Restoring Family Relationships Post Pandemic
Q Both my husband and I have extended family coming to our house to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s. It’s been a long time, since before the COVID-19 shutdown that we’ve all gotten together. We want to make our family gathering special for our three children ages...
Minimizing Sibling Rivalry
Q. My wife and I each have a child from previous marriages living with us (ages 14 and 12). We also have two children from our marriage (ages 4 and 9 months). The kids all compete for attention from us. They fight with each other over such things as TV time,...
Addressing Family Fears about School Shootings
Is your child fearful or asking questions about school shootings? What can you do to help? Q I’m a single mother for 8 year old Lilly. I worry that her school will have a shooting like the one in Uvalde. How can I help Lilly feel better about leaving home to go to...
How Can I Maintain a Close Relationship With My Grandchildren?
Q. Our son Travis and his wife Lisa have two beautiful kids that my husband and I adore. The problem for me is Lisa. She does things that I don’t like such as bringing her big dogs into our house and feeding them off of our plates. I have a fear of dogs, so I don’t...
How Do I Help My Kids With The Death of A Pet
Q My daughters, ages 4 and 7, have two pets who are both very old: a cat named Ping Pong and a dog named Bubba. The dog has been diagnosed with cancer and given a prognosis of three months or less to live. These pets are like members of the family. I have no idea...
How Can I Best Support My Kids’ Interests?
Q. My wife and I have three children ages 5, 9 and 12. My youngest doesn’t have any special interests or hobbies yet. My middle child is interested in the guitar. The oldest finds bugs fascinating and loves playing lacrosse. I’d like to help them learn more about...
Talking To Kids About Divorce
Q. My wife and I are divorcing. She doesn’t want a divorce and is angry with me. I’m insisting on one. We have two children, ages 6 and 9, who we both love. I’m hoping that we can share custody of the children. I want to make this as easy on them as we can. What...
Tackling Teasing
Q. Our daughter Gretje came home from school crying because kids had said mean things to her. Now she doesn’t enjoy school anymore. Gretje reports that kids make fun of her name and the fact that she was born in another country. They make fun of a cast she has on...
Understanding the Child With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Q. I’m the father of a 3-year-old son, who recently has been diagnosed as on the autism spectrum. His mother died last year, so I’m the sole one responsible for getting him what he needs to succeed in life. I’ve learned about a special education program in the...
“No” Means “No”
Q We’re parents of four children ages 3 to 14. Together and separately, there are times my husband and I have to tell one or more of the kids “No.” This response is sometimes met with begging and pleading, whining and other forms of resistance. What advice can you...
Love Begets Love
Q. My husband and I lead separate lives together. We live in the same house; however, he is usually in his home office while I am taking care of the house and the children. Our kids don’t see us hugging, touching or having conversations together. I wonder, “Does my...
Helping Children To Have Better Behavior
Q. I’m the grandmother of five grandchildren of varying ages. None will do what I say when I ask them to put away toys or help with chores. I hear, “I don’t want to. You can’t make me.” I know teachers who complain that the behaviors in school are much worse...
