parenting Archives

A Fact Every Parent Needs to Know

In this age of exploding technology, not to mention statistical spin, it’s important to remember that things are seldom as they first seem.

Consider a new study that was released last week from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control). At first glance, the findings appear promising, even encouraging. According to the report, nearly 75% of teenagers between the ages of 15 and 17 are now choosing to abstain from sex.

Given previous negative trends on this matter, this is good news, unless, of course, you’re the parent of a teen who falls within the other 25%.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting, sex October 18, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Leggo My Eggo?

Just a quick slice of life from the Daly household last week; perhaps you can relate?

The other morning I was preparing my coffee in the kitchen and our boys, Trent and Troy, were enjoying their blueberry waffles. Troy, age 9, popped up from the table in the hope of searching out a second helping. But when he got to the toaster on the counter he noticed there was just one waffle remaining.

What was he going to do?

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, kids, parenting September 26, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Are Cartoons Bad For Children?

There’s a new study out that suggests when compared to gentle and slower animated fare, “fast-paced” cartoons negatively (and immediately) impact a child’s ability to think creatively and regulate their behavior.

Are you surprised?

This would seem to fall into the “common sense” category, especially given the numerous studies through the years about the detrimental impact of television on children. For example, a highly respected study sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics several years ago recommended no television for children under the age of three.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, parenting, technology September 14, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Texting Lingo Every Parent Needs to Know

Assuming your son or daughter has a cell phone, do they text?

The Pew Research group recently concluded that most teens prefer texting to talking – with a third of them sending over 100 messages a day.

Tolerance for this type of behavior varies by family, of course, but almost no parent would knowingly permit their son or daughter to text crude, lewd or obscene messages.

But what about more vague or coded communications?

It takes a deft and alert parent to stay up to date on texting lingo, especially since the lexicon is constantly expanding and often doesn’t make any logical sense.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, parenting, technology September 7, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Talking Teen Rage

What’s the main cause of teenage rage in America?

Is it a matter of poor parenting – or no parenting at all?

Writing in last Saturday’s Wall Street Journal, Peggy Noonan drew a chilling parallel between fatherless homes and the riots we’re seeing in England, as well as the “flash mob” incidents that have been occurring with increasing frequency here in the U.S.

In regard to what to do about it, Ms. Noonan reflected:

The normal, old response to an emerging problem such as this has been: The government has to do something.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: adoption, family, parenting August 21, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Philadelphia Mayor’s Plain Talk

Americans have grown accustomed to politically correct talk, vague words describing dark deeds. To some, abortion is a matter of “reproductive freedom.” To others, adultery is acceptable in a progressive culture – everybody does it.

A culture’s lexicon is ever evolving, especially among those inclined to call good evil and evil good (Isaiah 5:20). So perhaps this is why plain, blunt talk is somewhat jarring, but at the same time, welcome music to the ears, especially in the case of recent comments from Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, family, parenting, pro-life August 19, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Is Facebook Good for Your Child?

Writing in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal, Shirley S. Wang reports:

Several recent studies have found that digital communications can lead to more or better friendships, online and off, greater honesty, faster intimacy in relationships and an increased sense of belonging, in addition to practical social benefits like an expanded circle for networking.

She continued:

… researchers found users expressed a significant amount of empathy online, and that the more time college students spent on Facebook, the more empathy they expressed online and in real life.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, kids, parenting, technology August 17, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

When a Mother Meddles

The story begins over eighty years ago. In 1930 Yankee legend Lou Gehrig, who was notoriously shy, was smitten with a young redhead named Ruth Martin. Very little is known about their courtship, but there are strong indications he wanted to marry her.

At 27 years of age, Lou was in his seventh season with the Yankees. And although he was forced to share the spotlight with Babe Ruth, he was a major star on baseball’s biggest stage.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids, parenting August 4, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Are You the Next Guy?

My friend and colleague, Marlen Wells, is a former Toronto police officer. After twelve years on the force he turned in his badge to pursue a calling in youth ministry. He and his wife, Bobbi, have five children, two of whom are still teens. Perhaps because of the “street sense” he culled from a career as a cop, Marlen knows how to creatively communicate with people, especially young adults.

I’ll share just one example. I wonder if you can relate.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids, parenting August 1, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Casey Anthony Verdict

Lost amidst the media frenzy surrounding the Casey Anthony trial and her surprising acquittal of first-degree murder is the obvious fact we all know to be true:

Three-year-old Caylee was innocent, as is every child who falls victim to abuse. The death of a child is always tragic beyond words, and the particulars surrounding this case are almost too difficult and inconceivable to digest.

When you look into those eyes, what do you see? I see the sweetness of a little girl whose life has only just begun, who has hopes and dreams and wants but one thing: to be as loved as she is loving.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, family, parenting July 6, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura