family Archives

The Legacy of a Godly Dad

What makes a man a godly dad?

You’ll hear a powerful description on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “The Legacy of a Godly Dad.”

We’re airing a touching tribute paid by Brent Reaves to his father, “Smokey” John Reaves, the founder of Smokey John’s Bar-B-Que in Dallas. The family-run restaurant has a reputation for “serving up brisket with a side of Holy Spirit.” Not only did John serve some of the best barbecue in Texas, but he often hosted worship meetings and Bible studies in his restaurant.

Topics: Uncategorized Tags: family, parenting March 28, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Focusing on Your Family’s Mental Health

Have you heard of the Better-Than-Average Effect?

That’s a term that arose out of psychological studies indicating that we think of ourselves more highly than we ought to. The Better-Than-Average Effect shows up in every area of life, but one of the most common is overestimating our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.

The trouble is, when we perceive things to be better than they really are, we’re less likely to make improvements. Instead of investing in our well-being, we put things on autopilot.

Topics: Uncategorized Tags: family March 24, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Practical Advice for Raising Responsible Children

Kay Wyma is a popular author, blogger, and mother to five children. One of her friends is a human resources director who told her about a phone interview she had with a young man who had just graduated from college. Their conversation was going well until she heard the voice of the boy’s father. He was listening in and advising his son how to answer questions. Kay’s friend immediately rescinded her offer and informed the father that his twenty-something-year-old son ought to be capable of interviewing for jobs on his own.

Topics: Uncategorized Tags: family, kids, parenting March 11, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Establishing Healthy Boundaries with Adult Children

Here at Focus on the Family, we regularly hear from parents with adult children whose lives have hit a snag because of irresponsibility or for reasons beyond their control – they don’t get accepted into college or there’s a slump in the job market. Tragically, some families endure even more serious issues. The young adult becomes a prodigal, suffers from an addiction, or chooses a lifestyle that’s contrary to the way he or she was raised.

Topics: Uncategorized Tags: family, kids, parenting February 28, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

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