family Archives - Jim Daly

Balancing Bonding and Boundaries as a Parent

To raise happy, healthy children, remember this: Rules alone won’t work.

Rules only control a child’s outer behavior. To develop a child’s inner character, you have to go deeper. Until children develop an inner motivation to do the right thing, they’ll keep sticking their toe over the line.

Like a friend of mine’s five-year-old daughter. They were playing together in the front yard. “Stay in the grass,” he told her. “Don’t step onto the sidewalk or the driveway.” The little girl looked her dad right in the eye, playfully danced to the edge of the grass … and stuck her big toe across the forbidden line.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting July 31, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Dreaming with Your Child

Shelia Erwin is the mother of filmmaking duo the Erwin Brothers, known for the popular Christian films October Baby, Moms’ Night Out, and I Can Only Imagine. Her sons, Andrew and Jon, were always discovering new interests in junior high school, so Shelia wasn’t surprised when they became passionate about the visual arts.

She couldn’t foresee at the time how her boys’ newest hobby would someday blossom. Still, she and her husband Hank encouraged them however they could.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: children, family July 22, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Please Pray: Couple Celebrates 67th Anniversary Apart Due to COVID-19 Restrictions

The coronavirus pandemic has been extremely difficult for all Americans for many reasons. Many have died due to the disease. Others have had friends and relatives pass away. And some have delayed or missed funerals because of social distancing and stay-at-home orders.

Yet another unfortunate consequence of the restrictions is the isolation and loneliness that many have faced.

I’ve recently learned of one such situation relayed to me by a supporter of Focus on the Family.

Topics: Current Events Tags: Coronavirus, family July 14, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Showing Unconditional Love to Your Children

It’s easy to bless a child. It really is.

Not long ago, I asked my son, Troy, if he remembered the day almost ten years ago when I blessed him while we were out hiking on a camping trip. Somewhere along the trail, we stopped, I placed a hand on his shoulder, told him how important he was to me and his mother, and how much we – and God – loved him. Then I prayed over him.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: children, family July 14, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Hidden Gems

Today, on our Focus on the Family Broadcast, you’re in for a special treat. We’re airing an episode of our award-winning children’s radio drama Adventures in Odyssey.

Not only are these dramas one of the best things we do here at Focus to communicate the gospel message, they’re a lot of fun, too!

This episode is titled “Hidden Gems.” The story follows young Olivia as Whit teaches her why reading the Bible is important.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, prayer June 22, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Father’s Lament: What Kind of Country are We Leaving Our Kids and Grandkids?

Since the first national Father’s Day in 1910, dads of every generation have wondered and worried about the future world in which their children would live.

Such concern is not entirely misplaced.

If you had become a father back at the time the holiday was first celebrated at a YMCA in Spokane, Wa., your kids would have had to navigate the Spanish flu (50 million deaths), World War I (20 million deaths) and the reprise of the KKK.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, father June 19, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Hooray for Dad

Men are important to families.

Dads model character for their daughters, shaping what they will seek in a future husband. Men model for sons how to be a committed husband, a loving father, and a man of integrity who guides his family according to biblical values.

Men don’t always hit the mark, of course. They get distracted by busy careers, the hard work often required to make ends meet, or too many hobbies and toys.

Which is why every man needs to be reminded from time to time that their wives and children deserve their best.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, father June 18, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Confronting Others with Grace

Racism is an ugly stain on our nation’s history. And, sadly, a very present reality. On the first part of our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Facing Confrontation with Grace,” I’m speaking with Tim Scott, United States Senator for South Carolina about his perspective on racial tension in America and how we find solutions.

On the second part of the program, we’re sharing a conversation with author Deborah Pegues discussing biblical ways of handling confrontation.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: confrontation, family June 9, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Developing a Love of Prayer in Your Kids

In our Welcome Center here at the Focus on the Family campus, children have the opportunity to leave their prayer requests with us.

One of my favorites is from a 9-year-old boy who wrote, “Please pray for my brother. He wets the bed. And pray for me. I share the bed with my brother.”

Some prayer requests are much more serious, like the 8-year-old boy who wanted us to ask God to help his dad stop drinking and be healthy again.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, prayer June 8, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Overcoming Summer Boredom with Kid Smarts

“I’m bored.”

Mom and dad, if you haven’t heard your children say that by now after weeks of quarantine, just wait. Summer’s coming.

Hours of schoolwork will be replaced by hours of free time, and your children will seemingly delight in reminding you, “There’s nothing to do.” Some days, you’ll feel more like a cruise ship director than a parent.

We have answers for helping your children beat summer boredom on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Overcoming Summer Boredom with Kid Smarts.” Popular guest Dr.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family June 3, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura