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?
Parenting Q&As
What can I do to “drug-proof” my home? I’m aware that drug abuse is a huge problem among adolescents, and I want to educate myself about this issue so that I can protect my own kids and prevent them from falling into this trap. How can I make sure that they’re safe?
How important is same-sex socialization for toddlers? When we put our two-year-old son in daycare, the provider had oversight of eight kids-seven girls and one boy. Since then the other boy’s parents have made different arrangements, leaving our son as the only male child in the facility. As his dad, I’m worried that this situation …
Should our son be encouraged to marry his pregnant girlfriend? It’s a regrettable situation, but at least she’s planning to keep and raise the baby. Both of them are emotionally immature, financially dependent, and basically ill-equipped to establish themselves as a family. In spite of this, some of our Christian friends have suggested that he …
Would you recommend that we take our three young children, ages three, four, and six, to their grandfather’s funeral? My father-in-law is terminally ill and is not expected to live for more than a few weeks. As my husband and I begin preparing ourselves, both practically and emotionally, for his passing, I’m wondering what arrangements …
How do I instill an attitude of gratitude in my young daughter? I’m concerned about her selfish outlook on life. She recently had a birthday, and as soon as she was finished unwrapping her gifts she started looking around for more! What can I do to correct this?
How can we persuade our son and his girlfriend to think more seriously about what they’re going to do with the baby they’ve conceived?
What should I expect when my child starts teething? Can you help me recognize the signs that this process is about to begin? How about suggesting some simple strategies for making it as easy and as painless as possible?
How can we make our grown child’s move back home a smooth and easy transition? Just as we were looking forward to the freedom of an “empty nest,” our daughter decided that she needs to come back and “get her life together” before “moving on to the next step.” The problem is that we don’t …
What do we need to know before adopting a child who’s been abused? We’re considering adopting a 2-year-old who was removed from his birth home due to abuse. He’s been in the foster care system for the past year. What risks are we facing?
What is your opinion of boarding school for children? I’ve always thought that they were destructive to families. But recently my spouse and I have received a call to serve as missionaries overseas, and apparently this arrangement is part of the deal. I’m not sure this is best for our children and our family, but …
What should we look for in selecting a suitable preschool or playgroup for our child? We’re thinking about putting our daughter in a facility of this kind two or three days a week. There are so many options to choose from, and it’s hard to know whom we can trust.
What should I say to my daughter whose boyfriend is pressuring her to have an abortion after getting her pregnant? She’s looking to me for support and guidance, but I’m so upset that I don’t know what to tell her.
How do my husband and I know when it’s time to stop having children? We’re expecting baby number five in a few weeks. That will make a total of five kids within the space of five years! I’ve seen a lot of Christian literature on the subject of starting a family, but how can we …
How can we get our infant child to sleep through the night? At what point should we start trying to establish a more regular and predictable sleeping routine?
What should we expect with a pregnancy in later life? My wife is in her early forties and we just learned that she is expecting a child. We’re happy but stunned (to say the least). We already have three children (all in their teens now), so we’re familiar with the territory in a general sense. …
How can I tell if my child is having trouble with a bully? Are there any tell-tale signs? And if he is, how can I help him deal with the situation?
How do we help our preschooler develop his strong penchant for fantasy and make-believe in a positive way? We see his lively imagination as a good thing, but we’re also concerned to help him avoid extremes. Do you have any advice?
How can I help my child develop healthy friendships? I know how easy it can be for kids to make the wrong kinds of friends or to establish connections with others for the wrong reasons. What can I do to provide some helpful guidance in this area?
When should my husband and I stop showering with our toddler-age children and changing clothes in front of them? Can you give us some guidelines for modesty in the home?