At what age do you think a child is too old for a pacifier? We’ve tried several times to take it away, but it’s like pulling teeth. I’ve also been wondering about my son’s attachment to his blanket. Is it a problem if we let him keep it? At this point the thing is nothing …
Parenting Q&A
How can we encourage our child to cooperate and follow his preschool teacher’s instructions? He becomes defiant when there’s a change in the schedule or when the teacher asks him to switch activities. He wants to do things his own way and on his own time. How do we break him of this?
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.
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 …
How can I instill a solid Christian character into my child? Most of the parenting materials I’ve seen have a great deal to say about discipline, mental and emotional health, obedience and order in the home. Unfortunately, there isn’t much out there on the subject of character development, especially from a Christian perspective. Do you …
How do I answer my child’s difficult questions about her absent father? I broke up with her dad almost eight years ago — when she was just a baby — and she has never met him. But lately she’s been asking things like, “Do you still love Daddy?” and “Why doesn’t he love me? ” …
Can you help us understand why our 5-year-old son sometimes goes out of control for no obvious reason? He was adopted from a background of trauma and abuse, but we’ve done everything in our power to make him feel loved and secure. Still, he’s developed serious behavioral problems. We’re treating him for ADHD, but so …
How can we encourage our overweight teenager to shed his excess pounds and shift his lifestyle and eating habits in a more healthy direction?
Are there any fool-proof ways to help an adolescent steer clear of self-destructive thoughts and feelings? Don’t misunderstand – I’m not asking because I sense any immediate danger. My daughter seems fine right now, but after hearing so much in the media about teen suicide I want to do whatever I can to promote positive mental …
How can I know if my teenager is developing suicidal tendencies or a self-destructive mindset? I’m asking because I’m afraid that my teenager may be moving in this direction. Are there any warning signs to be aware of? Does depression always include a risk of suicide?
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.
What are some things I can do to discourage my teen from engaging in “sexting”? I’ve become increasingly worried as I’ve read about the rise in this kind of activity among kids. I’m also aware that the consequences can be extremely serious. At the same time, I’m not sure that there’s anything I can do …
Should we tell our children that their mom had an affair?
What’s your perspective on boys playing with plastic rifles and pistols and other make-believe firearms? I’ve always been against toy guns because I think they encourage a tendency toward violent behavior later in life. Some of my friends don’t agree. What do you think?
Should Christians participate in Halloween by allowing their kids to attend costume parties and go trick-or-treating? We have serious problems with this, but all the other families in our neighborhood go all out in celebrating the holiday. Our kids feel left out if we don’t allow them to join in. What do you think we …
How can I help my son hold on to his faith in college? He’s a junior at the university, and I’m very concerned about the state of his relationship – or lack thereof – with the Lord. His faith doesn’t seem to mean as much to him as it did during his high school years. …
Do you have any ideas on how to stop my older kids from picking on their younger brother? I intervene when I can, but all this bullying is causing the youngest one to play the victim, and I don’t want to encourage him in that attitude. How do I handle this situation?
Does spanking teach kids to be violent? I have some serious reservations about the appropriateness and effectiveness of this type of discipline. If we spank our child, will this lead her to assume that violence is acceptable, or that it’s okay to hit others or even to hit us back?
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 I encourage my husband to take the responsibilities of parenthood more seriously and get involved more directly with our children? He likes the “fun” part of raising kids – for instance, he’s great at getting down on the floor and “wrestling” with our toddler. But when it comes to the practical side of being …