How should we parent a grown child when there are also two younger children in the home? We have three kids altogether: a boy and a girl who are still in high school, and an older son in his mid-20s. The oldest has had some tough luck recently and needs to move back home for …
Family Q&A
How can we possibly get past the guilt, shame, confusion, fear, and pain that have overtaken us in the wake of our teenage son’s suicide? Not only are we blaming ourselves and wondering where we went wrong. We’re also dealing with the toxic effect this is having on our entire family. Can you help us?
How can we best relate to our grown child who has completely rejected his Christian faith and upbringing? After graduating from high school he moved in with his girlfriend and became involved with drug and alcohol abuse. Our hearts ache to reach out to him, but we don’t want to appear to be condoning his …
How can I know if my teen is likely to engage in premarital sex? My spouse and I have tried to raise our kids in the right way, but we’re keenly aware that the culture is working against us. Promiscuity is fashionable nowadays and sexual temptations are everywhere. How can we guard against it? Are …
What is your opinion about overnight group activities for elementary grade children? We want our kids to have fun and participate with their friends, but we’re concerned about exposing them to inappropriate influences. Are we overreacting?
Is it a good idea to expose children to the reality of death, disease, and mortality by taking them to visit terminally ill relatives? My grandmother is in the final stages of cancer and her illness has dramatically altered her physical appearance. Recently she expressed a desire to see my two young children. Should I …
How can I help my 7-year-old daughter understand the proper use of prayer? I’ve tried to teach her that talking to God is simply a way of staying close to Him, but lately she’s been using prayer to ask for everything she wants, such as getting a new toy, going to the movies, or winning …
Should I allow my 14-year-old son to smoke electronic cigarettes? He’s been hounding me about it and claims that they are medically safe and that there is no reason I should not let him engage in and enjoy this activity. I’ve been telling him “no” even though I know nothing about e-cigarettes and have no …
How effective are “time outs”? Our son is entering toddlerhood and I’m not sure what type of discipline is best for different behaviors. My friends all seem to rely on “time outs” regardless of the nature of their kids’ behavior. I’m not sure this is always the best method. When are “time outs” an appropriate …
As a parent of a teenager, is “sexting” something that I need to be concerned about? I’ve heard a few stories about this on the news, but I’ve never felt that my daughter would be susceptible to temptations of this kind. We haven’t talked about it because I’m really not up to speed on the …
When should I tell my children that we’re having a baby? We have two daughters, ages 2 and 4, and my husband and I are anxious to share the news with them. At the same time, we have reasons for being concerned about the possibility of another miscarriage (I had one about six months ago). …
Would it really be a good idea to make abortion illegal? Don’t get me wrong. I’m a committed Christian and a convinced pro-lifer. I don’t just want to make abortion rare – if possible, I’d like to eliminate it altogether. But I’m also confused about the way we’re trying to do this in the pro-life community. …
Can you recommend materials or organizations that reach out to women who are struggling with the effects of Post-Abortion Syndrome?
What’s the best way to bring up sensitive issues with my spouse? I’m concerned about things that are going in our marriage, but I’m afraid to talk to my spouse about them because I don’t want to start a fight and make things worse.
Is living together before marriage a good test of marital compatibility? My boyfriend and I both come from broken homes. We’ve been talking about spending our lives together, but we’re afraid of ending up divorced like our parents. How do you suggest we handle this?
Is it appropriate for cousins or other relatives to marry?
How can my spouse and I overcome growing feelings of estrangement and regain the closeness we had in the early days of our marriage? We both lead extremely busy lives. My husband’s workload should ease up soon, but in the meantime I sense that he’s becoming increasingly distant from me emotionally. What can I do …
Should I accept a Facebook “friend” request from a former boyfriend? He has indicated an interest in connecting with me via social media. I’m very much in love with and committed to my husband, so I feel sure that this will not pose a threat to our marriage relationship. What do you think?
Do kids really change your life — and your relationship with your spouse — as much as some people claim they do? My spouse and I have been thinking about starting a family, but we’re nervous about “taking the plunge.” Are we worrying unnecessarily?<
How can we move forward in our marriage after going through a crisis of infidelity? A year and a half ago, I committed adultery. My spouse says he forgives me, but it’s obvious that he still has a lot of anger. I’m doing everything I can to show him that I love him and that …
