A lot of families enjoy teasing each other. But parents need to be aware of the risks because children can easily confuse teasing with criticism. Or teasing behavior may actually mask underlying motives of wanting attention, selfishness, or a power-play to make someone feel less valuable. Playful teasing may be okay as long as it’s balanced with genuine love, humility, and lots of encouragement.



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A lot of families enjoy teasing each other. But parents need to be aware of the risks because children can easily confuse teasing with criticism. Or teasing behavior may actually mask underlying motives of wanting attention, selfishness, or a power-play to make someone feel less valuable. Playful teasing may be okay as long as it’s balanced with genuine love, humility, and lots of encouragement.
 
<a href="https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-daily-broadcast-product-2024-04-29?refcd=2051303">Receive the book Shawn and His Amazing Shrinking Sister plus an audio download of the broadcast "The Unexpected Pitfalls of Teasing in Your Family" for your donation of any amount!</a>
 
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Become a champion for your family in the time it takes to enjoy a cup of coffee! Every episode of the Focus on the Family Christian podcast helps you confidently guide your loved ones through the unique challenges faced by today’s Christian families. With over 40 years of trusted, compassionate stories of redemption, hosts Jim Daly and John Fuller connect you to biblically sound marriage and parenting help that is relatable, practical, and interesting. Listen/Learn/Apply/ThriveInChrist!

Focus on the Family with Jim Daly

The Unexpected Pitfalls of Teasing in Your Family

How we begin our day often determines the direction of our thoughts, our emotions, and even our relationships. And for many of us, the first thing we reach for isn’t prayer or Scripture—it’s our phone. Pastor Kevin A. Thompson helps you break unhealthy “doomscrolling” habits as you start your day—by encouraging you to rely on Scripture as your source of hope and strength for daily life. He’ll walk us through what real, biblical hope looks like…how it anchors us when circumstances feel overwhelming…how it quietly shapes our values, beliefs, and everyday decisions…and how that hope naturally overflows to bless our families, our churches, and our communities.

 

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How we begin our day often determines the direction of our thoughts, our emotions, and even our relationships. And for many of us, the first thing we reach for isn&rsquo;t prayer or Scripture&mdash;it&rsquo;s our phone. Pastor Kevin A. Thompson helps you break unhealthy &ldquo;doomscrolling&rdquo; habits as you start your day&mdash;by encouraging you to rely on Scripture as your source of hope and strength for daily life. He&rsquo;ll walk us through what real, biblical hope looks like&hellip;how it anchors us when circumstances feel overwhelming&hellip;how it quietly shapes our values, beliefs, and everyday decisions&hellip;and how that hope naturally overflows to bless our families, our churches, and our communities.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-daily-broadcast-product-2026-03-13?refcd=2452002">Receive a copy of Hope Scrolling and an audio download of "Starting Your Day in a Better Way" for your donation of any amount!</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.focusonthefamily.com/episodes/broadcast/starting-your-day-in-a-better-way/#featured-resource-cta/">Get More Episode Resources&nbsp;</a>
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Starting Your Day in a Better Way

We spend a lot of time talking—sharing our thoughts, our opinions, our stories—but how often do we really stop and listen? Becky Harling encourages you to develop the one skill that will strengthen every relationship you have—the art of listening. She’ll walk through some practical steps to develop healthy habits that will help you become more intentional, proactive listeners.

 

Receive a copy of How to Listen So People Will Talk and an audio download of "Learning the Lost Art of Listening" for your donation of any amount!

 

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We spend a lot of time talking&mdash;sharing our thoughts, our opinions, our stories&mdash;but how often do we really stop and listen? Becky Harling encourages you to develop the one skill that will strengthen every relationship you have&mdash;the art of listening. She&rsquo;ll walk through some practical steps to develop healthy habits that will help you become more intentional, proactive listeners.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-daily-broadcast-product-2026-03-12?refcd=2440803">Receive a copy of How to Listen So People Will Talk and an audio download of "Learning the Lost Art of Listening" for your donation of any amount!</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.focusonthefamily.com/episodes/broadcast/learning-the-lost-art-of-listening/#featured-resource-cta/">Get More Episode Resources&nbsp;</a>
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Learning the Lost Art of Listening

Melanie Shankle shares how childhood trauma and a “mean girl” mom affected her life, marriage, and motherhood, bringing a message of hope and healing in Jesus Christ.

 

Receive the book Here Be Dragons plus a free audio download of "Healing as a Parent from Childhood Trauma" for your donation of any amount! Plus, receive member-exclusive benefits when you make a recurring gift today. Your monthly support helps families thrive.

 

Get More Episode Resources 

 

If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, please give us your feedback.

Melanie Shankle shares how childhood trauma and a &ldquo;mean girl&rdquo; mom affected her life, marriage, and motherhood, bringing a message of hope and healing in Jesus Christ.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-daily-broadcast-product-2026-03-10?refcd=2439910">Receive the book Here Be Dragons plus a free audio download of "Healing as a Parent from Childhood Trauma" for your donation of any amount! Plus, receive member-exclusive benefits when you make a recurring gift today. Your monthly support helps families thrive.</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.focusonthefamily.com/episodes/broadcast/healing-as-a-parent-from-childhood-trauma/#featured-resource-cta/">Get More Episode Resources&nbsp;</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/6rub3h">If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, please give us your feedback.</a>

The Unexpected Pitfalls of Teasing in Your Family

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