are tired and cranky. Even the Center for Disease Control and Prevention says a large segment of the population suffers from a lack of sleep. In fact, they call it a “public health problem.”

With so many complications, why should married couples sleep in the same bed?

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, marriage May 1, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Envy vs Gratitude

Isn’t it strange that in a nation nicknamed the “land of opportunity” so many of us struggle to find happiness? Maybe it’s because our society is driven by envy rather than gratitude.

Psychologist Dr. Henry Cloud explains why people controlled by envy find happiness so elusive. It’s because envious people believe they need what they don’t have. They tell themselves, “If only I had that car, or that job, or a different relationship, life would be so much better.” In reality, even after they get what they crave, nothing changes.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family April 30, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Unexpected Pitfalls of Teasing in Your Family

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

Do you remember people saying that when you were a child? How old were you when you realized that it wasn’t true? Words can hurt.

That’s a good reminder if you’re part of a family whose members like to joke around with each other. Channeled properly, friendly teasing can be both healthy and bonding. Laughter is contagious. It brings people together by diffusing arguments and smoothing out differences.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting April 29, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Basics of Discipline

Being a parent is the most natural thing in the world in many ways. But there’s a lot to learn as well. At Focus on the Family, we routinely hear from parents who struggle with how and when to discipline their child. If you have questions in that area, keep a few basics in mind.

First, make sure your child understands the rules before you discipline him. If Junior hasn’t been told ahead of time a particular behavior is wrong, cut him some slack.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting April 26, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Forgiving the Past, Embracing the Future

Forgiveness is at the heart of the Christian message.

But that doesn’t make forgiveness easy.

Forgiveness is difficult because we often confuse “forgiving” with “excusing.” Forgiveness never excuses the wrongs against us or waters down the awful nature of an offense. It doesn’t pretend that something didn’t happen. Forgiveness acknowledges the ugliness of the sin, no matter how dark, then sets us free, not the other person. Forgiveness releases our heart, heals our pain, and allows us to move forward through life in peace.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family April 25, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

History is the Best Teacher

Two statues are erected outside the entrance to the National Archives in Washington, D.C. Though completely different, each one conveys wisdom about building a better future.

The first statue is titled “Past.” It’s a sculpture of an old man staring back through time. He’s holding a closed book, representing history. The past is over. It’s unchangeable. But carved into the statue’s base is a paraphrase from Confucius that reads, “Study the past.” That is, remember the past and learn from it.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family April 24, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Helping Your Child Develop Resilience

When it comes to instilling character in children, the most important characteristic we can model is resilience – overcoming struggles and difficulties.

As the apostle Paul writes, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Cor. 4:8-9).

Resilience is a mindset. It’s a process of adapting in the face of significant stress. With resilience, challenges become opportunities to learn and mature.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting April 23, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Unsung Hero: How Our Mother Made a Difference

Joining me on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Unsung Hero: How Our Mother Made a Difference” are three siblings from the Smallbone family.

Rebecca St. James is a successful Christian solo artist who has recorded 10 studio albums, winning one Grammy Award and three Dove Awards. She also co-hosts our podcast called Practice Makes Parent, along with our Vice President of Parenting and Youth, Dr. Danny Huerta.

Also with us are Rebecca’s brothers Luke and Joel, who have won multiple Grammy and Dove Awards as the contemporary music group For King & Country.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith April 22, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

War of the Words

What you say and what somebody hears are often two different things, which can lead to miscommunication and misunderstanding.

Your kids can learn that lesson and have a good time doing it if they’ll tune in to a special edition of our Focus on the Family Broadcast featuring an episode of Adventures in Odyssey called “War of the Words.”

If you’re new to Focus on the Family, Adventures in Odyssey is a radio drama for children (click here for more information).

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family April 19, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Engaging Hearts and Minds in a Broken Culture

In set 16 of the That the World May Know series, titled “Cultures in Conflict,” Bible teacher Ray Vander Laan leads viewers on a journey to where the Apostle Paul founded the church in Corinth and preached in Athens, Greece on Mars Hill. Ray highlights Paul’s tremendous ability to share God’s truth in a way the culture of his day could understand.

For example, at one of the most important structures in Corinth – a temple dedicated to Asclepius, the god of healing – Paul communicated God’s truth by taking advantage of a popular custom.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family April 18, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura