James C. Dobson author photo
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James C. Dobson

Born: April 21, 1936 – Shreveport, Louisiana, United States

James C. Dobson is an American psychologist, evangelical Christian author, and broadcaster best known for founding Focus on the Family. Writing on parenting, marriage, and child development, he authored books including Dare to Discipline and The Strong-Willed Child, and became an influential voice in conservative Christian family life through books and radio.

Biography & Author's Journey

James Clayton Dobson Jr. was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on April 21, 1936, and was raised in an evangelical Nazarene family that moved through small towns in Texas and Oklahoma before settling in San Benito, Texas. He studied psychology at Pasadena College, graduating in 1958, then earned a master’s degree from the University of Southern California in 1962 and a doctorate in child development there in 1967. He went on to serve at USC’s medical school and at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where his work in child development gave him the professional credibility that later set his public voice apart from that of clergy or purely devotional writers. ((https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-Dobson))

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Quotes

quote
Everything he has invested, or withheld, will be there
-A Wife’s Countenance
quote
Burnout isn’t inevitable in a busy household
-Exhausted Mothers of Preschoolers
quote
Today’s kids, by contrast, are walking through the valley of the shadow!
-Is Good Family Life Harder Today?
quote
All that is needed to grow the most vigorous weeds is a small crack in the sidewalk
-11 Marriage Killers You Need to Avoid
quote
When a woman knows that she is loved and loved deeply, she glows from the inside
-Know Your Wife’s Deepest Longings
quote
The father-daughter relationship sets the stage for all future romantic involvements
-How a Dad Shapes His Daughter’s View of Boys
quote
The culture is at war with parents for the hearts and minds of their children
-Why Rules Alone Don’t Work
quote
Create the best marriage possible from the raw materials brought by two imperfect human beings with two distinctly unique personalities
-Do You Accept Your Spouse As Is?

Discover more

Parenting, Love, Desire & Relationships

Parenting, Love, Desire & Relationships

LEARNING PLAN

Parenting, Love, Desire & Relationships

Modern couples often struggle to balance the demands of raising children with the need to maintain a vibrant romantic connection. This plan is designed for parents and partners seeking to integrate attachment science and conscious communication into their daily lives to foster lasting family harmony.

3 h 36 m4 Sections
Lead, thrive, and grow in faith and family.

Lead, thrive, and grow in faith and family.

LEARNING PLAN

Lead, thrive, and grow in faith and family.

In a world that often separates professional success from personal faith, this plan provides a holistic framework for integrating Christ-centered values into leadership and home life. It is designed for individuals seeking to strengthen their spiritual foundation while fostering deeper connections with their family and community.

2 h 44 m4 Sections
Master my mind and be the dad they deserve

Master my mind and be the dad they deserve

LEARNING PLAN

Master my mind and be the dad they deserve

This plan is designed for fathers who want to break cycles of reactivity and lead their families with emotional stability. It provides the essential psychological tools needed to transform stress into presence, making it ideal for any dad seeking a deeper bond with his children.

2 h 35 m4 Sections
Psychology, Parenting & Productivity Study

Psychology, Parenting & Productivity Study

LEARNING PLAN

Psychology, Parenting & Productivity Study

This plan bridges the gap between cognitive science, family dynamics, and professional efficiency. It is designed for high-achieving parents and professionals who want to optimize their mental performance while nurturing deep, science-backed relationships at home.

2 h 16 m4 Sections
Be a Better Parent

Be a Better Parent

LEARNING PLAN

Be a Better Parent

This plan is essential for parents seeking to move beyond reactive discipline toward a relationship-based approach rooted in developmental science. It is ideal for caregivers at any stage, from early childhood through the teenage years, who want to foster resilience and emotional health in their children.

2 h 1 m4 Sections
Better parent & self: mindset & communication

Better parent & self: mindset & communication

LEARNING PLAN

Better parent & self: mindset & communication

This plan is designed for parents seeking to break reactive cycles and build deeper emotional connections with their children. It provides a roadmap for personal growth and practical communication tools that benefit any family dynamic.

2 h 16 m4 Sections
Great parent

Great parent

LEARNING PLAN

Great parent

Parenting is one of life's most important roles, yet few of us receive formal training in child development, emotional intelligence, or effective communication strategies. This learning plan is essential for parents, caregivers, and guardians who want to move beyond reactive parenting to build secure, confident, and emotionally resilient children through science-backed approaches and mindful practices.

1 h 57 m4 Sections
Finance, Habits, Social Skills & Parenting

Finance, Habits, Social Skills & Parenting

LEARNING PLAN

Finance, Habits, Social Skills & Parenting

This comprehensive plan bridges the gap between personal discipline, financial literacy, and interpersonal mastery. It is designed for individuals seeking to harmonize professional success with a thriving, emotionally intelligent family life.

2 h 18 m4 Sections

Community Voices

"James Dobson, influential voice of the religious right, dies at 89"

The Washington Post

"James Dobson, who has died aged 89, was for many years one of the leading members of the religious right in the US"

The Guardian

"James Dobson, a formidable force in America’s social conservative movement and promoter of an anti-abortion and "pro-family" agenda, died at 89"

Reuters

"James Dobson was a child psychologist, radio host, and founder of Focus on the Family"

Britannica

"James Dobson, Focus on the Family founder and key leader on the Christian right, dies at 89"

AP News

"James Dobson, once the most powerful tentpole of the Religious Right and a kingmaker for politicians professing faith, died Thursday"

TIME

"The prophet has been psychologist James Dobson, who dispenses child-rearing advice on the radio from his Colorado ministry"

Newsweek

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