There’s a satirical video on social media that highlights a common marriage stereotype. It begins with a young woman accepting a surprise marriage proposal. The moment she says yes, the footage switches to clips of her toiling away in domestic drudgery. One moment, she’s enraptured by the beauty and romance of marriage. The next, she’s buried beneath dishes, laundry, and buckets of soapy water.

Negative stereotypes about marriage don’t end there. Some people refer to their marriage as a life sentence with no chance for parole.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting February 8, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

If your children have launched into adulthood recently, congratulations! You’re entering a new chapter of life called “The Empty Nest Years.” On the horizon ahead of you are obstacles to overcome and exciting new opportunities to take advantage of. The question to answer in this season of life is, “How do I move forward with purpose?” To that end, allow me to offer a few suggestions.

Start putting your kids’ childhood behind you. Letting go of the parenting phase of life isn’t always easy, but it’s important to do.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting February 5, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Growing up, author Lucille Williams didn’t understand how to identify her strengths, so her weaknesses captured most of her attention. Instead of thriving, she struggled with anxiety because she couldn’t achieve like the other kids.

Many children face similar confusion, but with guidance, they can understand their strengths, overcome their weaknesses, and find their identity in Christ. To assist parents in helping their kids discover their God-given abilities, Lucille wrote a children’s book called Turtle Finds His Talent: A Slide-and-Find Book: Discovering How God Made You Special.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting January 29, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Have you ever wished you could get away from it all?

Leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the city may sound like a refreshing, simpler way of life, but it’s actually a lot of work.

A few years ago, author Kathi Lipp and her husband, Roger, decided to move to a mountain home they’d bought. It was a tough challenge. Kathi was not “ourdoorsy” or resourceful and did not feel equipped to become a homesteader.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting January 16, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Digital technology is good in many ways and can serve our families well. But when does tech become too much?

Here’s an eye-opening stat for you: research shows that children spend an average of seven hours and 22 minutes on their phones every day! That’s even more troubling when you consider that other studies show a connection between technology use and rising levels of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts in children and teens.

The question is, “What should parents do about technology, especially since it has become integral to how we manage our lives?”

On our Focus on the Family Broadcast “How to Take Your Family Through a Digital Fast,” I’m talking with author Molly DeFrank about how parents can reset technological boundaries and behaviors for their children.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting January 2, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The ancient Stoic philosophers often employed an exercise known as “premeditatio malorum” – or the premeditation of evils. In short, they would conjure up in their minds how bad things could happen to them and then do the exact opposite, believing good things would inevitably and invariably come from such activity. 

Today, we call this practice the “Law of Inversion” – and it can be equally effective when pondering how best to help our children and teens grow into responsible and successful adults. 

This practice recently came to mind thanks to my friend, Holly, who has been teaching at a Christian college for more than two decades.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting December 12, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

It’s that time of year again: time to think about what to get your children for Christmas. The pressure is real. Every year, retailers and toy and tech companies offer up a never-ending buffet of games and gadgets. There’s a lot to choose from, and some of it will lose its sparkle by New Year’s Day.

Before you stress out, I’ve got a great gift idea, one that I promise your children will love. It’s you.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting December 11, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura