Focus on the Family Africa Family Matters

Family Matters

Family Matters is a 5 minute programme offering practical advice from Focus on the Family. Receive a daily dose of encouragement and advice for the family with keys to stronger marriages, effective parenting, deeper relationships and a more satisfying lifestyle.
Daily English South Africa Society & Culture · Religion & Spirituality
1,149 Episodes
724 – 744

Christians and material wealth: giving everything away to the poor

What did Jesus mean when He said, "Go, sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven"? I became a Christian about a year and a half ago, and for the most part I've been very happy in my new-found faith. Sure, I've…
29 Oct 2020 6PM 4 min

Time outs as a disciplinary measure

How effective are "time outs"? Our son is entering toddlerhood and I'm not sure what type of discipline is best for different behaviors. My friends all seem to rely on "time outs" regardless of the nature of their kids' behavior. I'm not sure this is always the best method. When…
28 Oct 2020 6PM 4 min

Man uses porn because wife is overweight

Is it reasonable for a husband to look for sexual stimulation in pornography if his wife doesn't care about her appearance and lets herself go? I'm in a miserable marriage. Since our wedding, my wife has put on a lot of weight and isn't concerned about doing anything to address…
26 Oct 2020 6PM 4 min

How to talk to kids about an absent dad

How do I answer my child's difficult questions about her absent father? I broke up with her dad almost eight years ago – when she was just a baby – and she has never met him. But lately she's been asking things like, "Do you still love Daddy?" and "Why…
25 Oct 2020 6PM 4 min

Helping kids deal with bullies

How can I tell if my child is having trouble with a bully? Are there any tell-tale signs? And if he is, how can I help him deal with the situation?
22 Oct 2020 6PM 4 min

Fallout of an affair, forgiveness and low self-esteem

Could my feelings of inferiority have anything to do with an inability to forgive my husband for being unfaithful with a close friend of mine? The affair happened a year ago, but we've since reconciled and our marriage is on track to become something much better than it has ever…
21 Oct 2020 6PM 4 min

Dads and moody teenage daughters

As a father, what can I do to improve my relationship with an emotionally erratic adolescent girl? This past year has been difficult for me. I've watched my daughter make the transformation from a kind, joyful, cooperative little girl to a sullen, argumentative, hard-to-get-along-with teen. Our relationship used to be…
20 Oct 2020 6PM 4 min

Child exposed to violent and sexual movies at friend

Can a one-time viewing of a violent or sexually explicit film or TV show have negative long-term effects on children? I just learned my primary schooler saw an inappropriate movie while spending the day at a friend's house. What should I do and how can I prevent this happening in…
19 Oct 2020 6PM 4 min

Cell phone etiquette for kids

How can I encourage my teens to combine cell phone use with a proper respect for others? In the beginning I was happy to provide my son and daughter with their own phones because I wanted to make sure that we could stay in touch at all times. More recently,…
18 Oct 2020 6PM 4 min

Mental disorders in kid

What should I expect from a child with a mental disorder? How can I know which behaviors he's capable of controlling and which behaviors I should simply accept and make allowances for? We're facing this situation with our teenage son, and we have no idea how to handle it. Can…
15 Oct 2020 6PM 4 min

How to help a depressed spouse

How can I convince my spouse to seek help for possible depression? I have reason to believe that he's struggling in this area, but he refuses to admit that this might be true or to take my concerns seriously. I'm not sure if it's pride, fear, or something else that's…
14 Oct 2020 6PM 4 min

Homemaking and the biblical view of work

Where does homemaking fit into the Bible's teaching on work and labor? I've always been happy in my role as a stay-at-home wife and mother. Then I heard a series of messages about the role of productive labor in God's plan for mankind. Since then I've been having doubts. I…
13 Oct 2020 6PM 4 min

Special needs of a compliant child

How is a mild-tempered, cooperative child likely to be impacted by the presence of a defiant and strong-willed sibling in the home? My oldest daughter is a model child – pleasant, cheerful, and agreeable. Her brother is the exact opposite. I may contact you about him some other time; believe…
12 Oct 2020 6PM 4 min

Sex at its best

Is marital sex really more satisfying? I'm in a difficult marriage, and one of the biggest sore spots between me and my wife is the whole issue of sex. I feel deprived. Sometimes I'm even tempted to explore the possibility of getting my needs met somewhere else. I read an…
8 Oct 2020 6PM 4 min

Struggling with same-sex attractions

Is there any way I can overcome my life-long struggle with same-sex attraction? I've tried to resist, but it seems inevitable that I will eventually act on these feelings. What should I do?
7 Oct 2020 6PM 4 min

The apostle Paul on marriage and singleness

Doesn't the Bible view marriage as a "second-class state"? As a single adult, I can't help feeling resentful when I see the Christian community placing so much emphasis on the importance of marriage. My own study of history leads me to believe that singleness was far more common in the…
6 Oct 2020 6PM 4 min

Minimizing the impact of depression on your family

How can I prevent my struggles with depression and anxiety from having a negative impact on my wife and children? It's bad enough having to cope with these debilitating feelings, but the thought that I'm making life difficult for my family is almost too much to bear. What should I…
5 Oct 2020 6PM 4 min

Help for victim of cyber bullying

What can I do about kids texting intimidating messages to my cell phone and posting mean rumors about me on Facebook? At first I tried to ignore them, but the situation has gotten so bad that I don't want to show my face at school anymore. These people are destroying…
4 Oct 2020 6PM 4 min
724 – 744