parenting Archives

Heartbreak Across America

By now you’ve probably read or heard the news regarding Russian adoption in America.

“Future adoptions of Russian children by citizens of the United States, which are now suspended, are possible only if an agreement is reached,” said Andrei Nesterenko, a spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry.

On a good day, international adoption is a complicated and high risk affair, not to mention an emotionally exhaustive endeavor for all parties involved. In recent years you’d need a scorecard to keep track of what countries have opened or closed or changed their adoption programs.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: adoption, faith, parenting April 16, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Six Words to Change the World

Yesterday, President Obama wrapped up a 47-nation nuclear summit. Given the national attention to the summit, I found myself reflecting on something that occurred in 1979 during my freshman year in college. It was then that Mother Teresa was presented with a Nobel Peace Prize for her humanitarian work amongst the poorest of the world’s poor.

As she received her award, Mother Teresa was asked, “What can we do to promote world peace?” Her answer might surprise you.

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

Feeding My Time Capsule

Moms and dads know that some of the most enjoyable moments with kids will often come like lightning out of a clear blue sky. Secularists called it “serendipity”—chance encounters. But those of us who are Christians see them for what they are—gifts of insight and pleasure from our gracious and loving God.

I was reminded of this during a recent ski trip to Salida, Colorado. When Jean and Trent and Troy and I sat down to wait for a pizza at a local restaurant one evening, I decided to try something we hadn’t done before.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids, parenting April 5, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Your Family Live!

I’m thrilled to announce that last Wednesday Focus on the Family launched Your Family Live! If you missed it, don’t worry. This is a web-based TV program airing live each week, Wednesdays 2-3pm EST. Co-hosted by Dr. Juli Slattery and Yvette Maher, Your Family Live! is especially dedicated to the topics of marriage and parenting.

The debut program featured special guests Jill Savage, Blog Mom Jennifer “McKMama” McKinney, Tammy Maltby and Toby Mac.

I believe you’ll find this hour-long dialogue to be a source of insight and hope—not to mention filled with fun and encouragement!

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage, parenting, promos April 5, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Fifth Member of our Family

I have a confession to make.

For the longest time there were five of us in the Daly household. About eighteen months ago, Trent, Troy, Jean and I had a family meeting and decided to send the fifth member packing. I know that might seem harsh, but the four of us believed it was the right thing to do. And, while saying goodbye wasn’t easy at the time, none of us have regrets about our decision.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting, technology March 29, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Prayer Road

About a year ago the Lord impressed upon my heart the need to pray more often with my boys. That’s when I got the idea to start a family tradition called The Prayer Road. When Jean or I drive the boys to their charter school in the morning, we follow a road that cuts through a somewhat rural neighborhood. That’s our “prayer road.” As we drive, we intentionally don’t turn on Adventures in Odyssey, the radio, or listen to music.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, parenting March 20, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Condoms for Preteens?

I just read that a condom manufacturer is marketing a new line of smaller condoms to 12-year-old boys called the “Hotshot.” Swiss condom maker Lamprecht AG decided to produce the prophylactic in response to a study by Switzerland’s Federal Commission for Children and Youth which noted a sharp increase in unprotected sex among youth. They hope the use of these kid-sized condoms will reduce teen pregnancy and the spread of STDs.

To me, the ad slogan, “It fits when passion hits,” is about as crass as is the whole idea of targeting young boys with condoms.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids, parenting March 11, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Write a Tribute to Dr. Dobson

Jean and I were big fans of Dr. Dobson and the Focus on the Family broadcast long before I came to work at the ministry. And while we didn’t have kids at the time, I personally benefited from Dr. Dobson’s insights into marriage—especially since I came from such a dysfunctional home. Considering the fact that my father was a gambler and an alcoholic who walked out on our family when I was six, I had no idea what a “healthy” husband and wife dynamic should look like.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family, parenting, staff February 20, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Through A Glass Dimly

I just read a letter from the Focus mailbag that convicted me of sometimes being shortsighted. It was written in response to a recent Focus broadcast by a woman I’ll call Maria.

About thirty years ago, Maria and her husband relocated to California with their one-year-old child. Not long after the boxes were unpacked, Maria decided to get plugged into her new community by volunteering with a number of Christian ministries. She was enjoying her new life and friends when a rather unexpected turn-of-events occurred: Maria discovered she was pregnant .

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, parenting January 21, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

On the Tip of My Tongue

I’ve been fascinated by the power of phrases known as “performatives.” In brief, performative phrases actually change reality when uttered by the right person. Let me illustrate with a couple of examples. Take the home plate umpire in baseball who says, “You’re out!” His saying the words actually makes the batter out. If, by contrast, someone in the stands were to yell, “You’re out!” or if the catcher yelled the phrase, the batter wouldn’t be out.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids, parenting November 27, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura