Family Matters

The world that our teens find themselves in these days is, in fact, quite scary, thanks to the digital age that we live in. If you are not completely clued up on how to keep your teen safe from online predators or even seemingly harmless online connections.

Have you ever heard of somebody being referred to as a Narcissist? This word is often used to describe someone who has elevated self-importance and who comes across as incredibly selfish. It’s not easy to be married to someone exhibiting these traits, however, the term narcissist is sometimes misused.

There is a lot of controversy around gender and equality these days, and Christians are having to hold firm to their beliefs in the Bible in order to withstand the onslaught from the media and liberal activists. But the Bible speaks of women being made in the image of God, which can cause much confusion because God is referred to as a Father, so we assume He is male.

For parents to avoid spoiling their children, there needs to be a conscious effort towards teaching what matters most and showing them how to serve others. Far too many youngsters are growing up entitled and with unhealthy self-righteousness. And it’s easy to try and shift the blame, but if we’re honest, it is a parent’s responsibility to instill values that will last into adulthood.

Family meals around the dinner table have an enormously beneficial and lasting effect. If families can understand the value of slowing down for long enough to gather around the table and share conversations with one another, it would go a long way to nurturing a sense of belonging and connectedness for each individual.

As parents, we want to give our kids the best jumping-off point we can. If we nurture a healthy self-image in our children, we will have pretty much achieved our goal, because the rest will follow.

Have you experienced the battle of waking your child up in the morning to go to school? Sometimes even an early riser will procrastinate getting out of bed with various delay tactics. The good news is: You’re not alone.

When should a parent be concerned about a child’s introverted behaviour? On the next Family Matters we’ll be discussing the possibilities of deeper issues related to a child isolating him or herself.

Becoming a parent for the first time might cause you to feel a little anxious, or maybe even scared to the bone. But the unknown of your next adventure with your offspring shouldn’t have to cause you sleepless nights, wracking your brain as to how you’re going to manage the extra responsibility.

Every parent wants their child to listen well, follow instructions and be able to have a meaningful conversation with them. But, in so many homes, there are nagging parents and defiant children facing up against one another on a daily basis. We’ll talk about ways to effectively communicate with kids.

Our very own family members can be the most difficult individuals to get along with at times. On the next Family Matters we’ll discuss what to do about a father’s improper behaviour towards his daughter-in-law.

There’s a huge amount of emotional turmoil that children go through when divorce happens, and they will act out in various ways in order to attempt to deal with the hurt and loss. When a new partner comes onto the scene, this adds another aspect to what the child has to deal with.

Do you find yourself feeling anxious about life? Are you fearful about future events, or do you find yourself unable to control your restless mind? If any of the things mentioned describes where you are at, you’ll want to stay tuned for the next Family Matters where we’ll discuss what anxiety disorders are and how they can be treated.

If your child is being exposed to online chat rooms and other social media sites you are going to want to stay tuned for the next Family Matters. We’ll be discussing how much freedom is appropriate, and where precautionary measures need to be taken in order to protect your child from potential harm.

There are always concerns about the impact of divorce on children, but most people don’t actually know the far-reaching effects of such an event in the life of a child, through to adulthood.

Are you struggling with sibling rivalry in your home? Is there one child who constantly dominates another? This scenario is not unusual, but it’s also difficult to manage.

For husbands and wives, the marital bed can be an area of contention. There seem to be cultural norms that have crept into our thinking, or misguided ideas on what is Biblically appropriate in terms of sexual expression.

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. (Prov 16:9 NIV) Isn’t this proverb exactly right? We may have ideas of how we want our life to go, but the Lord will determine a plan for our lives.

If you are the mother of a married child, you’ll understand that the relationship status has changed a great deal. Your adult child is no longer your responsibility in terms of looking after but is now in a family of his or her own. But if there are things in the relationship with the new spouse that seems unhealthy and concerning, when is it appropriate to offer your opinion or advice?

As a grandparent it can sometimes be difficult to watch from the sidelines as the job of parenting is left to your child. You may feel that you could do a better job or at least you would do certain things differently. But what happens if you are witnessing your grandchildren being neglected and exposed to unhealthy conditions?

So many young people who are in romantic relationships find that they’re struggling with keeping themselves pure before marriage. The Bible has clear cut scriptures on the matter, which some try to argue are outdated.

In this day and age with the increased use of technology and devices, as well as parents working long hours to support their families, time spent with our kids is being greatly affected, and unfortunately, the research is showing the negative impact of this lifestyle on the family as a whole. Many parents believe that if they can just provide well for their kids and give them the things that they...

It’s always tough for a mom to say goodbye to her adult child when he or she decides to fly the nest and begins to tackle life as a grown up. But when that adult child is struggling to support himself and is generally not coping with the responsibility of life on his own, a mother often wants to step in and rescue him.

As society endeavours to undermine the distinction between male and female, we’d like to highlight key differences in men and women.

I hate myself for who and what I am. I feel like the filthiest person in the world. My love life is a mess, too. I feel broken. I don't deserve to be happy.