parenting

An Ohio court ruled that the state’s juvenile court was wrong to suggest that a mother and father were unfit parents because they would not affirm their daughter’s “transsexual identity.” 

Across the country, child protective service agencies, courts and state legislatures have worked to label non-affirmation of a child’s “gender identity” a sign of “abuse” or “coercive control.” 

Children’s agencies and courts in Arizona, California, Indiana, Maryland, Montana, Texas and other states have removed children from parents’ custody because they would not allow damaging transgender medical interventions. Many of those parents are now fighting lengthy, expensive court battles to regain their children.

The court’s ruling is a welcome affirmation of parental rights and a rejection of “transgender” ideology. 

The decision from the Court of Appeals Twelfth Appellate District of Ohio involved a child custody battle as the court decided whether her mother, father, or Clinton County Children Services should have permanent custody over a 14-year-old girl, “Sara.” 

The opinion, from Judge Matthew R. Byrne, joined by Judges Robert A. Hendrickson and Robin N. Piper, explained in a footnote: 

Though not stated explicitly, there is some suggestion in the state’s brief and in the juvenile court’s permanent custody decision that Mother and Father were unfit as parents because they both were initially reluctant to embrace Sara’s announcement that she was transgender and/or using male pronouns. We disagree. 

There is no requirement in Ohio law that parents must unquestioningly accept and support their minor children’s claims of transsexual identity or preferred pronouns.

The ruling pointed to the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision Mirabelli v. Bonta which upheld parents’ rights to raise their children free from transgender indoctrination and subterfuge from local schools: 

Quite recently, Justice Barrett, joined by Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Kavanaugh, emphasized that “the doctrine of substantive due process has long embraced a parent’s right to raise her child, which includes the right to participate in significant decisions about her child’s mental health.”

The Ohio judges went on to explain that her mother and father’s “cautious reaction” to their daughter’s vacillating “gender identity” was not cause for removing Sara from their custody: 

From a best-interest analysis perspective, we see no serious concern presented by Mother’s and Father’s cautious reactions to Sara’s disclosure of her perceived transgender status and preference for male pronouns. 

This lack of concern is particularly bolstered here, where both Karen [Sara’s half-sister] and Sara’s therapist testified that Sara is struggling with gender identity and sexuality, and Karen explained that Sara tended to “change” her sexuality every four to five weeks.” Children who struggle with these issues deserve sober and sensitive guidance, and Ohio law does not require parents unquestioningly to accept whatever their children say about their gender identity or sexuality at that particular moment.

The decision highlights serious problems with transgender ideology: Most children and adolescents who struggle with gender identity will desist and embrace their biological reality. 

Sara’s use of pronouns illustrate the impermanence of her changing, unstable identity, as the court detailed: 

The record indicates that, during the pendency of the children’s services case, Sara repeatedly changed the pronouns that she prefers. We will refer to Sara accurately, as a female.

Activists and their allies, on the other hand, falsely promote transgenderism as stable and permanent. So they’ve worked to remove children from parents who won’t affirm these mostly transient identities. 

In Sara’s case – because of other serious parental and family problems – the court did rule that it was in her best interest to come under the custody of Clinton County Children’s services. 

But the court sensibly ruled that Sara’s parents’ response to her sexual identity confusion was not an issue in their decision. 

The decision, In re. S.B., can be found here. 

Related articles and resources: 

Activist Erin Friday on Protecting Kids and Fighting Gender Ideology

Colorado Bill Would Force Parents to Accept Child’s New ‘Gender Identity’

Erin Friday on Family Courts, ‘Transgender’ Sanctuary States and Fighting to Protect Parental Rights

HHS Tells States Not to Remove Children From Parents Who Affirm Biological Reality

Indiana Family Loses Custody of Son Over Religious Beliefs; Supreme Court Won’t Hear Case

Proposed Executive Order Would Protect Parental Rights

Sixteen States Sue Trump Administration for Protecting Children from ‘Trans’ Procedures 

Supreme Court Affirms Parents’ Rights Over California’s ‘Transgender’ School Policies

Team USA’s Paul Skenes delivered a commanding performance on Monday night against Mexico in the World Baseball Classic (WBC), an international tournament featuring twenty nations.

The 2024 National League Rookie of the Year and last year’s Cy Young Award winner who plays for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Paul Skenes threw four scoreless innings and struck out seven in Team USA’s 5-3 win.

Speaking with FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal after the game, he was asked what it meant to represent the United States.

“That’s what we do it for,” he replied. “This is the greatest country in the world.”

The pitcher’s patriotism didn’t start in Houston but was nurtured and amplified during his two years as a cadet at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Born and raised in California, the All-Star pitcher was inspired to pursue military service growing up around two uncles, one who graduated from the Naval Academy and one who served in the Coast Guard.

“Everything I saw from them — how they lived their lives and the values they represented — I had the utmost respect for those who serve,” Skenes wrote this week.

Arriving at the Air Force Academy in the summer of 2020, the then fourth-class cadet said he was moved when taking the “Oath of Enlistment.”

“I got the chills reciting that pledge,” he recalled. “Just from how proud I am of this country. I’m actually getting chills right now remembering back to that time. Because when you love something so much that you’re willing to lay down your life for it? It’s pretty meaningful stuff. And, truth be told, as much as I love the game of baseball … that’s much bigger than any sport.”

It wasn’t a surprise that Paul Skenes pitched well for the Air Force Falcons, but nobody expected him to dominate as he did, especially in his freshman year. After enjoying two commanding seasons, he realized he had a life-altering decision to make. Were he to remain at the Academy, Cadet Skenes would be obligated to serve five years as an Air Force officer following graduation. This was an attractive option given that he had chosen the Academy to pursue his dream of being a fighter pilot. But it would also mean that his chances of playing Major League Baseball would be greatly diminished if not dashed all together.

Ultimately, Skenes decided to transfer to LSU, a school with a highly regarded baseball program. He helped his team win the National Championship in 2023. After graduation, he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Prior to pitching on Monday night in Houston, Skenes wrote, “A Letter to All Little Leaguers Out There,” a heartfelt reflection detailing his love of America and his hope to somehow encourage younger players to follow in his footsteps:

Everyone on this team, they’re all here because they do something different than everybody else. And I’m all about finding out what that exceptional trait is. Whether it’s Bobby, or Bryce, or Tarik, and on down the line. It’s been so much fun for me to be able to do that. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.  

But this tournament is not about me. It’s not about any of us, really. 

It’s bigger than any one person. It’s about country.  

Paul Skenes went on to stress that the secret to any success is sacrifice and dedicated effort:

I’ll finally give you that tip I mentioned. (And I hope your parents are reading this, too.)

“How does my kid make it to the bigs?”

I’ve been asked that so many times. It’s like your parents are looking for a cheat code or something. But I’ll tell you all right now….

It’s not magic. It’s not luck. It’s work! 

Hard work is the minimum if you want to be successful in anything. That’s baseball, and that’s life. Please always remember that. And take that with you wherever you go in this world. 

It will serve you well, I promise.

Careful viewers and fans of Paul Skenes may have noticed a not-so-subtle clue that might explain the star pitcher’s stability and confidence both on and off the mound.

On the pinky finger of his baseball glove, you’ll see “2 Timothy 1:7.”

Wrote the Apostle Paul, “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”

Whether serving at the Air Force Academy or playing baseball for LSU, the Pittsburgh Pirates or Team USA, that biblical guidance has served him well.

It’s an open question if Team USA will prevail in the World Baseball Classic, and Paul Skenes isn’t alone with his patriotism and faith. But in a world that so often seems upside down, it’s refreshing to see the spotlight shine so brightly on a young man who so clearly loves his country, believes in hard work, and who appears to unapologetically and openly declare his Christian faith.

Do strict parents have better relationships with their kids? According to new research from the Institute for Family Studies, the answer may be yes.

The Institute surveyed more than 24,000 parents with over 40,000 children and found something surprising — families with clear rules and firm expectations reported stronger parent-child relationships.

For years, parents have been told that having too many rules could push their children away.Some parenting advice suggests that fewer rules, fewer conflicts and more freedom create a stronger connection between parents and children.

But this new research challenges that assumption.

The data shows that families who enforce bedtimes, curfews, household expectations, screen-time limits, and homework time, and require more outdoor play were more likely to report closeness between parents and children.

Even more surprising, it wasn’t just the parents who reported a better relationship — so did the teenagers.

The survey shows that setting boundaries didn’t damage the relationship; it appeared to strengthen it.

Setting rules and consistently enforcing them is often one of the most difficult aspects of parenting. It can create conflict in the moment and requires persistence and patience. But according to the research, those efforts appear to pay off in the long run.

Easier and Harder Stages for Moms and Dads

The survey also found that parenting feels easier for mothers and fathers during different stages of childhood.

Fathers reported that parenting was most difficult when children were under the age of two and easiest when children were between the ages of nine and eleven. 

Mothers reported the opposite pattern. For many moms, the early years felt easier, while parenting became most challenging when children were between the ages of four and seven.

These shifting challenges reflect the reality that every stage of childhood brings its own unique demands, and moms and dads experience them in different ways.

Parenting Easiest with Support

Not surprisingly, the survey also found that parenting feels easier when parents have strong support systems. Both mothers and fathers reported lower levels of stress when they felt supported by their spouse and community.

For mothers especially, the support of a husband made a significant difference in how manageable parenting felt.

Importance of Loving Leadership and Firm Expectations in the Family

This research offers an important reminder — loving leadership from parents in the household is not harmful to children — it is often exactly what they need. Children flourish when they are guided with wisdom, consistency, and love.

Parenting is not easy, and setting boundaries is often one of the hardest parts of the job. 

But when parents enforce rules and correct behavior, they are communicating trust, security, respect and love to their children.