focus on the family | MichaelFoust.com

As it turns out, “I’m bored, Mom” could be one of the best things a parent can hear.

That’s the conclusion of counselor and author Archibald Hart, who believes that our media-crazed, constantly stimulated culture is harming the creativity and imagination of children. Hart and his daughter, Sylvia Hart Frejd, appeared on Focus on The Family’s radio broadcast recently, and if you have children who play video games or desire to do so, I’d encourage you to listen. And after you do, you just might pick up your child and flee the next time someone hands him or her that Wii controller.

The theme of the broadcast (which is in two parts) is “Protecting Your Child From the Digital Invasion.” They say parents should avoid flocking to media every time their child is looking for something to do. When kids are bored, Hart says, they are forced to use their imagination.

Among their somewhat shocking conclusions: Continue reading →

As a parent, have you ever been home and not really home? That is, have you ever been surrounded by your children, but so distracted by the things of this world – your job, hobbies, friends – that you’re really on another planet?

Pastor David Jeremiah asked those questions in a two-part Focus on the Family podcast, and then suggested four ways that parents can improve in their God-given roles of loving their children. He calls them the four ways to encourage your children. I enjoyed it and would encourage you to listen, too, here and here. (If you have an iPhone, download the Focus on the Family app. The broadcasts were on Sept. 23-24. There also is an Android app.)

Parents, he said, should give their children:

Continue reading →