Parenting Q&As

Do I really have any influence over how my kids turn out? I’ve heard the idea that people are just products of genetics — that nothing parents do can guide or affect their children. But I’ve also heard the opposite — that babies are born as blank slates and are shaped entirely by their environment. …

What’s your perspective on the safety and advisability of child immunization? Several of our friends, who are also new parents, have very strong feelings against vaccinating children. I want to do what’s best for our baby. Can you give me some guidance in this area?

What are some meaningful ways our church can help and support a family of a child with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)? This young family attends our church regularly but struggles to connect with most of the people in our congregation. I’m ashamed to say that we’re largely to blame for their feelings because we’ve …

I’m six months into my pregnancy. For the first few months I avoided alcohol. But about three months ago my friends convinced me that a drink now and then wouldn’t create any troubles with my unborn baby’s health, and I started having a glass of wine once or twice a week. Now I’m worried that …

How do we prepare for and manage the expenses that come with having a baby? My wife and I were ecstatic when we discovered we were pregnant, but now reality has set in. I’m feeling very anxious about the challenge of supporting and caring for a child. Can you help?

How can I deal with the effects of sleep deprivation that come with a newborn? Our little girl has been home for two weeks, and already my job performance is suffering. My wife and I take turns getting up with her in the night, but unlike my wife, I can’t go back to sleep again …

Should we provide financial assistance to our middle-aged adult children? Our son-in-law just lost his job. He’s always made a good living but has struggled with serious health issues that have placed a burden on their finances. Our daughter has never once offered to help with their income by seeking work of any kind. I’m …

Do you have any practical help for the adoptive parents of a child who comes from very difficult circumstances? We recently brought into our family a 7-year-old girl who’s been in and out of five different foster homes over the past three years. She was abused emotionally and physically by her birth parents, both of …

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 do I avoid toddler-care burnout? I’m a young stay-at-home mom with two children under the age of five. I love my kids, and I’ve willingly given up a career and other pursuits to devote myself to them full-time. Still, I have to admit that the stress, the strain, and the tedium all wear on …