parenting Archives

Thank You, MVP Moms

No one can make a grown man cry with humble appreciation like a mom.

Take Kevin Durant, the 25-year-old winner of the 2014 NBA Most Valuable Player award. During his emotional speech that took place just in time for Mother’s Day, Durant reflected back on the uphill road his single mother, Wanda Pratt, walked with her two young sons.

From finding a way to make ends meet to cheering him on at his basketball games growing up, Durant’s tears are a testament to his mother’s powerful impact on his life.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, news, parenting May 9, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Underreported Cause of Poverty

Income inequality.

It’s a hot topic, with everyone from academics, pundits and politicians discussing it. President Obama even made it a focus in the weeks leading up to his State of the Union address earlier this year.

It’s a worthwhile goal to help lift families out of poverty and help ensure our fellow citizens have a fair shot at economic success. But I would hope that as we work towards that goal, we honestly pursue the underlying reasons that contribute to the problem.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: finances, marriage, news, parenting April 30, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Did You Hear What Happened in Denver Last Night?

It’s not every day that you find a high-ranking Catholic prelate standing with a bullhorn on the steps of a state capital building, leading the public in prayer for the defense and protection of pre-born life.

But that’s exactly what happened earlier this week as Denver’s Archbishop Samuel Aquila rallied the faithful and denounced Senate Bill 175.

The bill would have enshrined abortion in law and prohibited any incremental pro-life laws from being passed in the state of Colorado.

Topics: Current Events Tags: kids, news, parenting, policy, pro-life April 17, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

This is Not Why Jesus Died

The New York Times ran an interesting opinion piece this weekend: “Raising a Moral Child.” It was a good piece filled with interesting advice. The principles the author gleaned from various studies easily translated into practical action items parentscould implement in their homes:

Praise the character behind the action.
Teach children to feel guilt, not shame, when they misbehave.
Model good behavior.

And yet, something felt… incomplete. Not with the article itself, mind you – but for us as believers.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: discipline, faith, kids, parenting April 16, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

WATCH: Help Your Family Thrive for 3 Generations

Toss a pebble into a lake, and the resulting ripple impacts the entire body. In the same way, you have the ability to positively influence your family by taking small steps that create big impact.

I know I’ve seen this principle in my own life.

My childhood story is not a pretty one. It involves divorce, death, and a lot of dysfunction.

I was only 5 when my father, who was an alcoholic, abandoned the family.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: events, faith, kids, marriage, parenting April 10, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Can Our Film “Irreplaceable” Rise Above Censorship Efforts?

It started in December, when Focus on the Family first began running “Irreplaceable” trailers in cinemas across the nation.

The trailer was benign, a collection of clips with a voiceover of host Tim Sisarich asking what happened to the belief in traditional family. What happened to the view that a man and woman should marry, raise children and remain committed for a lifetime?

During the trailer, Sisarich rightly points out that the culture is now seemingly at odds with that simple and natural design formula.

Topics: Focus Events Tags: events, marriage, parenting, pop culture, religious liberty April 9, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Dave Ramsey Likens Focus Movie/Curriculum to “Investment in Your Family”

It’s hard to believe we’re less than a month away from debuting Focus on the Family’s first-ever movie. We’re working hard to be ready for the big one-day event that will take place on May 6 in more than 700 cinemas nationwide – we’re making final edits to the film and spreading the word via media interviews (like this one I gave to Janet Parshall at the 25-minute mark).

As we prepare to launch “Irreplaceable” we’re also looking ahead to “The Family Project” – the small-group DVD-based curriculum to be launched this summer that will continue to explore the themes introduced in our documentary.

Topics: Focus Events Tags: events, marriage, parenting April 8, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Practical Help for the Spiritually Stuck

Do you ever feel spiritually stuck?

If so, you’re not alone. Research suggests that 80 percent of North American Christians spend three to four months of the year feeling disconnected from God. As a result, they might become frustrated with the church and they might stop growing in their faith.

If we’re being honest, we’d admit that this spiritual malaise can be an easy place to get to. We’re so easily distracted and overwhelmed by our technological gadgets and our busy lives that it’s all too easy to stop reading the Bible.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, marriage, parenting April 3, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

WATCH: Sneak Peak to “Irreplaceable” Film Features Eric Metaxas

Focus on the Family’s first feature-length film, “Irreplaceable” will debut in a one-night theatrical event in more than 700 cinemas nationwide on May 6. I want to share a clip from the movie that really sets up what the documentary is all about.

This clip features author and cultural commentator Eric Metaxas talking about two different views of family – and his words drive deep into the heart of the question, “What is family?”

As “Irreplaceable” host Tim Sisarich explains during the trailer, “Every day in the media, the life choices of my neighbors, even in public policy, I seem to be told that I’ve got it wrong.”

More and more, it seems like vastly different views of family are coming head-to-head in the culture.

Topics: Focus Events Tags: events, marriage, parenting March 28, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

“Dear Future Mom” Video Affirms Value of People with Down Syndrome

You have to see this new video. It’s a message from 15 people with Down syndrome to a pregnant mom who just received a prenatal diagnosis that the son she carries may have the condition.

In it, these young men and women assure the mom that her son can be happy… that he will be able to do many things… that he will be able to hug her and love her.

It’s a message that, unfortunately, many of these moms and dads reeling from this prenatal diagnosis don’t hear.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting, pro-life March 21, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura