family Archives

Teaching Kids About Easter

Several years ago, when video stores were still around, Jean and I went looking for a movie that told the story of Easter. We couldn’t find the title we were looking for on the shelf, so we asked the young lady behind the counter if another copy was available.

When she heard the word “Easter,” she pointed us to
several kids’ videos that had something to do with decorating eggs. We said,
“No, we’re looking for a video about the real story of Easter, the death and
Resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Judging by the confused look on her face, she
had no idea what we were talking about.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: easter, family April 6, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Focus on the Family Launches Streaming Platform Focus@Home

Focus on the Family has launched a free streaming platform for families called Focus@Home. The platform features some of Focus’ most popular content, including the animated video series “Adventures in Odyssey” and “McGee and Me,” and video series and feature films such as “Last Chance Detectives,” “Every Boy Needs a Hero” and “Mully.”

Additional content, including Ray Vander Laan’s “That that World May Know,” “The Truth Project” and more will be added over the coming weeks.

To access the free content, simply visit www.focusonthefamily.com/streaming.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, focus at home April 3, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Guest Post: 15 Things to Do Together as a Family

By: Danny Huerta

The news about the Coronavirus is unrelenting. There seems to be more bad news every day. Your home is filled with demands and stress, and this may squeeze out some moments of bad parenting.

But you can begin to create your own culture in your home. This
list is about giving you a quick playbook to work from for this time together
as a family. You are trying to navigate the literal blending of work and
home.

Start with a schedule

Think about how you might build a schedule for your family.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family April 2, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Guest Post: Relax! Your Kids are Already Homeschooled

As several states announce that schools will stay closed for the remainder of the academic year and others have suspended classes indefinitely, I’m hearing from other moms who are overwhelmed at the thought of becoming their child’s teacher.

I understand the apprehension, but a little perspective might be helpful.

If you think about it, mothers already wear all kinds of hats. By some estimates, moms simultaneously hold between 40 and 50 different job titles from chef to cleaner to chauffer, as well as crisis negotiator and relationship guru.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: education, family, homeschool March 27, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Tips for building a Healthy Family

Home improvement is more popular than ever.

Well, for a lot of you, anyway. I have to be honest. Home renovation scares the daylights out of me. To say I don’t have an aptitude for it is an understatement.

A few years ago, Jean and I had a contractor come to our home to assess some water damage. Water got inside one of our window wells after the cover peeled away. The guy looked things over and said, “This is a simple fix.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, marriage, parenting March 23, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Growing Closer Through Family Devotions

The question we get from a lot of moms and dads as the spread of the coronavirus dominates the news is, “What’s the best way to do family devotions, practically speaking?”

Could it be that for all the uncertainty and fear associated with this pandemic, it also presents you with an opportunity to make the most of this unanticipated extra time together?

My wife Jean and I have done devotions with our boys all their lives.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, children, faith, family March 18, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Dose of Faith in the Midst of Fear

The worsening outbreak of COVID-19 has left many scared about what an uncertain future may hold. For many, especially children, it can be a frightening time.

But for those of us who are Christian parents, let’s remember that our children are watching how we respond. We have an opportunity to help our kids learn to practice their faith in the midst of fear. And sometimes, our kids have something to teach us.

One adorable video in particular has warmed the hearts of many across the nation.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: current events, family, fear March 18, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Being a ‘Yes’ Parent in a World of No’s

The most popular word in the average parent’s vocabulary is “no.”

To be fair, it’s an important word for moms and dads. Used properly, it creates healthy boundaries for children.

But it’s easy to over-do our “no’s.” We can be too protective. Remember Dory, the fish with short-term memory loss from the animated hit movie Finding Nemo? She reminded Marlin, the dad of mis-adventurous Nemo, “You can’t never let anything happen to him. Then nothing would ever happen to him.”

If we build too many fences, we’re not allowing our kids to be kids or to grow.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family, parenting January 9, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Homemade Meals for Busy Families

The holidays are over, and you’re probably running at high speed in a lot of directions.

The end of the workday doesn’t mean your work is over. Somebody has to pick up the kids from soccer practice and run to the store for groceries. After that, you still have to get home and make dinner, which can take a couple of hours once you cook, eat, and clean up the mess.

Who’s got time for that?

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family, parenting January 2, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

You Can Have a Healthy Family (Even If Yours Wasn’t)

When you think of a family tree, you think of strong branches that represent generations of your family reaching to the sky.

But what do you do when those branches are broken by the storms of life? How do you become a good husband or wife, or a good father or mother, when your past has been marked by abandonment, divorce, or the death of a loved one?

My family didn’t have a family tree. We had a “family bush.” My mother died when I was nine years old.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family, marriage November 21, 2019 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura