parenting Archives

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

How to Raise a Philanthropist

A recent edition of the Wall Street Journal featured an interesting essay on how to teach children about the importance of charitable giving. According the author of the piece, some notably wealthy parents are growing concerned that their kids, who stand to one day inherit their family’s sizable fortunes, are unprepared to be multi-millionaires.

Imagine having such worries!

All kidding aside, there is a telling twist in this story. Afraid their kids will either lose the incentive to work and recklessly manage the assets, high-net worth families are turning to philanthropy advisors for advice on how to properly instill in their child a spirit of charity.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: finances, parenting July 5, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Lazy Days of Summer

To be a boy again.

Jean recently snapped this photo of our boys, Trent and Troy, taking aim on some pop cans with their Airsoft guns.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting June 24, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Dad Difference

Golf fans will remember Rory McIlroy’s painful unraveling at the Masters in April, a colossal collapse where he lost a four-shot lead on the final day of the historic tournament. Charl Schwartzel’s win that day was dramatic and well-earned, but it left the 22-year-old McIlroy reeling. The Irishman’s subsequent tournament play in May and early June was lackluster – that is, until this past weekend when he won the U.S. Open.

Analysts and commentators were quick to seize on the turnaround.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, family, parenting June 23, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Opening the Day with Enthusiasm

The sun had barely risen yesterday when Trent and Troy burst into our bedroom.

“You gotta open it, Dad! You gotta open it!” eight-year-old Troy and ten-year-old Trent repeatedly hollered.

I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. One of the boys was holding a small wrapped box.

It was Father’s Day 2011, my 11th year as a dad.

Troy had picked out the gift and so he was particularly excited to have me open the package.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting June 20, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Retro Father’s Day Ads

Thank you for your warm and touching responses to yesterday’s reflections on Father’s Day. For those of you who haven’t yet shared your tribute, please do so by clicking here. In the meantime, with two days remaining until the big day, you might find that these vintage advertisements will give you a few ideas for dad – and spark some old ones!

Topics: Family and Home Tags: parenting June 17, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Should Father’s Day Be Outlawed?

Somebody once said that it’s easier for a father to have children than for children to have a real father. Sadly, that sounds about right. There is no test or final exam to qualify for fatherhood, though it would seem like a good idea if somehow there could be.

Over 24 million children in the United States today live apart from their fathers. That’s one out of every three. It’s even worse for African-American children. Nearly 64% of African-American boys and girls don’t have a dad in the home.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: parenting June 16, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Who’s Better with Kids – Mom or Dad?

With Father’s Day just five days away, this morning’s Wall Street Journal, courtesy of columnist Sue Shellenbarger, lauds dads for their unique and important contribution to the family. And, not surprisingly, the secret of a father’s success is found in how his actions complement mom’s.

In other words, dads give their kids what mothers do not.

Ms. Shellenbarger identifies some of the more blatant distinctions between the parenting roles. I’m curious if you see yourself within these trends.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting June 14, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Questions and Answers

Dr. Timothy Dalrymple is the Associate Director of Content at Patheos, and writes weekly on faith, politics, and culture for Patheos’ Evangelical Portal. His “Life in the Marketplace of Ideas” column is published every Monday. I was recently privileged to sit down with Dr. Dalrymple and it’s my privilege to share excerpts from our exchange:

In what way does your biography shape the work you do today?

Well, there’s an interesting contrast here. Dr.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: parenting June 13, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

When You Thought I Wasn’t Looking

Children are incredibly observant creatures, regularly keying in on that which you think sailed right over their heads. If you’re a mom or dad, you know they’re also astoundingly perceptive, which is why this essay written from a child’s perspective resonated with me. The author is unknown. But I think it will strike you in a similar manner.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I wanted to paint another.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting May 20, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura