Is My Daughter Too Young to Be a Mother?
Q. My 18-year-old daughter is engaged to be married this summer. She’s happy—which makes me happy—and I like my future son-in-law. However, my daughter wants to start a family right away. I think they’re too young and will get stressed out trying to provide for a...
Working Through a Fear of Dogs
Q. Our 7-year-old son is terrified of dogs. I’ve no idea why, and he’s not afraid other critters. My husband thinks I’m too protective. He wants to give our son a puppy for his birthday, thinking that having his own dog will help him overcome his fear. What do you...
I’m Too Tired for Date Night!
Q. How can my husband and I have a good relationship while raising young children? I’m a stay-at-home mom of two who’s too tired from a full day of caregiving to stay awake for a date night. And it’s expensive for us to go out. Is the classic date night the only...
Will My Vegetarian Teen Get Enough Nutrients?
Q. Our 14-year-old son came home from school and announced he is now a vegetarian. This decision surprised us, because he’s never liked vegetables. Why do you think a hamburger-loving, vegetable-hating kid would suddenly decide to become a vegetarian? What can a...
How Can I Help My Traumatized Kids?
Q. I recently left a bad relationship in which I was abused. I thought my kids (3, 7 and 13) were tough and would bounce right back. But friends have suggested I seek therapy for them. How can I tell if they are traumatized, and how can I help them? A. Many children...
Should You Force Your Kids to Play Together
Q. I volunteered at my 2nd grader’s school recently, and I noticed one of the boys (“Jimmy”) was ignored by the other kids. It broke my heart. When I asked my son about it later, he said Jimmy is hard to play with. I thought I’d raised a child who would be more...
Do Kids’ Gifts Need to Be Equal?
Q. I always dread gift opening time at my house, because the kids count gifts and tally value in their heads. They often accuse me of favoring one over another. Should I be counting boxes or making sure my receipts add up to the same amount? A. You’re not alone in...
Holiday Guests Cook Up Drama in the Kitchen
Q. We have several extended family members staying with us over Thanksgiving, and they all follow special diets. Some of them are vegetarian of different types (some eat eggs, some eat fish and some are vegan). Some of them are gluten-free. Some just don’t like...
Bird Nest Parenting: An Innovative Custody Solution
Q. My husband and I have decided to separate. Our kids are 2 and 6, and we’re already seeing behavioral problems after telling them that Dad is going to live somewhere else. One of our friends suggested we try “bird nest parenting.” What do you know about it? A....
The Bully Returns: How Can I Help My Daughter Cope?
Q. My teenage daughter was bullied in grade school by a classmate. Luckily, he went to a different middle school. But yesterday, my daughter learned they both attend the same high school. I’m wondering if I should speak with his parents or a school counselor. How can...
When Should I Introduce Solid Foods?
Q. Our first child is 4 months old. Some of my friends say they started their babies on solid food at 4 months. My mother wants me to start solid foods now. I’m breastfeeding, and my pediatrician says it’s best to wait until 6 months old. What can you tell me about...
Publicly Intervening In Other People’s Parenting
Q. I don’t believe in physical discipline of children. It bothers me when I see an out of control parent angrily spanking a child in public. I’ve spoken up a couple of times and been cussed out. My husband says, “You’re not the parenting police.” When should a person...
