kids Archives

Two Things to Help Your Children in School

Where and how do your children learn best? When it comes to optimal learning environments and personal study habits, most of us have assumed that a concentrated session, in a quiet room, is the most effective way to learn.

Not according to the research: Varying the type of material studied in a single sitting — alternating, for example, among vocabulary, reading and speaking in a new language — seems to leave a deeper impression on the brain than does concentrating on just one skill at a time.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting September 20, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Holding Your Child Back

What parent wants to deliberately hold his or her child back?

According to an essay in this past Friday’s Wall Street Journal, quite a few.

Writing on the Opinion page of the Weekend Journal, Bostonian Jennifer Graham points to a growing trend of parents who are deciding to keep their child back a year or two, for all kinds of reasons. Some do so because they think their children aren’t quite ready, be it academically, emotionally or even athletically.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting August 31, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Marriage is as Much a Responsibility as a Fundamental Right

The local newspaper usually reflects the heartbeat of the community.

Usually, though not always.

The Colorado Springs Gazette is our hometown publication. They do a great job covering our area despite the fact they have a shrinking staff of writers. Last week, the libertarian minded editorial board officially endorsed same-sex marriage. The editors graciously offered me an opportunity to respond in this past Sunday’s edition.

Here is the essay; I welcome your thoughts.

Marriage is as Much a Responsibility as a Fundamental Right

By Jim Daly

The Gazette’s recent endorsement of gay marriage makes the same mistakes on a number of issues that we’re accustomed to seeing from active proponents for the issue.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: homosexuality, kids, marriage August 16, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Condoms for Kids?

There is news out of Massachusetts this week that the Provincetown School Board has decided to revise their controversial plan to make condoms available to children as young as 5 years of age.

Of course, revising an immoral policy without fully addressing the root cause of the objection can sometimes amount to patching a screen door on a submarine.

As originally drafted, any child in Provincetown schools could have requested a condom and received one without a parent ever knowing of the transaction.

Topics: Current Events Tags: kids, parenting, policy June 30, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

No-Fault Parenting

One of the treats about being a father and having children is the chance to watch yourself grow up all over again. Have you ever thought about it that way? I certainly have. Admittedly, life in 2010 is drastically different than it was in 1960s America when I was a boy, but the essence and wonder of childhood are primarily the same. Or is it?

There are many days when I catch a glimpse of Trent and Troy doing something that ushers me back 40 or so years.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: discipline, kids, parenting, pop culture June 15, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Honest Mistakes

“There’s no crying in baseball!” At least according to Tom Hanks’ character in the 1992 film, A League of Their Own. But is there forgiveness? Thankfully, the answer to that question is, well, yes. Have you been following the drama in Detroit that featured Armando Galarraga’s near perfect game this past Wednesday?

If you missed the action, with two outs in the 9th inning and with Armando having retired the previous 26 batters, first base umpire Jim Joyce called Cleveland’s Jason Donald safe, although replays clearly indicated he was out.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, kids, pop culture June 4, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Update on Ethan

If you’re new to my blog, let me point you to the touching and inspiring story of my nephew, Ethan. I blogged about Ethan earlier this year (see A Picture of Perseverance).

In short, our sweet little relative has endured far more than most adults. He’s undergone three open heart surgeries, all to reconstruct his entire coronary system. Throughout the long ordeal he has maintained an amazing attitude.

Since many of my readers were so kind to pray for Ethan, I thought I’d give an update on his condition as well as share some exciting news from within his family.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, kids, staff May 27, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Gendercide: The War Against Girls

Gendercide, a term first coined in a 1985 book by Mary Anne Warren, is a cold and ominous sounding word, and rightly so. Coupled with a photo of a single pair of empty pink baby shoes silhouetted against a black backdrop, it’s downright haunting. But that’s what the editors of a recent issue of the Economist did when they published a startling expose on a largely ignored modern-day holocaust.

What is it all about?

According to a technical understanding of the term, “gendercide” is the deliberate extermination of one particular gender, male or female.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, kids, pro-life May 11, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Bringing Up Girls

It’s been forty years since the release of Dr. Dobson’s first book, Dare to Discipline. Between then and now, several generations have come of age, but Focus on the Family’s founder has continued to offer his signature advice to parents with the same passion, precision and poignancy.

Dr. Dobson’s latest offering, his 33rd title, Bringing Up Girls: Practical Advice and Encouragement for those Shaping the Next Generation of Women, hit bookstores nationwide on April 13th.

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

Planned Parenthood’s Pleasure Principle

A couple of months ago, the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) began worldwide distribution of a guide for young people entitled “Healthy, Happy and Hot.” The 20-page brochure advocates the sexual and reproductive “rights” for those who are infected with HIV with an emphasis on having “fun, happy and sexually fulfilling lives.”

Before commenting on the troubling aspects of this pamphlet, let me say that my heart goes out to those who are living with HIV or the AIDS virus.

Topics: Current Events Tags: intimacy, kids, sex April 15, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura