Daly Focus Blog
There were a lot of guys in my high school who didn’t get along with their dads. Every day they’d complain about their fathers being strict and overbearing. And all I could do was think, “If you guys only knew how good you have it.”
At the time, I lived with my older brother Dave. He was a good brother, but he was no father figure. He didn’t set boundaries or establish any rules. And a curfew?
When my son Trent was assigned his first science project in fourth grade, Jean and I agreed to let him do the project all on his own. After all, the whole point was for him to learn, right?
Apparently, not every parent shared that view.
At the end of the semester, the school held an open house, so the children could show off their work. It was pretty obvious which parents had been too involved in their child’s schoolwork.
Believe it or not, football and family have a lot in common. Maybe the most important similarity is this: half-hearted effort isn’t good enough. Both require you to give your all.
During my freshman year of high school, I hoped to play quarterback for our football team, but I had a lot of growing up to do. I wasn’t lazy, and I had all the physical abilities, but my broken childhood had led me to believe I wasn’t good enough.
When was the last time you imagined yourself wearing a coat of chainmail, wielding a sword and shield, and setting out on a noble steed through dense forest to slay a dragon?
If it’s been awhile, tap into your imagination and reach for your trusty blade. You’ll need both to slay a foe that threatens the well-being of a large percentage of the American population.
It’s called “debt.”
Just like the fire-breathing dragons from folklore, debt wreaks havoc on households, communities, even a nation.
One of the most popular questions we get here at Focus on the Family is, “How do I pass my values on to my children?” Let me answer that question for you by sharing two important ideas.
First and foremost is family. You, mom and dad, are the most important influence in your kids’ lives. They’re watching you. Everything you say and do makes a profound impression on what your children say and do. So, model the values you hope your children will adopt as their own.
Do you and your spouse run out of money before you run out of month? The problem may not be how much money you have but how much money has you.
If you’re having a hard time managing your bank account, the best place to start is by examining how you perceive money. The importance money has in your life will control how you use it.
So, first, be careful that your identity isn’t wrapped up in material possessions.
I heard someone caution young women who are about to wed with this old saying: “Remember, when you marry your Prince, you inherit the king, the queen, and the whole court!”
That warning applies to every prince marrying his princess as well. And let me add – you may also get a “court jester” thrown in as well!
Jokes about the “meddling mother-in-law” and the “grumpy father-in-law” are funny because they’re true often enough that stereotypes develop.
When my two sons, Trent and Troy, were born, I thought Jean andI would be able to raise them the same way. Boy, was I wrong. When it came to parenting, what worked for Trent didn’t always work for Troy.
Trent and Troy share a lot of the same interests, but spend an afternoon with each of them, and you’ll discover just how different they are. Trent is thoughtful and smart, but sometimes he struggled in school.
Author Amy Carroll remembers the moment God’s love broke through her struggle with perfectionism.
She was one of several speakers at a women’s conference. To help attendees visualize God’s love, another speaker asked the women to participate in a mock wedding, complete with a veil, a bouquet of flowers, and aisle to walk down. Her groom, waiting for her at the altar, was Jesus.
One of the last women to participate was a 90-year-old woman who was barely able to shuffle down the aisle.
If you’re a stepparent, you may have discovered that blending two families is harder than you thought it would be. You’ve tried “everything” to connect with your stepchildren, but nothing bears much fruit, and you’re discouraged.
We’re offering you hope on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Staying Connected with Your Child After Divorce.” We’ve invited Lauren Reitsma to be our guest. Lauren is Vice president of Strategy and Communications for The Center for Relationship Educationin Denver, CO.
Jim Daly is a husband, father and President of Focus on the Family and host of its National Radio Hall of Fame broadcast. His blog, Daly Focus, is full of timely commentary and wisdom designed to help you navigate and understand today’s culture. His latest book is Marriage Done Right.
