parenting Archives

Karate-Chopping Mom

If there’s one resource that my mother could have used, it would have been Dr. Dobson’s book Parenting Isn’t For Cowards. After all, as a child there were times when I was quite the handful. Case in point.

As a six year old, I tagged along with my mom whenever she went grocery shopping. You see, I always got to pick out a toy. If I didn’t get one, I’d throw a full-body tantrum – the kind of fit that turned the heads of other moms.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting January 31, 2008 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Father’s Heart

Life is short. It’s longer for some, shorter for others.

Even to live to be 120, in the grand scheme of things – specifically, in view of eternity – life is still short. Which is probably why Moses prayed, “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” None of us knows how long we have to live. Moses knew that making the most of our moments on earth comes from gaining God’s perspective on what’s really important.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, parenting January 29, 2008 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Arresting News

I came across a news story several months back that I’ve been meaning to comment on. Here’s The New York Post headline that originally caught my eye: Arrests Soar For Young & Ruthless. In their report the Post documented an alarming trend in crimes committed by youth in New York City. No question, the facts are disturbing: 52,936 youth (ages 13-18) had been arrested during 2006. Don’t rush too quickly past that figure.

That’s more than half the population of Albany, the state’s capital.

Topics: Current Events Tags: family, kids, parenting January 25, 2008 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Doctor’s Order: No PlayStation

Jean and I were at a birthday party last week. While we dined with the adults, the boys were in another room with their peers enjoying kid-friendly food and games. One of the after dinner activities for the children was playing with a Wii (pronounced “We”). That’s the hot new video game console offered by Nintendo. As I learned, what sets Wii apart from other video games is a wireless controller that senses motion. This allows the gamers’ hand movements to interact with the on-screen action.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, family, kids, parenting, pop culture December 21, 2007 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Counting My Blessings

How was your Thanksgiving? Let me tell you about Thanksgiving at the Daly’s household. In some ways it was quite miserable – as you’ll see in a moment. On the other hand, I came away with a fresh reminder of what’s really important. Here’s what happened. In preparation for Thanksgiving last week, Jean worked hard and long preparing a mountain of fixings to compliment the turkey. She cleaned the house and made sure everything was in order in anticipation of some fifteen guests.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting November 24, 2007 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

California Screamin’

When the Mamas & the Papas recorded California Dreamin’ in 1963, I’m sure they never envisioned a heart-stopping roller coaster ride inspired by their song. Sure enough, the engineers at Walt Disney Imagineering drew inspiration from that Sixties classic when they built California Screamin’ at Disneyland, the 5th longest roller coaster ride in the world.

Talk about built for speed, this baby launches guests into hyperspace from zero to 55 miles per hour in just four seconds.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting November 9, 2007 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Lifesaver

I don’t know her name. I’ve never met her. But her story captured my heart. With trembling hands, she held the test results hoping against hope there was some mistake. Although too young to drive a car, a pair of blue lines indicated she was old enough to get pregnant.

The reality rocked her world. Now what? Fear overwhelmed her to the point of tears. She was afraid to involve her parents. She didn’t want to be pregnant, yet she was scared of having an abortion.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting, pro-life October 20, 2007 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Christmas in October

Last Saturday I was running errands around town with the boys when I had to stop and remember the date. You see, I found myself standing in a forest of artificial lighted Christmas trees, assorted inflatable snowmen, and plastic reindeer on display in one of the stores. Christmas? Already?

Last time I checked we were in October.

Remember when the race to find the perfect gift used to be a sprint? You know, the Friday after Thanksgiving use to mark the day when “happy” shoppers tackled their gift-giving lists.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting October 18, 2007 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Are You Plugged In?

See if this scenario sounds familiar.

It’s the weekend and time for a break. You decide to take in a movie – thinking it will provide a much needed oasis from the weekly grind. That is, if you survive the shock of the ever-increasing ticket price. Two weeks ago, the boys and I spent $25 for three drinks and a large popcorn. Yikes!

If you’ve got kids, and they stayed home, you’ve paid a babysitter a small fortune as well.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, homosexuality, parenting, pop culture October 12, 2007 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Rush to Judgment

I don’t remember the exact date, but the events of that night I’ll not forget. After all, I was almost killed. This would have been back in college during finals week. I was cramming for an exam with six friends. We were sitting at the kitchen table at a friend’s apartment, hitting the books well past midnight. A welcomed evening breeze floated through the open windows, exchanging the lingering smell of pizza with much needed fresh spring air.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, kids, marriage, parenting October 3, 2007 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura