kids Archives

Homecoming Prank Follow-Up and Focus Connection

Last Wednesday I shared with you the touching story of Michigan’s Whitney Kropp. Miss Kropp is the 16-year-old high school student whose classmates attempted to embarrass her by nominating the sophomore to the school’s homecoming court.

Instead, the so-called “prank” turned her into something of a national celebrity.

Miss Kropp’s community rallied to her side. A Facebook page created to express support generated over 125,000 “likes.” The cost of her dress, shoes and flowers were covered by local merchants.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, kids, news, pop culture October 1, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Caption this Photo

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids September 28, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Who Would Bully this Beautiful Girl?

Have you heard about the 16-year-old Michigan girl who was voted to her high school’s homecoming court as part of a so-called “prank”?

According to various media reports, Whitney Kropp is a student at West Branch’s Ogemaw Heights High School, north of Saginaw.

At first, Whitney was excited and surprised. By her own admission she’s not part of the “in” crowd and couldn’t imagine why she would have been nominated in the first place.

But then she was told the truth, and the news broke her heart.

Topics: Current Events Tags: friendship, kids, news, pop culture September 26, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Father-Daughter Dances Are Now Illegal?

Public school officials in Cranston, Rhode Island, have banned all “father-daughter” and “mother-son” activities, citing a threat from the American Civil Liberties Union, according to published reports.

The ACLU had filed a complaint on behalf of a single mother who argued such events were unfair to her daughter, who is unable to participate. A school attorney suggested that Rhode Island law banning gender discrimination makes gender specific activities illegal.

My heart breaks for every child forced to grow up without two parents.

Topics: Current Events Tags: family, kids, news, parenting September 19, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

One Consequence of Same-Sex Marriage

By the end of this month it’s likely to be legal for children in California to have three parents.

As of now, the state’s current law only allows two parents per child, which is both the historical standard and the common sense one.

So why aren’t two enough anymore?

Same-sex marriage.

Children of lesbian couples may have two “mothers,” but it’s obviously impossible for a child to be conceived without a father. The same is true for homosexual men; every child is born of a mother, even if the male couple deems her simply utilitarian in nature.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, homosexuality, kids, parenting September 13, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Child’s Ten Commandments to Parents

1. My hands are small; please don’t expect perfection whenever I make a bed, draw a picture, or throw a ball. My legs are short; please slow down so that I can keep up with you.

2. My eyes have not seen the world as yours have; please let me explore safely: don’t restrict me unnecessarily.

3. Housework will always be there. I’m only little such a short time—please take time to explain things to me about this wonderful world, and do so willingly.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, kids, parenting September 9, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Photo: Why We’ll Never Tire Defending the Defenseless

This is what you looked like at just 12 weeks in the womb:

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, policy, pro-life August 30, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Urban Meyer’s Contract with His Family

Urban Meyer will take the field on Saturday for his first game as head football coach of Ohio State.

In many ways, the 48-year-old will be coming full circle, both personally and professionally.

Born in Toledo, Meyer met his wife, Shelley, while attending the University of Cincinnati. He was hired as an assistant coach at Ohio State in 1986 and earned a master’s degree at the school prior to his departure for another coaching position with Illinois State.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, kids, marriage, parenting August 29, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

What’s So Wrong About a Church Feeding a Football Team?

A high school football coach in Georgia is under investigation today. But he’s not being scrutinized for sexual misconduct, alcohol abuse or recruiting violations.

He’s being investigated for allowing his football team to receive meals from local church groups. He’s also being accused of violating the Constitution by praying with his team, quoting the Bible in his inspirational messages and interacting with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Parents haven’t complained. Neither have school officials. The complaint was filed by the Wisconsin-based group The Freedom from Religion Foundation.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, kids, news, pop culture, religious liberty August 23, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Have a Quiet Child? Here are Three Things You Must Do

Susan Cain is the best-selling author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking. A popular lecturer, the Harvard-trained lawyer offers terrific insight and advice for everybody in her book, but especially for parents who have “quiet”- tempered children:

“The best thing parents and teachers can do for introverted kids,” she writes, “is to treasure them for who they are, and encourage their passions.”

Here are three things she recommends parents do:

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting, relationships August 21, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura