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
60 – 80

Husband Wonders if He Should Become 'Mr Mom'

It's not every day that you see Dad doing the school run, after school activities, homework, and preparing dinner, but in some cases, this is the role Dads are finding themselves in.
7 May 2023 6PM 4 min

Grandparents Filling in for Busy Moms and Dads

In modern society, it has become increasingly common for both moms and dads to work outside of the home, and it’s overwhelmingly evident that busyness has become the norm for so many families. The words: ‘Oh, we’ve just been so busy!’ are almost everybody’s mantra. And with parents adopting this…
4 May 2023 6PM 4 min

Disciplining an Uncooperative Child

The subject of discipline is a hot topic among most parents, and it’s an area where parents can feel overwhelmed and underqualified. What a lot of Moms and Dads don’t realize is that effective discipline takes effort and follow-through, and when there’s inconsistency, children end up feeling unsure of their…
3 May 2023 6PM 4 min

Cohabiting Boyfriend Has Been Unfaithful

A relationship that ends because of unfaithfulness is always a serious blow, but when there are children involved it makes the situation so much more difficult and devastating.
2 May 2023 6PM 4 min

Christian Calling vs Family Commitments

As a Christian, how do I sort out the difference between my obligation to family on the one hand and to the work of the gospel on the other? And what's my responsibility to my extended family as compared with my obligation to my immediate, nuclear family? Is there any…
1 May 2023 6PM 4 min

Denominationally Mismatched Romance

Pursuing a serious relationship with someone who you feel is a potential marriage partner is always a big decision. This is because marriage is a lifetime commitment that doesn’t only involve you and your spouse but your respective families too.
30 Apr 2023 6PM 4 min

Still Can't Sleep in the Same Bed with Unfaithful Spouse

Does the fact that I'm not ready to sleep in the same bed with my husband since learning of his affair mean that I haven't forgiven him? Several months ago I discovered that he had been involved with another woman for more than four years. He's sorry about it now…
26 Apr 2023 6PM 4 min

Signs of Video and Computer Game Addiction

Very often an addict is slow to realize the severity of their problem, and will become defensive if the word addict is even mentioned. Now, you may think I’m referring to substance abuse and addiction, but today I’m referring to an addiction that’s catching a lot of people off guard:…
25 Apr 2023 6PM 4 min

Preschooler Is a Picky Eater

Have you ever heard yourself say something a little like this: “You are not leaving the dining table until you have eaten your dinner”, or, “Why didn’t you eat the school lunch I packed for you?, or, “No, you cannot have a sweetie, it’s 9 in the morning and you…
24 Apr 2023 6PM 3 min

Help for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

There are so many families in our country that have been broken by bad relationships, death of a parent or both parents or just never had the chance to be a family in the first place. Countless children are being raised by their grandparents because of these undesirable circumstances and…
23 Apr 2023 6PM 4 min

Scriptural Basis for Defending Human Life

Where does the Bible speak about the "sanctity of human life?" I've noticed that the more widely a phrase or slogan gets thrown around, the fuzzier its meaning seems to become. This one is a good example. I'm forever hearing Christians talk about "the sanctity of human life" – in…
19 Apr 2023 6PM 4 min

Preparing for Spouse's Release From Prison

In life we sometimes face challenges that we never dreamed we’d have to go through. Imagine not seeing your spouse for years because of imprisonment, and then knowing that the release date is approaching. After your relationship has been barely existent for so long, you’ll now be navigating the way…
18 Apr 2023 6PM 4 min

Spouse Misrepresents Husband

An important rule for any married couple is to avoid belittling or undermining your spouse in public. This statement may sound obvious, but often times a spouse may not even realize the error of his words, and that is why open and honest communication is so necessary.
17 Apr 2023 6PM 4 min

Boundaries in Marriage

Placing healthy boundaries in your marriage can never be underestimated. Too many marriage relationships have been thwarted by a lack of appropriate boundaries, which has inevitably led to falling into sin. Should a married man spend one on one time helping a women who is experiencing martial problems?
16 Apr 2023 6PM 3 min

Dealing with Childish Irresponsibility

Having a child who is inherently irresponsible can be one of the most frustrating things for a parent. Parenting is a tough enough task as it is, without having to constantly be worrying about a child who can’t seem to take responsibility for his things.
13 Apr 2023 6PM 3 min

My Spouse Physically Abuses Our Children

The statistics for reported child abuse in our country are way below the actual numbers, and this is due to various reasons. First a foremost, the fear instilled in the victims if they tell anyone what is going on, and then sadly, the social acceptance of practices like corporal punishment…
12 Apr 2023 6PM 4 min

How to Leave Work at the Office and Be There for Your Family

The demands of a high powered job are monstrous, and fighting off the monster for the sake of your family can be one of the most challenging and yet profoundly important things you can do. In our fast paced world, with technology at our fingertips meaning that we are constantly…
10 Apr 2023 6PM 4 min
60 – 80