Focus on the Family Magazine - June/July 2023
It can be a struggle to raise a family while balancing your work life, social life and relationships. Focus on the Family magazine is here to help! Each complimentary issue delivers fresh, practical Biblical guidance on family and life topics. Every issue comes packed with relevant advice to build up your kids, strengthen your marriage, navigate entertainment and culture, and handle common challenges you may face in your marriage and parenting journeys. Plus you'll find seasonal advice ranging from back-to-school activities to date night tips for you and your spouse.
It can be a struggle to raise a family while balancing your work life, social life and relationships. Focus on the Family magazine is here to help! Each complimentary issue delivers fresh, practical Biblical guidance on family and life topics.
Every issue comes packed with relevant advice to build up your kids, strengthen your marriage, navigate entertainment and culture, and handle common challenges you may face in your marriage and parenting journeys. Plus you'll find seasonal advice ranging from back-to-school activities to date night tips for you and your spouse.
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KIDS & TEENS / SUMMERTIME DISCUSSIONS<br />
roadside encounters<br />
growth in <strong>the</strong> garden<br />
Summer gardening is a good way for our family<br />
to build memories. At first, our two youngest<br />
s<strong>on</strong>s didn’t relish <strong>the</strong> idea of putting <strong>the</strong>ir hands<br />
in <strong>the</strong> dirt. However, <strong>the</strong>y helped transfer seedlings<br />
and subsequently witnessed <strong>the</strong> successes<br />
and failures of our efforts.<br />
Our time toge<strong>the</strong>r led to discussi<strong>on</strong>s about<br />
how different people require differing degrees<br />
of care, just as plants do. A small c<strong>on</strong>tainer<br />
would never accommodate a young fruit tree.<br />
Overwatering <strong>the</strong> cactus would cause it to rot.<br />
The boys seemed to easily grasp <strong>the</strong> importance<br />
of differing care when it comes to <strong>the</strong> health of<br />
plants and people.<br />
—Stephanie Rodda<br />
Our family of six is <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> road a lot during <strong>the</strong> summer.<br />
We often see people who are homeless or<br />
asking for m<strong>on</strong>ey. These encounters give our family<br />
<strong>the</strong> opportunity to pray for o<strong>the</strong>rs and talk about<br />
mercy, need, grace, ways to help, things to pray for<br />
and God’s love and care. These discussi<strong>on</strong>s might<br />
seem forced at home, but when our children actually<br />
see people with needs, our c<strong>on</strong>versati<strong>on</strong>s become<br />
meaningful—and can lead to ways to serve o<strong>the</strong>rs.<br />
—Jolene Ceravalo<br />
family fun run<br />
Every summer we have a casual <strong>Family</strong> 1K Fun Run. We<br />
prep <strong>the</strong> kids beforehand, and <strong>the</strong>y know we will run,<br />
get a treat and talk as a family.<br />
We jog from our house, going as slow as needed.<br />
There’s something about jogging and not looking at<br />
each o<strong>the</strong>r that helps some of our kids open up. As<br />
we run, <strong>the</strong> older kids chat about what <strong>the</strong>y enjoyed<br />
from <strong>the</strong> summer, and sometimes <strong>the</strong>y share fears about<br />
<strong>the</strong> upcoming school year.<br />
After <strong>the</strong> run, we c<strong>on</strong>tinue our c<strong>on</strong>versati<strong>on</strong> and often<br />
include weightier topics such as how to live for God in <strong>the</strong><br />
coming seas<strong>on</strong>. We end our time toge<strong>the</strong>r with a family<br />
prayer. This Fun Run is an easy, low-pressure way to bring<br />
up great discussi<strong>on</strong>s with <strong>the</strong> kids.<br />
—Kristin Wynalda<br />
LUIZA LAFFITTE<br />
10 FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA JUNE / JULY <strong>2023</strong>