What can I do to establish and maintain an effective relationship with my doctor? I’ve had some pretty lousy experiences in the past, but I’m having some health problems and I know I shouldn’t put off getting the attention I need. A friend just told me about a new doctor that I’m considering seeing. What …
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What can I do when the task of caring for my aging parent leaves me feeling tired, discouraged, confused, and torn in several different directions all the time? I guess I didn’t realize it at first, but this is an exhausting job! I’m already burned out! How can I survive without losing my mind?
When health insurance is available to both spouses, is it wise for each to sign up for coverage?
How do we find the medical and social services we need in order to care effectively for my elderly father? He recently suffered a paralyzing stroke, so we’ve brought him home to live with us. Needless to say, we’re desperate for some outside assistance. Where should we look?
How can I handle worry? I’m a perfectionist, and I really struggle with this. I worry a great deal about everything in life, but especially about my children. Fears and anxieties about what could or might happen to them out in the world are a constant feature of my everyday life. You don’t have to …
What can I do to ensure my aging mom’s safety and security? She lives alone, and I worry that she’s becoming increasingly vulnerable to abuse from outsiders. How can I tell if she’s in any immediate danger?
Where do I turn for help with my spouse’s problem with substance abuse and drug addiction? It has had a devastating impact on our marriage and family, and I feel as if I’ve just about reached the end of my rope.
As a widow in my mid-sixties, should I pay off my home or invest the money my husband left me? What’s the very best use I can make of these funds?
What’s your opinion on teens getting involved in social networking and online chat rooms? I’ve read some of the teen conversations on the sites my daughter wants to visit, and they seem relatively harmless. But I’m still afraid of losing control over my child’s interactions with her peers. Should I be concerned?
Can you tell us what changes we should expect as our child goes through puberty and enters adolescence — and how we should deal with them? I realize that this is likely to be a challenging time in our son’s life. I’m also assuming that my spouse and I will have to bear a large …
Should I be worried about having a third child? My husband has concerns about what he calls “middle child syndrome.” Do you think his misgivings are justified?
Is twelve years old too young for a girl to be expressing a keen interest in boys? My husband and I have a difference of opinion on this point. Our daughter and her best friend like to talk about “cute” boys and often tease each other about who has a crush on whom. To me …
How should we handle the discovery that our teenager has been sexually active for the past several months? We’re not happy about it, but we want to deal with the problem without alienating our child. What should we do?
How can we teach our children good listening skills? They seem to have trouble paying attention to instructions and following directions. In my daughter’s case, I think she’s just defiant most of the time. As for my son, he’s very intense and tends to get so locked into television, a book, a videogame, or whatever …
How do we smooth the adjustment process for a child who’s newly adopted (internationally)? Our daughter is nearly 10 months old, but she still isn’t sleeping through the night. When she’s awake, she’s cranky and cries all the time. This makes it difficult to feel connected to her, and we’re frustrated and tired. How can …
How do we explain our marital troubles to our three-year-old son? My husband and I are temporarily separated and are attempting to work through our differences with the help of a counselor. We both feel it’s important to remain apart for the time being because we’re concerned that our constant fighting may have a negative …
How can I play an active and positive role in my grandchild’s life while still respecting appropriate boundaries with my son and daughter-in-law? I’m excited to help, but I realize how easy it can be for new grandparents to wear out their welcome. Any tips or advice?
Should we allow our struggling grown child to move back in with us? Our son recently got divorced. Then he lost his job and started drinking heavily again. He seems to have no sense of direction and now he wants to move back in with us. We’re not sure if this would be the best …
Should money play a role in our decision on where to send our kids to school? We don’t feel that the public schools are an option for our children’s education, so we’re left with a choice between home schooling and a private Christian school. Can you help us find our way?
How can I tell to what extent my adopted child’s erratic behavior and moods might be based on neurochemical issues? I’m not sure about the details of his background before we adopted him, but I have a hunch there was some kind of neglect or abuse. It’s been more challenging to raise him than we …