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Family Q&A

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Prodigal Grown Child

How can we best relate to our grown child who has completely rejected his Christian faith and upbringing? After graduating from high school he moved in with his girlfriend and became involved with drug and alcohol abuse. Our hearts ache to reach out to him, but we don’t want to appear to be condoning his …

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Risk Factors for Teen Premarital Sex

How can I know if my teen is likely to engage in premarital sex? My spouse and I have tried to raise our kids in the right way, but we’re keenly aware that the culture is working against us. Promiscuity is fashionable nowadays and sexual temptations are everywhere. How can we guard against it? Are …

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Sleepovers for Grade-Schoolers

What is your opinion about overnight group activities for elementary grade children? We want our kids to have fun and participate with their friends, but we’re concerned about exposing them to inappropriate influences. Are we overreacting?

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Taking Children to Visit Terminally Ill Relatives

Is it a good idea to expose children to the reality of death, disease, and mortality by taking them to visit terminally ill relatives? My grandmother is in the final stages of cancer and her illness has dramatically altered her physical appearance. Recently she expressed a desire to see my two young children. Should I …

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Teaching Kids the Meaning of Prayer

How can I help my 7-year-old daughter understand the proper use of prayer? I’ve tried to teach her that talking to God is simply a way of staying close to Him, but lately she’s been using prayer to ask for everything she wants, such as getting a new toy, going to the movies, or winning …

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Teenage Son Wants to Smoke Electronic Cigarettes

Should I allow my 14-year-old son to smoke electronic cigarettes? He’s been hounding me about it and claims that they are medically safe and that there is no reason I should not let him engage in and enjoy this activity. I’ve been telling him “no” even though I know nothing about e-cigarettes and have no …

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“Time Outs” As a Disciplinary Measure

How effective are “time outs”? Our son is entering toddlerhood and I’m not sure what type of discipline is best for different behaviors. My friends all seem to rely on “time outs” regardless of the nature of their kids’ behavior. I’m not sure this is always the best method. When are “time outs” an appropriate …

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Understanding Teen Sexting

As a parent of a teenager, is “sexting” something that I need to be concerned about? I’ve heard a few stories about this on the news, but I’ve never felt that my daughter would be susceptible to temptations of this kind. We haven’t talked about it because I’m really not up to speed on the …

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When to Tell Your Kids You’re Pregnant

When should I tell my children that we’re having a baby? We have two daughters, ages 2 and 4, and my husband and I are anxious to share the news with them. At the same time, we have reasons for being concerned about the possibility of another miscarriage (I had one about six months ago). …

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The “Abortion Abolitionist” Movement and the Practical Application of Law

Why are pro-life groups opposed to prosecuting women for killing their preborn child?

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Referrals for Post-Abortion Ministries and Training

Can you recommend materials or organizations that reach out to women who are struggling with the effects of Post-Abortion Syndrome?

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Afraid to Communicate With Spouse About Sensitive Issues

What’s the best way to bring up sensitive issues with my spouse? I’m concerned about things that are going in our marriage, but I’m afraid to talk to my spouse about them because I don’t want to start a fight and make things worse.

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Cohabitation and Its Implications for Marriage

Is living together before marriage a good test of marital compatibility? My boyfriend and I both come from broken homes. We’ve been talking about spending our lives together, but we’re afraid of ending up divorced like our parents. How do you suggest we handle this?

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Cousin Marriage

Is it appropriate for cousins or other relatives to marry?

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Emotional Distance in Marriage

How can my spouse and I overcome growing feelings of estrangement and regain the closeness we had in the early days of our marriage? We both lead extremely busy lives. My husband’s workload should ease up soon, but in the meantime I sense that he’s becoming increasingly distant from me emotionally. What can I do …

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“Friend” Requests From Old Flames on Social Media

Should I accept a Facebook “friend” request from a former boyfriend? He has indicated an interest in connecting with me via social media. I’m very much in love with and committed to my husband, so I feel sure that this will not pose a threat to our marriage relationship. What do you think?

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How the Devil Undermines the Home

How exactly does Satan destroy families? I’ve heard it said many times that he is out to wreck marriages and families. I’m not denying this – I realize that the unseen spiritual battles that surround us are very real – but I don’t have any clear idea of precisely how the devil might try to …

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Husband Struggling With Erectile Dysfunction

Do you have any help for a man who has suddenly found himself struggling with erectile dysfunction? My wife and I are in our mid-fifties, and up until a year ago we had a healthy and vigorous sex life. That was when, almost overnight, I began having issues. I’m embarrassed and frustrated to the point …

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Living With a Spouse Who Has Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Do you have advice for living with a spouse whose life is dominated by senseless, constant rituals?

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Moving Forward After the Pain of Divorce

How do I deal with the brokenness of divorce and make a new life for my kids and myself? I’ll admit that I’ve made some bad choices. One of the worst was walking away from my family when my marriage got too tough to deal with. I realize now that my absence has not only …