Focus on the Family Commentary
Oct 22, 2026 · 2 min · 2 segments
What’s more important to your child? Toys? Or time with you? Jim Daly says, “Sure, children love exciting toys and trips, but more than anything they just want to spend time with you.”…
Jim DalyHost
Well-known actor Jack Black says the greatest parenting lesson he ever learned was when he found his son playing in the mud.
So Jack brought his son inside the house and loaded him up with candy, cartoons, and video games on a high-end entertainment system.
The next day, he took him to an amusement park and spent hundreds of dollars on rides and food.
His son had a great time, but the true impact of those choices became clear a few days later.
Instead of feeling grateful and more connected with his father, Jack's son was hyped up on sugar, cranky, and exhausted.
It was then that Jack realized he squandered a perfect opportunity to deepen his relationship with his son.
Instead of whisking him away from the mud for a better experience, Jack wished he'd grabbed a hose, sat in the mud with his son, and made a memory they'd share forever.
By all means, take your kids to the amusement park or the ball game every chance you get, but don't overestimate the importance of activities like the mud.
Let your kids tag along when you run errands, work in the yard, or tinker on the car.
Sure, they'll love exciting toys and trips, but more than anything, they'll just want to spend time with you.
Well-known actor Jack Black says the greatest parenting lesson he ever learned was when he found his son playing in the mud.
So Jack brought his son inside the house and loaded him up with candy, cartoons, and video games on a high-end entertainment system.
The next day, he took him to an amusement park and spent hundreds of dollars on rides and food.
His son had a great time, but the true impact of those choices became clear a few days later.
Instead of feeling grateful and more connected with his father, Jack's son was hyped up on sugar, cranky, and exhausted.
It was then that Jack realized he squandered a perfect opportunity to deepen his relationship with his son.
Instead of whisking him away from the mud for a better experience, Jack wished he'd grabbed a hose, sat in the mud with his son, and made a memory they'd share forever.
By all means, take your kids to the amusement park or the ball game every chance you get, but don't overestimate the importance of activities like the mud.
Let your kids tag along when you run errands, work in the yard, or tinker on the car.
Sure, they'll love exciting toys and trips, but more than anything, they'll just want to spend time with you.
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