parenting Archives

Kendrick Brother’s New Film “Show Me the Father” Highlights the Fundamental Importance of our Heavenly Father

Do you have a father story?

For good or bad, our dads cast a long shadow across our lives.

Readers of this blog likely know that my biological dad, stepdad and foster dad all let me down – and all by the time I turned 13.

While the majority of people may not have suffered from that degree of disappointment, sadly, my challenges coming from a broken home are no longer that unusual.

According to the most recent data, a quarter of children – or 17.4 million – live in a home without a dad.

A new documentary by the Kendrick Brothers (“War Room” & “Courageous”) aims to shine a bright light on the connection between our earthly, imperfect dads and our Heavenly Father, who can ultimately meet our every need.

It’s called, “Show Me the Father” and it opens this Friday, September 10th.

I was privileged to participate in the project, and have been praying that my story, warts and all, might minister to those who will be watching.

Stephen and Alex Kendrick see the film as a calling – not simply another creative project.

According to Stephen, “God said, ‘You need to make this documentary about fatherhood.’ So we moved forward by faith, and we were able to connect with some of the coolest, most emotional stories about fatherhood.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: parenting September 8, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Learning to Say No

If your schedule looks anything like mine, then you are busy! Our world is fast paced. We’re booked solid with work, family, and obligations to our church and community. Keeping up takes constant effort and makes finding margin difficult.

A positive first step is recognizing that moments of rest are just as crucial to a healthy life as productivity. Even God the Father took time to rest (Genesis 2:2). So did Jesus (Matthew 14:23).

Topics: Family and Home Tags: parenting September 3, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Leaving a Legacy of Faith for Your Children

Author Lee Strobel believes that family is the answer for today’s children to become “the greatest generation that has ever lived for Jesus Christ.”

He has strong evidence to back up that claim. Researchers at the University of California at Santa Barbara conducted a landmark multigenerational study concluding that parents are fundamental in passing down religious beliefs to their children.

In addition, the study affirmed that having a close bond with one’s father is the single biggest influence in a child’s life.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids, parenting August 20, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Effective Habits to Embrace in Parenting

What kind of tools are in your parenting toolbox?

In a regular toolbox, like the one in your garage, you’ll find hammers, screwdrivers, and different sized wrenches – tools with very particular uses for specific problems around the house. There’s an old saying: if the only tool you have is a hammer, everything will look like a nail after a while.

There isn’t one tool to rule them all.

It’s the same with parenting. Some moms and dads only have one tool in their parenting toolbox that they use in every situation – like anger, overly strict rules, or permissiveness.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting July 19, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

GUEST POST: How to Raise an Anti-Woke Daughter

By: Michelle Easton

How can you be sure your daughter remains a conservative woman of faith once she leaves your home? Given toxic social media, radical indoctrination in schools, and a popular culture that promotes non-traditional values, parents can’t assume she’ll stay conservative because she went to church. The best parenting mimics the way our heavenly Father loves his children, so our default parental setting should be to return to the immutable and transcendent Judeo-Christian truths that shaped America’s founding.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: parenting July 6, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

What Fathers Need to Possess in Order to Man Up in an Increasingly Feminized World

In our current era of woke politics and a blurring and morphing of the differences between males and females, are we losing sight of distinctly manly qualities? We believe we are, and these are very different than mere male characteristics.

Being male is a function of distinct body parts and DNA. Being a man is wholly a question of character—about what a man chooses to do and how he does it. It’s incumbent on fathers of sons to exhibit and teach their boys what it takes to grow up and assume their unique role in society.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: father, parenting June 23, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Are Your Children Your Mission Field?

Are you a mom wanting to do something big for God, but you don’t have the energy or the time?

Maybe God has already given you your greater purpose.

Author and mom Shontell Brewer recalls feeling guilty every time her pastor talked about making a difference through mission work. She was the mother of five children and struggled with feeling like she couldn’t get to the real work of missions until she completed the childrearing phase of her life.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: mothers, parenting June 23, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Understanding Your Teen’s Behavior

“What were you thinking?”

If you’re a parent of teenagers, you’ve probably asked that question a few times. I know I have. More than once, Jean and I have looked at each other and asked about one of our boys: “What is going on in that brain of his?”

According to Dr. Jeramy and Jerusha Clark, our guests on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Understanding Your Teen’s Behavior,” there’s an avalanche of change happening inside a teenager’s body.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: parenting, Teens May 17, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Understanding the Root of Your Child’s Misbehavior

Why do kids misbehave?

According to Dr. Kevin Leman, all misbehavior is a call for attention. If your children don’t get attention from you through positive actions, they’ll get it through negative actions.

He says the four goals of misbehavior are:

Once you understand the reasons behind your child’s misbehavior, the most important question still remains: what do you do about it?

Dr. Leman is our guest on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Understanding the Root of Your Child’s Misbehavior” to share how to uncover the root cause of whining, backtalking, and tantrums, and how to offer your children more love and acceptance without coddling them.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: parenting May 12, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Finding New Strength as a Mom

Mom, are you suffering an identity crisis? When you introduce yourself, do you say, “I’m just a mom”? Do you see your own shortcomings and minimize the role you play in your kids’ lives?

I understand the temptation to think that way. On the surface, there’s nothing glamorous about chasing kids around the house, fixing meal after meal, and stepping on toys scattered down the hallway.

But motherhood is a unique calling. You’re not simply changing diapers; you’re molding character.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: mothers, parenting May 7, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura