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Parenting

baby with pacifier

What are the Pros and Cons of Pacifiers?

What should I do when my baby wants to go on sucking after I’ve finished nursing him? He screams something awful when I try to remove him from the breast. I’ve thought about resorting to a pacifier, but I get conflicting opinions on this subject from family and friends. How do you understand the pros …

father and son are watching something in the distance

Parental Authority Over a Grown Child

Now that our son is over 18, should he still obey us?

woman sitting on bed arms wrapped around knees upset sad

Pregnant Woman Is Afraid of Having Another Miscarriage

Is there anything I can do to improve my chances of carrying a baby to term after losing my first pregnancy? My doctor told me that about one in four pregnancies ends this way. But he didn’t run any tests to find out what went wrong, and I can’t bear the thought of having another …

teen girl behind glass words love hate sad

Parenting a Bipolar Teen

Do you have any advice for parents who are dealing with the challenge of raising a teenager who struggles with depression and bipolar disorder? We’ve tried everything we can think of to help our daughter, but so far our efforts haven’t had much of an impact. Can you offer us some hope?

Dad and young son reading by flashlight

Divorced Dad: Child Doesn’t Like New Girlfriend

How can I overcome my child’s aversion to my girlfriend? I’m the father of a wonderful six-year-old boy. His mother divorced me when he was about three, and has since remarried. At present, she has primary custody and I have visitation rights. My son doesn’t like to “share” me with anyone else and this has …

Dad and daughter posing in sunglasses

How Dads Teach Daughters About Modesty

How can fathers help their girls learn about modesty? I want my daughter to get a handle on this concept before she becomes a teen, but I feel awkward about raising this subject with her. I realize that as a dad I can either be a big asset to her in this area or embarrass …

nervous looking child in pool

Child Is Overly Cautious

Should we be concerned about a child who doesn’t like to take risks? By way of example, he consistently avoids scary roller coasters. My husband thinks he should be pushed harder and forced to face his fears. I feel we should give him time to develop confidence at his own pace. What’s your perspective?

sad little boy lying on couch

Child Says He Wants to Die

What should I do when my 6-year-old son tells me he wishes he were dead?

teen boy and girl holding hands

Parental Guidelines for Teen Dating

What rules and guidelines should we set for our teenager who wants to start dating?

Mom hugging young adult daughter at event

Distance In Relationship With Grown Child

Is it normal for married adult children to become disconnected from their parents? There’s a coldness, distance, and separation that’s crept into my relationship with my adult daughter, and I think her spouse may have something to do with it. What have I done wrong? How do I show my concern and let her know …

baby with pacifier in car seat

Recognizing Autism in Toddlers

How can I know if my child might be in danger of developing autism? He’s one year old and starting to walk, but he hasn’t begun talking yet – no “mama,” “dada,” or anything else. If he wants something, he just points and screeches. I’ve also noticed that he often stares off into the distance and …

Teen boy holding a pregnancy test and looking uncertain.

Parenting a Son Whose Girlfriend Is Pregnant

How should we respond to our teenage son who has gotten his girlfriend pregnant?

edge of pink dress with fairy wand

Three-Year-Old Boy Plays Dress-Up With Sisters

Should I allow my three-year-old son to play dress-up with his older sisters? He not only enjoys putting on the same frilly dresses they wear, but the costume jewelry as well. This doesn’t seem like healthy behavior to me. What can I do to stop it?

two girls on sled in winter snow

Parents Concerned About Young Kids Interacting With Gay Neighbors

A lesbian couple with young children recently moved in a couple of houses down the block. Our kids have struck up a friendship with their kids, and I’m at a bit of a loss as to how to handle the situation. I want to teach my kids to be loving and accepting of the children. …

Person talking to annoyed young man

Teens and Mandatory Church Attendance

Should we force our adolescent son to attend church with us? He used to enjoy it, but now has no interest in going at all. We want to respect his independence and give him the freedom to make age-appropriate decisions for himself, but it also worries us to think that he may be drifting away …

Man and woman lying on bed eating pizza

Adult Child Living at Home Disregards Parents’ Standards

What kind of standards of conduct and behavior should parents impose upon an adult child living in their home? Our single 29-year-old daughter lives with us in separate quarters off of the main house. She knows how deeply we feel about marriage as the only appropriate context for sexual expression, but she’s made a habit …

gloved hand holding a tattoo pen

What Does the Bible Say About Tattoos?: Advice for Parenting Teens

Does the Bible forbid tattoos?

Tired and sad husband and wife embracing

Asking a Grown Child to Move Out of the House

How do I know when it’s time to ask my adult child to leave?

back of child's head staring at screen

Violent Toys and TV Programs

Should I be concerned that my young son has been spending a lot of time watching violent cartoons and playing with the “spin-off” action figures marketed by the shows’ producers? How do you think these programs and products affect the attitudes and behavior of children?

mother and adult daughter

Dealing With a Grown Child Who Is Unemployed and Living at Home

How do we deal with an adult child who has no job, is living in our basement, and drawing heavily on our financial resources? My husband and I can’t agree on the best way to handle this situation, and it’s becoming a real strain on our relationship. What should we do?