jon vallier

Recommendations

• As dads, we often feel like we are navigating uncharted territory. Whether it’s watching a teenage daughter pull away or worrying about the “always-on” nature of social media, the modern landscape of parenting is fraught with new kinds of pressure.

  Two recent perspectives—one focused on the practical “how-to” of fatherhood from All Pro Dad, and the other a landmark legal report from the BBC—highlight both the internal struggles of teen girls and the external forces that may be making things harder.

  The Inner World: Why Teen Girls Struggle

  According to the All Pro Dad article, teen girls today are facing a mental health “perfect storm.” Research suggests they are significantly more likely than boys to struggle with anxiety and depression. The reasons are a mix of social and biological factors:

  • The Perfectionism Trap: Girls often face immense pressure to succeed academically while simultaneously maintaining an “agreeable” and “perfect” appearance.
  • The Cycle of “Anxiety about Anxiety”: Biologically, as girls enter puberty, they can become more emotionally sensitive. This can lead to a feedback loop where they feel anxious simply because they are feeling overwhelmed, making the emotions harder to break.
  • The Need for Presence, Not Just Fixes: The article emphasizes that dads don’t need to “fix” every problem. Often, the best medicine is simply being present, listening without judgment, and validating their feelings rather than dismissing them as “drama.”

  The External Force: Social Media on Trial

  While parents work on the home front, a landmark legal case reported by the BBC suggests that the tools our children use every day may be intentionally designed to exploit their vulnerabilities.

  In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a California jury found tech giants Meta (Instagram) and Google (YouTube) liable for the mental health decline of a young user. The case revealed startling details:

  • Addictive by Design: Evidence presented in court suggested that features like “infinite scroll,” algorithmic recommendations, and push notifications were engineered to encourage compulsive use.
  • Internal Warnings: Internal documents showed that even within these companies, employees compared their platforms to “drugs” and recognized they were “pushing” content to boost time spent on the apps, often at the expense of child safety.
  • A “Seismic Shift”: This $6 million verdict marks a turning point. It moves the conversation from “social media is a distraction” to “social media is a product that can cause documented harm,” potentially paving the way for thousands of similar lawsuits and stricter regulations worldwide.

  The Bottom Line for Dads

  The bridge between these two articles is clear: Connection is our best defense. While the legal system begins to hold Big Tech accountable for “addictive design,” parents can take immediate action at home. By encouraging better sleep, limiting social media “doomscrolling,” and—most importantly—building a relationship where a daughter feels heard and believed, we can create a “safety net” that helps her navigate the digital world without losing herself to it.

  The takeaway? We may not be able to change the algorithms overnight, but we can change the environment in our own living rooms. Be present, listen closely, and remember that your support is the most powerful tool your daughter has.

  Raising Resilient Daughters in a Digital Age: From Personal Connection to Legal Accountability

• Title: Seeing the Season with New Eyes: Reflections on “Christmas: The Things We May Have Missed”

  The story of Christmas is so familiar that we often treat it like a well-worn path. We know the characters, the songs, and the scenery so well that we sometimes breeze right past the radical details that make the story truly miraculous.

  I just wrapped up a 9-day journey through the Bible App devotional “Christmas: The Things We May Have Missed,” and it was the perfect way to peel back the layers of the holiday and rediscover the wonder of the Incarnation.

  Slowing Down the Nativity

  We usually see the Nativity as a static, peaceful scene on a mantle. This plan challenged me to look closer at the “messy” and “missed” parts of the narrative. Over nine days, the study highlights the overlooked perspectives—the social scandal surrounding Mary, the quiet obedience of Joseph, and the profound significance of God choosing a humble stable over a palace.

  The Power of the Details

  One of the most impactful takeaways from this study was how intentional God was in every minor detail. From the timing of the census to the specific prophecies fulfilled, nothing was an accident. The devotional pointed out things I had read dozens of times but never truly noticed. It reminded me that if God is that attentive to the details of the first Christmas, He is just as attentive to the details of our lives today.

  Finding Jesus in the Noise

  In the middle of the shopping, the parties, and the stress, it’s easy to “miss” the point of the season even while celebrating it. This study served as a daily pause button. It shifted my focus from the commercialized version of Christmas to the world-altering reality that God became flesh to dwell among us. It wasn’t just a “nice story”; it was a rescue mission.

  A New Way to Celebrate

  Completing these nine days has left me with a deeper sense of gratitude. I’m walking away with a heart that is a little more expectant and eyes that are looking for God’s hand in the quiet, unexpected places.

  If you’ve ever felt like Christmas has become a bit “routine,” I highly recommend this plan. It will help you find the extraordinary hidden in the familiar.

  You can find the plan here: Christmas: The Things We May Have Missed

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  We would like to thank Our Daily Bread Ministries for providing this plan. Their devotionals continue to be a source of daily strength and insight for millions around the world. For more resources, visit: https://www.odb.org/

  Seeing the Season with New Eyes: Reflections on “Christmas: The Things We May Have Missed”

• Title: Who Is God? Reflections on the “Great I AM” Devotional

  We often try to fit God into our own boxes, defining Him by our circumstances or our limited understanding. But who does God say He is? I just finished a short but incredibly powerful 4-day devotional on the Bible App called “Great I AM,” and it was a profound reset for my perspective on the character of God.

  Beyond a Name

  The title “I AM” is more than just a name; it is a declaration of God’s self-existence, His presence, and His sovereignty. Over these four days, the plan dives into the weight of this statement, tracing it from the burning bush with Moses to the life of Jesus. It reminds us that God isn’t a “was” or a “will be”—He is the eternal “is.” He is present in our right-now moments.

  Stability in a Changing World

  One of the biggest takeaways for me was the sense of peace that comes from God’s unchanging nature. We live in a world where everything is shifting—our jobs, our health, our relationships—but the “Great I AM” remains constant. The devotional walks through how this name provides a foundation for our trust. When we feel inadequate, we can lean on the One who is more than enough.

  The Greatness of Jesus

  The plan also beautifully connects the Old Testament revelation of God to the “I AM” statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John. Seeing Jesus as the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, and the Good Shepherd makes the vastness of God feel deeply personal. It reminds us that the Creator of the universe is also the One who deeply loves and provides for us.

  A Call to Worship

  Though it’s only four days long, this study is a call to move away from self-centered faith and toward God-centered worship. It’s a reminder that our problems shrink when we truly begin to grasp the magnitude of the God we serve.

  If you need to be reminded of the power, majesty, and presence of the God who holds your life in His hands, I highly recommend this plan.

  You can find the plan here: Great I AM on Bible.com

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  We would like to thank The Good Book Company for providing this plan. Their resources are consistently excellent for helping believers dig deeper into the character of God. For more information, visit: https://www.thegoodbook.com/

  Who Is God? Reflections on the “Great I AM” Devotional