Have you had “The Talk” with your child? You know, the one about sex?

If not, why not? Maybe you feel nervous because you don’t know what to say.

I don’t blame you. The talk I had with one of my boys didn’t go quite as well as I’d hoped. I planned a weekend-long father/son getaway where I did my best to explain sex and sexuality in a way he’d understand.

Driving home, I asked him, “Any questions?”

“No.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting August 30, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Dad, don’t let your teenage daughter fool you.

She needs you.

I know her attitude may not always reflect that, but it’s true. She’s caught in a whirlwind of uncertainty, hormones, and confusing messages that skew her sense of identity and self-worth. On top of that, her social world is topsy-turvy, and she’s growing, changing, and feeling awkward. With you. With everybody.

Along the way, you’ll be tempted to disengage from her and keep her at arm’s length.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting August 16, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

I’m a well-organized person. I like things neat and tidy. Generally, that quality leads to positive results in my life. But it can also lead to dashed expectations and conflict. Clutter around the house can really bother me, if I let it.

So can clutter in my schedule. My leadership team here at Focus on the Family helps me manage my time well, but my life is full, and I always have more to do than I have time to do it.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting August 9, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

From the “strange but true” file comes this unusual story of selfish entitlement.

Twenty-seven-year-old Raphael Samuel filed a lawsuit against his parents because – get this – they didn’t seek his permission before giving birth to him. Because of that oversight, he said, his parents were obligated to pay his expenses for the rest of his life.

Talk about selfishness run amuck. Instead of feeling gratitude for everything his parents did to sacrifice and give him a good life, Raphael chose what has become a common attitude – entitlement.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting August 1, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Now that my boys are grown, I’m looking back at that part of life as a wonderful time. I really loved being a dad. Sure, there were challenging moments, but the rewards of parenting have always far outweighed the difficulties. In fact, a lot of our memories were joyous. Many were centered around laughter.

It’s important for families to keep a sense of humor and laugh with each other.

In that spirit, I have some fun stories for you to hear on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Parenting Struggles and What They Teach.”

Our guest, author Ken Swarner, is throwing his family under the bus … with their permission, of course.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting July 31, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Author Rhonda Stoppe thought she was prepared to be a great mom … until she gave birth to her second child, a son. Rhonda felt inadequate to be his mother. Raising a daughter felt easy. Raising a son felt intimidating.

Many moms can relate. They understand how their daughters think, feel, and see the world. Not so their sons. My wife, Jean, did an amazing job of adapting to our two boys and creating a meaningful connection with both, but she worked hard it.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting July 25, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura