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Family Q&A

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What Does Proverbs 22:6 Mean? Is It a Promise or Just a Hope?

Does Proverbs 22:6 promise that kids raised in a godly home will turn out OK?

baby with pacifier

What are the Pros and Cons of Pacifiers?

What should I do when my baby wants to go on sucking after I’ve finished nursing him? He screams something awful when I try to remove him from the breast. I’ve thought about resorting to a pacifier, but I get conflicting opinions on this subject from family and friends. How do you understand the pros …

mom talking to young son on bed

Talking to a Young Child About Sex

At what age should I begin teaching my child about the “facts of life?” He’s still small —in fact, I would have assumed that he’s not old enough for “the talk” yet. The problem is that he’s already been hearing a lot about the subject. It’s obvious that he has picked up certain words from …

mother and adult daughter

Dealing With a Grown Child Who Is Unemployed and Living at Home

How do we deal with an adult child who has no job, is living in our basement, and drawing heavily on our financial resources? My husband and I can’t agree on the best way to handle this situation, and it’s becoming a real strain on our relationship. What should we do?

Dad and young son reading by flashlight

Divorced Dad: Child Doesn’t Like New Girlfriend

How can I overcome my child’s aversion to my girlfriend? I’m the father of a wonderful six-year-old boy. His mother divorced me when he was about three, and has since remarried. At present, she has primary custody and I have visitation rights. My son doesn’t like to “share” me with anyone else and this has …

Teen boy holding a pregnancy test and looking uncertain.

Parenting a Son Whose Girlfriend Is Pregnant

How should we respond to our teenage son who has gotten his girlfriend pregnant?

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Having Fun With Your Opposite Personalities

You married someone who’s very different from you! It’s part of God’s design. While your differences can be a lot of fun, they can also create a lot of tension. John talks to Erin about ways that a couple can have fun with their differences. Featuring Mrs. Melanie Shankle.

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Representing Jesus in Our Marriage

If there’s a lack of love in your marriage, it’s good to evaluate the strength of your relationship with God. The more you prioritize obeying God, the better job you’ll do at being a good spouse. John talks to Erin and Greg about what it means for couples to represent Jesus in their marriage. Featuring …

Promotional image for Focus on the Family broadcast Friends Helping Friends: Identifying Abuse in Marriage

Friends Helping Friends: Identifying Abuse in Marriage

Darby Strickland offers listeners guidance from her book Is It Abuse?: A Biblical Guide to Identifying Domestic Abuse and Helping Victims.

Man and woman sitting back to back

3 Not-So-Common Issues That Can Cause Emotional Distance in Marriage

I’ve been married for nine years and feel alone. My husband and I don’t connect emotionally at all. What do I do?

Focus on Parenting Podcast

Seeing Yourself as a Warrior

There are many overwhelming moments in your parenting. Even when it feels challenging, one of the best gifts you can give your child is to pray he or she will follow God. John and Danny encourage you to keep being a godly influence for your kids, even when it’s hard. Featuring Heidi St. John.

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Honey, That’s Not What I Meant

You said something to your spouse, and thought your point was clear. But after a day or two, your mate is really upset. It turns out, your spouse misunderstood what you said. Sound familiar? John, Erin and Greg explain why working through misunderstandings can make your relationship stronger. Featuring Guy Lia, Amber Lia, and Jean …

The Dance of Relationships: Four Styles of Interaction and Which One Is Healthy

In our previous article on four styles of relational interaction, we looked at basic principles of control and responsibility, and how people interact in any given situation: hold, toss, grab, or fold. HOLD and FOLD are healthy choices; TOSS and GRAB are not. HOLD: When a person rightly realizes, What’s mine is mine. FOLD: When …

Four Styles of Relational Interaction: What’s Healthy, What’s Not

For most of us, the question pops up every day: How can I mind my own business and still be responsible to the people I have relationships with? The answer won’t always be straightforward because every person and every situation is different. But we can take steps in the right direction by understanding basic principles …

Shown from behind, a woman standing on a beach, looking out over the ocean on a cloudy day

Tough Love in Adult Relationships: What It Is, What It’s Not, and How to Use It

My husband has all but destroyed me, our marriage, and our family. Friends who care about both of us tell me to use tough love with him. But then I read articles that say it’s the wrong approach — that compassion and patience would be better. What should I do?

Child talking with counselor

Therapeutic Interventions for an Adopted Child

Share on facebook Facebook Share on twitter Twitter Traditional parenting techniques don’t always work for a child who has experienced trauma — and most adopted children have experienced trauma. An adopted child and their parents often need more support than they can get from only talk therapy. That’s where therapeutic parenting comes in: techniques that …

jumbled pile of keys

When Family Secrets Come Out: How to Work Through Your Feelings and Find a Way Forward

How do I handle the family secret that just came to light? I feel like my whole life has been a lie.

Little girl with play stethoscope on couch

Should I Worry If My Child Has an Imaginary Friend?

Psychologist Dr. Bill Maier says that imaginary friends are a totally normal part of life for preschoolers. Parents shouldn’t be concerned about imaginary friends unless a child is so focused on the relationship with the “friend” that he or she seems to be losing touch with reality. And of course, you should never let your …

Shown from behind, a young woman sitting on a high hill overlooking a green valley with a winding road

How to Become a Christian: Understand God’s Love and What It Means to Follow Jesus Christ  

Maybe you have questions about your own spiritual journey. Or maybe you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior and want to be able to explain His love to someone else. We hope this article offers a helpful understanding of what it means to have a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.  

Shown from behind, a warmly-dressed hiker enjoying a panoramic view of a beautiful mountain range

How to Develop a Resilient Mindset

Resilience isn’t merely surviving. And it’s not about denying the depth of pain and its ongoing impact. Instead, it’s about learning from and growing through adversity — about becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable.