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Family Q&A

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Parental Authority Over a Grown Child

Now that our son is over 18, should he still obey us?

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Preschooler Walked in on Parents Having Sex

What should we do about our young son walking in on us during sex?

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Recognizing Autism in Toddlers

How can I know if my child might be in danger of developing autism? He’s one year old and starting to walk, but he hasn’t begun talking yet – no “mama,” “dada,” or anything else. If he wants something, he just points and screeches. I’ve also noticed that he often stares off into the distance and …

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Strong-Willed Child Won’t Stay in Bed

How can we get our defiant toddler to lie down and go to sleep at night?

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How Dads Teach Daughters About Modesty

How can fathers help their girls learn about modesty? I want my daughter to get a handle on this concept before she becomes a teen, but I feel awkward about raising this subject with her. I realize that as a dad I can either be a big asset to her in this area or embarrass …

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Parental Guidelines for Teen Dating

What rules and guidelines should we set for our teenager who wants to start dating?

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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.

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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 …

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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 …

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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.

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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 …

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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.  

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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.