All Articles for Essentials

No one tells you all your dreams can’t fit in one life. You may wonder if a strong woman follows or leads. Is she in the boardroom or the kitchen?

I spent most of my 20’s trying to be someone else. Finally marriage, motherhood, depression, and my 30’s forged my self-discovery and acceptance.

The college years can be a tricky transition not just for students, but for their parents as well.

As a kid, I identified with the boy in the song who wanted more of his Dad’s attention. 30 years later, I was the dad leaving my son wanting more.

You can be intentional with your kids over the summer. Here are 3 ways (+ a printable) to help you pull off a meaningful summer.

You've detected trends that are leading your kids away from church in college. But, let's be honest. Kids do what they like. Why can't that be church?

When fear and anxiety threaten to take control of how I parent my children, I remind myself of four truths.

Changes in educational costs and in the job market should prompt teens and their parents to consider some great alternatives to college.

I have three sons. My oldest still wets the bed. My youngest says two words. They're just boys. How do I start this whole "man-thing"?

When my 6-year-old daughter with long, lanky legs called her thighs fat, I knew something had to change. I didn't know body image issues would come so early.

Here’s to our mothers. Thanks for letting us see you struggle, ask for help, and never give up on the ones you love.

I see you, single mom. I know you’re out there and  you may be struggling today on Mother's Day. You deserve this day the most.

While we might relate to the laundry list of women pressures, we have to be honest about why working moms and our husbands believe them.

Making responsible, though not always fun, parenting decisions pays dividends and yields goodness that lasts well beyond the moment.

Making memories, passing on our faith to the next generation, is what our moments are made of. I try to focus on fully living in every single one.

These parents wanted the best for their children. But is any college worth what those families are facing now?

Staycation or vacation? Either way spring break is a time to take advantage of for having fun and creating family memories.

One of the greatest lessons motherhood is teaching me is that I cannot do it alone. Baby showers remind us of the help we need from family and friends.

What if our generation of moms decided to love the mom bods we’ve got? Motherhood puts a glow on any woman! It’s a look that’s well worth the wear.

My kid's birthday party means I include and find commonalities with nearly total strangers. And it’s a really beautiful thing.

Moms today have enough on their plates without adding unnecessary drama to the list.

In order for your teenagers to be able to make adult-level decisions, they need guidance. You can help them by asking good questions.

How do we treat ourselves well while also remembering that God cares more about our hearts? Can we keep our hearts pure but also enjoy fashion?

Guilt doesn’t freshen us and give life—it suffocates us and takes more than we have to give.

When my youngest started preschool, I took my first job outside the home in nearly 10 years. I was frazzled, guilt-ridden, and late everywhere I went.

Pretty much everyone has an opinion on "mommy wine culture." Here's a few factors to consider if you're thinking about sipping a glass.

I want more for Drew Brees and his sons than just what they can earn. And Jesus offers more.

It’s not always practical to eat dinner as a family. The solution? Give yourself and your family some grace and cancel dinner tonight. 

Instead of my husband abandoning us for the woods or holing up in a man cave glued to ESPN, we’ve made fall Saturdays family days.

Kid-free trips either alone or with girlfriends is an idea I can get behind.

The school year is filled with other obligations, but the summer belongs to us.

God put inside every boy something that stirs him to be brave and protective.

Having another mom who’s already been through both the calm and rough waters of your current stage in life can be a beautiful gift from God. Here are some suggestions for finding that kind of mentor.

Use this helpful list as a springboard for spending quality time with your sons.

Facing the upcoming birth of our first baby has caused me to struggle with my change in identity … but perhaps it isn’t a “new” identity after all.

We all want connection with our daughters, but when we become overly close, it can hinder their transition to adulthood.

Sincere love and an emotional haven are worth so much more than a perfect house and a gourmet meal.

An important part of parenting is determining who you are, what things you stand for, and how you’ll pass those values on to your children.

It's a daunting era to raise a son into a man, but here's a game plan for shaping growing boys into godly men.

Ideas for men who want to leave a spiritual legacy.

When I'm in a hurry, I tend to plow over my children.

There is no such thing as a superhero mother. Here’s how to stop trying to do it all and start learning to be you.

Truly excelling as a mom is not about showing our kids how amazing we are, but how much we need Jesus.

Looking back on my life, I have found one of the most helpful ways to gain perspective on your current situation is to see life in terms of seasons.

As a father, you need to love her not only when she is your sweet, affectionate girl, but also when she’s a real pain in the neck.

Quality time speaks love to a young child.

The definition of the word mean is to be unkind or malicious. But a good mean mom defines the word quite a bit differently.

A compilation of creative tips for the lazy days of summer.

Tom and Brenda Preston waited for years for a prodigal son to come to God.

Part of raising daughters is knowing that, at some point, you probably will turn your responsibilities over to another man.

My ancestors have kept His commandments and have passed them on to the next generation. Now it’s my turn.

My ancestors left me a godly heritage, and my passion is to pass that on to my own kids.

Three players from this week’s game, and the fathers who influenced them.

A potentially dangerous accident with my son taught me a lesson in temper management.

The kids are back at school, and I'm alone.

The importance of praying parents.

It was a real revelation to me that I could pursue a relationship with my daughters by dating them.

I’ve been swept up in a wave of longing—for the old familiar, for the sweet memories of days gone by.

A list of ideas for developing an ever-elusive character trait.

Ten ideas to help you diffuse your anger when a child misbehaves.

One of the hardest things about raising young children is that we feel we’re making no progress.

Sometimes there are more important things than a clean house.

I wondered how I could communicate biblical truth to my daughter during her bedtime prayer. Then I remembered one great phrase from my childhood.

Here are some things I wish I could go back and tell myself when I was a brand new mom.

There’s more to mothering than keeping your kids amused.

A well-controlled passionate personality is a powerful thing. But a passionate personality that is unbridled can cause a world of damage.

A father's positive presence and parental participation are huge factors in raising children who love the Lord.

I felt under-prepared for my new role as a father, but I’m learning quickly

The idea of taking my 4-year-old daughter on a date had never crossed my mind. It didn't occur to me that I should treat her any different from her brothers.

I can't remember the last time I've been the only one at home and really experienced silence.

A happy love life is good for your children.

Make it a priority to teach your children to do things for themselves and others, even if it means those things aren’t done perfectly.

When it comes to motherhood, plenty of land mines exist that we risk stepping on.

For too many years, husbands have abused their God-given role by eliminating the concept of servanthood from leadership.

Relationship secrets for girls entering adolescence.

Two qualities you must develop if you want your children to turn to you.

What are you going to do with the influence you have in your daughter’s life?

Editor’s Note: John Bryson and Robert Lewis are co-creators of College Ready™, an innovative video-guided experience for high school juniors and seniors. John and Robert were interviewed on FamilyLife Today by radio host Dennis Rainey, and his co-host, Bob Lepine. The following was adapted from this interview: Robert: College is one of life’s most defining moments. It […]

Remembering special moments while walking through the mall with my mother.

By inviting a friend into my messy home, I gave her a way to connect with me on a real level. I extended her an invitation into my heart.

The protection of our lives and the lives of our children is best left in God’s hands.

I've been told that the most emotionally stressful event in a man's life is the birth of his first child.

God uses our children to help us learn to walk in the Spirit and build our character.

You can’t do everything. Here are nine strategies to help you set some boundaries.

Great organizations and great families are fueled by loving leaders.

My second daughter reminded me that laughter should be an important ingredient in our family.

We did not have a definite plan to transform desires into reality.

What might seem like just a sweet little encounter could be giving the guy a mixed message. And it could lead you to more sexual intimacy than you imagined.

Providing the foundation children need.

A mother reflects on the days when her daughter was young.

I was at a crossroad. Would I stand in the Lord's way and deny my husband this opportunity because I was afraid?

Good parenting is often the difference in choosing between self-sacrifice and self.

Being purposeful doesn’t mean taking everything super seriously, it just means thinking about things we may not otherwise think about in the busyness of life.

Many girlhood Cinderella dreams are being dashed by teen pregnancy

Contrary to what the culture might say, being a full-time mother is not settling for second best

I’m a Type-A person, and helping my girls make a dollhouse was not on my agenda for the day.

Don’t waste the time you have with your children.

One parent's trash is another child's treasure

Three lessons I learned on how not to be prepared for mommyhood.

A collection of lessons from parents who have been through the battle.

Being a mother requires faith, not fear.

Six lessons from Solomon's writings.

Stay-at-home mothering doesn't have to be so hard, and you don't have to do it alone. There are resources all around you to help you be the kind of mom you want to be.

Traditions are a lot like heirlooms ... both probably have come to us through our families. Some you love; you can't imagine life without them. And some you're stuck with..

How was I going to instruct my daughters about the importance of purity when I was so immoral as a teenager?

Part of our responsibility as parents is to help our daughter navigate appropriate relationships, especially dating relationships.

We face an unprecedented crisis in America today—the physical and emotional absence of fathers.

The most important task had been missing from my to-do list.

Yes, I was overcommitted and working my tail off for good, even great things. But why in the world was I doing this?

We need to realize that emotions are a part of God’s image imbedded and imprinted within us.

To invest your time and best efforts into children and to watch them grow, develop, and excel is to be part of the creative majesty of life itself.

Whether your family is taking a short trip to Grandma's house or a cross-country vacation in the family car, these interactive activities will help the time pass more quickly.

What would happen if families went on trips together without all the electronic distractions?

When we give ourselves without reservation to our children, we draw them to us.

Is dinnertime also family time in your home?

Early on, we realized we needed to plan our time in the car as well as we planned the activities at our destinations.

Your family should be found guilty of having too much fun, rather than too little.

It's never too early to begin praying for your children.

Three characteristics of prayers God answers, and three characteristics to avoid.

Increasingly, girls are aggressively pursuing boys—in high school, middle school, and even earlier—in numbers we never saw in the past.

Sometimes the most courageous thing a man can do is to simply open a door.

Being the father that our children need does not require perfection—it requires courage.

How can you best create a loving relationship between brothers?

The greatest commandments are to love God and love others, but what does this look like for a college student?

A creative way to celebrate this milestone.

Some financial advice to help you re-orient your values and save money.

Becoming involved in your child’s friendships can mean taking on some interesting roles.

Somewhere between the deadlines and the to-do list, I'd forgotten the most important ministry God had entrusted to me: my family.

Are you making memories with your children? Those moments may be the best times of their lives.

Exercise can help you feel better, and also provide a great way to connect with your kids and loved ones. I well remember some childhood games of touch football with Dad and my siblings—right in front of two big magnolia trees. And who could forget the family obstacle course that Jim and my sons once […]

Practical suggestions to help you remember what shapes your family’s life and legacy.

Enjoy a break from the hectic pace of life.

Sometimes we learn great things about life from our kids. In this case, I learned the hard way about not exasperating my son.

Suggestions for fostering creativity in your children.

Just because God promises us that all things work together for our good doesn’t mean all things are easy.

In today’s activity-packed society, it’s more important than ever to intentionally connect with your kids.

These ideas will help you develop deeper relationships with your children despite a hectic schedule.

Connect with your children by getting outside for these fun activities.

In today's transient society, when family ties are weakening, children need to know their heritage.

Your most valuable family possessions are the shared experiences and memories that link your hearts together.

A creative idea for remembering all the cute things your kids say.

No mom is perfect, but if you're looking for a standard, I would encourage any mother to grow in these five areas.

The greatest shield of protection we can provide for our children is prayer.

What we learned about prayer for our children as they prepared for and entered adolescence.

We should be working hard to save the hearts and futures of our sons from the pervasive decadence of a generation that is spinning aimlessly out of control.

The only quality time that you will enjoy with your daughter is what flows from the quantity of time you invest with her.

It’s not easy for a girl surrounded by testosterone.

As the bride of Christ, young women must learn to present themselves as valuable, priceless princesses.

A biblical battle plan for parenting.

When our children get married, we must let them grow independently of us, no matter how much it hurts.

At some point, all parents need to release their children and trust in God's plan for their lives, no matter where that plan takes them.

A quick course on being a godly father.

Just one day can make the difference in a life wasted and one that leaves a legacy that will outlive us all.

As a husband and father, you are the warrior who has been charged with the duty of pushing back against the evil that seeks to prey on your wife, daughters, and sons. If you don’t step up, who will?

I realized I needed to be intentional in raising my children. Fortunately, I had a good model: my own father, Hook Rainey.

The constant love of a mother becomes a bedrock of security for her children.

Ten ideas to help keep you sane during the exhausting, overwhelming years with young children.

How to keep from being burned-out by your full-time, stay-at-home-mom job.

Grandmothers share what they would do differently as young moms.

Recalling memories from the past can be a family-bonding experience.