Recent questions and answers
Following are the questions our readers asked on this topic. To view our expert's answer to a question, just click on it.
- How do you talk to a friend or relative who has overdosed, is clearly on the wrong path? How do you talk to their parents who are in denial? this is a very real situation for me - a dear nephew who we suspected was on the wrong track, wrong friends, getting into trouble and was found at home overdosed. I don't know how to begin to talk to him, or them, or my kids about what has happened, don't know what to do, how to express concern and love in a way that won't seem like I'm standing on the corner, rubbernecking or judging. I don't want my kids to judge him unfairly either. They are young. What do I say?
- I understand there are provocative photos of teens being sent via text/internet and that kids could be prosecuted for forwarding these photos. Please enlighten me on this subject and the potential consequences.
- Our family is in crisis! We have been in UK for 10 months and are returning to a new state CA in December we previously lived in OH. Our 14 yr old son gifted 139 IQ with ADD he is defiant and lacks respect fro his parents. Recently he became aggressive and bit his dad. This was the last straw for his Dad and he says I chose between my son or him. We also have a 13 yr old daughter.My husband has been emotionally unavailable for my son over the past year and does not speak with him. My husband does not believe in therapy. But has never tried it. I do believe in therapy. My husband wants to send my son to boarding diciplined school. But says he no longer wants any communication with my son. I agree my son needs help, but we need to work as a family to get him better. Please any suggestions? HELP
- when my teen daughter did not return from her father's house, I called to ask if she was staying the night. She claimed she had already told me she was to stay over, and she had not. Apply this scenario to hundreds of other situations where the teen lies to you to cove him or herself---there is no way to prove who is right, except through a battle of wills, which I can not accept -- or handle. I have begun texting her : when will you be home? that way I have her response it in writing. But there is still trouble... Any suggestions? NH parent
- I have a question for the counselor-As a single parent with a teen in her first year of college-how can I be aware of what she is up to in her personal life-and offer her support? We have had many conflicts in the past-and I know she is sexually active and her boyfriend goes to the same school and I fear she is enjoying her sexual side. I found pictures posted on my cell phone acct of her breasts that she had sent to someone (who?). I would like to see her in counseling but and not sure how to approach this with her- any help is appreciated- thank you Donya in Atlanta.
- We have an adopted daughter from India who is 12. I would like to know how we should handle/react to her. When we try to have a discussion with her regarding maybe discontinuing something she's involved in or being able to go or do something she becomes very defensive and talks back. Always interrupts with smart remarks and facial expressions. Also when we have tried to help her with school work (i.e. she didn't get all the information on an assignment and rather than talk to the teacher, she just didn't hand it in. We suggested to her that she double-check with the teacher that she has the right assignment information, and she just says no to all our suggestions - she will not do that.) Pretty much when we say "black she says white". Can you give me any tips on dealing with this type of behavior???
- What's the difference between lactose intolerance and milk allergy?
- I was wondering why there are no articles on being a step parent of a teenager. I am a step mom to 4 kids and a biological mom to 3, totally 7 kids, which as you can imagine is a handful. Not to mention my husband and I both work full time. The toughest thing is knowing how to discipline my stepdaughter appropriately. The easiest thing would be to have her father do it, but I spend the most time with her and he usually forgets, doesn't follow through, or does nothing. No major issues, but it is tough as I don't want to be considered a step monster and I am comfortable with the boys, but she will go back and complain about me to her mom. Any suggestions? THANKS
- I am fairly certain my 14 year old son is smoking and/or dealing in weed, I have found a very small amount of loose tobacco like leaves in the bottom of his bag. Is there any way I can test this to find out if it is just tobacco or it is weed. I want to have my facts straight before I tackle the issue. Thanks
- My friends have discovered their 16 yr old son is getting high on marijuana. Besides taking him to a therapist what else should they do?