Are kids happier when they’re closer in age, or is it better to plan them farther apart? What are your thoughts on the spacing of children?
Parenting
Is it unhealthy to poke fun at ourselves and tease other family members? We’ve always enjoyed laughing together at our house, and sometimes that includes what some people refer to as “teasing.” Friends of ours have expressed concern that we may be fostering an “unsafe” environment that doesn’t promote respectful relationships. Do you think there’s …
Can you share any ideas for getting a newborn to sleep? For some reason, our baby fights to stay awake, especially when we put her in the crib or bassinet. The only place that isn’t problematic is the cradle swing, and the only time things go smoothly is after a late-night feeding. How should we …
How can we tell if a babysitter has acted inappropriately with our kids? It’s painful even to think about this, but we have reasons for suspecting that our babysitter may have abused our young child. What would you suggest we do in such a case? Are there “red flags” or tell-tale signs that we should …
How can I encourage my bashful preschooler to open up and break out of his shell? He’s soft-spoken, reserved, and afraid of walking into a room full of people. He used to cry when we’d take him to the church nursery, and now he resists being left at his daycare center. Is there something we …
How can we possibly get past the guilt, shame, confusion, fear, and pain that have overtaken us in the wake of our teenage son’s suicide? Not only are we blaming ourselves and wondering where we went wrong. We’re also dealing with the toxic effect this is having on our entire family. Can you help us?
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?
How should I respond to my son’s questions about his dad, a convicted felon who is serving a long prison sentence? We’re living with my parents until I can raise enough money to move out. He has some great role models in my father and my brothers, but I’m worried that he will somehow end …
Are “pro-ana” websites helpful for those with anorexia and other eating disorders? I recently discovered that my teenage daughter, who has struggled with an eating disorder (anorexia), has been visiting one of these sites on a regular basis. When I questioned her about it, she said that it’s designed to provide girls in her situation …
Could my child’s struggles in math be linked to some kind of learning disability? She gets straight A’s in every other subject, but when it comes to working with numbers she really has problems keeping her head above water. We’re having a hard time understanding why this is the case.
As a new Christian who is in the process of kicking a lifelong drinking habit, how can I restore my relationship with my children? A number of years ago my struggles with alcoholism finally destroyed my marriage and family. I really regret the mess I’ve made, but I’ve recently found the Lord and am currently …
Should we let our 16-year-old girl spend time with an older guy? He’s 25 and very involved in our church praise band. For the last year he and my daughter have had a fun brother-sister type relationship. He’s very likeable and held in high esteem at our church, but for some reason my mother’s intuition …
How can we prepare our toddler for the upcoming birth of a new baby? What’s the best way to explain the birthing process so that he can understand it? I’d like to be as honest as possible with him, but I also want to be careful not to give him more information than he needs. …
Can you help me understand the dynamics of father-daughter and mother-son relationships? Does a child’s interaction with the parent of the opposite sex take on a greater significance as he or she enters the teenage years? If so, how?
How can we help our son have a successful prom night? He’s excited about this event, but I’m afraid he may also be a bit naive, both about the cost and the potential moral pitfalls. Any suggestions for some helpful tips and basic ground rules?
Should I raise my kids under a philosophy of law or grace? Since the Gospel is all about grace, doesn’t this suggest that it’s a mistake for Christian parents to raise their children according to a lot of rules and regulations? Paul even tells us, in Galatians 3:24, that the law was nothing but a …
As a Christian father, should I give my daughter away at the wedding if she’s marrying a non-believer? Over the more than twenty years of our marriage we’ve worked hard to raise her in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Her decision has come as a great disappointment to us. We love our daughter, …
At what point does a child become personally responsible for his or her actions before God? This is not just an academic question; as I see it, your answer will affect how I choose to discipline my children. I know that we’re all born with an inherited sin nature, but I’m not sure what the …
Should I be nervous about letting my elementary-school-age daughter visit a friend’s house? Normally I wouldn’t hesitate to say “yes” since her friend is a sweet and respectful girl. Her father, however, seems overly eager for our daughter to come over. How should we evaluate and respond to this situation? Do you have any advice
Is there a way to put a stop to the constant state of conflict I’m in with my school age child? I’m spending a lot of time trying to promote harmony and maintain a little order in our home, but when I ask my son to pitch in, I get either passive indifference or outright …