parenting Archives

Playing the Blame Game

New England Patriots head football coach Bill Belichick is the popular topic of discussion up and down the sports-talk radio dial this week. That’s because on Sunday, the three-time Super Bowl winner ordered his team to go-for-it late in the fourth quarter on a fourth-and-two at the Patriots 28 yard line.

At the time, the Patriots were leading 34-28 with just over two minutes to go in the game. Conventional wisdom dictated that Belichick’s team play it safe and punt the ball away.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting November 18, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Halloween: Trick or Treat or Abstain?

Fans of comedian Jerry Seinfeld might remember his humorous recollection of Halloween. Growing up in Massapequa, Long Island, he remembers being admonished to never accept candy from a stranger. Although contrary to the “Get candy! Get Candy!” mantra running through his little brain, the warnings made sense, he said, until he was suddenly introduced to the October 31st holiday.

“You mean everyone we know is just giving away candy?” he asked incredulously. “What’s wrong with them?”

Many Christians, maybe even some of my readers, might ask the same question.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, family, kids, parenting October 28, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Don’t Go Easy On Trent!

Last Tuesday, Jean and I attended a special dinner engagement here in Colorado Springs. It was one of those gala events that required us to leave our boys with a sitter for the evening. Like most parents, we have a touch of apprehension about leaving our high-energy boys for several hours in the care of another person. And yet, taking comfort from the fact they were in good hands with this particular sitter, we kissed them goodbye and headed out the door.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: humor, parenting October 17, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Baby Talk

Boomers and fans of the classic 1970’s television family sitcom, The Brady Bunch, might still laugh at memories of the show’s corny but wholesome themes. In one particular episode, a pig-tailed Cindy, lisping because of a lost tooth, is mercilessly lampooned by the school bully, tough guy Buddy Hinton. “Baby talk, baby talk,” he croons, “it’s a wonder you can walk.” In a shining example of sweet and ironic fictional justice, Cindy’s good-natured brother, Peter, winds up slugging old Buddy.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: parenting, technology October 3, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

NBA’s David Vaughn Rebounds

As a child, David Vaughn dreamed of making it as a player in the National Basketball Association. As a young man, the Memphis native realized his dream by signing a multi-year deal with the Orlando Magic. With a $600,000 paycheck, the former first-round draft pick was living large. On the road, he stayed pampered at the Ritz Carlton. At home, he lived in a mansion and collected far too many cars. Money slipped through his fingers as the purchases for jewelry and clothing skyrocketed.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids, parenting, pop culture September 9, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Putting the Pieces Back Together Again

Storm clouds were beginning to gather over the mountains. Rain was coming and the late summer thunder rolled in the distance over the town of Monument, Colorado. I glanced at the clock in the car.

7:00 PM.

It had been a long day—actually a long few days. Turning into the driveway, the running lights swept across the bushes, guiding me into the garage. My ride home from the airport had been uneventful, but I was exhausted.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids, parenting August 25, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Back-to-School Shopping

Have you seen them? Are you one of them?

All across the country, millions of parents, more often than not with children in tow, have descended upon stores and shops in search of coveted school supplies. If you’re not one of them and think that sounds like an easy task, think again. Many of today’s students are given a laundry list of very specific items to bring into the classroom, ranging from the classic wooden ruler to allergy-free wet wipes.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting August 20, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Incredible Hulk vs. Dad

Do you ever yell at your kids?

Okay, maybe it’s not a full-fledged, lung-bursting roar loud enough to give the Lion King a run for his money, but do you raise your voice in anger when your children misbehave? Maybe you’re not the ranting type, but do you clench your teeth and, like a Doberman ready to strike, growl out your words one at a time?

“Do . . . what . . . Daddy .

Topics: Family and Home Tags: discipline, parenting August 12, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

I Have No Clue

My friend Mark sent me this email and, frankly, I’m stumped on how to delicately answer his daughter’s question. He writes:

Hey Jim,

My wife and I had a really awkward experience during our vacation last week. Any chance you could give us some advice on how to handle it? Here’s what happened. We were traveling on the stretch of highway from the Orlando, Florida area heading south toward West Palm Beach. The kids were sitting in the back of our minivan, engrossed in their fifth episode of Adventures in Odyssey.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: intimacy, kids, parenting August 7, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Skipping or Plunking Along

In Russia, it’s called “baking pancakes”, in Poland, “letting the ducks out,” in Ireland, “skiffing” and in the Ukraine it’s known as “letting the frogs out.” But in our house, and I suspect in yours, too, it’s simply called “skipping rocks.”

A few nights ago, after a long day at the office and an hour or so before the sun set behind the mountains, I took our boys, Trent and Troy, over to Monument Lake to teach them the fine art of skimming stones.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids, parenting July 18, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura