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Parenting

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Establishing Baby’s Sleep Patterns

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?

little boy playing with toilet paper roll

Readiness for Toilet Training

How do we know when it’s time to start encouraging our child to use the toilet? And when he’s ready, what can we do to help the whole process go smoothly?

toy cars with children in the background

Choosing a Preschool

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.

a wall of doors choices

Helping Teens Prepare for a Career

How can I help my adolescent son settle on a vocation and make wise plans for the future? He seems to be thinking more seriously about career choices and wondering what God wants him to do with his life.

teen girl hiding under bedspread

Teenagers and Sleep

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 …

Little girl smiling between grandparents

Grandparents Show Favoritism

What’s the best way to handle grandparents who play favorites? For many years my parents have been partial to our oldest child. At first their favoritism showed itself in small ways, but now our youngest child has noticed and is beginning to ask questions. How can we best address this situation?

adult male legs toddler boy walking on beach

Single Mom Fears Boyfriend Isn’t Good Father-Figure

As a single mother of a preschooler, should I continue a relationship with a man who doesn’t strike me as having the potential to be a good dad? I’ve met a man at church who is a solid Christian, and we’ve developed strong feelings for one another, but I just don’t know whether he would …

boy staring out under trees

Brain Chemistry and Children Who’ve Been Adopted

Is it possible that mental problems might be behind the erratic behavior of our 6-year-old son who we adopted who we adopted through the foster care system? His behavior is maddeningly unpredictable. He alternates between tantrums, running away, hiding, aggression, and wild hyperactivity. To top things off, he seems to regard us with feelings of …

sullen boy and girl

Marital Conflict and Its Impact on Children

If my spouse and I argue and disagree a lot, will this have a negative effect on our kids? Though our relationship is still intact (for the most part), we have what I can only describe as a “high-conflict marriage.” Is this likely to hurt our children?

baby in woman's arms mouth open angry cry

Separation Anxiety in Infants

What can we do about a baby who starts screaming uncontrollably the minute we leave the room or put him down for five minutes? Rocking, soothing, noise makers, sleeping with us – nothing seems to help. My wife has been forced to take him to work with her, but she can’t get anything accomplished. What’s the …

Boy standing by tree with fall leaves looking down

Adolescent Son Is Shy and Awkward Around Girls

How can I help my 15-year-old son feel more confident around girls his age? He’s still very shy and nervous in mixed company, and I’m looking for ways to give him a boost in this area. Any suggestions?

head shot of teen girl looking serious

Exploring Options for an Unwed Pregnant Teen

How should I help my unwed pregnant daughter?

mom and daughter arguing on bench

Parent Believes Teen Is Involved in Premarital Sex

What’s the best way to confront our teenage daughter with our discovery that she has become sexually involved with her boyfriend? We found an entry in her journal describing a sexual encounter. We can’t allow this behavior to go unaddressed, but we don’t want to create a wedge and close the door to future communication. …

young boy and girl in field

Young Child Has a Precocious Interest in Relationships With the Opposite Sex

Should I be worried when my preschooler talks about having a boyfriend? I wasn’t too concerned until recently when she and a boy of the same age kept going off into a corner of the yard “to be alone” as they played with other neighborhood kids. What do you think about this?

child holding Bible in front of Christmas lights

Helping Children Understand God

How can I teach my kids anything about God when I don’t fully understand who He is? This is something that most Christians seem to take for granted, but I have to confess that it’s always been hard for me to grasp. Given my own difficulties in this area, how can I possibly be of …

girl in sunflower field lifting hands smiling

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 …

girl sitting on tennis court black fair skinned

Child of Interracial Marriage Struggles With Issues of “Color”

How can I help my granddaughter who is struggling with her racial identity? She’s the child of an interracial marriage – her mother is white, her father black. Her parents have now divorced and her dad is no longer in the picture. On top of the many other problems that go along with being a …

younger man chopping vegetables older man

Dad Who Grew Up Fatherless Needs Advice and Guidance

What does it take to be a good father? I grew up without a dad. Now I’m married with kids of my own, and I’m not sure I’m leading my family in the way God intended. Do you have any advice?

kids and parents hugging laughing

Healthy Family Humor

How can we enjoy the lighter side of life and encourage laughter in our home but do it in an appropriate and edifying way? Many of our friends find amusement in things that I personally consider offensive. Can you suggest any helpful guidelines for healthy humor within the family?