discipline Archives

Check Your Motives

Sometimes we might do what’s right—but for the wrong (usually selfish) reason.

I’m reminded of the story of the philosopher Diogenes.

He was once seen sitting on a curb eating lentils and bread, a meager meal by any standard. A fellow philosopher, Aristippus, a man who lived well because he flattered the king, approached him and mocked his circumstance.

“If you would learn to be subservient to the king,” he snarled, “you would not have to live on lentils.”

Diogenes looked up with a smile, tilted his head, and replied, “Learn to live on lentils, and you will not have to cultivate the king.”

Topics: Family and Home Tags: discipline, faith, relationships September 19, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Strangest Secret

Over sixty years ago, Earl Nightingale, a former United States Marine who had been one of only twelve survivors of the bombing of the U.S.S. Arizona at Pearl Harbor, struck upon an idea.

At the time of his epiphany, he was an announcer at the legendary Chicago radio station WGN. Residents of the Windy City were drawn to his soothing, sonorous voice. But it was off the air, while reading a book by Napoleon Hill, a well-known motivational writer and speaker of that era, that Nightingale’s revelation came to him, like “a bolt out of the blue,” he said.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: discipline, faith, relationships September 17, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

If You Think You Don’t Have Time to Read

Once upon a time in the dead of winter in the Dakota Territory, Theodore Roosevelt took off in a makeshift boat down the Little Missouri River in pursuit of a couple of thieves who had stolen his prized rowboat. After several days on the river, he caught up and got the draw on them with his trusty Winchester, at which point they surrendered. Then Roosevelt set off in a borrowed wagon to haul the thieves cross-country to justice.

Topics: Current Events Tags: discipline, news, pop culture August 23, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Nine Ways To Growing Old More Happily

The wise person, as he grows older, must turn to the perfecting of his creative and appreciative abilities, which mellow and improve with age. He must take inventory of his personality, realizing that whatever it is now, so it will tend to be in later years, multiplied many times.

[If you want to grow older happily] Ask yourself these nine determinative questions:

Am I self-centered, or do I take other people’s needs and desires into account as well as my own?

Topics: Family and Home Tags: discipline, faith July 1, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

No-Fault Parenting

One of the treats about being a father and having children is the chance to watch yourself grow up all over again. Have you ever thought about it that way? I certainly have. Admittedly, life in 2010 is drastically different than it was in 1960s America when I was a boy, but the essence and wonder of childhood are primarily the same. Or is it?

There are many days when I catch a glimpse of Trent and Troy doing something that ushers me back 40 or so years.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: discipline, kids, parenting, pop culture June 15, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Talking Smack with Teens

Yesterday I blogged about a new book by my friend and colleague Glenn Williams entitled, Talking Smack. I thought I’d add a few additional thoughts on this important topic. Not only is Glenn a psychologist and writer, he is also a substance abuse expert who offers solid advice on how to talk to your kids honestly and openly about drugs. Based upon years of training, Glenn can help you steer your youth toward making healthy decisions when temptation and peer pressure come knocking.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: discipline, parenting May 25, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Talking Smack

Glenn Williams is my friend and colleague here at Focus on the Family. In addition to serving as our Chief Operating Officer, Glenn is a psychologist, writer and substance abuse expert who has worked with parents and teens for more than 20 years. He’s recently authored an excellent new book titled, Talking Smack, on the perils of drug addiction, and offers mothers and fathers practical advice in dealing with the subject. I was privileged to be invited to pen the foreword and would love to offer you a sneak peek of the project.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: discipline, family, parenting, pop culture May 24, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Incredible Hulk vs. Dad

Do you ever yell at your kids?

Okay, maybe it’s not a full-fledged, lung-bursting roar loud enough to give the Lion King a run for his money, but do you raise your voice in anger when your children misbehave? Maybe you’re not the ranting type, but do you clench your teeth and, like a Doberman ready to strike, growl out your words one at a time?

“Do . . . what . . . Daddy .

Topics: Family and Home Tags: discipline, parenting August 12, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

I’ll Make a Note of It

The other day there was an issue that required parental attention in the Daly household. Trent was upset that he had been disciplined. I can’t remember whether the offense warranted a spanking or a timeout. Either way, Trent’s reaction was to run to his room and plop down into his soft, oversized-bean bag chair.

One of the things Jean and I try to do after we discipline the boys is to reaffirm our love for them.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: discipline, kids, parenting June 29, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Don’t Let it Hurt

As a senior in high school, I was heavily invested in football. I punished my body through many a long practice to become the starting quarterback on the team. In my view there was no such thing as half-excellence. I pushed myself to be at the top of my game–and recruiters for several big-time 1A colleges took notice. I received letters of interest from the University of Las Vegas and Texas Christian University among others.

My plan was to take a scholarship from one of the colleges courting me and then move on to play in the NFL.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: discipline, faith November 8, 2007 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura