Family Matters

When should discipline begin?

How soon should a parent start responding to behavioral problems in the early childhood years? I'm especially interested in hearing your thoughts on the issue of timing – when do you think I should begin disciplining my child? As a new mom I could use some guidance and advice in…

8 Apr 2020 6PM 4 min

Violent toys and TV programs

Should I be concerned that my young son has been spending a lot of time watching violent cartoons and playing with the "spin-off" action figures marketed by the shows' producers? How do you think these programs and products affect the attitudes and behavior of children?

7 Apr 2020 6PM 5 min

Toddler throws uncontrollable tantrums

What should we do when our toddler explodes in a fit so violent that it's just about impossible to calm her down? She has always been strong-willed and prone to tantrums, but just recently there have been occasions when she has become so frustrated that her behavior has spiraled completely…

6 Apr 2020 6PM 4 min

Teens wants to help mom understand changes in their relationship

How can I get my mother to realize that I'm not a kid anymore and that our relationship has changed? She and I have always been close, but it's different now that I'm a teenager. Some of it's my fault. I get moody, and I know that my behavior hurts…

5 Apr 2020 6PM 4 min

Sexual intimacy after mastectomy hysterectomy

Is it normal for a husband to lose interest in sex after his wife has had a hysterectomy or mastectomy? Several years ago I underwent a hysterectomy. More recently, a bout with cancer meant the loss of one of my breasts. That's bad enough, but it gets worse: since my…

2 Apr 2020 6PM 4 min

Christian single experiencing same sex attraction feel stuck

As a Christian single adult who has never had an interest in the opposite sex or marriage, how do you suggest I move forward and live my life? I believe in the importance of marriage and in some ways I'm a perfect candidate – a twenty-something guy with a stable…

1 Apr 2020 6PM 4 min

Christian activism in the end times

If these are the end times, why should Christians pray and get involved in social issues? Many ministries like yours say that believers should be spreading the gospel, praying for solutions to problems like hunger and poverty, and working to shape our country's laws. I have serious problems with this…

31 Mar 2020 6PM 4 min

Surviving your kids’ extracurricular activities

Is it a good idea for children to get involved in sports, dance classes, music lessons, and other commitments outside of their school work and household chores? How much of this kind of thing is too much? Can you suggest any practical guidelines?

30 Mar 2020 6PM 4 min

Substance abuse and adolescent suicide

What's the relationship between drugs, alcohol, and teen suicide? What should we do if we suspect that our child might be at risk for any of these behaviors?

29 Mar 2020 6PM 5 min

Strong willed child won’t stay in bed

How can we get our defiant toddler to lie down and go to sleep at night? He's a handful at any time and under any circumstances, but nothing can top his uncooperative behavior at bedtime. No matter how many times we put him to bed, he gets up again and…

26 Mar 2020 6PM 4 min

Single parent desires help and companionship

As a single mom with three young children, is it okay for me to want another person around to help carry the load? I used to feel pretty self-sufficient, but the burden of doing it all by myself is getting heavier. I work full time, take online college courses, and…

25 Mar 2020 6PM 4 min

What the bible says about forgiving yourself

Is "self-forgiveness" a scriptural idea? This isn't the place to go into details, but certain events and circumstances have left me carrying a heavy load of guilt. I believe in Christ and His death on the cross, but in this case my beliefs don't seem to have the power to…

24 Mar 2020 6PM 4 min

Teens and unfulfilled sexual desires

Why has God given teens such strong a sexual drive and no healthy, acceptable way to satisfy it? This just doesn't seem fair. In Bible times people got married at a younger age. As a result, it was normal to have sex and start raising kids before you reached the…

23 Mar 2020 6PM 4 min

Setting boundaries with a mentally ill adult child

How do we establish behavioral guidelines for a grown child who suffers from mental illness? Should our boundaries be the same as those we'd set up with any other child? Or do special considerations apply in a situation like this?

22 Mar 2020 6PM 4 min

Parents concerned about too much homework

What should I do if my primary school child is getting so much homework that family time hardly exists and he has little energy for anything else? He spends hours on his assignments every night. As far as I can see, he isn't slow at completing his tasks. There's just…

19 Mar 2020 6PM 4 min

Modesty and clothing battles between parents and teens

How do I handle conflicts over clothes and fashion with my teen daughter? This is becoming a real battleground at our house. She insists on wearing outfits that are inappropriate, immodest, and revealing. I won't even begin to tell you what we go through when it's time to shop for…

18 Mar 2020 6PM 4 min

Helping children cope with divorce

How can I help my teens deal with the fallout of my divorce? It's been painful for everyone, but I'm especially concerned about my oldest son. Ever since my ex-husband left a year and a half ago, he seems to be putting himself under a lot of pressure to assume…

17 Mar 2020 6PM 4 min

Encouraging your child’s sense of humour

How do we help a child who seems to have no sense of humor? Except for our oldest son, who will soon be entering high school, our entire family has always enjoyed the lighter side of things. Our younger kids are full of fun, and laughter regularly fills our home…

16 Mar 2020 6PM 4 min

Emotional affairs and ongoing friendships

Should my husband and I discontinue our friendship with another couple simply because the man and I became involved in an emotional affair? It's over now, and my spouse and the man's wife have taken a firm but conciliatory attitude towards the whole thing. For obvious reasons, we've also suspended…

15 Mar 2020 6PM 4 min

Dealing with sibling rivalry

What should I do about the constant fighting that goes on between my daughters? Our house is the scene of perpetual sibling battles. My mother says I should intervene, but my husband thinks this is normal for kids their age. Should I be worried?

12 Mar 2020 6PM 4 min