How should we handle the discovery that our teenager has been sexually active for the past several months? We’re not happy about it, but we want to deal with the problem without alienating our child. What should we do?
Parenting Q&A
How do I tell my two school-age children that their daddy has left us for a man?
How should I respond to my child’s fascination with evil characters? He’s only three years old, but whenever he plays make-believe, he always takes on the role of the villain, and the only action-figures toys he wants are those representing “bad guys.” In response, we’ve completely phased movies and television out of his life, but …
How do I handle my children’s questions about God in the midst of disaster and trauma? Over the past month our community has been devastated by a terrible flood. The physical impact of this disaster has been overwhelming, of course. But I’m also deeply concerned about what it may be doing to my children’s faith …
What tools does Focus on the Family make available for use in passing the Christian faith along to our kids?
How can we implement a more consistent bedtime schedule for our children, ages 8, 6, and 4? We haven’t been very successful in this area. How many hours do kids this age need to sleep? Do you have any tips for ways to improve bedtime and make it more pleasant?
How do I handle a kid whose behavior ranges from telling me to “shut up” to slamming a door on her younger sister to trying to steal money from my wallet? My daughter is the classic “defiant child.” She hates school, has trouble getting along with friends, and frequently disobeys her teacher. I’m worried about …
Is there any hope for the parent of a defiant, strong-willed child? I go through life feeling frazzled, dazed, and tired to the bone. Every day – almost every hour! – brings another confrontation, and sometimes I feel as if I don’t have the strength to go on. Any suggestions?
Should money play a role in our decision on where to send our kids to school? We don’t feel that the public schools are an option for our children’s education, so we’re left with a choice between home schooling and a private Christian school. Can you help us find our way?
Do you think that couples having trouble conceiving should see an infertility specialist? We’ve tried to get pregnant for over a year, so my spouse and I wonder if it would be worth seeing a doctor.
What should I do if my elementary school child is getting so much homework that family time hardly exists and he has little energy for anything else? He spends hours on his assignments every night. As far as I can see, he isn’t slow at completing his tasks. There’s just too much to do! Is …
How do we stop our two daughters, ages thirteen and seven, from fighting and bickering all the time? I’m concerned that the effects of all this conflict may be potentially harmful. We’re a Christian family, so we’ve talked many times about what it means to be kind, loving, and forgiving. After one of these discussions …
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?
Why do dads need to get involved with their sons on an emotional level? My father was a no-nonsense man who did not share much with me in the way of his feelings. He basically taught me how to work hard, be responsible and make my own way in life. My wife gets upset with …
How can we get our finicky four-year-old to eat what we put in front of her? Her highly selective eating habits are driving us up the wall. We never allow between-meal snacks, yet dinnertime has become a major pain. I see this refusal to eat as disobedience, but my spouse is afraid that making an …
How should I talk with my adolescent son about a friend of his who recently took his own life? The boy was hardly more than an acquaintance, but I know that this incident has impacted my teenager deeply. Can you help me figure out the best way to approach the subject with him?
Before we agree to allow our adult child to move back in with us, are there some key things we ought to consider or any safeguards we need to put in place? Our thirty-year-old daughter has just completed drug rehab and we’re giving careful thought to the option of letting her come back home until …
Is it my place to get involved if I’m convinced that the physical environment in my son’s house has become unsafe and unhealthful for my grandchild? I love my son and daughter-in-law, but I’m worried about their ten-month-old daughter’s health. The house is piled with trash, the floors are filthy, there’s month-old pizza stuck to …
Now that I’m divorced, how can I stay involved with my kids? One of the most difficult outcomes of the settlement is that it limits my contact with them. Legally, I’m only allowed to have them a few days out of each month. I’d like to be more involved, but my ex-wife is very strict …
What kind of treatments or therapies are available to kids who suffer from Sensory Processing Disorder? We’re fostering a boy from an abusive, high-risk background. After several consultations with an occupational therapist we’ve come to the conclusion that many of his most aggravating behavioral problems can be traced to sensory-based issues.
