parenting Archives

How to Establish Healthy Boundaries with Your Teens

Dr. John Townsend hits a parent’s struggle during the teen years right on the head when he says it’s “because we’re needed the most and wanted the least.”

Our teenagers need us as much as ever in their final years at home before they venture into adulthood, but they don’t exactly want us interfering in their lives.

Remember when your teen was a 10-year-old? They were more likely to say, “Mom and dad, can you help me with this?” Teenagers, on the other hand, say, “I’m a grownup; I don’t need your help.”

The unofficial mantra of teenagers everywhere is “Come close.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids, parenting February 9, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How to Manage Life’s Distractions

Rachel lost two years of her life.

Maybe the first thought that comes to mind when you read that sentence is that Rachel suffered some sort of tragic accident that threw her into a coma – or she bonked her head and lost two years to amnesia.

But neither of those are accurate, and what happened to her can happen to any of us.

Her life was filled with distractions.

If our to-do lists are never-ending, and we’re always thinking ahead to the next thing, and the next thing, and the next thing, then we can easily miss out on the real life that’s happening right in front of us.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting, relationships, technology February 1, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Should Parents Help with School Projects?

I remember my son Trent’s first science project when he was in fourth grade. Jean and I agreed that we needed to let him do the project on his own. After all, the whole point was for him to learn, right?

Well, at the end of the semester, we discovered not every parent shared that view.

The school had an open house, so the parents could see the work the kids had done. It was pretty obvious whose mom and dad had been involved in their child’s schoolwork – like the rocket ship that had been built from scratch by an actual astronaut!

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids, parenting January 26, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

What Your Middle Schooler Needs from You

The middle school years are a critical time in a child’s development, but it can be a difficult time for parents.

Middle schoolers are leaving behind elementary school and entering a larger environment with more classes, more students to rub shoulders with, and more responsibility. They’ll also face pressures they’ve never had to deal with before.

Helping your child through these changes is no easy task, but with a little guidance from our guest on a recent program, Dr.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family, kids, parenting January 11, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Hope for Teen Moms

Have you seen the popular MTV programs “Teen Mom” and “16 and Pregnant”? I’ve never watched a full episode myself, but I’ve managed to catch a random segment or two to keep a pulse on the culture and the messages being sent to our kids.

If you’re not familiar with these shows, they’re so-called “reality” TV programs that follow the lives of young girls between the ages of 13 and 16 who are pregnant, having babies, and involved in intimate relationships.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, kids, parenting January 7, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Avoid the Chore War with Your Kids

Do you require your children to do chores? Many parents don’t bother. They’ve decided it’s easier to do the work themselves. That’s especially true if the kids fight the idea of helping out around the house and getting them involved becomes a chore all its own.

My wife and I have had moments ourselves where we wondered if it was worth all the trouble. But we never entertain the idea for long. As parents of two young, maturing boys, we’ve identified household chores as one of the most obvious and important opportunities they have to prepare for adulthood.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, parenting January 1, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Two Tips For Surviving Your Kids’ Middle School Years

The middle school years can be tough. And not just for the kids. They can be challenging for parents as well.

As your child enters adolescence, your parenting approach will likely have to shift into a few different gears. There’s a lot going on, after all. Not only is the whirlwind of puberty at your child’s doorstep, but his or her world is shifting. Family often becomes an afterthought, while friends and independence take top priority.

Topics: Focus Events Tags: broadcast, parenting December 29, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Listen: Adventures in Odyssey Christmas Special!

I think both parents and children would agree that one of the best things we’ve ever come up with here at Focus on the Family has been Adventures in Odyssey, the radio drama for children ages 8-12.

When it first began, a lot of people were skeptical the venture could be successful in the age of television, movies, and other visual entertainment. But our Adventures in Odyssey team members are some of the most talented and creative in the business, and this little radio program that could has been capturing the hearts of young and old alike for almost 30 years.

Topics: Focus Events Tags: broadcast, faith, family, kids, parenting December 23, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Why a Rock Star’s Death Reminds Us of Children Who Suffer in Silence

Although the music of the Stone Temple Pilots isn’t on my iPod, the death last week of its lead singer, Scott Weiland, caught my attention. The 48 year-old was found dead on his tour bus in Minnesota of a suspected drug overdose.

Sadly, the ascent and ultimate demise of Scott Weiland strikes an all too familiar ring. From Elvis Presley to Whitney Houston, drug abuse and celebrity excesses often lead to dark places. Of course, the rest of us aren’t immune to the scourge of modern-day vices either.

Topics: Current Events Tags: family, kids, news, parenting, pop culture December 9, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How to Help Your Daughter Understand Romantic Relationships

Do you have a daughter who’s a “crushaholic”? That’s a term that describes a young lady who is constantly seeking affirmation from boys.

I don’t have daughters myself, but my boys Trent and Troy are 15 and 13, so Jean and I are seeing the upheaval of the teen years up close. The physical, mental, and emotional changes can be intense.

Did I mention the emotional changes?

They can be especially pronounced in girls who tend to be emotional creatures by nature, more so than boys.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family, kids, parenting, relationships December 8, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura