family Archives

Do You Get Along with Your In-Laws?

Do you get along with your in-laws?

Okay, so I didn’t intend that question to be funny. But if you caught yourself snickering a little, who could blame you? In-law jokes (particularly about one’s mother-in-law) are a mainstay of modern comedy routines and a common stereotype in movies and television shows.

But within every joke you can find a kernel of truth. And the truth here is in-law relationships can be difficult.

When you get married, in-laws may start doing or saying things you never anticipated, and before you even know what’s hit you, you find yourself in an adversarial relationship.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family, marriage July 7, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Guest Post: We’re Qualified to Adopt Children But Not a Dog?

My wife, Julie, and I are privileged to be the parents of three young boys: Riley (9), Will (4) and Alex (3), all of whom we adopted at birth.

Like any parent, we walk the hall of our home at night and peer into their darkened rooms, listening for the easy breathing of children at peace. Our boys are busy and spirited, the kind of youngsters who melt your heart and at the same time can test your patience.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, relationships June 9, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Are You Concerned Your Children Might Drift from the Lord?

Some of you had trouble getting to sleep last night, and I think I know the reason why. You just couldn’t get your kids off of your mind.

Maybe you have a daughter who is questioning her Christian faith. Or you have a son who has turned his back on the Lord and walked away. Or maybe you have younger kids, and you’re disheartened by the world you’re having to raise them in.

There are plenty of justifiable reasons to be concerned about your children and their future and, specifically, their spiritual well-being.

Topics: Focus Events Tags: broadcast, faith, family, parenting June 4, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How a World War II Helmet Brought a Father and Son Together

Bill Mansfield was a military man. He served at the tail end of World War II, then in Korea and Vietnam. Like so many servicemen of his generation, he witnessed firsthand the horrors of war. Men around him died, and every day in battle brought new fear that he wouldn’t survive either.

That kind of trauma hardens a man.

After each deployment, Bill came home with a few more rough edges than when he’d first shipped out.

Topics: Focus Events Tags: broadcast, family May 26, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

To Reduce Poverty, Reduce Divorce

I returned late last night from speaking at Georgetown University’s Catholic-Evangelical Leadership Summit on Overcoming Poverty (#povertysummit on Twitter). While I still have to digest everything that took place, I want to share a bit about the experience with you.

It was an honor to speak to the more than 700 people who attended the conference. At the event, I was part of a panel responding to the thoughts Harvard Professor Robert Putnam presents in his book, “Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis.”

In his book, Dr.

Topics: Current Events Tags: family, policy, pro-life May 13, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Free E-Book and Other Resources For Your Family

For years, Focus on the Family has been offering wonderful resources to help our friends with their marriage, parenting and faith journeys. I want to share some of the items we’re currently offering, or that will be available soon.

1. “Ready to Wed: 12 Ways to Start a Marriage You’ll Love” – Written by Focus marriage experts Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley for engaged couples, this book is full of helpful tips and wisdom to set soon-to-be newlyweds on a straight path toward a healthy marriage.

Topics: Focus Events Tags: faith, family, promos May 12, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Kid President Is Pretty Awesome. So Is His Mom.

Have you heard of Kid President?

If you haven’t, I want to introduce you to him. His real name is Robby Novak, and he’s 11 years old. He stars in a series of inspirational and lighthearted YouTube videos, which have collectively been viewed tens of millions of times. I want to share one, “An Open Letter to Moms,” with you today in honor of Mother’s Day.

Robby has good reason to praise moms. His own mother, Laurie Novak, is a pretty incredible lady.

Topics: Current Events Tags: family, parenting May 8, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

5 Ways to Parent More Effectively

Is your parenting style different from your spouse’s?

That’s the case in the Daly household. Generally speaking, I’m laid-back and spontaneous. When things get tense, I tend to diffuse the situation with humor. I enjoy using car rides with my boys to have spontaneous devotions.

My wife, Jean, on the other hand, likes consistency, planning ahead and routines. She appreciates the benefits of a regular, dedicated time of family devotions.

Jean and I know first-hand it can be hard work to merge two distinct parenting styles.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, marriage, parenting April 22, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How to Bless Your Spouse

What comes to mind when you think of pleasure?

How about temptation? Or sin? Or guilt?

Ever notice how the idea of pleasure so easily sends our minds spiraling toward the negative? It’s as if pleasure were a creation of Satan with no other purpose than to distract us from God.

But if we’ll think back through Scripture, we’ll arrive at a different conclusion.

Numerous passages remind us of times when God commanded His people to celebrate with lavish feasts.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, family, marriage April 20, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Falling in Love While Grieving a Loss

Dave Aldridge died unexpectedly just four days before Christmas in 2012. The happy husband and father of three was a strong believer who loved the Lord and poured himself into everything he did, from being a husband and father to going the extra mile for anyone who had a need. The Colorado Springs resident collapsed while running, the victim of a congenital heart defect. He was just 39 years of age.

The obituaries are full of stories of people like Dave, men and women whose lives on earth seem all too brief.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, marriage, relationships April 17, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura