kids Archives

Facebook Recognizes Preborn Life

Has it ever struck you as strange that when a pregnant woman is injured in an accident, journalists will routinely refer to the condition of her “baby” – but absent such an unfortunate incident, they’re more likely to reference that same child as a “fetus”?

According to a story out this week:

Facebook is now letting parents-to-be list their unborn children on their personal profiles.

Among options that include daughter, son, wife and husband, the “Friends and Family” section under “Edit Profile” now allows the option “Expected: Child.” Parents can add a due date and the baby’s name.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids, news, pop culture, pro-life 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

Summer Favorites

“I would maintain,” said the English writer, G.K. Chesterton, “that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” Like most parents we’ve tried to instill in our boys a spirit of gratitude. Since this is vacation week, and pivoting off yesterday’s discussion, I thought I’d ask them to share their favorite things about summer. As you can see, they tend to think alike!

Trent (10 7/8 yrs)

My birthday
Spending time with family
Seeing friends
Water fights
Camping

Troy (8 7/8 yrs)

My birthdayCamping
Hanging with Daddy
Shooting Airsoft guns
Water fights

Somebody once said that if a person isn’t grateful for what he already has, he isn’t likely to be thankful for what he’s going to get.

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

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N

We’re headed out of town this week, for a week in the woods with our trusty camper. The boys are especially excited to be going, as are Jean and I, of course. After our inaugural season with the fifth wheel last year, I’m starting to get a handle on it – I think! But if you happen to see smoke signals in the western sky, you’ll know we’re in need of some help.

Summer is that golden season, when routines change up a bit and schedules, hopefully, loosen somewhat, too.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids July 12, 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

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

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

The Best Place for Children

Dr. Brad Wilcox, a friend and the Director of the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia, recently offered an analysis of federal research that confirms what you and I already know through faith and tradition: children do best when raised in a home with a married mom and dad.

But where do they fare the worst? Or more precisely and practically, where are they in the most danger? The answer might surprise you.

According to Brad’s analysis of the new federal study:

“…children living with their mother and her boyfriend are about 11 times more likely to be sexually, physically, or emotionally abused than children living with their married biological parents.

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

New York Tragedy

There is a ten-year-old boy living in upstate New York who desperately needs our prayers.

Around 8:00 p.m. EDT last night this youngster was riding with his three siblings in his family’s van. His mother was behind the wheel. In the back of the vehicle sat this boy, his two brothers (2 and 5 years old) and an 11-month old sister.

His mother than did the unthinkable and unimaginable. She deliberately drove off a boat ramp and into the Hudson River.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids April 13, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Little Child Shall Lead Them

As I noted in Friday’s post, for baseball fans, the long wait is over. But one of the more endearing aspects of sports in general is that in the grand scheme of life, it’s all just a game. Play provides an escape, a chance to renew ourselves and spend leisure time with people we enjoy.

Sports can also serve up powerfully teachable moments. The other night someone forwarded me “one of those emails” – you know, the kind that is sweet and tender, but that you wonder if it’s true.

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