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
1120 – 1140

Child With a Problem of Stealing

How can we stop our four-year-old from stealing? It seems like everywhere we go – church, stores, museums, friends' houses – he walks out with something that doesn't belong to him. I have a feeling that he's just being irresponsible-that he puts things in his pocket and then forgets about…
9 May 2019 11PM 4 min

Obesity in Children

Do you have any ideas for helping a pre-teen child who is seriously overweight? He loves food and gets extremely disappointed when we turn down his requests for snacks and treats. He also becomes depressed after several days of healthy eating. How can we reverse this trend?
8 May 2019 11PM 4 min

Making Time For His And Her Friends In Marriage

Do you think it's a good idea for husbands and wives to have regular activities apart from each other with their friends of the same sex? My husband feels a deep need to get together with his guy friends a couple of times each month, but I'd rather spend most…
7 May 2019 11PM 4 min

Husband Concerned About Wife’s Depression During Pregnancy

Is there anything I can do to help my expectant wife deal with the severe mood swings she's been experiencing? She's about three-quarters of the way through her pregnancy, and lately she's been terribly depressed. It's beginning to take a real toll on our relationship. I've heard a lot about…
6 May 2019 11PM 4 min

Grown Child Has Made Poor Decisions

What can we do to encourage our adult son to grow up? He's made some very poor choices in terms of lifestyle, jobs, living arrangements, and friends. After raising him in the Christian faith, we're deeply disappointed. At the same time we can't help feeling guilty and wondering where we…
5 May 2019 11PM 4 min

Divorced With Child, Wants to Reconcile

Should I consider remarrying my ex-spouse for the sake of our child? We are both Christians, but we recently got divorced. Over the past few weeks I've become increasingly concerned about the impact of this family breakup upon our preschooler. What do you think I should do?
1 May 2019 11PM 4 min

Cell Phone Guidelines for Kids

Should children be allowed to have smart phones or mobile devices? Our oldest has started driving and all of our kids are constantly on the move. My spouse thinks they need phones in order to stay better connected with us. Do you think this is a good idea?
30 Apr 2019 11PM 4 min

Submission of wives to husbands

What does the Bible really mean when it instructs wives to submit to their husbands? As a capable and independent woman, who is also a new Christian, I was disturbed to hear about this biblical admonition. I've asked others at my church about it in order to try and get…
29 Apr 2019 6PM 4 min

Recovering alcoholic wants Relationship with Children

As a new Christian who is in the process of kicking a lifelong drinking habit, how can I restore my relationship with my children? A number of years ago my struggles with alcoholism finally destroyed my marriage and family. I really regret the mess I've made, but I've recently found…
28 Apr 2019 6PM 4 min

Step parent’s relationship problems

What should I do about conflicts between my child and my new spouse? I was remarried last summer, and though my 10-year-old daughter was warm and friendly towards my husband during the three years we were dating, her attitude has changed drastically since the wedding. Now they fight constantly and…
25 Apr 2019 6PM 4 min

Gentle and Sensitive boy

Is it okay for a boy to be gentle and sensitive? Our two young sons couldn't be more different. The oldest is a typical boy – loud and in perpetual motion. His four-year-old brother, however, is so quiet I hardly know he's around. While our oldest son and his dad…
23 Apr 2019 6PM 4 min

Finding God’s will

How do I seek God's guidance when faced with major decisions? In other words, how can I get a handle on His will for my life? I've been told that it's important to do this, and for the most part I believe it's true. Unfortunately, I have no idea how…
22 Apr 2019 6PM 4 min

Husband looks at other women

Do I have reason to feel hurt and upset when I see my husband turn his head and look at other women? He has always been faithful to and affirming of me. I trust him, and he's the last guy I'd characterize as a womanizer. Still, it bothers me to…
21 Apr 2019 6PM 4 min

Cohabitation and Its Implications for Marriage

Is living together before marriage a good test of marital compatibility? My boyfriend and I both come from broken homes. We've been talking about spending our lives together, but we're afraid of ending up divorced like our parents. How do you suggest we handle this?
18 Apr 2019 6PM 4 min

My wife is physically abusive

How should I respond to a wife who has a tendency to resort to violence? Once or twice a year my spouse and I have a disagreement that escalates out of control. At such times she says the meanest, most irrational things about me, including "I hate you." I have…
17 Apr 2019 6PM 4 min

Abortion and health of the Mother

Is it possible to be consistently pro-life while still making an exception for abortion in cases when the life of the mother is at risk? What's your perspective on this difficult ethical question?
16 Apr 2019 6PM 4 min

Adopting an abused child

What do we need to know before adopting a child who has been abused? We're considering adopting a child under the age of 2 who was removed from his birth home due to abuse when only a few months old. He has been in the foster-care system for the past…
15 Apr 2019 6PM 4 min

Husband refuses to work

Is there anything I can do about a husband who simply refuses to get a job and work? We've been married for twelve years, and for the last ten he's stayed home and done nothing all day while I've gone off to work. He contributes nothing to our home and…
11 Apr 2019 6PM 4 min
1120 – 1140