Family and Home Archives

Opening the Day with Enthusiasm

The sun had barely risen yesterday when Trent and Troy burst into our bedroom.

“You gotta open it, Dad! You gotta open it!” eight-year-old Troy and ten-year-old Trent repeatedly hollered.

I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. One of the boys was holding a small wrapped box.

It was Father’s Day 2011, my 11th year as a dad.

Troy had picked out the gift and so he was particularly excited to have me open the package.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting June 20, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Retro Father’s Day Ads

Thank you for your warm and touching responses to yesterday’s reflections on Father’s Day. For those of you who haven’t yet shared your tribute, please do so by clicking here. In the meantime, with two days remaining until the big day, you might find that these vintage advertisements will give you a few ideas for dad – and spark some old ones!

Topics: Family and Home Tags: parenting June 17, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Should Father’s Day Be Outlawed?

Somebody once said that it’s easier for a father to have children than for children to have a real father. Sadly, that sounds about right. There is no test or final exam to qualify for fatherhood, though it would seem like a good idea if somehow there could be.

Over 24 million children in the United States today live apart from their fathers. That’s one out of every three. It’s even worse for African-American children. Nearly 64% of African-American boys and girls don’t have a dad in the home.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: parenting June 16, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

VIDEO: The Pampers Commercial

In a recent interview, I suggested that when it comes to the debate in the culture concerning the sanctity of human life, we’re winning. Technology has done quite a bit to help change hearts and minds, but the overall momentum in the direction of life is encouraging and exciting.

As an example of how the corporate culture is moving in the right direction, I wanted to share with you a terrific commercial produced by the makers of Pampers.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment June 15, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Who’s Better with Kids – Mom or Dad?

With Father’s Day just five days away, this morning’s Wall Street Journal, courtesy of columnist Sue Shellenbarger, lauds dads for their unique and important contribution to the family. And, not surprisingly, the secret of a father’s success is found in how his actions complement mom’s.

In other words, dads give their kids what mothers do not.

Ms. Shellenbarger identifies some of the more blatant distinctions between the parenting roles. I’m curious if you see yourself within these trends.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting June 14, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Questions and Answers

Dr. Timothy Dalrymple is the Associate Director of Content at Patheos, and writes weekly on faith, politics, and culture for Patheos’ Evangelical Portal. His “Life in the Marketplace of Ideas” column is published every Monday. I was recently privileged to sit down with Dr. Dalrymple and it’s my privilege to share excerpts from our exchange:

In what way does your biography shape the work you do today?

Well, there’s an interesting contrast here. Dr.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: parenting June 13, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Shoes and Faith

Relatively little is known about the life of James the Just, the author of the epistle of James, and thought by many to be the half-brother of Jesus. As the first bishop of Jerusalem, and a peer to Peter and Paul and many other giants of the faith, James is, nevertheless, revered as a hero of the early church, and for good reason.

Of course he affirmed the divinity, resurrection and redeeming power of Jesus, but he’s best remembered for not only preaching right doctrine – but for believing and teaching that living out our faith can transform a broken and battered world.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith June 10, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Win a Trip!

ATTENTION! I’m out of town today, but just wanted to make sure you were aware of a great contest here at Focus that will be wrapping up next week:

Tell us about a Courageous Parent you know…We’ve all come across people like this, difference-makers who go “above and beyond” to better the lives of kids and teens. We want to hear about these special men and women. To honor the Courageous Parent you have in mind, share your story with us.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, events, faith June 9, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Tim Tebow’s “Strange” Priority

Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow is out this week promoting his new book, Through My Eyes, an inspiring memoir about his faith, life and, oh yeah, football, too.

The former Florida Heisman Trophy winner’s philosophy is wonderfully simple:

Live pure. Work hard. Leave the rest to God.

Many of you are aware that Tim and his mother, Pam, starred in Focus on the Family’s Super Bowl commercial last year. Pam’s decision to defy doctor’s orders and carry Tim to term is a dramatic story and one that has inspired other women to reevaluate the wonder and beauty of preborn life.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, events June 8, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Kids in Your Neighborhood

Last Friday’s USA Today ran a rather bleak cover story. Framed by old black-and-white photos of cute little children, the headline read: “In Many Neighborhoods, Kids Are Only a Memory.”

Of course, as birth rates continue to decline in America, neighborhood demographics are bound to adjust. But the shift is even more pronounced in some areas for no other reason that children tend to attract other children. Parents of youngsters are drawn to certain areas because of good schools, access to parks and the fact that adults like to live around friends in similar seasons of life.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: adoption June 7, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura