Help for the Family
This series of articles provides practical, Bible-based advice for families. a To view an expanded list of articles for families, see the section Marriage and Family.
a In this series, the names of some persons quoted have been changed.
Marriage
A Better View of Your Spouse’s Annoying Traits
Rather than let an annoying trait create conflict, learn to see it in a different way.
How to Develop Patience
When two imperfect people marry, various problems will arise. Patience is fundamental to a successful marriage.
For a Happy Marriage: Show Respect
The Bible can help you to develop mutual respect in your marriage, even if it has been lacking.
How to Show Respect
Respect in marriage is not a luxury—it is a necessity. How can you show that you respect your mate?
How to Show Appreciation
When husband and wife make an effort to notice and acknowledge one another’s good qualities, their relationship often improves. What can help you to cultivate appreciation?
For a Happy Marriage: Show Affection
Work, stress, and the everyday pressures of life can cause a married couple to show less affection. Can genuine affection be rekindled?
How to Show Affection
How can marriage mates show that they truly care for one another? Consider four suggestions based on principles from the Bible.
How to Strengthen Commitment
Is commitment like a ball and chain that shackles you in marriage or like an anchor that can keep your marriage steady?
How to Leave Work “at Work”
Five tips that can help you keep your job from intruding on your marriage.
How to Control Spending
Don’t wait until you’ve run out of money to think about your spending habits. Learn how to take control of spending before it gets out of hand.
Dealing With In-Laws
Three tips can help you to keep an in-law problem from becoming a marriage problem.
When Viewpoints Differ
How can couples resolve a conflict and remain at peace with each other?
Dealing With Differences
Have you ever felt that you and your spouse are incompatible?
How to Let Go of Resentment
To forgive a hurtful act by your spouse, must you minimize it or even pretend that it never occurred?
How to Control Your Anger
Giving in to anger can damage your health, but so can suppressing your anger. So what can you do when your mate really annoys you?
When the Children Are Gone
Some couples face big challenges when their children grow up and leave home. What can parents do to adjust to the “empty nest”?
When a Friendship Gets Too Close
Do you tell yourself, ‘We’re just friends?’ If so, examine Bible principles to see how this line of reasoning holds up.
When You Are Disappointed With Your Marriage
Does your soul mate now seem more like a cell mate? Five steps can help your marriage.
How to Avoid “Gray Divorce”
What is behind “gray divorce”? How can you keep it from affecting your marriage?
Alcohol Abuse in Marriage
What can you do if alcohol abuse is affecting your marriage?
How to Avoid Jealousy in Marriage
A marriage cannot thrive in an atmosphere of suspicion and distrust. So how can you avoid inordinate jealousy?
Pornography Can Shatter Your Marriage
These suggestions can help you quit a pornography habit and repair your relationship.
Should We Live Together Before Marriage?
Some couples think that living together will prepare them for marriage. Is that a good idea, or is there a better option?
Communication
Spend Quality Time Together
Communication can suffer even when husbands and wives are in the same room. How can couples make the most of their time together?
How to Keep Technology in Its Place
The use of technology can either benefit your marriage or undermine it. How is it affecting your marriage?
How to Discuss Problems
Men and women have different communication styles. Understanding the difference can save you a lot of frustration.
How to Be a Good Listener
Active listening is, not a mere technique, but an act of love. Learn how you can become a better listener.
How to Compromise
Four key steps can help you and your spouse avoid arguing and find solutions together.
How to End “the Silent Treatment”
How do some couples get to the point where they refuse to talk, and what can they do to resolve their differences?
How to Stop Arguing
Are you and your spouse constantly arguing? Learn how Bible principles can help your marriage.
How to Avoid Hurtful Speech
What can you do if you and your spouse have let hurtful words affect your relationship?
How to Apologize
What if I’m not fully to blame?
How to Forgive
Why can it be so hard to forgive? See how the Bible’s advice can help.
Raising Children
How to Be a Good Dad
The kind of husband you are now indicates the kind of dad you will be after your child is born.
What Parents Should Know About Day Care
Ask yourself four questions to determine whether day care is a good option for your child.
Should My Child Have a Smartphone?
Ask these questions to determine if you and your child are ready for the responsibility.
Teaching Children Smartphone Sense
Even tech-savvy children need parental guidance to use a smartphone responsibly.
Protect Your Child From Pornography
It may be easier than you think for children to be exposed to pornography. What you should know and what you can do to protect your child.
Why Reading Is Important for Children—Part 1: Read or Watch?
Many children prefer to watch videos. How can parents encourage children to read more?
Why Reading Is Important for Children—Part 2: Screen or Print?
Is it better for children to read from a digital device or a printed page? Both have advantages.
Help Your Children Deal With Disturbing News Reports
What can parents do to keep their children from becoming overwhelmed by the news?
When Your Child Asks About Death
Four steps can help you answer their questions and show them how to cope with the loss of a loved one.
What if My Child Is Bored?
When your child is stuck at home with nothing to do, here are a few things to consider.
The Benefits of Creative Play
It has several advantages over passive entertainment and organized activities.
The Importance of Chores
Are you reluctant to assign your children chores? If so, consider how helping out around the house can teach them responsibility and bring them joy.
Teaching Your Child Perseverance
When you see your child struggling with a difficult task, should you rush in to help? Or can you teach him how to overcome challenges?
How to Help Children Deal With Failure
Failure is a part of life. Teach your children to put failure in perspective and help them find solutions.
How to Help Your Child Improve His Grades
See how to identify the real problem behind bad grades and encourage learning.
What if My Child Is Being Bullied?
Four steps can help you teach your child how to respond to a bully.
How to Praise Children
One type of praise has proven to be the most effective.
How Divorce Affects Children
Although some people think that divorce will always be better for the children, research shows that its effects on children can be devastating.
Helping Your Child Deal With Puberty
Five Bible-based tips can make this often challenging time easier to manage.
Teaching Your Child About Sex
Youngsters are being exposed to sexual messages at an increasingly early age. What should you know? What can you do to protect your children?
Talking to Children About Alcohol
When and how should parents talk to their children about this important subject?
Talking to Children About Racism
Age-appropriate discussions can protect your child from the influence of racial prejudice.
Teaching Children Self-Control
Giving your children everything they want can actually deprive them of something far more important.
Teaching Children Humility
Teach your child humility without damaging his or her self-worth.
Teach Your Children to Show Gratitude
Even young children can be taught to say thank you for the kindnesses shown to them.
Teaching Children to Obey
Do you and your child keep getting locked in a battle of wills that your child always seems to win? Five parenting tips can help.
How to Say No
What if your child tests your resolve with whining or pleading?
How to Deal With Tantrums
What can you do when your child throws a tantrum? Bible principles can help you cope with this challenge.
When Your Child Lies
What should you do if your child lies? This article discusses Bible-based advice that can help you teach your child the importance of telling the truth.
Raising Teenagers
How to Communicate With Your Teenager
Do you feel frustrated when talking to your teenager? What factors make it challenging?
When Your Teenage Daughter Is Stressed Out
Many teenage girls feel overwhelmed by the changes they are experiencing. How can parents help them to cope with the stress?
When a Child Wants to End It All
What can parents do if their child has suicidal thoughts?
When Your Teenager Breaks Your Trust
Do not hastily conclude that your teen is a rebel. Broken trust can be repaired.
How to Provide Parental Guidance
Why is it so easy for children to bond with their peers and lose their connection with their parents?
How to Discipline Your Teenager
To discipline means to teach. Bible principles can help you teach your teenager how to obey rather than rebel.
How to Set Rules for Your Teenager
What can you do if your teenager constantly seems to be irritated by your rules?
How to Teach Teens Internet Safety
How can you move beyond rules and help your teen make wise decisions on his own?
Should My Child Use Social Media?
Four questions can help you make a wise decision.
Teaching Your Teenager Social Media Safety
Help your teenager to avoid the pitfalls.
How to Talk to Your Teen About Sexting
Don’t wait for an incident to occur involving your child. Discuss the dangers of sexting with your teenager.
When Your Teenager Self-Injures
Some teenagers intentionally injure themselves. What is behind this behavior? How can you help your child?
Young People
How to Resist Peer Pressure
Peer pressure can make good people do bad things. What should you know about it, and how can you deal with it?
How to Accept Correction
How can advice or criticism that hurts actually help?
How to Show Texting Manners
Is it rude to interrupt a conversation just to check a text message? Or is it rude to ignore a text message just to continue a conversation?
How to Resist Temptation
Being able to resist temptation is a mark of real men and women. Six tips can help you strengthen your resolve and avoid the stress that comes from giving in.
How to Tame Your Temper
Five Bible-based steps can help you to control your anger.
How to Deal With Loneliness
Chronic loneliness is as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. How can you avoid feeling left out and lonely?
When a Courtship Ends
How can you move on with your life after a painful breakup?
When You Must Return Home
Have you tried to live on your own, only to fall on hard times? Get back on your feet with these practical tips.
How to Make Real Friends
Four tips can help you to move from shallow relationships to deep friendships.
How to Deal With Change
Change is all but inevitable. Consider what some have done to deal with it successfully.
When a Parent Dies
The loss of a parent is a devastating blow. What can help young people manage the range of emotions that are sure to follow?
Is Thrill-Seeking Worth the Risk?
Many young people get a thrill out of testing their limits—sometimes in very risky ways. Are you tempted to join in?