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Family Q&A

Tired and sad husband and wife embracing

Asking a Grown Child to Move Out of the House

How do I know when it’s time to ask my adult child to leave?

boy lying on the floor playing

Concerned about Young Son’s Masculinity

Should we be worried about our little boy’s sexual identity? He’s still very young, but he likes to play store and draw pictures all day long, and he can’t throw a ball three feet. Is he turning into a “sissy?” What can we do to help him develop a healthy sense of his masculinity?

kids lying with heads in the middle on carpet

Setting Boundaries With Neighborhood Kids

What can I do when I feel like our house is being overrun by neighbor children? It seems every kid on the block plays in our yard these days. We seem to have stricter rules than most parents on our street about where our grade-school children are allowed to go, so all the kids end …

back of young boy standing on beach looking at water

Young Child Fondles Genitals

Is it unusual, abnormal or immoral for my child to be touching or playing with his genitals? I’ve caught him at it several times at home, and once it even happened in public. What should I do?

young boy reading a book

Concerns About a Boy Developing Healthy Masculine Traits

How can we be sure that our young son will grow up to be a healthy, fully masculine man? He’s only five years old, but his mother and I are already concerned about certain aspects of his behavior and temperament. He avoids loud, rough-and-tumble play, and so far he hasn’t shown much interest in team …

gloved hand holding a tattoo pen

What Does the Bible Say About Tattoos?: Advice for Parenting Teens

Does the Bible forbid tattoos?

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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 …

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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 …

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 …

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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.  

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.

A new documentary film presented by

Truth Rising Logo
Truth Rising Logo

Premieres September 5 at noon ET!

In a world clouded by confusion, drifting from Truth leads to darkness. Truth Rising is a bold call for Christians to reclaim clarity and purpose – shining light where it’s needed most.

This is your moment. Will you rise for Truth?