Is it normal for a pre-teen child to suddenly put on a lot of weight? Our child has gained quite a few pounds recently, and we’re not sure whether we should be concerned. What is the technical definition of “obesity” in children and teens?
Everyday Parenting Q&A
Do you have any ideas on how to stop my older kids from picking on their younger brother? I intervene when I can, but all this bullying is causing the youngest one to play the victim, and I don’t want to encourage him in that attitude. How do I handle this situation?
Does spanking teach kids to be violent? I have some serious reservations about the appropriateness and effectiveness of this type of discipline. If we spank our child, will this lead her to assume that violence is acceptable, or that it’s okay to hit others or even to hit us back?
How do my husband and I know when it’s time to stop having children? We’re expecting baby number five in a few weeks. That will make a total of five kids within the space of five years! I’ve seen a lot of Christian literature on the subject of starting a family, but how can we …
Do you have any advice for older couples who are thinking about having children? My husband and I are both in our early forties and are newly married. It’s a second marriage for both of us, but neither one of us have children. We’d like to start a family of our own and we’re giving …
Does your emphasis on the importance of a father’s presence in the home imply that the mother’s role is less crucial in raising children? There are many single moms raising children by themselves, and I can’t help wondering if you view these families as “inferior” or “second-class.” Doesn’t your high regard for the father’s role …
How can we get the most out of our family dinner times? Our family recently committed to sharing mealtimes together at least three times a week. It was an adjustment in the beginning. There were a lot of rough spots, but I’m pleased to say that we’re already seeing some positive results. At this point …
Can you help us figure out how to eliminate as much fighting with our teenager as possible? We’ve argued over pretty much every subject under the sun: grades, tattoos, music, movies, hairstyles, pants-length, study habits, politics. If only for the sake of our own peace of mind we’d like to when it’s okay to back …
What are your thoughts on corporal punishment as a method of child discipline? Do you think spanking is an appropriate and effective way to correct undesirable behavior? As first-time parents, we want to be certain that we’re doing what’s best for our child. Can you offer us some guidelines?
When should parents start talking with their sons about what it means to be a God-honoring husband and father? Our boy isn’t even in his teens yet, but we want to be sure to lay a strong foundation before it’s too late. Should we wait until after puberty? Or would it be better to hold …
What’s your perspective on the safety and advisability of child immunization? Several of our friends, who are also new parents, have very strong feelings against vaccinating children. I want to do what’s best for our baby. Can you give me some guidance in this area?
How can we help our daughter adjust to the stress and strain associated with my husband’s new job in another city? We only see him on weekends, which makes her very angry and depressed. Despite our reassurances, she insists that her Daddy doesn’t love her anymore. What should we do?
How can we prevent our seven-year-old son from becoming a bully? I’ve noticed that he can be very pushy and often tries to dominate other kids. He always wants to be the “winner” — it’s as if he has a need to prove himself. When provoked, he retaliates fiercely and has hurt other kids in …
Do you have any advice for a young, recently married couple who are thinking seriously about having children? When should we start? How many kids should we plan on having? How far apart should they be spaced?
Should we put off having kids and starting a family until we’re more mature and established? My wife and I are in our late twenties. She’s in grad school and I’m working to get my new business off the ground. We’re extremely busy, and to be honest, I’m not sure I’m ready to be a …
Do you think that couples having trouble conceiving should see an infertility specialist? We’ve tried to get pregnant for over a year, so my spouse and I wonder if it would be worth seeing a doctor.
How can we help our adolescent daughter, who is depressed and angry as a result of our recent relocation to a new town and a new school? The move has taken a heavy toll on all of our kids, but our teenager is particularly upset. She won’t talk about anything but our old home, and …
How can we help our kids become more responsible with their money? Can you suggest a workable budget plan that we can use to teach them the true value of a dollar?
Should I teach my child about the importance of self-denial? We don’t hear much about it in the modern American church, and contemporary secular culture doesn’t value it at all. But I’m not sure how our kids will understand what it means to follow Jesus if we neglect this aspect of the disciple’s calling.
