Episodes

1998
July 15, 2026

Engaging in Mealtimes

When was the last time your family had a meal together? John and Danny reflect on when their kids were younger and they ate with them. Plus, Ted Cunningham speaks with Jim Daly on how meal-times changed when his children reached the teen phase. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Adventures in Odyssey: Whit's End Mealtime Devotions Take the 7 Traits of Effective Parenting Assessment Enjoying Mealtime as a Family (Digital Download) 50 Questions to Ask ...
1997
July 13, 2026

Making Rest Regular

How do you make time for rest when life is so busy? Eryn Lynum joins Jim Daly to share how she and her family have to be intentional about relaxing. Then, John asks Danny how he has learned to not overcommit himself. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. The Nature of Rest Take the 7 Traits of Effective Parenting Assessment Experiencing God's Blessings in Our Moments of Rest (Digital) Rest and Restoration Listen to Focus Live on Godcaster
1996
July 8, 2026

Adventures That Build Your Child’s Character

It's good for your child's development for them to experience adventure. John Fuller and Dr. Danny Huerta talk about some fun adventures they went on with their own kids. Also, Greta Eskridge joins Jim Daly to explain how letting your kids experience new things can help them develop as people. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Get today's featured resource, "Adventuring Together." Take the 7 Traits of Effective Parenting Assessment. Download "Givin...
1995
July 7, 2026

Developing a Habit of Praying for the Family

What would happen if you prayed regularly with your kids? Danny shares an encouraging statistic on how many parents pray. Also, Jim Daly interviews Rob and Amy Rienow about how it transformed their family to start praying together. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Visionary Parenting Visit Our Parenting Page Catching a God-Sized Vision for Your Family (Digital Download) Learn About Our Age and Stage e-Newsletter Download the Godcaster App
July 1, 2026

Get Outside and Enjoy It

One of the best and simplest things you can do with your children is go outside. Amanda Dykes shares with Jim Daly about how it's benefitted her children to experience the beauty of the outdoors. Plus, John and Danny address how taking a small step to go outdoors can have big ramifications on the mental and physical health of your kids. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book A Pocketful of Wonder for your donation of any amount! Take ...
June 29, 2026

Have Dinners Together

Have you, your spouse and kids sat down and had a meal together recently? Jim Daly talks with Pastor Ryan Rush and his wife Lana to share some creative ideas for enjoying meals with your family. Then, John and Danny reflect back on when their now grown kids still lived at home and how special those family dinners were. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Restore the Table for your donation of any amount! Take the 7 Traits of Effect...
June 24, 2026

If Your Child Sees Something Inappropriate

What do you do if your child encounters sexual content online? Mandy Majors joins Jim Daly to share how she found out her daughter was exposed to inappropriate content, even though she didn't have a smartphone. Plus, John and Danny give some advice on how to respond in a healthy way if your kid sees pornographic content. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Keeping Kids Safe in a Digital World for your donation of any amount! Take t...
June 22, 2026

Single Parents & Discipline

How does a single parent work through discipline challenges with his or her kids? Linda Ranson Jacobs spent years as a single mother, and she talks with Jim Daly about a concept called step-back parenting. Then, Danny and John share a few insights on helping single parents work through technology concerns with their children. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book The Single Parent for your donation of any amount! Take the 7 Traits of...
June 17, 2026

If You Fail at an Activity

What if your kids seeing you fail was actually a good thing? Jay and Laura Laffoon and Jim Daly discuss times they didn't succeed while doing activities with their kids, and why that led to some great discussions. Also, John and Danny will encourage you to get off the screens and replace them with fun, interactive things with your children. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Ultimate Dad Night for your donation of any amount! Take...
June 15, 2026

Getting Boys to Open Up

Is it difficult to get your son to talk? Jim Daly and Molly DeFrank share ways you can engage with your boys in conversation. Then, Danny and John discuss why sharing how you're doing as a parent might be the key to unlocking your boy's heart. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Mothering Boys for your donation of any amount! Take the 7 Traits of Effective Parenting Assessment Eight Critical Needs Every Mother of Young Boys Should...
June 10, 2026

The Pressures Girls Are Under

With the rise of social media, girls are bombarded with messages on what it means to be beautiful. Scarlet Hiltibidal and Jim Daly share how to encourage your daughters that they are enough, even if the world doesn't tell them that. Also, John and Danny offer some great insights on helping your daughter navigate the digital space today. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book He Numbered the Pores on My Face for your donation of any amo...
June 8, 2026

Prioritize Relationship Over Performance

Rules are good, but when you emphasize them too much, it's not healthy for your relationship. John and Danny discuss how they've learned too many guidelines in parenting isn't a good thing. Then, Jim Daly and Dr. Randy Schroeder explain why we need to focus more on the relationship with our kids than on rules. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Simple Habits for Effective Parenting for your donation of any amount! Take the 7 Trait...
June 4, 2026

Replacing Screens with Books

One of the best replacements for screens is picking up a book. Danny opens up on which of his kids enjoyed reading more than the other. Also, Sarah Mackenzie and Jim Daly discuss some of the ways reading with your kids can create a better connection with them. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book The Read-Aloud Family for your donation of any amount! Take the 7 Traits of Effective Parenting Assessment Create Lifelong Memories With ...
June 1, 2026

Put the Phones Away!

With how pervasive technology has become, is it possible to unplug and live a real life? Jim Daly talks with Jonathan McKee about how he and his family had to set better boundaries with their tech usage. Plus, Danny shares the need to tell your kids that you want to connect with them in the real world. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book 52 Ways to Connect with Your Smartphone Obsessed Kid for your donation of any amount! Take the ...
May 27, 2026

When a Physical or Mental Health Challenge is Serious

How do you show up as a parent even if you're facing health challenges? Danny talks about a time where he fought through some back issues. Also, Becky Harling joins Jim Daly to discuss how she and her family worked through a tough cancer diagnosis. At the end, Danny and John offer hope to parents who've been diagnosed with a mental health issue. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book How to Listen So Your Kids Will Talk for your donati...
May 25, 2026

When a Military Parent Passes Away

Today, we address the challenges that military families go through. Heather Gray Blalock joins Jim Daly to share about how she and her kids got through her husband's passing, after he died in combat. Then, Danny and John will offer encouragement to military families with children. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Faith, Hope, Love and Deployment for your donation of any amount! Take the 7 Traits of Effective Parenting Assessment...
May 20, 2026

If Your Child is Confused About Their Gender

How do you respond well if your child admits they're struggling with their gender identity? Dr. Jeff Myers and Dr. Kathy Koch talk with Jim Daly about some of the ways this is a prevalent issue in the world today. Plus, Danny will share some encouragement for if your child is struggling with their God-given identity. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Raising Gender-Confident Kids for your donation of any amount! Take the 7 Traits...
May 18, 2026

What Boys Are Dealing With

Boys might not be as open about their emotions as girls, but that doesn't mean they're dealing with less pressures. Brooke McGlothlin shares insights with Jim Daly on some of the hard things boys are facing today. You'll also hear from John and Danny at the end about why doing activities is helpful for young men and their development. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Praying for Teen Boys for your donation of any amount! Take th...
May 13, 2026

Help Your Teen Girl Embrace Who She Is

Being accepted by others is a deep longing in the heart of young girls. Dr. Heather Holleman joins Jim Daly to share about why getting a seat at the popular girls table is not what it seems like. You'll then hear John and Danny on how to discern if your daughter is experiencing a serious challenge or not. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive The Elita Brown Series for your donation of any amount! Take the 7 Traits of Effective Parenting Asse...
May 11, 2026

For Those Raising a Child with Special Needs

Most of us know someone who's raising a child who has special needs. Danny brings up some of the common challenges he's seen parents face in that situation. You'll then hear Sandra Peoples and Jim Daly address what churches can do to help a parent who's raising a child with special needs. At the end, John and Danny will give you ideas for assisting parents who need help. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Unexpected Blessings for y...
May 6, 2026

How Prayer Can Reset Your Mind

When you're stressed as a parent, taking a second to pray is one of the best ways to calm your mind. Danny opens up about how he learned to pray for his kids when they were little. Also, Jim Daly talks with Hillary Ferrer and Julie Loos on how to pray even when you don't feel like God is close. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Honest Prayers for Mama Bears for your donation of any amount! Take the 7 Traits of Effecti...
May 4, 2026

A Series of Conversations About Sex

Is there a right time to have the talk with your kids? Jim Daly chats with Justin and Lindsey Holcomb about how talking to your kids about sex is a series of ongoing discussions, not a one-time thing. Plus, Danny reminds you that there's not a perfect formula for talking about sexuality with your children. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book God Made Babies for your donation of any amount! Take the 7 Traits of Effective...
April 29, 2026

If Your Child’s Faith is Deconstructing

Why are some kids deconstructing their faith? Danny shares some of the reasons why teens who grew up Christian have drifted from the faith. Also, Dr. John Marriott tells part of his own story with Jim Daly. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Before You Go for your donation of any amount! Take the 7 Traits of Effective Parenting Assessment When Your Son or Daughter is Deconstructing Faith I-II What to do When Your Adult Child Is ...
April 27, 2026

Jesus Can Handle Tough Questions

Do you remember the time in life when your faith in Jesus made sense? John and Danny recount the times they decided to put their faith in Christ after asking good questions. You'll also hear Jim Daly and Natasha Crain share how you can respond well when your kids ask you hard questions about God. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Keeping Your Kids on God’s Side for your donation of any amount! Take the 7 Traits of Effective Paren...