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Parenting

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Dad Frustrated Because Son Wants to “Do It Himself”

Why doesn’t my son want me to teach him things? From the moment he was born I’ve been looking forward to the time when I could teach him how to do all kinds of fun “guy” stuff. But now that he’s old enough, he doesn’t want me to teach him anything. When I try, he …

boy running away into mountains forest

Disciplining a Child Who “Runs Away”

How do we deal with a small child who takes off and has to be chased down every time he misbehaves and suspects that he’s about to be punished? He tends to run away whenever any kind of problem surfaces, and we have to run after him just to talk to him, let alone correct …

boys playing outside

Handling Conflicts With Neighbor Kids

How can we stop our son, age six, from fighting with the boy next door? The neighbor kid gets mad if our son won’t play with him. If he does agree to play, the neighbor and his friends often reject him and drive him away. This boy has been extremely aggressive towards my son, pushing …

mom baking with boy and girl

Leaving Job to Become a Stay-at-Home Mom

Do you have any advice or suggestions for a mother who wants to make the transition from full-time career woman to stay-at-home mom? What can I do to make this change as smooth as possible for the entire family?

toddler with blocks mouth open

Parental Influence on a Child’s Language Development

We have a toddler who is just learning to talk – is there anything important we should know about the respective ways in which moms and dads influence speech development? I understand that word use is one of the key areas in which men and women differ, and I’m interested to know what this implies …

Dad and little girl walking on beach

“Quality Time” vs. “Quantity Time” in Parenting

Is the quality of time I spend with my family more important than the quantity?

boy with fake moustache

Teaching a Boy About Marriage and Fatherhood

When should parents start talking with their sons about what it means to be a God-honoring husband and father? Our boy isn’t even in his teens yet, but we want to be sure to lay a strong foundation before it’s too late. Should we wait until after puberty? Or would it be better to hold …

sad preschool girl holding teddy bear

When Not to Discipline a Child

Are there times, occasions, and situations when I should simply “chill out” and refrain from “getting tough” with a kid who misbehaves? I’m fairly new at the parenting game, and I need all the help and advice I can get in this area. When should I not discipline my child?

baby on training potty

Eliminating the Stress of Potty Training

Is potty training a child always such a difficult and challenging experience? We’ve been trying to potty-train our son since he turned two years old. So far we haven’t had much success, and the stress level in our household is at an all-time high. After several months, we’re still not making any progress. Is this …

teens on their phones

Guiding Teens Into Adulthood in the Modern World

Why is it so difficult raising adolescents nowadays? I understand that it’s supposed to be a process of gradually letting go, granting them more independence, and setting them free to become the adults God wants them to be. But while I know all this in my head, there are days when I just can’t put …

back of boy's head with baseball cap driving car

Teenage Drivers

Now that my adolescent son has his learner’s permit, how can I adequately prepare him to drive? I have to admit that I’m more than a little apprehensive about him becoming a driver at such a young age. Can you offer any pointers or advice?

grandma helping mom holding baby

Grandparent Eager to Help

How can I play an active and positive role in my grandchild’s life while still respecting appropriate boundaries with my son and daughter-in-law? I’m excited to help, but I realize how easy it can be for new grandparents to wear out their welcome. Any tips or advice?

mom looking tired or sad sitting at table with computer toddler boy on lap

Single Mom, Dad Is in Prison

How should I respond to my son’s questions about his dad, a convicted felon who is serving a long prison sentence? We’re living with my parents until I can raise enough money to move out. He has some great role models in my father and my brothers, but I’m worried that he will somehow end …

Anorexia and “Pro-Ana” Websites

Are “pro-ana” websites helpful for those with anorexia and other eating disorders? I recently discovered that my teenage daughter, who has struggled with an eating disorder (anorexia), has been visiting one of these sites on a regular basis. When I questioned her about it, she said that it’s designed to provide girls in her situation …

girl writing math on chalkboard

Learning Disabilities and Difficulties in Math

Could my child’s struggles in math be linked to some kind of learning disability? She gets straight A’s in every other subject, but when it comes to working with numbers she really has problems keeping her head above water. We’re having a hard time understanding why this is the case.

man's hand writing letter

Recovering Alcoholic Wants Relationship With Children

As a new Christian who is in the process of kicking a lifelong drinking habit, how can I restore my relationship with my children? A number of years ago my struggles with alcoholism finally destroyed my marriage and family. I really regret the mess I’ve made, but I’ve recently found the Lord and am currently …

Back of male and female with arms around each other

Adolescent Daughter Involved With an Older Man

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 …

Preschool boy holding plate pregnant mom in background

Explaining the Birth Process to a Preschooler

How can we prepare our toddler for the upcoming birth of a new baby? What’s the best way to explain the birthing process so that he can understand it? I’d like to be as honest as possible with him, but I also want to be careful not to give him more information than he needs. …

dad and daughter playing superheroes

Opposite-Sex Parent-Child Relationships

Can you help me understand the dynamics of father-daughter and mother-son relationships? Does a child’s interaction with the parent of the opposite sex take on a greater significance as he or she enters the teenage years? If so, how?

boy tux prom standing in front of car girl inside

Preparing Boys for the Prom

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?