Q: My parents see birthdays and even minor holidays as an excuse to shower my kids with excessive gifts. I've tried to talk to them about this, but they don't get the message. It looks like Christmas ... more
Q: My husband and I have a tradition of getting each other something really nice each Christmas, like jewelry or electronics. However, money is tight this year. How can I give my husband something spe... more
Q: This is the first holiday season for my family since my father passed away. I'm dreading Christmas because I am afraid it will be so emotional, especially for my mom. What can I do to make it easie... more
Q: Our 7-year-old daughter is asking skeptical questions about Santa Claus. We have encouraged her belief in "old St. Nick" up to this point. How do we break the news to her now without coming across ... more
Q: Every Christmas season, I resent how much money my wife spends on her family. She has a big family and they all exchange gifts that can add up to hundreds of dollars. In my family, we usually just ... more
Q: My son got in trouble for fighting at school. My husband doesn't think it's a big deal -- in fact, I think he's proud of him for being tough. How do we resolve this?... more
Q: My fifth-grade daughter has always loved school, but not this year. She cries every morning, begging to stay home. A group of girls who used to be her friends have started teasing and excluding her... more
Q: I'm not one of those women who are attracted to "dangerous" guys, but I'm beginning to question my judgment. Few of my relationships survive past the second or third date, at which point I usually ... more
Q: My neighbor's son has repeatedly been caught viewing pornography on their computer, and he almost has her convinced that it's just another form of entertainment and that "all the guys do it." How c... more
Q: My parents never had "the sex talk" with me, and I seemed to turn out just fine. Now I'm wondering whether to delve into this issue in great detail with my own teenagers. Won't I just drive them aw... more
Q: As a grandparent, is there anything I can do to help our grandchildren cope with the divorce of their parents? It has been devastating to them.... more
Q: I really struggle to have a positive outlook, and always seem to dwell on the negative aspects of life. Is there something I can do to help me be more positive about things?... more
Q: One year ago, my husband admitted to an affair with someone at his office. He's truly sorry and has made every effort to restore my trust in him. But I don't trust him. Every time the phone rings, ... more
Q: My husband lost his job a year ago. He's been able to pick up a few odd jobs, but my job has become the steady income for our family. Instead of thanking me for working, he almost seems resentful t... more
Q: Our 8-year-old son isn't overtly rebellious, but he definitely has "selective hearing." We have to demand that he get ready for bed three or four times, for example. Is it worth waging war to make ... more
Q: I'm single and have a deep faith and a wonderful family. My problem is that every time I find a wonderful guy and he wants to marry me, I want something more and break it off. What advice can you g... more
Q: Our son is going through a divorce, and it's a terrible thing to witness, especially since we still live in the same city. How can we, as his parents, support him during this process? We don't want... more
Q: My uncle passed away recently and our family attended the funeral. This was my kids' (ages 2 and 4) first real experience with death, and I wasn't sure how to explain it to them. What's the best wa... more
Q: My daughter is in elementary school and is extremely shy. So shy that it is affecting her schoolwork and friendships. What can we do to bring her out of this shell?... more
Q: My husband and I have been married for five years. He has been a great father to my children from a previous marriage. Just within the last month, my 13-year-old has become disrespectful toward his... more
Q: My husband's parents are coming for a visit, and I'm concerned there may be trouble. My mother-in-law is fond of giving oceans of unwanted advice. How can I politely shut her down before the commen... more
Q: We have four children between the ages of 5 and 13. Our youngest son has a serious medical condition that requires the majority of our time. What can we do to make sure we're not shortchanging our ... more
Q: My wife and I don't spend a lot of downtime together. It's not like we're out carousing with other people. But jobs, kids and other important responsibilities are taking their toll. How do we find ... more
Q: This will be my first Father's Day (our daughter was born four months ago). Quite frankly, the entire concept scares me. Who thought it would be a good idea to let ME be a dad? I don't think I have... more
Q: My husband has an anger problem and gets upset over the littlest issues. He's not abusive, but he lashes out with words. Our family walks on eggshells around him. How can I help him?... more
Q: My wife and I are both divorced and trying to raise a blended family. Is there any advice you can give me on how to help our children bond with our spouse?... more