What should we do about our teen’s sudden academic struggles? He’s always been an excellent student, but since entering high school his grades have dropped significantly. When we ask him what’s going on, he just shrugs his shoulders and says, “My teachers don’t like me.” How can we get to the bottom of this?
Family Q&A
When and how should we tell our child about her adoption into our family? What’s the best and most sensitive way to approach the subject?
Is there a way to get concerned friends and family members to back off and stop telling us how to raise our child? My spouse and I are new parents and are overwhelmed by all the tips we’ve been receiving. Sometimes people even contradict each other. I feel like telling them to mind their own …
What are some of the traits seen in children and adults with ADHD?
How do I answer my preschooler’s questions about his father who left the family when I was three months pregnant and hasn’t been in touch since? Lately my son has been asking why his dad doesn’t live with us. What should I tell him?
Should I have an abortion if my baby is likely to be born with a serious – potentially disabling – medical condition? My doctor has assured me that this is the case, and I’m at a loss to know what to do. I’m devastated and overwhelmed.
What’s the proper protocol for spouses when it comes to helping other people of the opposite sex with problems – especially problems of the marital variety? Sadly, my brother and his wife are in the process of divorcing. My sister-in-law called my husband the other night to see if he would meet with her to provide counseling …
I have some serious reservations about the friends my husband keeps in touch with from his college days. Some of these guys are married and some aren’t. They plan frequent “boys’ weekends,” and they also organize a lot of parties for special occasions. What concerns me is what goes on at these events. On a …
Do you have any recommendations for couples who find themselves owing a lot of money to a lot of different creditors? I’m not quite sure how it happened, but my spouse and I have come to the realization that we’re in deep debt and serious financial trouble. As you can imagine, this is putting a …
As a bride-to-be, how can I get past the struggle and disappointment I’m experiencing due to the fact that the man I’m marrying isn’t a virgin? I don’t hold this against him. In fact, I almost feel guilty for having these feelings because he is a devoted Christian, gentle and kind, and a man of …
Do you have any advice on how to deal with a relationally jealous and possessive mother? Though I’m a grown woman with young children of my own, my mom is still trying to control my life. I’d love to have a close, healthy relationship with her, but she demands more. In fact, she insists that …
Is it normal for a woman to feel emotionally low and exhausted in the weeks after giving birth? The birth of our child was one of the highlights of our married life, but now my wife is frequently depressed. She doesn’t communicate with me and resists any romantic advances on my part. All of this …
Does Focus on the Family offer marriage retreats and conferences for couples?
How can my spouse and I resolve our differences when it comes to church attendance and various styles of worship? I’m attracted to a more upbeat expression of praise, but my spouse is a traditionalist who wants nothing to do with “contemporary” worship. Can you help us resolve our disagreements in this area?
How can I get a copy of the booklet “Nothing To Hide”?
Do you have any advice for a woman who is facing the prospect of becoming a mother and getting divorced at the same time? I’ve just found out that I’m pregnant. Meanwhile, my husband has announced that he’s leaving me and wants a divorce. What should I do? I’ve considered moving back home, but my …
What’s the best way to deal with “enabling” relatives? Our adult child has made some very poor choices, and as a result he’s struggling to make it on his own. He’s become extremely manipulative, and we’ve had to establish firm boundaries with him. Unfortunately, members of our extended family aren’t helping – in fact, some of …
Can you tell me what it means to “honor” (Exodus 20:12) a parent who has become increasingly cranky, feisty, disagreeable, and demanding as a result of Alzheimer’s disease and the aging process? My mom was once a sweet, caring, and soft-spoken woman, but all that has changed dramatically over the past few years. I can …
What should I do when my spouse frequently makes inaccurate or embarrassing statements about me in the company of family or friends?
Do you believe that couples who possess a strong faith have an advantage over those who don’t? To put it another way, how important is the spiritual side of a marriage relationship? Is it crucial that husband and wife share the same faith and practice it together? If so, why?