Resources:
Parenting
Find Focus on the Family broadcasts, best-in-class books,
referral recommendations, and more.
The 5 Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell
Discover your child’s primary love language—physical touch, words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, or acts of service—to better meet their deepest emotional needs.
The 5 Love Languages of Teenagers by Gary Chapman
“The Secret to Loving Teens Effectively”
8 Simple Tools for Raising Great Kids by Dr. Todd Cartmell
Easy-to-implement principles from a child psychologist and father can help you parent more effectively.
The 10 Best Decisions Every Parent Can Make by Bill and Pam Farrel
Unlock the unique gifts inside your children. Take into account their temperaments, talents, goals, spiritual development, and leadership abilities so they can become everything God designed them to be.
12 Huge Mistakes Parents Can Avoid by Tim Elmore
“Leading Your Kids to Success in Life”
52 Ways to Connect With Your Smartphone-Obsessed Kid by Jonathan McKee
“How to Engage With Kids Who Can’t Seem to Pry Their Eyes From Their Devices!”
Aggressive Girls, Clueless Boys by Dennis Rainey
“7 Conversations You Must Have With Your Son (And 7 Questions to Ask Your Daughter)”
Anchored by Kayla Aimee
When Aimee’s daughter was born at 25 weeks, “It felt as though once solid ground had turned to glass beneath her feet, destined to shatter everything she held sacred.”
Boundaries With Kids by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
You can raise kids who take responsibility for their lives and attitudes. Learn to set loving limits, bring control to an out-of-control life, define appropriate boundaries and consequences for children, and more.
Bringing Up Boys by Dr. James Dobson
“Practical Advice and Encouragement for Those Shaping the Next Generation of Men”
Bringing Up Girls by Dr. James Dobson
“Practical Advice and Encouragement for Those Shaping the Next Generation of Women”
Building Confidence in Your Child by Dr. James Dobson
Instill in your children a biblically based self-esteem that will help them make good choices, develop healthy relationships, and grow into secure adults.
The Digital Invasion by Dr. Archibald Hart and Dr. Sylvia Hart Frejd
The authors share research that looks at how digital technology affects us physically, mentally, and spiritually. Find biblically based tips to help you more wisely steward your digital lives.
Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart by Jim and Lynne Jackson
“Building Faith, Wisdom & Character in the Messes of Daily Life”
Effective Parenting in a Defective World by Chip Ingram (not currently available through Focus on the Family)
“How to Raise Kids Who Stand Out From the Crowd”
Equipping Parents to Respond to Gender-Confusing Messages in Schools (Focus on the Family online booklet)
The sexual chaos occurring in our society is rapidly finding its way into our classrooms. How can Christian families respond with wisdom, strength, and grace?
The Focus on the Family Complete Guide to Baby & Child Care by Paul C. Reisser, M.D.
“From Pre-Birth Through the Teen Years”
For Better or for Kids by Patrick and Ruth Schwenk
“A Vow to Love Your Spouse With Kids in the House”
Grace-Based Parenting by Dr. Tim Kimmel
Learn a parenting style that mirrors God’s love, reflects His forgiveness, and displaces fear as a motivator for behavior. Create a solid foundation for growing morally strong and spiritually motivated children.
Growing Up Social by Gary Chapman and Arlene Pellicane
“Raising Relational Kids in a Screen-Driven World”—Every healthy child needs to master five skills: affection, appreciation, anger management, apology, and attention.
Have a New Kid by Friday by Dr. Kevin Leman
“How to Change Your Child’s Attitude, Behavior, & Character in 5 Days”
How Children Raise Parents: The Art of Listening to Your Family by Dr. Dan Allender
Let go of the pressure to make sure your children succeed. Instead, discover how to help them grow into spiritual maturity.
How We Love Our Kids by Milan Yerkovich and Kay Yerkovich
“The 5 Love Styles of Parenting”
If I Had Parenting to Do Over by Jonathan McKee
“7 Vital Changes I’d Make”
In This House, We Will Giggle by Courtney DeFeo
“Making Virtues, Love & Laugher a Daily Part of Your Family Life”
It’s Your Kid, Not a Gerbil by Dr. Kevin Leman
“Creating a Happier & Less-Stressed Home”
Keep the Siblings, Lose the Rivalry by Dr. Todd Cartmell
“10 Steps to Turn Your Kids Into Teammates”
Love and Respect in the Family by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs
Eggerichs joins his wife and three adult children to offer stories of building a family according to biblical principles.
The Low-Pressure Guide to Parenting Your Preschooler by Tim Sanford
It’s not your job to make sure your child turns out “right.” Learn the difference between control and influence.
The Mean Mom’s Guide to Raising Great Kids by Joanne Kraft
“12 Biblical Traits You Need to Raise Selfless Kids”
The Most Important Place on Earth by Robert Wolgemuth
“What a Christian Home Looks Like and How to Build One”
Never Say No by Mark and Jan Foreman
“Raising Big-Picture Kids”
No More Perfect Kids: Love Your Kids for Who They Are by Jill Savage and Kathy Koch, Ph.D.
Embrace how the Lord uniquely designed your child so they have the courage to pursue His leading for their lives.
Overplayed by David King
“A Parent’s Guide to Sanity in the World of Youth Sports”
Parenting by the Book by John Rosemond
“Biblical Wisdom for Raising Your Child”
Parenting Isn’t for Cowards by Dr. James Dobson
“The ‘You Can Do It’ Guide for Hassled Parents”
Parenting the Wholehearted Child by Jeannie Cunnion
“Captivating Your Child’s Heart With God’s Extravagant Grace”
Parenting Your Powerful Child by Dr. Kevin Leman
“Bringing an End to the Everyday Battles”
Planet Middle School by Dr. Kevin Leman
“Helping Your Child Through the Peer Pressure, Awkward Moments, & Emotional Drama”
Plugged-In Parenting by Bob Waliszewski
“How to Raise Media-Savvy Kids With Love, Not War”
Raising Boys by Design by Gregory Jantz, Ph.D., and Michael Gurian
“What the Bible and Brain Science Reveal About What Your Son Needs to Thrive”
Raising Kingdom Kids by Tony Evans
“Giving Your Child a Living Faith”
Raising Kingdom Kids Devotional by Tony Evans
90 devotions based on the principles found in Raising Kingdom Kids help you encourage your children in their walk with God.
Raising Respectful Children in a Disrespectful World by Jill Rigby
“Parents often focus on self-esteem rather than self-respect. [But] there’s a big difference. It’s the difference between self-centered and others-centered children, the difference between performance-driven and purpose-focused teenagers.”
Raising Uncommon Kids by Sami Cone
“12 Biblical Traits You Need to Raise Selfless Kids”
Raising Unselfish Children in a Self-Absorbed World by Jill Rigby
“Gently ‘bump’ children off self-center and instill in them an others-centered heart and a healthy self-respect.”
Sacred Parenting by Gary Thomas
“How Raising Children Shapes Our Souls”
Safe House by Joshua Straub, Ph.D.
“How Emotional Safety Is the Key to Raising Kids Who Live, Love, and Lead Well”
Secure Daughters, Confident Sons by Glenn T. Stanton
“How Parents Guide Their Children Into Authentic Masculinity & Femininity”
The Sixty Minute Family by Rob Parsons (not currently available through Focus on the Family)
“An Hour to Transform Your Relationships—Forever”
Things I Wish I’d Known Before We Became Parents by Gary Chapman
“With warmth and humor [Chapman offers] practical advice on everything from potty training to scheduling, apologizing to your child, and keeping your marriage strong … all the while celebrating the great joy that children bring.”
Trophy Child by Ted Cunningham
“Saving Parents From Performance, Preparing Children for Something Greater Than Themselves”
The Well-Behaved Child: Discipline That Really Works by Dr. John Rosemond
Find solutions for behavior issues of children aged 3 to 12 based on the biblical concept that respect for others—not self-esteem—is the way to raise emotionally stable children.
When Parenting Isn’t Perfect by Jim Daly
“Perfection is the enemy of parenting. … As parents, we’re called to simply do our best. And when we fail—which we will—we’re called to try again tomorrow.”
You Can’t Make Me (But I Can Be Persuaded) by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias
“Strategies for Bringing Out the Best in Your Strong-Willed Child”
Additional Insights on the Strong-Willed Child (Cynthia Tobias)
Turn conflict into cooperation and maintain a good relationship so you can raise your children to become more like Christ.
Addressing Video Games in Today’s Culture (Bob Hoose, Carl Kerby, Pastor Drew Thornwall)
Video game players and reviewers describe positive aspects of video games (problem solving, education), as well as negatives (addiction, hidden spiritual messages). They also provide advice on how to teach kids discernment about which games to play.
Avoiding the Chore War With Your Kids (Dr. Greg and Mrs. Erin Smalley)
Involving children in household chores not only creates a functional home but prepares kids for the future. Practical advice on age-appropriate chores will empower you to help your children build responsibility.
Avoiding the Common Mistakes of Parenting (Dr. Tim Elmore)
Parents want their children to succeed but often jump in too quickly to protect them from struggles. Or, parents praise or reward inappropriately, which can give false expectations about abilities and how the world works.
Balancing Bonding and Boundaries As a Parent (Jonathan McKee)
The most common regret McKee hears from parents? “I wish I’d spent more time with my kids.” He gives great strategies to be an intentional parent and bond with your children.
Being a “Yes” Parent in a World of No’s (Mark and Jan Foreman)
The Foremans describe how parents can expand their child’s world by saying “yes” more often when managing behavior instead of defaulting to “no.”
Being the Intentional Parent Your Child Needs (Bill and Pam Farrel)
Parents can feel overwhelmed trying to identify the unique needs of their children. Partner with God and trust Him for the results as you teach kids to be learners, leaders, and lovers of Christ.
Better Ways to Communicate With Your Children (Michael Anderson, Dr. Timothy Johanson)
Anderson and Jackson encourage parents to lecture less and stop trying to fix everything. They also describe why kids need to know the truth about themselves instead of getting false affirmation.
The Blessings of Raising a Large Family (Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar)
The Duggars discuss how they handle chores, obedience, and schedules in the context of helping their kids build good character.
Children: A Heritage From the Lord (Dr. Michael Youssef)
Youssef shares thoughts about Psalm 127 and the need to make the Lord the center of the home. He explains that the family is the backbone of society and how, if it’s destroyed, society will ultimately disintegrate.
The Christian Family (Dr. Tony Evans)
Using Psalm 128:1-4 as a basis, Evans discusses the roles of husbands and wives, the importance of raising children in a good atmosphere, and the blessings of the Lord.
Connecting With Your Tech-Absorbed Kid (Jonathan McKee)
Hear fun ways to get your child to put down the phone and connect with family. McKee offers great tips to help children move from being tech-dependent to tech-enabled.
Conveying God’s Love Through Discipline (Jim and Lynne Jackson)
The Jacksons talk about four essential messages that are part of discipline: 1) You are safe with me. 2) You are loved no matter what. 3) You are called and capable. 4) You are responsible for your actions.
Creating a Safe Family Where Your Children Can Thrive (Dr. Joshua and Mrs. Christi Straub)
The Straubs offer parents helpful insights from Joshua’s book Safe House: How Emotional Safety Is the Key to Raising Kids Who Live, Love, and Lead Well.
Embracing God’s Design for Parenting (Gary Thomas)
One of the main reasons God gives us children is to shape our own character. As we learn to put others’ needs before our own, we become more servant-minded—and more Christ-like.
Embracing the Messiness of Parenting (Jim and Jean Daly)
The Dalys share from their journey of parenting two boys how to avoid perfectionistic expectations. Instead, inspire joy while encouraging good behavior.
Empowering Your Family Through Love and Respect (Dr. Emerson Eggerichs)
With transparent stories of his childhood and parenting journey, Eggerichs paints a picture of how important love and respect are to the family.
The Essentials of a Healthy Home (Reverend Tommy Nelson)
Nelson discusses the needs all children share—a peace-filled household, time spent together as a family, and godly role models—and he offers biblical advice on what parents can do to meet these needs in a God-honoring way.
Finding the Balance Between Youth Sports and Family (David King, Margot Starbuck)
Starbuck and King offer advice to parents from their book, Overplayed: A Parent’s Guide to Sanity in the World of Youth Sports.
Forging Your Family Identity (Dr. Greg and Mrs. Erin Smalley)
As parents model unconditional love, humility, and commitment to faith and values, every family can establish traditions and rituals that strengthen their unique identity.
Fostering a Healthy Attachment Style in Your Child (Milan and Kay Yerkovich)
Identify your child’s attachment style—avoider, pleaser, vacillator, controller, or victim—to help them become self-aware and grow into an emotionally healthy adult.
Fun Ways to Instill Virtues in Your Children (Courtney DeFeo)
DeFeo, author of In This House, We Will Giggle, shares how parents can make virtues, love, and laughter part of everyday life. Learn fun and easy way to practice gratitude, generosity, joy, faith, patience, and responsibility.
Giving Your Preschooler a Good Foundation (Tim Sanford, Eva Daniel)
Sanford advises parents who feel pressured to ensure their child’s future success. Daniel joins the conversation with her insights as a parent in the midst of the preschool years.
Guiding Your Family’s Media Choices (Paul Asay)
Asay, Focus on the Family’s Plugged In editor, offers guidance for navigating your family safely through today’s many entertainment choices.
Helping Kids Conquer Their Fears (Danny Huerta)
Huerta explains why young children experience fear and how parents can respond. Instead of discounting concerns, help your children learn to have courage and appropriately face fears.
Helping Kids Make Good Life Choices (Dr. Tim and Mrs. Darcy Kimmel)
The Kimmels discuss parenting with eternity in mind. Emphasize true greatness—not through accomplishments, but by building solid relationships, developing godly character, and cultivating faith in the Lord.
Helping Kids Relate in a Screen-Driven World (Dr. Gary Chapman, Arlene Pellicane)
Chapman and Pellicane discuss the dangers of overusing digital gadgets and media. With practical advice on setting boundaries, they suggest ways to model healthy usage and positive relational skills.
Helping Sons Guard Their Purity (Dennis Rainey)
There’s a growing trend of girls targeting boys in middle school and younger, propositioning them for sex. Rainey urges parents to be proactive with their sons during the preteen and teen years, providing moral training based on God’s Word.
Helping Your Child Deal With Bullies (Nancy Rue)
Rue offers hope and practical suggestions to parents seeking to prevent their child from being bullied.
Helping Your Middle Schooler Develop a Healthy Identity (Dr. Kathy Koch)
Koch talks about the five core needs of the middle-school child (security, identity, belonging, purpose, and competence) and about a child’s desire to belong and have purpose.
Hope for Parents of Premature Babies (Kayla Aimee)
Aimee discusses her experience giving birth to her daughter, born at 25 weeks. In the midst of fearing for her baby’s survival, Aimee’s faith and marriage were strengthened.
The Impact of Birth Order on Family Dynamics (Dr. Kevin Leman)
Learn about the dispositions of children according to their birth order and how those tendencies can affect family dynamics.
The Importance of Encouraging Your Children (Dr. David Jeremiah)
Jeremiah explains life priorities: God, wife, children, church. Parents must encourage their children by giving individual affirmation, genuine appreciation, and appropriate physical affection.
Intelligence: Discovering Your Child’s Unique Gifts (Dr. Kathy Koch)
Koch explores eight facets of human intelligence and explains how parents can identify and cultivate their child’s unique gifts.
Kids: You Gotta Love ’Em (Kenn Kington)
Comedian Kington shares memorable experiences he’s had with his wife and children.
Leaving a Legacy of Love (Bill Butterworth)
Butterworth talks about leaving a legacy as parents. People who are loving understand three things: 1) Love is a top priority; 2) Love takes practice; and 3) Love has tremendous power.
Loving Your Kids for Who They Are (Jill Savage, Dr. Kathy Koch)
Savage and Koch address the “perfection infection” and the balance between pushing kids to achieve excellence while accepting them for who they are. Parents need to be intentional in listening to the hearts of their children.
Loving Your Spouse in the Midst of Parenthood (Patrick and Ruth Schwenk)
You were young and in love … then you became parents. The Schwenks offer fun ways to keep love alive when kids come along. Learn to have an intimate marriage, whatever the season of life.
Making Your Home Safe and Healthy (Jill Savage)
Savage describes intentional ways parents can make their home healthy for kids, such as having dinner together, being more playful, and encouraging dreams. Life can be messy, but God can work through our imperfections to make family life better.
Making Virtues a Daily Part of Your Family Life (Courtney DeFeo)
DeFeo shares from her book, In This House, We Will Giggle. She suggests easy methods parents can use to teach biblical values to their children.
Managing Sibling Conflict (Cynthia Tobias)
Tobias talks about sibling rivalry and what parents can do to create a peaceful home environment. She offers practical problem-solving skills for bullying, name calling, and tattle-tale tendencies.
Managing Technology’s Impact on Your Kids (Dr. Kathy Koch)
Koch discusses the impact of technology from a neurological perspective. She shares practical tips to reduce the amount of time children spend online, and she encourages parents to use technology to connect with their kids.
Managing Your Family’s Summer Schedule (Dr. Greg and Mrs. Erin Smalley)
The Smalleys suggest how to organize your family’s summer plans. They talk about the need for a schedule, how to deal with teens, and how to avoid pitfalls of unmet expectations.
Moving Beyond Performance-Based Parenting (Pastor Ted Cunningham)
Cunningham admits to being too concerned about how his children’s performance reflects on him. Avoid treating kids like trophies, and help them establish a foundation for following God’s plan for their lives.
Nurturing a Healthy Gender Identity in Your Child (Glenn Stanton)
Stanton explains why gender matters and how the culture tends to confuse the issue. He talks about what God-given masculinity and femininity looks like and why children grow up best with both a dad’s and a mom’s perspective.
Nurturing God’s Gifts in Your Child (Max McLean, Jim Daly, Dr. Juli Slattery, John Fuller)
Actor Max McLean reflects on how his Christian faith deepened as a result of his role in a stage production of C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters. Back in the studio, Jim, Juli, and John discuss how parents can nurture their children’s natural talents.
Nurturing Your Child’s Natural Talent (Dr. Greg Smalley)
Learn how to provide opportunities for your children to try new things and discover what they’re good at and what they’re passionate about.
Parenting Concepts That Work (Dr. John Rosemond)
Many children today learn to focus on themselves as their parents emphasize accomplishment and success. But Rosemond encourages a return to the biblical model by teaching respect, responsibility, and resourcefulness.
Parenting the Strong-Willed Child As a Team (Cynthia Tobias)
Tobias discusses how parents can get on the same page in their parenting approach, how a parent who desires “positional authority” can relax, and the importance of keeping a good sense of humor.
Parenting Tips for the Middle School Years (Dr. Kevin Leman, Jean Daly)
Leman shares how to help children navigate the turbulent middle-school years as they deal with peer pressure, high emotions, and awkward moments. He also talks about how to encourage sons and daughters to follow their talents and disposition.
Parenting Your Kids With God’s Grace (Jeannie Cunnion and Jean Daly)
Shifting from a “rules-based” approach can make a radical difference in the hearts of children. Kids need to know Christ’s sacrificial, unconditional love before they can understand the importance of obeying Him and their parents.
Passing Along a Blessing to Your Children (Dr. John Trent)
Trent explains the importance of children knowing that they are deeply loved and of inestimable worth. You can bless your children even if it’s something you didn’t receive growing up.
Practical Advice for Drug-Proofing Your Kids (Glenn Williams)
Williams encourages parents to talk to their kids about drugs and peer pressure. He shares the importance of lifestyle modeling and teachable moments in preparing children to make good choices.
Practical Advice for New Parents (Dr. Gary Chapman)
Chapman shares from his book Things I Wish I’d Known Before I Had Kids. Expectant and new parents can make good choices for themselves, their marriage, and their kids.
Practical Advice for Parenting Powerful Kids (Dr. Kevin Leman)
Redirect children’s “power surges” into positive traits and urges. Recognize that God uniquely created your kids, and learn what consistent, grace-based parenting entails.
Practical Advice for Parenting Strong-Willed Children (Cynthia Tobias)
Strong-willed kids need to be compelled, fulfilled, and challenged—all with unconditional love. Tobias emphasizes the importance of parents building and maintaining this relationship from a young age.
Practical Advice for Raising Media-Savvy Kids (Bob Waliszewski)
Waliszewski talks about how his eyes were opened to God wanting to be part of our media choices. He offers practical advice on the importance of setting entertainment guidelines for your family.
Practical Advice for Raising Responsible Children (Kay Wyma)
Wyma examines how kids benefit from dealing with failure, doing chores, and learning the value of hard work. When we do too much for our kids, we send a subtle message of, “You can’t do it.”
Practical Advice for Raising Young Men (Dr. Gregory Jantz)
Jantz gives insight into why boys think and act the way they do, how they develop differently from girls, what they need from their parents, and how to support them emotionally and academically.
Practical Ideas for Connecting With Your Kids (Kathi Lipp)
Lipp talks about the importance of discovering your child’s personality type and connecting through five main areas: encouragement, time, serving, passion, and legacy.
Practical Tools for Raising Well-Behaved Children (Dr. John Rosemond)
Rosemond shares solutions for disciplining children based on the biblical concept that respect for others—not self-esteem—is the way to raise emotionally stable children.
Preparing the Next Generation of Men (Dr. Bill Bennett)
Bennett discusses the decline of authentic masculinity in our culture and offers insights on how parents can raise boys to become true men.
Protecting Girls From Growing Up Too Fast (Dannah Gresh)
Gresh explains why it’s such a big deal that our culture teaches young girls to act “sexy” and older than they are. She explains how you can protect your daughter from growing up too quickly.
Protecting Your Family From the Digital Invasion (Dr. Arch Hart, Dr. Sylvia Hart Frejd)
The Harts coach parents on subjects such as cyberbullying and videogame addictions. They share how we can rediscover the calm of spiritual discipline through journaling, prayer, solitude, and mindfulness about how we use our time.
Pushing Past Entitlement to Find Success (Dr. John Townsend)
Townsend talks about the mindset of entitlement in our Western culture. Learn to recognize your deficiencies so you can help your children have a good future.
Raising Exceptional Kids in a World Gone Wrong (Chip Ingram)
Ingram encourages parents to focus more on their children’s character than their accomplishments. He offers biblical advice in a discussion based on his book Effective Parenting in a Defective World.
Raising Great Kids by Setting Boundaries (Joanne Kraft)
Kraft explains why parents should set healthy boundaries. Learn to prioritize faith and marriage, reduce sibling rivalry, establish technology boundaries, provide discipline, and eradicate entitlement.
Raising Kids of Character (Dr. Todd Cartmell)
Cartmell shares four parenting tools: talking, connecting, encouraging, and leading. Learn to think differently about challenges you face with your children.
Raising Kids With a Kingdom Perspective (Dr. Tony Evans)
Evans shares from personal experience how to raise kids who are ready to impact their families and communities for Christ.
Raising Kids With Healthy Boundaries (Dr. Henry Cloud)
Cloud discusses ways to be a loving parent while setting limits and encouraging children to take responsibility for their actions, attitudes, and emotions.
Raising Selfless Kids (Sami Cone)
Finding a way to gently guide and encourage your child to think outside himself might mean you have to consider your own example. Learn to teach children to overcome selfishness.
Raising Teachable Kids (Dr. Todd Cartmell)
Cartmell offers tips for parents in a conversation based on principles in his book 8 Simple Tools for Raising Great Kids.
Raising Tween Boys in Today’s Culture (Dannah Gresh)
Gresh gives practical tips on how simple actions (such as promoting active play, reading together, and prioritizing family nights) can build a foundation of godly character in young boys that, in turn, helps strengthen tomorrow’s families.
Raising Well-Behaved Children (John Rosemond)
Rosemond contends that most discipline issues stem from bad parenting rather than disobedient children. He helps moms and dads get a clear picture of their God-given roles.
Relationship: The Key to Teaching Truth to Your Children (Josh McDowell, Sean McDowell)
Josh and son Sean explain why the relationship between parents and their children is critical in determining whether children will keep or abandon their Christian faith when they become young adults.
Rescuing Your Family From a Hectic Lifestyle (Dr. Kevin Leman)
Leman explains why parents should limit their children’s activities.
Restoring Balance to Your Kid-Centered Home (Pastor Ted Cunningham)
A kid-centered home prolongs adolescence. Parents need to teach and model how to leave and cleave.
Rethinking Your Parenting Strategies (Dr. Timothy Johanson, Michael Anderson)
Anderson and Johanson explain how parents often waste time and energy on strategies that don’t work. They discuss effective discipline and how to raise children who become well-adjusted adults.
Setting Healthy Boundaries With Your Kids (Dr. Henry Cloud, Dr. John Townsend)
Cloud and Townsend discuss why parents should define appropriate boundaries and stick with consequences. Boundaries help children learn to lead balanced, productive, and fulfilling adult lives.
Speaking Your Child’s Love Language (Dr. Gary Chapman)
Chapman shares insights about how to communicate well with your children—reaching their hearts and helping them have healthy relationships.
Surviving the Strong-Willed Child (Cynthia Tobias)
Tobias offers advice and encouragement for frazzled parents of strong-willed children. Being strong-willed can be an asset—not a liability—and you can teach your child to use their will in a way that glorifies God.
Taking the Lead, Changing the World (Dr. Al Mohler)
Mohler shares about the importance of biblical leadership and leading from conviction—relying on principles every Christian can use to impact the world for Christ. He also speaks to parents about their influence in developing future Christian leaders.
Talking to Your Son About Puberty (Dr. Walt Larimore)
Learn to help your son deal with puberty—from facial hair and bullies to sensitive issues such as masturbation and sexual identity. Parents are encouraged not only to have “the talk” with their sons but to create an open atmosphere where there’s freedom to talk about issues throughout their lives.
Teaching Good Manners to Your Kids (Donna Jones)
Create an environment of love and respect in your home as you instill good manners and etiquette that can benefit your children throughout their lives.
Teaching Kids About God’s Grace and Good Behavior (Jeannie Cunnion and Jean Daly)
Cunnion says, “Children who know that there are boundaries and there is consistency . . . thrive. And so if I can remember that, if my husband can remember that, if we can get on the same page with that, it produces beautiful things.”
Teaching Kids to Be Respectful (Jill Rigby Garner and Danny Huerta)
Garner and Huerta offer insights based on principles from Garner’s book Raising Respectful Children in a Disrespectful World. Learn to cultivate gratitude, not entitlement.
Teaching Your Children to Work (Jim Daly, Dr. Juli Slattery, John Fuller)
How do you teach age-appropriate chores when they’d rather be doing something else? Help your kids take on household tasks and build a lifelong work ethic.
Timeless Tips for Building a Strong Family (Rob and Dianne Parsons)
The Parsons share stories about the value of making time for loved ones. They explain how the parent-child relationship benefits when parents let go of their children—and how kids find strength when they’re allowed to face difficult challenges.
Training Sons to Be Confident, Capable Men (Jonathan Catherman)
Catherman encourages parents to train their sons in godliness and respectability. Teach them basic life skills such as cooking, treating women properly, and more.
Understanding Personality Types (Dr. John Trent)
Trent encourages parents to cast a vision for their children’s God-given positive personality attributes. He talks about the four animal personality types: the bold lion, the playful otter, the calculating beaver, and the ever-loyal Golden Retriever.
Understanding Sibling Rivalry (Jim Daly, Dr. Juli Slattery, John Fuller)
Learn practical ideas to encourage your children to be Christ-like toward their brothers and sisters so they can mature into adults who have strong relationships with each other.
Understanding Your Child’s Love Style (Milan and Kay Yerkovich)
The Yerkoviches examine five love styles of parents and how those apply to raising secure children: avoider, pleaser, vacillator, controller, and victim.
Watching Out for Your Kids (Jim Daly, Dr. Juli Slattery, John Fuller)
Parents are vigilant about the well-being of their children—but they can’t be together 24/7. Hear advice for selecting trustworthy individuals to care for your kids.
When God Speaks Through Your Children (Dr. Dan Allender)
Based on his book How Children Raise Parents, Allender explains how God reveals Himself to parents through their children—as much as, if not more than, He intends for parents to teach their children about Him.
Wise Advice on Standing Up for Your Child (Vicki Caruana)
Caruana describes how parents can become better advocates for their children and also teach them how to handle difficult situations so they can carry those skills into adulthood.
The Blessing DVD-Based Conversation Kit by Focus on the Family
Dr. John Trent discusses five important aspects to raising children who know they’re loved: appropriate touch, a spoken message, attaching high value, picturing a special future, and genuine commitment. The kit includes a participant’s guide, a leader’s guide, and material to involve your entire church.
Raising Kids With a Faith That Lasts by Focus on the Family
Hosted by Dr. Greg Smalley, this six-session DVD series features parenting mentors covering topics such as introducing your child to faith, creating a faith plan for your family, and assessing the spiritual needs of your children.
The Power of Love: Building Relationships That Work by Focus on the Family
Parents with children aged 2 to 12 will learn that when it comes to passing on your faith and values, a good relationship with your son or daughter is key.
Your Child DVD Parenting Seminar: Essentials of Discipline by Focus on the Family
Dr. Dobson tackles the subject of discipline through discussion, animation, and man-on-the-street interviews.
Launch Into the Teen Years Kit
This six-session online video-based program created by Focus on the Family will help you and your preteen talk about how to make great decisions and soar with confidence.
Online Video Session Titles:
- Who Am I? – How God Sees the True You
- The One About Family, Friends, and Enemies – BFF’s and Boy-Girl Relationships
- Of Memes & Meanies – Bullies, Criticism, and Voices Worth Listening To
- Bodies, Sex & Stuff – God Created You
- What’s Happening to My Body? – Puberty and Relationships
- The Big Talk – God’s Design for Sex
The Kit Contains:
- Parent guide
- Child participant journal
- Key-code access to online video content
- Tips on engaging your child, along with questions and activities that will encourage thoughtful consideration and discussion
Additional Details: The video series provides a comprehensive overview of sexual issues related to adolescence and how to talk about them. Viewers follow the experiences of eight young preteens at a camp as they move through activities and challenges that follow each session topic.
7 Traits of Effective Parenting Assessment
Good parents aren’t perfect, and that’s okay. There’s no formula to follow, but there are ways you can grow every day. Our assessment gives you an honest look at your unique strengths, plus some areas that might use a little help.
A Parent’s Guide to Today’s Technology
PluggedIn
This outreach is designed to shine a light on the world of popular entertainment while giving families essential tools they need to understand and impact the culture.
Focus on the Family Counseling Consultation Line
If you need someone to talk to, Focus on the Family offers a free phone counseling consultation with a licensed or pastoral counselor. Call 1-855-771-HELP (4357), Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM (MT).
Focus on the Family’s Christian Counselor Network
Search for licensed Christian counselors in your area.
Awana Lifeline
Find programs to equip incarcerated mothers and fathers with tools for healthy living and godly parenting.
ClearPlay
This system allows users to download appropriate filters and watch standard DVDs while skipping objectionable content.
FamilyLife
This ministry offers articles, broadcasts, and other resources to help you in your parenting journey.
Just1ClickAway (Josh McDowell Ministry)
“The purpose of the Just1ClickAway video is to raise awareness about the threat of Internet pornography and to network with other organizations to offer solutions for families and individuals of all ages and stages.”
Net Nanny
Net Nanny is Focus on the Family’s preferred web filtering software.
Strong Families
Strong Families provides biblical resources from family expert Dr. John Trent to help you and your loved ones grow in faith.
