family Archives - Page 3 of 56

Is the Affirmation You Give Your Kids Hurting or Helping Them?

My friend and new Focus on the Family colleague, Dr. Meg Meeker, is a highly acclaimed pediatrician who has spent the past 30 years treating children, helping parents, and writing, teaching and speaking on numerous issues that impact the family. One of the best things I appreciate about Dr. Meg is that she’s practical and regularly addresses the issues parents and children are facing.

Today, I pose a question to her that I think every parent has asked or pondered:

Is the affirmation you give your kids hurting or helping them?

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, kids September 12, 2018 by Jim Daly

Did You Know This Influences the Success of Your Marriage?

When you ask couples which household issues influence the success of a marriage, things like kids and finances usually rise to the top. But did you know that chores rank third on that list?!

How can something as simple as housework fuel conflict in a marriage? Rather easily it turns out. As we all know, life gets busy. Not long after the “I do’s,” couples tend to get focused on (or maybe I should say, “distracted by”) the household tasks they care about, while forgetting the burdens their spouse is carrying.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family, marriage September 7, 2018 by Jim Daly

Finding Family as a Single Adult

The Bible begins with marriage and ends with marriage.

That ought to tell us something about the importance God places on it. He’s infused it with profound meaning, both as a cultural institution and as one of the most significant relationships we can experience. It’s the bedrock of God’s design for families.

So where does that leave singles?

Throughout the Bible we’re reminded that God created us for community. No one is meant to be alone.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, family, marriage, relationships September 6, 2018 by Jim Daly

Supporting Your Kids When Life Is Tough

One of the most heartbreaking letters I’ve read was from a grown woman who wrote to Focus and recounted the divorce of her parents when she was a little girl. Her dad told her, “Your mom and I aren’t capable of being together, so I’m leaving. But I’ll always be there for you. I’ll see you on weekends. I’ll see you on your birthday.”

She never saw her dad again.

That father made a lot of promises, and never kept one.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family, kids, parenting September 4, 2018 by Jim Daly

Understanding God’s Plan for the End of Life

Did you know that about 39 percent of evangelicals believe that “mercy killing” for someone who’s suffering is morally permissible?

That raises another question: How many Christians today understand the Bible’s perspective on suffering?

Few people have the credibility to address issues as poignant as suffering and the value of human life like Joni Eareckson Tada. Fifty years ago, she broke her neck in a diving accident and was left a quadriplegic. Since then, she’s been a tireless advocate for people with disabilities and has stood against the growing movement that promotes suicide for disabled and disadvantaged people.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family, pro-life August 28, 2018 by Jim Daly

Preparing for the Empty Nest Years

Marci Seither and her husband owned a sawmill in Northern California. A customer hired them to remove a huge tree from the spot where their new home would be built. The homeowners thought it a shame to lose such a beautiful tree and planned to recycle the lumber by using it in the house’s construction.

Once the tree was cut down, however, they discovered that the wood was too weak to be used. The tree rings were too far apart.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, family, parenting August 27, 2018 by Jim Daly

The Five Love Languages of Teenagers

My son Troy’s love language is physical touch. When he was younger, he was the first one to run into my arms when I got home each night. Even now as a teenager, he loves when I give him a big bear hug.

My older son, Trent, is more introverted and cerebral. I’ve asked him if he’s okay with hugs, and he says yes, but sometimes he stands so rigid he’s like hugging a pole. I have to remind him to use his arms.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family, kids, parenting August 23, 2018 by Jim Daly

Democrat Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is Right

Earlier this month, the city of Chicago made headlines when 74 people were shot in a single weekend in numerous incidents and neighborhoods. As of today, 12 of those wounded have died.

Sadly, rampant crime in the Windy City is not a new phenomenon. During the July 4th holiday weekend in 2017, 101 people were shot, 14 of whom died.

For years, liberal commentators have been attributing the rise in violence to guns – or easy access to them, inadequate laws, insufficient government spending, drugs and the proliferation of gangs.

Topics: Current Events Tags: discipline, family, news, parenting August 22, 2018 by Jim Daly

Is This the Best Ad You’ve Ever Seen?

Buzz surrounding television commercials is usually reserved for the Super Bowl, and for good reason. For last year’s big game, NBC commanded in excess of $5 million for a 30-second advertisement.

But I have to tell you, I saw a spot the other day from Gillette that put a lump in my throat and a smile on my face.

Yes, it’s an ad for a new razor, of which there are many, but it’s a lot more than a company simply hawking its wares.

Topics: Current Events Tags: family, relationships August 8, 2018 by Jim Daly

How to Help Help Your Child Thrive in the Middle School Years

By the time kids enter middle school, their march toward independence is well under way.

But let’s face it – it can be a confusing time for parents.

When a child spreads his wings, it can feel like he’s turning his back on you instead. But that’s not really the case. Your middle schooler needs you as much as he always has.

In some ways, more.

He just needs you in a different way than he did in his formative years.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family, kids, parenting August 6, 2018 by Jim Daly