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?
Family Q&A
How do we keep our child from becoming a “quitter”? Several months ago our 5-year-old son asked to be enrolled in a Tae Kwon Do program. He’s enjoyed it and usually has a good time once he gets to class. But lately we’ve run into problems with him not wanting to go. We don’t want …
How important is it for adolescents to get enough sleep? And exactly how much is “enough”? My son is trying to convince me that he has enough energy to handle late nights. I tend to disagree. My feeling is that sleep is critical during the teen years, especially with all of the physical changes kids …
At what age do you think a child is too old for a pacifier? We’ve tried several times to take it away, but it’s like pulling teeth. I’ve also been wondering about my son’s attachment to his blanket. Is it a problem if we let him keep it? At this point the thing is nothing …
Why are so many teens making bad sexual choices? This worries me because I have teenage kids of my own and I’m anxious to help them avoid serious mistakes in this area. Can you help me get a better handle on teenage attitudes about sex?
Why do dads need to get involved with their sons on an emotional level? My father was a no-nonsense man who did not share much with me in the way of his feelings. He basically taught me how to work hard, be responsible and make my own way in life. My wife gets upset with …
Can you provide my spouse and me with any guidance or resource suggestions as we consider adopting a child through the foster care system?
Where does the Bible speak about the “sanctity of human life”? I’ve noticed that the more widely a phrase or slogan gets thrown around, the fuzzier its meaning seems to become. This one is a good example. I’m forever hearing Christians talk about “the sanctity of human life” in church, on Christian radio and television, …
How does the aging process affect a couple’s libido and love life? My spouse and I have already passed the age of retirement, and now we’re facing some health issues that I fear may have negative implications for our relationship in the bedroom. Is sexual fulfillment something that decreases as we get older?
Do you have any answers for someone who’s stuck in a destructive relationship? I just had a baby with my boyfriend of six years. We’ve always had problems, but things took a turn for the worse when we moved in together a year and a half ago. Our plan was to share rent and other …
In light of the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:27-30, how does a “virtual” affair differ in any significant way from a real-life affair? If it isn’t different, does my spouse’s involvement with cybersex give me grounds for divorce? I recently discovered that he’s been involved in an ongoing “relationship” via the Internet. He claims …
How important is it for family members to talk to one another on a regular basis? Communication has been an “issue” in our marriage for a long time, but recently I’ve noticed that the problem is spreading to the kids as well: it seems that none of us spend any time actually talking to each …
Should I go through with my plans to remarry even though my intended spouse’s children are against the marriage? As a matter of fact, they seem to hate me.
Can you provide some guidance on how to navigate a marital separation? Our marriage has been plagued by conflict and emotional pain for a long, long time. As a result, we’ve come to the conclusion – sadly and reluctantly – that we need to get away from each other for a while. I honestly don’t …
Why does my wife always want me to talk to her? When I’m tired and just want to relax, she launches into an emotional outburst about how we don’t “communicate” the way we used to. I have to leave the house to get any peace and quiet. Why won’t she leave me alone?
Do you think it’s a good idea for husbands and wives to have regular activities apart from each other with their friends of the same sex? My husband feels a deep need to get together with his guy friends a couple of times each month, but I’d rather spend most of my time with him. …
How should I deal with the romantic feelings I’ve developed for my best friend’s wife? This woman and I recently acknowledged to one another that the attraction is mutual and that we needed to put some safeguards in place to protect our marriages, but we’re not sure how to go about it. My wife and …
What should a pastor’s wife do if she becomes aware that her spouse is “embellishing” his sermons with half-truths or outright lies? My husband will often tell stories about himself in the pulpit that I know to be either greatly exaggerated or borrowed from some other source. I’ve never directly confronted him, but on the …
How can I guard against the danger of online social networking taking up too much of my time and negatively impacting my marriage? When I first started using sites like Facebook I thought they were a great way to keep in touch with family and friends. But now it seems we’re on the verge of …
If a couple has absolutely no sex life, are they still married in God’s eyes?