family Archives

Seconds and Thirds

Tomorrow’s celebration of Thanksgiving conjures up so many memories for all of us. As I’ve shared in the past, my recollections of the holiday as a child bring with them a mixed bag of emotions.

While I looked forward to the celebration, we didn’t have much. And, when my parents got divorced, with mom working several jobs just to make ends meet, times were hard. My mom did her best to pull together enough stuff to make it special.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: events, faith, family November 23, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

This Happened to My Son on a Plane

I was on a recent flight with our family and encountered something unexpected. There was nothing out of the ordinary about the trip, just another full plane with hundreds of people squeezed together, row upon row. On this particular segment, though, I happened to be sitting right across the aisle from the boys and kept an eye on them as they read and talked with each other.

Then it happened.

Troy proceeded to put up his tray table.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: events, family, kids November 21, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Happy Orphans?

It’s common to wax nostalgic for the past, to suggest that the “good old days” weren’t just good – but great. If only we could turn back the clock, so the logic goes, all would be well.

The only problem with such a theory is that it’s just so often not true. Case in point:

One hundred years ago, on April 14, 1911, the following headline appeared in the New York Times:

5,000 HAPPY ORPHANS AT A CIRCUS TREAT

Youngsters from Many Institutions in the City Have Their Annual Merry Day

The article went on to highlight just who these orphans were, referring to them as “little waifs and strays, orphans and half orphans” who had their one “happy day” of the year at the Barnum and Bailey Circus.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: adoption, faith, family November 18, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Government as Family

The late Nobel laureate in economics, Milton Friedman, warned many years ago that the more government does for the family, the less those in the family are likely to do for themselves.

Do you agree?

Dr. Friedman was not alone in his concern about the negative impact government subsidies can have on private households. History tells us that unintended consequences often accompany even well-meaning bureaucratic intervention. Over thirty years ago a contemporary of Friedman, Martin S.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting, policy November 15, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Are Married Men Better Workers Than Single Ones?

Dr. Brad Wilcox is a friend and the highly respected Director of the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia. He’s also an Associate Professor of Sociology.

For years, Brad and his colleagues have been studying the positive impact of marriage on the culture. His work is not manipulated to prove a point. He’s a scientist who studies and analyzes data and draws conclusions based upon facts. In one of his most revealing articles, he makes an interesting statement, but one that also confirms what Christians believe about God’s institution of marriage:

The long-term fortunes of the modern economy rise and fall with the family.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, marriage November 14, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Mother’s Farewell On Veterans Day

In the process of doing some research, one of my colleagues came across a poignant Veterans Day tribute. It dates back over 45 years, but the sentiments are powerful and timeless. Sadly, thousands of mothers and fathers today can relate to the following words of a woman named Mrs. Katherine Jones of Porterville, California, which appeared in the Porterville Evening Recorder in November of 1967:

To the editor:

I am only one of several mothers in Porterville who have lost sons in Vietnam during the past year, but as one mother, this is my tribute to my son.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: events, family, husband, wife November 11, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

I Had to Turn it Off

The disturbing video of Texas judge William Adams whipping his then 16-year-old daughter quickly went viral last week, with several million views and climbing. Have you seen it? I had the unfortunate experience of watching an excerpt the other day.

I was sickened at the sight.

My heart breaks for this young woman, Hillary Adams (now 23) who posted the video, allegedly to get back at her father. He is (or was) running for re-election. Naturally people want to know if officials are going to charge Judge Adams with child abuse.

Topics: Current Events Tags: family, kids, news, parenting November 9, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Burned Biscuits

“Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain,” wrote the late Dale Carnegie, “but it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.” Let me ask you: What is the spirit like in your home and around your table?

The origin of the following story is unknown, but the moral is clear – and convicting.

BURNED BISCUITS

When I was a kid, my mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work.On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, marriage November 8, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Seven Billion

My friend and colleague, Glenn Stanton, is Director of Global Family Formation Studies here at Focus on the Family. With news of the world’s population topping seven billion people this past Monday, some commentators have been expressing concern, suggesting that the world is reaching its tipping point. In response, Glenn offered a succinct and insightful analysis of the situation. I am pleased to share it with you:

A fact: Christians don’t see people as accidents or problems.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids, news November 3, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Should Boys Be Allowed in the Girl Scouts?

Perhaps you’ve heard about Felisha Archuleta of Denver. For the last few months she’s been trying to sign her 7-year-old son up to join the Girl Scouts.

Why?

“I consider Bobby to be born in the wrong body,” Ms. Archuleta told a Denver television station.

According to the story, Bobby acts and feels like a girl even though he’s a boy. Not surprisingly the application for admission was originally denied, citing the fact that, well, it’s called the Girl Scouts.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, family, kids, news November 2, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura