kids Archives

Funny Things Kids Say

Happy New Year!

A colleague recently tacked up a sign above his door here at Focus that serves as a good motto for 2011:

Live Well (Philippians 1:27-28), Love Much (John 13:34-35), Laugh Often (Proverbs 17:22)

There is so much to say about each of these, but if laughter is truly good medicine, I thought I’d start the year by sharing something sweet – and comical, with you.

Riley is five years old. His father is on our team here at Focus, and he and his wife have made a habit of recording some of the more memorable comments the little tyke makes, especially at bedtime.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids January 5, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Christmas Morning

A young boy was once asked to define the word love.

His answer?

“Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.”

Our boys, Trent and Troy, would agree! And so would Jean and I.

I’m away from the office and enjoying some extra time with the family, but speaking of Christmas morning, I thought I’d share a snapshot from this past Saturday.

Every family has their traditions.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting, relationships December 28, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Dear Santa

Do your children write letters to Santa Claus?

According to the U.S. Postal Service, millions do, and based on a review of those received thus far, many of them this year are asking for “essentials” instead of just games and toys.

As reported in last Wednesday’s USA Today:

At New York City’s main post office, Head Elf Pete Fontana and 22 staff elves will sort 2 million letters in Operation Santa, which connects needy children with “Secret Santas” who answer their wishes.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, kids, parenting December 22, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Real Way to Wealth

Welcome to Thanksgiving Monday.

Do you ever feel like everyone has more than you?

On today and tomorrow’s Focus on the Family radio program you’ll have a chance to listen in on a conversation I had with one of the wealthiest women in the world.

No, not Oprah Winfrey or an heir to Bill Gates, Steve Jobs or Warren Buffet.

Her name is Susie Larson.

There was a time not too long ago when she had more bills than income and more mouths to feed than food.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, kids, parenting November 22, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Stay Calm, Dad!

I’d like to share something with you that’s cute, funny and inspirational.

How could you pass that up?

What you’re about to hear is a recording of a 5-year-old girl’s call to 911 on behalf of her ailing father. Savannah’s dad was having trouble breathing and unable to call for an ambulance. Thankfully, the story has a happy ending. But this highly intelligent little girl not only had the wherewithal to summon the paramedics, but she displayed some classic femininity in the process.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: humor, kids November 17, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

My Friend Bob

I want to tell you a story about a friend of mine. His name is Bob.

Bob and I have known each other for decades. Over the years, I’ve seen him get married and he’s seen Jean and me welcome our boys into the world. We’ve laughed and prayed together and shared many ups and downs of life. He is one of those good friends where no matter how much time has passed between conversations, the talk always comes easy.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, friendship, kids November 15, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Hyper-Texting Teens and Sex

First and foremost, a very Happy Veteran’s Day to one and all!

Our hale and hearty thanks to our many veterans and active duty personnel.

May we always remember that freedom is never free.

Turning a corner, I wonder how many of you heard about the new study out this week that suggests teens who text 120 times a day or more are more likely to be sexually promiscuous or use drugs and alcohol than kids who don’t text as often.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting, sex, technology November 11, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Who is Raising Who?

To even suggest that children help raise their parents sounds like something out of the progressive parenting phase of the 1970s.

But, hold on.

However provocative the premise, yesterday’s and today’s guest on Focus on the Family, Dr. Dan Allender, is about as far from advocating for permissive parenting as you can get. With his Masters of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary and his Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Michigan State University, Dr. Allender’s advice is biblical and practical, if not somewhat counterintuitive.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family, kids, parenting October 26, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Daly Trips to the E.R.

I was driving home from the airport the other night when my cell phone rang. It was my sweet wife, Jean, calling, always a welcome occurrence, especially after a day away from home.

“Guess where we are?” she asked with a lilt and bit of play in her voice.

I didn’t want to say it, but I was thinking, I don’t want to guess … please tell me.

My suspicions were quickly confirmed.

“We’re at the emergency room again,” she said, “but this time it’s for Troy.”

I could tell by the tone of her voice that Troy wasn’t in any grave danger, but anytime your child requires professional medical attention there is always cause for concern.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: events, family, kids, parenting October 15, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Boys and Baseball

I have been traveling a lot lately, too much, really. Over the course of the last ten days, I’ve gone from Colorado to New York, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, back up to New York City, Texas and all the way across the country to California. It was productive and exhilarating, and I had the pleasure of meeting hundreds of great friends, both new and old.

But the trip was missing a favorite thing – my family! How I hate being away from Jean and the boys.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids, parenting September 30, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura