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
1080 – 1100

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…
7 Jul 2019 11PM 4 min

Changes That Occur During Puberty and Adolescence

Can you tell us what changes we should expect as our child goes through puberty and enters adolescence – and how we should deal with them? I realize that this is likely to be a challenging time in our son's life. I'm also assuming that my spouse and I will…
4 Jul 2019 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,…
3 Jul 2019 11PM 4 min

Career, "Calling," and Christian Vocation

How can I know God's "calling" for my life? For years I've been working at a difficult, uninteresting job. It has never brought me much in the way of happiness or satisfaction, but it has allowed me to provide for my family. As far as I'm concerned, that's the higher…
2 Jul 2019 11PM 4 min

Mental Disorders in Kids

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…
1 Jul 2019 11PM 4 min

Husband-to-Be Has Been Sexually Active Before Marriage

As a bride-to-be, how can I get past the struggle and disappointment I'm experiencing due to the fact that the man I'm marrying isn't a virgin? I don't hold this against him. In fact, I almost feel guilty for having these feelings because he is a devoted Christian, gentle and…
30 Jun 2019 11PM 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…
27 Jun 2019 11PM 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…
26 Jun 2019 11PM 4 min

Conflict With Parents Over Wedding Plans

How should we handle a potentially explosive disagreement with my parents over our upcoming wedding? They've expressed strong objections to our serving wine and having dancing at our reception. My husband-to-be and I are financially independent, and we'd be willing to cover the wedding expenses ourselves. But this wouldn't really…
25 Jun 2019 11PM 4 min

Children's Nervous Habits

Are ongoing nervous habits potentially harmful to children? My child has one, and I've done everything I can think of to put a stop to it, but so far nothing has worked. It's driving me crazy. What should I do?
24 Jun 2019 11PM 4 min

Becoming a Successful Blended Family

As a recently remarried stepparent, what can I do to make the transition to blended family life as smooth as possible for my children, my spouse's kids, and everyone else concerned?
23 Jun 2019 11PM 4 min

Affair With a Member of the Extended Family

Should I tell my husband about the one-time sexual encounter I had with his brother? It happened over a year ago in a moment of weakness. Both of us immediately acknowledged that this was wrong and nothing further has happened since. Our families see each other regularly and are very…
20 Jun 2019 11PM 4 min

Adult Child Living at Home Disregards Parents

What kind of standards of conduct and behavior should parents impose upon an adult child living in their home? Our single 29-year-old daughter lives with us in separate quarters off of the main house. She knows how deeply we feel about marriage as the only appropriate context for sexual expression,…
19 Jun 2019 11PM 4 min

When Not to Submit to Your Husband

Is it ever appropriate for a woman to question her husband's judgment or to oppose his decisions when she believes he's in the wrong? If so, how does this fit in with Ephesians 5:22, where Paul says, "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord?" Are there any…
18 Jun 2019 11PM 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…
17 Jun 2019 11PM 4 min

Moving Forward After the Pain of Divorce

How do I deal with the brokenness of divorce and make a new life for my kids and myself? I'll admit that I've made some bad choices. One of the worst was walking away from my family when my marriage got too tough to deal with. I realize now that…
13 Jun 2019 11PM 4 min

Addictions, Choosing an Accountability Partner

As a recovering addict, how can I find someone to walk with me through the difficult beginning stages of the healing process? Do you have any advice on choosing an accountability partner and what this relationship should look like? I'd really appreciate any suggestions you can offer.
12 Jun 2019 11PM 4 min

A Christian's Relationship With a Godless Government

Why should I "submit" to a government that I believe is moving in the wrong direction? I love my country and want to cooperate with the political system, but I'm struggling to understand what the Bible says on this subject. How in the world can the apostle Paul tell Christians…
11 Jun 2019 11PM 4 min

Creating An Atmosphere Of Affection

This is a 60-second daily feature looking at most critical issues facing the family today. In these features, Focus on the Family offers practical advice on variety of subjects of interest for the whole family. Subjects include: marital, medical, emotional, parental and many more.
11 Jun 2019 11PM 1 min
1080 – 1100