family Archives

Recognizing Your Son’s Need for Respect

Mom, God has wired you to love your son. Your soft, nurturing spirit is critical to his development. But as your son grows into a young man, his primary emotional need from you will become something else: respect.

Respect is what attracts guys to coaches and mentors. A growing boy needs someone who will put an arm around his shoulder and challenge his performance. Someone who will say, “I expect more out of you, and you should expect more out of yourself.” A boy needs to be challenged to rise up and win the game, to conquer the chess tournament, or to master the musical piece.

Topics: Uncategorized Tags: family, kids, parenting February 24, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Helping Teen Girls Love Their Family Well

Jessie Minassian knows the struggles teenage girls face. She’s an author, a speaker, and a blogger who is passionate about mentoring young women. And she lived through some challenging teen years herself.

At one point, Jessie went through such a difficult time that she plotted to run away from home. Her plan fell apart before she even stepped outside of her house, but it was a turning point in her life. She decided that if she was going to stay, she ought to “stay well” and make the most of her time with her family.

Topics: Uncategorized Tags: family, kids, parenting February 15, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Conversation with a “Mama Bear”

It was a great privilege to spend some time last week with our friends at the Virginia Family Foundation – an organization we’ve been proud to partner with over the past few decades.

During our time in Richmond, I had the opportunity to speak with Victoria Cobb, the foundation’s president – and Laura Murphy, a Virginia “Mama Bear” who was instrumental in confronting a local school board about inappropriate material in her child’s classroom.

I’m so grateful for Victoria and her team – and all the family policy councils across the country who champion family friendly policies.

Topics: Uncategorized Tags: faith, family February 9, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

My Search for a Father’s Love

On our Focus on the Family Broadcast “My Search for a Father’s Love,” we’re sharing a conversation I had with Lynsi Snyder, the owner and president of the In-N-Out Burger chain of restaurants located in the western part of the United States.

Although her family’s wealth made life appear like a fairy tale to outsiders, Lynsi has had a difficult and, at times, heart-breaking journey. Her father died when she was 17 years old, which led her life into a downward spiral.

Topics: Uncategorized Tags: faith, family, parenting January 31, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Sorry, Mr. Secretary – Parents Are Not Domestic Terrorists

If some liberals wonder why parents of public school-age children are aggrieved and frustrated, they need look no further than yesterday’s story confirming that Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and his staff likened protesting moms and dads at school board meetings to domestic terrorists.

You might remember the news last fall that the National School Boards Association (NSBA) suggested parents around the country who were objecting to the teaching of Critical Race Theory, along with mask wearing and other classroom-related concerns, were engaging in “a form of domestic terrorism.”

I’m sorry, Mr.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting January 12, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Showing Love to Your Child Every Day

You love your children, and you want to express it well. Some days you feel happy with how you connect. Other days, you get caught up in the “everyday-ness” of life. Between work and meals and keeping up with schedules, you’re busy and not as intentional about showing love to your kids as you’d like to be.

On our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Showing Love to Your Child Every Day,” author Julie Lavender shares how to show love to your child and create special memories in the midst of the busyness of life.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids, parenting January 6, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Getting a Handle on Your Family Finances

You’ve probably noticed that you and your spouse don’t always see eye-to-eye. Maybe one of you talks too much – or not enough. Or one of you feels hot while the other is shivering cold. Or maybe one of you is a saver and the other is a spender.

If you’re not careful, those differences – especially that last one – can drive you apart. Petty disagreements about money can easily turn into full-grown battles that bleed a relationship dry.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family January 4, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

VIDEO: Merry Christmas!

Christmas traditions vary by family and organization, but I wanted to share a new one from the Focus campus here in Colorado Springs.

For the first time ever, we planted and lit a 30 foot evergreen tree here at the front of our property. We also dedicated and lit a beautiful new creche beside it.

Just a week after the lighting, a massive windstorm of 100 mph gusts blew through the town, toppling ten other trees on our property.

The Focus Christmas tree survived!

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family December 22, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Navigating a Toxic Culture with Your Daughter

Our culture is so toxic that an increasing number of young girls are suffering from a growing list of troubles – from low self-esteem and anxiety to depression and eating disorders.

What’s the answer? It isn’t so much a “what” as it is a “who.”

Mothers.

Mom, you are instrumental in helping your daughter navigate a world that is often against her. An effective way to do that is to be a good listener. Your daughter is much more likely to share her heart with you than with Dad.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, kids, parenting, pop culture December 16, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Mothers and Sons: Being a Godly Influence

Jesus’ mother was Mary.

The prophet Samuel’s mother was Hannah.

King David’s mother?

The Bible doesn’t tell us, but she must have had tremendous insight into how boys become men because she didn’t rescue her son from risk. David was a teenager when he conquered Goliath relying on strength and trust in the Lord he developed in the field. First Samuel 17:34-36 says:

“But David said to Saul, ‘Your servant used to keep sheep for his father.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, kids, parenting December 6, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura