Q: My 10-year-old son received a Game Boy for Christmas from his uncle. He played with it constantly. A couple of days later, he came to me sobbing and holding his Game Boy. The screen was broken and it was not working. He told me he was not doing as well as his cousins on the game and hit himself on the head with it. He was heartbroken and cried uncontrollably. It broke my heart to see him that way. He offered to use his own money to replace it, but it was not enough to buy a new one....
Q: I have caught my 7-year-old daughter in several lies lately. While playing outside, a planter got broken and she was the only one around. When I asked her if she broke the planter, she told me she had not. Five minutes before it was fine, and now it is broken. She is the only one around. Then a week later, she told me she had brushed her teeth and when I checked her toothbrush, it was dry so I knew she hadn't. I asked her again if she brushed her teeth and she said she had. I don't ...
A: Learning disability is
a specific diagnosis that requires specialized testing by a qualified
psychologist or diagnostician. It is a good idea to start with his
school personnel. Talk with his teacher and ask her for an opinion of
his learning skills. I...
Q: My 9-year-old son has been asking me questions about death lately. We have not had any death in our family and his questioning about the topic worries me. He just says he has been thinking about it. Should I be concerned about this or should I just let this go?
A: Children
will bring up this topic for a variety of reasons. Perhaps he has heard
some of his friends talking about it, seen it on television, overheard
adults talking about, etc. This is a really good sign that he is aski...
Q: A few times in the past few months I have noticed money missing from my purse. I do not want to accuse my children but they are the only ones that have access to my purse. Is there a good way of handling this?
A: This is a problem that
is best to address with all your children at once. If you are certain
that no one else has access to your purse, have a meeting with your
children. Explain that you noticed money missing from you purse and tell
them you expect to find out who is doin...
Q: Last night I really lost it with my 10-year-old son and was quite mean. I have been feeling terrible all day and can't stop thinking about how I should know better. I'm supposed to be the adult and not let him get to me that way. What is wrong with me, and what should I do?
A: Give
yourself a break. Nothing is wrong with you. You are human. Kids are
experts at pushing their parent's buttons. The guilt you are feeling is
an uncomfortable but a potentially beneficial feeling. There a...
Attention problem
Q: I
have a 3½-year-old son who is constantly on the go. We make him sleep
in a crib at night to keep him from walking around. Even with that, we
have found him in the kitchen in the middle of the night. Babysitters
are good for one visit and never return. Daycare centers will no longer
take him, even for an occasional half-day stay. He never plays with any
one toy for longer than a few minutes. A couple of people have suggested
he needs to be on a prescription such a...
Make a free website with Yola