family Archives - Jim Daly

Guest Post: Relax! Your Kids are Already Homeschooled

As several states announce that schools will stay closed for the remainder of the academic year and others have suspended classes indefinitely, I’m hearing from other moms who are overwhelmed at the thought of becoming their child’s teacher.

I understand the apprehension, but a little perspective might be helpful.

If you think about it, mothers already wear all kinds of hats. By some estimates, moms simultaneously hold between 40 and 50 different job titles from chef to cleaner to chauffer, as well as crisis negotiator and relationship guru.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: education, family, homeschool March 27, 2020 by Jim Daly

Tips for building a Healthy Family

Home improvement is more popular than ever.

Well, for a lot of you, anyway. I have to be honest. Home renovation scares the daylights out of me. To say I don’t have an aptitude for it is an understatement.

A few years ago, Jean and I had a contractor come to our home to assess some water damage. Water got inside one of our window wells after the cover peeled away. The guy looked things over and said, “This is a simple fix.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, marriage, parenting March 23, 2020 by Jim Daly

Growing Closer Through Family Devotions

The question we get from a lot of moms and dads as the spread of the coronavirus dominates the news is, “What’s the best way to do family devotions, practically speaking?”

Could it be that for all the uncertainty and fear associated with this pandemic, it also presents you with an opportunity to make the most of this unanticipated extra time together?

My wife Jean and I have done devotions with our boys all their lives.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, children, faith, family March 18, 2020 by Jim Daly

A Dose of Faith in the Midst of Fear

The worsening outbreak of COVID-19 has left many scared about what an uncertain future may hold. For many, especially children, it can be a frightening time.

But for those of us who are Christian parents, let’s remember that our children are watching how we respond. We have an opportunity to help our kids learn to practice their faith in the midst of fear. And sometimes, our kids have something to teach us.

One adorable video in particular has warmed the hearts of many across the nation.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: current events, family, fear March 18, 2020 by Jim Daly

Being a ‘Yes’ Parent in a World of No’s

The most popular word in the average parent’s vocabulary is “no.”

To be fair, it’s an important word for moms and dads. Used properly, it creates healthy boundaries for children.

But it’s easy to over-do our “no’s.” We can be too protective. Remember Dory, the fish with short-term memory loss from the animated hit movie Finding Nemo? She reminded Marlin, the dad of mis-adventurous Nemo, “You can’t never let anything happen to him. Then nothing would ever happen to him.”

If we build too many fences, we’re not allowing our kids to be kids or to grow.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family, parenting January 9, 2020 by Jim Daly

Homemade Meals for Busy Families

The holidays are over, and you’re probably running at high speed in a lot of directions.

The end of the workday doesn’t mean your work is over. Somebody has to pick up the kids from soccer practice and run to the store for groceries. After that, you still have to get home and make dinner, which can take a couple of hours once you cook, eat, and clean up the mess.

Who’s got time for that?

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family, parenting January 2, 2020 by Jim Daly

You Can Have a Healthy Family (Even If Yours Wasn’t)

When you think of a family tree, you think of strong branches that represent generations of your family reaching to the sky.

But what do you do when those branches are broken by the storms of life? How do you become a good husband or wife, or a good father or mother, when your past has been marked by abandonment, divorce, or the death of a loved one?

My family didn’t have a family tree. We had a “family bush.” My mother died when I was nine years old.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family, marriage November 21, 2019 by Jim Daly

Thank you, President Trump & Vice President Pence for Your Ongoing Support of Adoption & Foster Care

As the broadcast team and I continue to make our way across the country this week (we’re in Tampa tonight!) as part of the Focus on the Family Live! tour, I followed with interest the National Adoption Month celebration taking place yesterday in Washington, D.C.

My colleague and friend Dr. Sharen Ford was in the audience for Vice President Pence’s eloquent and moving address in which he extolled the gift of adoption while highlighting the critical needs of too many children currently in our state’s foster care systems.

Topics: Current Events Tags: adoption, family, foster care November 13, 2019 by Jim Daly

Getting Organized for Christmas

Is it too early to start thinking about Christmas?

It’s not if you hope to have a smooth December and enjoy a stress-free Christmas season. That can be tough to do if you’re not organized.

Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy. A time for us to reflect on our Savior who came as a baby in a manger and soon took upon Himself the sins of the world.

Instead, we get caught up in all the “stuff” of Christmas: the lights, the decorations, the shopping.

Topics: Uncategorized Tags: broadcast, christmas, family, holidays November 12, 2019 by Jim Daly

Preparing Your Child for the Teen Years

Have you had “The Talk” with your child? You know, the one about sex?

If so, how did it go?

If not, why not? Maybe you feel nervous because you don’t know what to say.

I don’t blame you. The talk I had with one of my boys didn’t go as well as I’d hoped. I’d planned a weekend long father/son getaway. We had a good time, and I did my best to explain everything in a way he’d understand.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family, parenting September 30, 2019 by Jim Daly