Parents Ask
Feb 01 Marriage Isn't Natural--Another Reason to Commit
Parents Ask — February 2012 Question: “My daughter is getting married this year. With so many people getting divorced, I was wondering if you have any advice for her.” -Beth from Katy Answer: I didn’t marry you because you were perfect. I didn’t even marry you because I loved you. I married you because you gave me a promise. That promise made up for your faults. And the promise I | read more…
Jan 01 Helicopter Parents Raise Kids Who Cannot Fly Alone
Parents Ask — January 2012 Question: “I am really involved with everything my kids do…is that a bad thing?” -Rachel from Houston Answer: Recently, I read an article on “helicopter parenting” and the way cell phones and the Internet have allowed modern parents to spend far more time hovering over their children than parents in previous generations. As I read, I couldn’t help but think of my own childhood. I | read more…
Dec 01 What If Santa Can't Afford Christmas?
Parents Ask — December 2011 Question: “I usually answer a question from a reader, but this month I decided to answer a question from my daughter instead. Happy holidays!” -Mary Jo I had just turned off the evening news and was on my way to the kitchen to begin dinner when Lizzie ran up to me, grabbed my waist, and, with very serious eyes, looked up at me and asked | read more…
Nov 01 What Kinds of "Bad Behavior" Are Normal for Middle Schoolers?
Parents Ask — November 2011 Question: “I have a daughter who is in middle school. One moment she will do something sweet and caring, and the next she will turn around and do something that makes me think, “I haven’t taught you anything!” How do I know what is normal teenage behavior and what is a red flag?” -Erika J., Houston Dear Erika, There is nothing more challenging in a | read more…
Sep 30 Romance at Home: Advice for Couples Who Are "Growing Apart"
Parents Ask — October 2011 Question: “My husband and I have grown apart, like so many other couples I know. This is not the life I imagined. How do I get the storybook ending I’ve always wanted?” Answer: Some of the most popular books on the shelves are romance novels. Women buy them by the millions, yet I often see couples in my office who have grown apart, have low | read more…
Sep 01 Marriage Between Parents with Special Needs Children
Parents Ask — September 2011 Question: Our son was recently diagnosed with ADD, but I knew there was a problem long before we got the results. It’s been really difficult parenting our child, and it has definitely taken a toll on our marriage. Now that our son is starting to take medication, I am hoping that not only will he get better, but that our marriage will too. Do you | read more…
Jul 29 Who Benefits from Tots' Beauty Pageants?
Parents Ask — August 2011 Q: “There’s a new show on TV about beauty pageants for toddlers. Do people really do this and why?” A: Beauty pageants for toddlers: who are they really for? The show you are talking about is on TLC Network and is titled Toddlers and Tiaras. It covers girls ages four to eight who are participating in beauty pageants. Moms are pushing their daughters to drink | read more…
Jul 01 Teens and Virginity
Parents Ask — July 2011 Q: “My 17-year-old daughter has been going with her boyfriend for 6 months and thinks she is ready to have sex for the first time. I’ve talked to her about safe sex and said that I wish she would wait. Is there anything I can tell her about how this will make her feel afterwards?” -Liz, The Woodlands A: How you feel about losing your | read more…
Jun 01 Putting the "Time" Back in "Quality Time"
Parents Ask — June 2011 Q: “My wife and I are going through a divorce. How do I make sure I am still spending enough quality time with my two kids?” -Paul from Houston A: My generation came up with a term to assuage the guilt of breaking up a family. We divorced our partners and then told our children we would be spending quality time with them. We did | read more…
Apr 29 Teen Depression, Cyber-Bullying, and Social Media
Q: “I recently read about how Facebook can cause depression in teenagers and wanted to get your opinion. My daughter already has self-confidence issues, and I want to know what signs I should look for in her behavior to determine whether or not Facebook is causing depression in her.” -Rebecca from Bellaire A: There have been a number of studies conducted in recent years concerning whether teen Facebook users are | read more…
