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...
Living Vicariously Through Your Children
Q. My husband pushes our sons (10 and 16) and daughter (12) to excel in sports. He coaches some of their teams, and when he’s not coaching, he’s that guy yelling at the kids and the referee. He won’t let them quit. He expects them to get college sports...
Importance of Kids Volunteering
Q. When I suggested to my 15-year-old that she find a volunteer position, she said she’d rather hang out with friends or listen to music, and if she were going to work, she wanted to be paid. Then she asked, “What’s the big deal with volunteering anyway?” I didn’t...
Are You Raising a Praise Junkie?
Q. My wife and I have two small children, ages 2 and 4. All my wife’s attention is focused on letting them know they are special. She praises them for every little thing, but she is critical of how I do things. Am I awful to want my wife to tell me “Good job” once in...
Interfaith Marriage
Q. My husband and I come from different faiths, and until recently it wasn’t a problem. But now we have a baby, and we each want to pass down certain elements of our faiths. We get in heated discussions. How can we work out our differences? A. It’s not uncommon for a...
My Daughter Can’t Stop Acting Selfish
Q. Our 10-year-old daughter gets angry when she doesn’t get her way or what she wants. She doesn’t want to share with others. She resists doing chores and homework. She is jealous when her 6-year-old sister gets attention. Why does she behave this way? What can we do...
When a “Bestie” Drops Your Child
Q. My middle school daughter was dropped by her best friend. They were “besties” since third grade, then suddenly my daughter was excluded from her friend’s plans, and her friend won’t answer my daughter’s texts. I want to call her mother to see what we can do, but...
How to Help Your Child Through a Loss
Q. My father is in hospice care and isn’t expected to live much longer. It’s been emotionally hard on me, but I also have two children, ages 5 and 8. What suggestions do you have for helping them get through this loss? A. You’re going through a difficult time. You’re...
My Teen Is Not Eager to Drive
Q. Our son recently celebrated his 16th birthday, and we gave him our old family car. We thought he’d be excited to take his driver’s license test, but instead he’s dragging his feet. He seems happy having everyone else in the family give him rides, which isn’t always...
A Mother-in-Law Becomes a Grandma
Q. My daughter-in-law and son are expecting their first child. I’ve raised five children so I try to help them with advice, but they don’t seem to want to listen. For example, I looked at the ingredients in the pre-natal vitamins my daughter-in-law chose, and they...
