family Archives

Six Surprising Ways Marijuana is Hurting Your Family

I first blogged about marijuana back in January 2014, when Colorado became the first state to open its doors to the commercial sale of recreational marijuana. (Since then, Washington, Alaska, and Oregon have followed suit.)

The changes in drug policy came after years of lobbying and campaigning by a group of committed activists who compared marijuana to alcohol. They also promised voters many benefits for our communities, like more efficient use of law enforcement and judicial resources; increased revenue for our schools and infrastructure; and an improvement to public health and safety.

Topics: Current Events Tags: family, news, policy, pop culture June 8, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How Many Kids Do You Have… And Why?

Some time ago I blogged about the “ideal” family size – does it matter how many children a couple has? In it, I took a look how many kids Americans think are ideal and why fertility rates are declining.

A recent article from The Washington Post brought that post to mind because it examines why some couples decide to have larger families.

According to Pew Research Center, 15 percent of all U.S. adults have had four or more children – and, as it might be expected, faith seems to play a role in the size of some families.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids June 3, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Doctor Shares His Summer Safety Tips

Memorial Day weekend is hours away and, with it, the unofficial start of summer.

For many families, summer is a time to make memories and spend countless hours having fun together. But with all the activities that come with the longer, sun-drenched days come new opportunities for families to face injuries or hurts.

My friend Dr. Ed Leap, who serves on Focus on the Family’s Physician Resource Council, recently came up with a list of summer safety tips that I thought I would pass along.

Topics: Current Events Tags: family, kids May 27, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

My Thoughts on the Obama Administration’s Letter to Schools Concerning Transgender Bathrooms

Here’s what we sent to the media regarding today’s news. I hope to address this topic – and the issues surrounding it – in greater depth next week. –JD

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Focus on the Family President: Obama Administration’s Letter to Public Schools Undermines Parental Rights, Politicizes Education of 50 Million Schoolchildren
““There should be a balanced approach – one that does not ignore privacy concerns”

Colorado Springs, Colo. – Focus on the Family President Jim Daly issued a statement reacting to the Obama Administration’s letter to public schools on bathroom use today.

Topics: Current Events Tags: family, news, parenting, policy May 13, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Finding Joy in Motherhood

Author Arlene Pellicane describes the average mom’s frenzied day like this: “We wake up, and we’re Mary Poppins. ‘Let’s do this thing!’ we say. But by the time we go to bed, we’re Cruella de Vil.”

A lot of moms might describe themselves with words like “busy,” “stressed,” or “tired.”

One word you don’t often hear from moms is “happy.” Maybe that’s because, by and large, mothers have settled into the notion that busyness, work, and falling into bed exhausted are “just the way it is.”

Arlene’s discovery of what a happy mom is began with a personal encounter that illustrated to her what a happy mom isn’t.

Topics: Current Events/ Family and Home Tags: family, kids, marriage, parenting May 6, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

What’s Your Vacation Story?

Go on a vacation with your family and one thing is almost certain: you’re going to create memories—and hopefully laughter—for years to come. I want to share one of those memories from my family with you.

Years ago when our two boys were smaller, we used to camp in a tent. There was something about sleeping in the cold, clear mountain air that we loved. During one trip, however, we got a little too close to nature.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, promos May 4, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Tips to Managing Your Summer Schedule Well

Do you have big plans for the summer?

Maybe you’ve got visions of camping trips, sandy beaches, and long naps dancing through your mind. You’ve got a list of activities all mapped out with dates and locations carefully selected.

Other people prefer to keep summer loose and their schedules open. The fewer things set in stone, the better.

I think there’s a lot of value to both of those approaches.

That’s especially true if you have a house full of little ones and the idea of your kids being out of school for three months sends you into a near panic.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family, kids May 3, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How to Connect with Your Grandchildren

One writer called grandparenting the greatest job on earth, handed to you wrapped in a blanket.

That description might have something to do with the grandparenting stereotypes we’re all familiar with. It’s all the fun with none of the responsibility. You get to spoil your grandchildren with questionable levels of fun and sugar, then send them home to their parents.

There may be some truth to that perception, but grandparents can do much more than just create fun memories.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family April 26, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Lost Bear at Chick-fil-A?

My wife and I recently had one of “those” parenting experiences.

You know the type. It’s a bit exasperating while you’re living it, but later makes you chuckle when you retell the story?

It all started a few months ago, when Jean and I welcomed two children from Colorado’s foster care system into our home. They’re a sister-brother pair, “Chloe” and “Sam.” She’s 4, he’s 3, and they both are great kids. They’re adjusting well to life at the Daly home, and our sons enjoy being big brothers.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids, parenting April 20, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Help for Family Caregivers

Actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, best known for her 90s hit movie “Father of the Bride,” has written a book about her mother’s dementia.

Kimberly first noticed something was awry with her mom, Linda Williams, on her wedding day in 2003. (She married country singer Brad Paisley.) Her mom was acting irrationally that day, and uncharacteristically struggled through a reading during the ceremony.

Two years later, at age 61, Williams was diagnosed with a rare and incurable form of early-onset dementia called primary progressive aphasia.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, pro-life April 15, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura