Can you give me some basic tips and pointers for “child-proofing” my house? Our toddler is highly energetic, extremely curious and unbelievably mobile. I’m wearing myself out just chasing her from room to room, trying to keep her from hurting herself.
Family Q&A
Can you offer any guidance to parents whose child has recently become a member of a cult? Our family has been completely blindsided by this. We have no clue what our options are or what we ought to do, practically, legally, and otherwise. We really need your help!
How can I tell whether my toddler has a serious case of stuttering or stammering, or whether it’s just a normal part of speech development when he has difficulty getting his words out?
How can we raise our kids effectively when so many of our friends and family members hold perspectives and values that conflict with our beliefs? We’re a strong Christian family and we require our children to live by Christian standards of behavior. But not everyone shares our faith, and it’s frustrating to feel as if …
How can I get my three-year-old son to take his medicine? He’s prone to get the coughs, ear infections and fevers that are so common among kids his age, but he doesn’t like swallowing the medications our doctor recommends. It’s an ongoing battle for me to force it down. Is this normal? Can you suggest …
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 …
As a new Christian who is in the process of kicking a lifelong drinking habit, how can I restore my relationship with my children? A number of years ago my struggles with alcoholism finally destroyed my marriage and family. I really regret the mess I’ve made, but I’ve recently found the Lord and am currently …
As a single mother of a preschooler, should I continue a relationship with a man who doesn’t strike me as having the potential to be a good dad? I’ve met a man at church who is a solid Christian, and we’ve developed strong feelings for one another, but I just don’t know whether he would …
At what age do you recommend that a child start a summer job?
Can you advise me as to how I should talk to my teenage kids about their dad’s homosexual affair? I’ve just been informed that he’s divorcing me and leaving the family for another man. That’s bad enough, but what especially concerns me is the thought of how this is likely to impact my kids. I’m …
What we do about a 14-year-old boy who ends up destroying something every time we require him to do a chore around the house? When asked to unload the dishwasher, he cracked a set of expensive glasses. When assigned to clear the driveway, he broke the snow shovel. We already know that he dislikes work …
Will my divorce have any serious long-term effects on my kids?
How can I effectively deal with my struggle with severe depression while protecting my unborn baby? I’ve tried counseling before, but by itself that hasn’t seemed to work. I have found antidepressants to be extremely effective in my treatment, but I’m afraid that the medication will do harm to my baby in some way. I …
How will pregnancy affect my moods, my energy, and my mental outlook? How will it impact my relationship with my spouse? I’ve just become pregnant for the first time and I’m not quite sure what to expect.
Does the Bible really say that preborn life is sacred? I’m a Bible-believing Christian and a dedicated pro-life activist. I’ve never doubted that Scripture supports the sanctity of life in the womb (as, for example, in Psalm 139:13-16). Then a skeptical friend directed my attention to Exodus 22:21-24, where the penalty for causing a woman …
What can I do to help other women discover freedom from the emotional and psychological aftermath of an abortion? I know firsthand how devastating it can be to wrestle with post-abortive guilt. But I’m happy to say that in Jesus Christ I’ve found joy in being released from that burden and forgiven for my past …
Now that I’m over 18, should I still submit to my mom and dad? The Bible says that children should “obey” their parents (Ephesians 6:1; Colossians 3:20). But when do I become fully independent of their control?
As newlyweds, what can my spouse and I do to ensure that our relationship will go the distance and weather the storms that life is likely to throw at us?
How should I respond to my spouse’s mother when she disapproves of my parenting style and speaks to me disrespectfully in front of my husband and our children? I’ve put up with this for years, but I’ve reached my limit.
I’ve had significant problems in the area of talking meaningfully with my spouse. This in turn is creating serious difficulties in our marriage. We’ve been going to counseling, and I’ve been trying hard to be more open and available to my wife, but she says she’s ready for a divorce. How can I learn to …
