Jim Daly

Avoid the Chore War with Your Kids

Do you require your children to do chores? Many parents don’t bother. They’ve decided it’s easier to do the work themselves. That’s especially true if the kids fight the idea of helping out around the house and getting them involved becomes a chore all its own.

My wife and I have had moments ourselves where we wondered if it was worth all the trouble. But we never entertain the idea for long. As parents of two young, maturing boys, we’ve identified household chores as one of the most obvious and important opportunities they have to prepare for adulthood.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, parenting

New Year’s Resolutions

It’s that time of year when we pause, reflect, regret, repent, and resolve to make some changes. I can’t say for certain, but I imagine losing weight and getting fit has to be at the top of the list for a few million people. Others desire to quit drinking or smoking, get out of debt, spend more time with family and friends, and read more books. If you are a person of faith, resolving to spend focused time reading the Bible might be a big one, too.

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Two Tips For Surviving Your Kids’ Middle School Years

The middle school years can be tough. And not just for the kids. They can be challenging for parents as well.

As your child enters adolescence, your parenting approach will likely have to shift into a few different gears. There’s a lot going on, after all. Not only is the whirlwind of puberty at your child’s doorstep, but his or her world is shifting. Family often becomes an afterthought, while friends and independence take top priority.

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The Promise that Brings Hope

Joni Eareckson Tada is an overcomer. At 17, she dove into shallow water and surfaced a parapalegic. For nearly 50 years now, Christ has worked through her story and life to encourage others with disabilities similar to hers.

The late Louis Zamperini was an overcomer. As detailed in “Unbroken,” the book and Hollywood movie about his life, he was shot down in World War II and barely survived 40 days adrift at sea. He was “rescued” by the Japanese only to become a prisoner of war, then beaten and tortured mercilessly.

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Paul Harvey Reporting “Live” From the North Pole

Fifty years ago tonight ABC Radio aired a delightful “live” broadcast of legendary newscaster Paul Harvey reporting from the North Pole.

If you appreciated Paul Harvey or love the magic of radio, you’re going to enjoy this one.

To listen to the special broadcast, click here.

Merry Christmas!

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids, pop culture

Listen: Adventures in Odyssey Christmas Special!

I think both parents and children would agree that one of the best things we’ve ever come up with here at Focus on the Family has been Adventures in Odyssey, the radio drama for children ages 8-12.

When it first began, a lot of people were skeptical the venture could be successful in the age of television, movies, and other visual entertainment. But our Adventures in Odyssey team members are some of the most talented and creative in the business, and this little radio program that could has been capturing the hearts of young and old alike for almost 30 years.

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Would You Eat With Sinners?

Today, we’re continuing with the “Best of” 2015 broadcasts. Over the next couple of days, we’ll be digging into the latest edition to the That the World May Know video series titled, Israel’s Mission: A Kingdom of Priests in a Prodigal World. God’s Word is always timely, but given the seismic shifts in culture in recent years the message for this film set is especially meaningful.

Using the parable of the prodigal son as the backdrop for his lessons, Ray Vander Laan explores God’s mission for His people to a lost and broken world.

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How to Change Your Marriage in 31 Days

If your marriage could use a little help, the next 31 days could change everything.

That may sound like a promise right out of an infomercial, but it’s closer to the truth than you might think.

You see, every relationship is something of a dance. Ideally, couples learn to sway and dip in unison and to move gracefully across the dance floor with each other. But, of course, we all know that toes get stepped on along the way.

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My Thoughts on the Presidential Election

Many people have asked me who I endorse in the contest for President of the United States. I can understand the curiosity behind the question, but it’s way too early in the process to be able to tell who will be the best pro-family candidate out of all of the ones who are running.

In fact, the substance and spirit of Tuesday night’s Republican presidential debate in Las Vegas made clear to me that for those of us who support a pro-family agenda in 2016, the strength of the field dictates that it’s premature to coalesce behind a single candidate (as some Evangelical leaders have recently done).

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A Christmas Story For You

It’s Christmas time again, and I want to help you commemorate the birth of the Savior with a special Christmas story.

I think you’ll enjoy it, especially if you have children in the home. But before turning things over to our guest author and letting the tale speak for itself, I’d like to say a few words about how it ties into our ministry and why I think its simple message is so important.

During this season of celebration, we’re reminded that, for many of our friends, this time of year may not be as merry and joyous as it’s supposed to be.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: adoption, family, kids, pro-life