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 …
Family Q&A
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?<
Do you have any help for a man who has suddenly found himself struggling with erectile dysfunction? My wife and I are in our mid-fifties, and up until a year ago we had a healthy and vigorous sex life. That was when, almost overnight, I began having issues. I’m embarrassed and frustrated to the point …
Do you have advice for living with a spouse whose life is dominated by senseless, constant rituals?
How do I deal with the brokenness of divorce and make a new life for my kids and myself? I’ll admit that I’ve made some bad choices. One of the worst was walking away from my family when my marriage got too tough to deal with. I realize now that my absence has not only …
How can we keep up a relationship with our son when his wife has forbidden him to have any contact with us? This has been our situation for years, and we’re heartbroken because of it. We have asked them many times to please tell us how we’ve wronged them so we can make amends, but …
What are some of the common dangers of social media and what can my spouse and I do to safeguard our marriage against them? Are there any tools available that can help provide accountability and safeguards?
What’s your opinion of married couples using sex toys or other marital aids for sexual enjoyment with each other? My husband suggested it — and even though I’m open to the idea, it seems wrong.
Is it possible to change your mate? When we got engaged, I thought my spouse could do no wrong. Now that we’re married, I’ve become aware that the person of my dreams actually has some very annoying habits. How do I deal with this situation?
Do you have any advice for dealing with extended family members who don’t get along? My in-laws like to host big get-togethers with all the relatives, but they’re always marked by tension and dissension. I don’t want to offend my spouse or his parents, but I’m tired of all the conflict. Can you suggest a …