Free parenting resources to welcome you to the HomeWord family! http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php Any tips on how to parent a college kid who is home for the summer? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1459 I'm dealing with my 12 year old son that feels he has to have the "next best thing" all the time. He currently has the iPod Touch. But now that a new one is out he wants that one. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=100086 Wait three weeks and maybe the styles will change! Actually your issue is one of the most often asked questions I receive at parenting seminars. Let's face it, young adolescents have an incredible need for their physical appearance ... http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=2 I cheated on my husband and we are working through it. But he says that I act like nothing is wrong. How am I suppose to help him deal with this? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1424 We have a 17 year old daughter who has just confessed to me that she has broken several rules related to boundaries with guys, driving, attending a party, lying to us. How do we rebuild the trust? Should there be consequences? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1302 Our family is really busy. What can we do to get back that closeness we once felt? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=3 I am a Junior High Youth Pastor and am struggling to find an answer to the challenge of meeting the needs of the family when it comes to Youth Group on Tuesday Nights. It seems as though sports, homework, and just plain craziness at home has taken over. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1690 Thanks for contacting us. It is not uncommon for this type of situation to develop between good childhood friends as they grow older when a boyfriend/girlfriend is introduced into the mix. It's likely that your son felt rejected by ... http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1623 I have a 17 year-old-son that has recently been caught with pot. We have set up new boundaries and we have told him that he would have to submit to a drug test. Any advice? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1674 My 14-year old son is a great kid. As he is entering high school I am noticing he is very hesitant to talk to me about his friends and girls. Suddenly these topics are "personal". http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1638 What age do you start "letting go?" My daughter is 11 years old. I would say we are over protective. Can you offer some advice? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1595 I have a soon to be 16-year-old daughter who loves to spend time with her friends. Her father keeps count of all her activities and says she is too social. This is becoming a stumbling block between my daughter and her relationship with him. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1498 My soon to be 13-year-old son and I constantly battle over almost every issue that effects his life. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=677 Is it ever a teenage daughter's place to challenge her dad on his un-biblical position of divorcing her mother? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=100089 I have always believed the Bible teaches that no one sin is greater than another & I truly believe this IS how God views sin; however, I would like some explanation of John 19:11. The Bible seems to have so many "seeming" contradictions. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1681 I'm not happy in my marriage. I was married at 15 he was 25, we have 6 children together. The problem is even though he is a good provider he is always angry and in control. The guilt of leaving is eating me up. What's your advice on this matter? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1515 My 14 year old son says he doesn't believe in God. How should I handle this? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1618 I feel as though I have failed as a man, husband, father, and a Christian. How can I make peace with all of these regrets? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1570 A few days ago, I knocked on my 16 year old son's bedroom door to retrieve the laptop computer that he had borrowed. When I entered his room, I heard what sounded like a scene from a porn movie from his bathroom. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1687 I just found out my 16-year-old daughter is dating a 19-year-old man whom I had forbidden any contact with. We don't seem close anymore and it's as if I'm battling for my relationship with her. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1061 Our son is 18 and just finished his first semester at college and failed 2 of his classes. He mentioned that it seemed like a waste of time to go to college and get a degree since he feels he's probably going to die before he's 30. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1074 It's hard to say whether or not you are being too strict. It appears from what you've written that your daughter is struggling with her relationships at home and of demonstrating respect for your authority. You've said that ... http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=100087 How do I build a new relationship with my spouse after my kids have moved out? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1473 When do we stop paying for Christmas gifts our 14-year-old daughter wants to buy for her friends and other family members? She also does not want to participate in family Christmas activities. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=146 I am blowing it as a mom! I feel that I reacted & overreacted to the things that he's doing in such a way that it has built a wall between my son and I. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1268 My teen daughter is embarrassed to show affection or socialize with me in front of people outside of her immediate family. Am I too sensitive about this or is there some way I should address this issue with her? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=513 My husband has always been a traditional sort of husband and father. He is an authoritarian parent, and prefers being in control in our home. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=138 We are not much of a "touchy/feely" family. My daughter mentioned recently that there is a lack of hugs in our family. Is this okay? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=142 My 14-year-old son is smart, funny, articulate, and outgoing at home. However, around his peers, he is painfully shy and never talks. He says that his mind goes blank and he can't think of what to say when he is in a group. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1691 My 14 year old step-son doesn't seem to get the concept of homework and school come before games, television, etc. I am at a crossroads with him. My question is, should we be proactive or reactive? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=364 The church hired a youth worker to lead the students. She feels led to the ministry but she is not liked by the students, and she has treated them disrespectfully. What should we do, I hate to see this youth group fall apart. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=865 My 12-year-old daughter is a great kid but I have trouble getting her out of bed and getting herself ready for school and getting things done in a timely manner; any suggestions? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1397 My 17-year-old son is going off to college soon. Recently he hasn't wanted to talk at all. In fact, he gets very upset with me when I keep asking what is wrong. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1284 I have a relationship problem with my mother-in-law. She is a mean-spirited person who verbally abuses me and others. She also tries to come between me and my husband. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1455 My 14 year old son announced that he wants to get his ear pierced and wear an earring. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=131 Our son will be 16 this month; he told us that he is very in love with 15-yr-old at school and against our wishes has been "going" with her. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1649 My daughter went on a short-term missions trip last summer and came back a different person. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=164 I regularly read my daughter's diary. I want to talk to her about her feelings but I don't want her to know I read her diary. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=88 My 17 year old son informed me that he no longer believes in God. What do I say now that he has so blatantly rejected God? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=490 I'm not very tech-savvy and don't know how to check the histories of websites my son has visited and videos he's watched on his iPhone. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=100088 Our 15-year-old son refuses to participate in family activities. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=179 I am a stay at home with 3 children, and I feel like I do so much for my kids but right now I feel like my kids don't appreciate me at all! http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1388 Is there a biblical basis for youth groups? Why are churches so interested in splitting up the families at church? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1258 How can I tell my 16 year old daughter to remain "pure" until marriage, when I wasn't? I was raised in a Christian home and wanted to remain a virgin, but didn't. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1351 I am a grandmother of a 3 1/2 yr. old girl. I have a few concerns about the way that my daughter and son-in-law are raising her. My granddaughter is also overweight, she weighs over 70 lbs. and the kids at school are beginning to make fun of her. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=895 Recently my oldest daughter (17), has begun to tell her sister (15) and I that she believes in God but she "can't go along with the heaven or hell idea". She states she is "creeped out" by the whole idea of a soul. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=709 My husband is a youth pastor. He loves his work. But it feels as if he loves everybody more than me. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=92 First, let's take a look at extracurricular activities. They are important. Extra-curricular activities often form your child's relationship patterns. It's a proven fact that active teens with positive friendships are much less apt to fall into "at risk" ... http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=136 I have two daughters at home and they can not be nice to each other most of the time. How can I stop their "meanness" toward each other? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=896 What do you suggest doing, when the person you're involved in a relationship with claims to have heard from God and been promised that I will be his wife? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1441 My relatives create a lot of stress in my life.They want me to bail them out of their problems all the time. Now I want to separate myself from them totally. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1554 I have a daughter who just turned 15. Although this isn't the first time, I woke up around 2:00 am to find her not in her bed sleeping. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1171 My fiance and I have almost no good communication. He gets very sad about the world, his responsibilities, etc and I am "not comforting" to him (he says). I want to be a good wife to him (we are to be married in September), but I don't know how to. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1679 My husband and children tell me I have a tendency to nag too much and that I sometimes close their spirit with my choice of words. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=158 Our two teenagers tell us that we are not fun anymore. Any suggestions? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=135 My 21 year old son lives at home. He sleeps in until 2 o'clock in the afternoon when he is unemployed (which is about 70% of the time). http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=551 I know family playtime is important but what do you do about a very competitive dad. Should we include him? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1590 My husband and I raise our daughter one way, but when she visits her biological father and his fiancee they are totally different. What can I do to ensure that my daughter will become the Christian woman I am trying to raise her to be? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=755 My former best friend has gotten into all kinds of serious trouble in the last year or so. How long should you stand by a friend who just keeps getting deeper and deeper into trouble? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=185 I'm a 13 year old girl who is going through a lot in her life right now-everything from suicide to school. I have no happiness in my life and I cut myself but nothing seems to help me anymore. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=637 I'm depressed. I feel like nobody loves me, and I always put myself down. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=123 We found a pornographic magazine under our 12 year old son's bed. What do you think we should do about finding the magazine? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=129 I never saw myself as an angry person until my children became teenagers! http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=13 We adopted our 16 year old daughter when she was five. She had been removed from her home after being sexually abused by her biological father. Now these issues are surfacing again. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=177 My husband always asks, why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1237 How should a mother react when she finds her 12 year old daughter receiving and writing very sexually driven letters to her boyfriend? What steps should she take in this situation? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1408 My Dad drinks. He'll tell us he's going to quit but never does. I'm beginning to hate him because of his drinking. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=100077 Should I do something about it or is it not my business? What can I do? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=100078 Youth Group Cliques http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=100079 My daughter is 18 and a senior in high school. She and her friends are attending their last prom and she has asked me and her mother for permission to stay out all night after the prom. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=20 My daughter is 15 years old and a freshman in high school. She has always been a very good student with a great personality, but this year we have seen some negative changes in her personality. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1245 I don't mean to but I often find myself arguing and demeaning my son because I repeat myself 4 times before he listens. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1529 I have a problem with making friends because I'm very shy. I can't open up to others. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=100073 I was sexually abused a few years ago. I'm out of that situation now and in no danger. But the fears, nightmares and shame won't really go away. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=100075 The other people I'm with always seem better friends with each other than with me or they are dating. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=100076 I am a 15 year old Christian but I lost my virginity to a boy that I barely even knew. My current boyfriend is a Christian and we are in love. He doesn't want to have sex with me but at times I get so tempted. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1481 A good friend of mine recently started smoking pot. She shows up at school really out of it. She says she wants to try even stronger drugs. I'm scared for her, but I don't know how to help her. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=244 Our 13 yr old son has been struggling with life. My husband was overseas for 8 mos. this year in the military and this was very difficult for my son, his grades diminished http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1692 My youth group is going through a period of leadership change. I've prayed about it, but I don't feel good about the coming months. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=100071 It really annoys me how people think they can put down others if it's a joke. The other day, one of the girls said it'd be funny if I died. That really hurt. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=100072 Our daughter is an exceptional young woman. Our problem is that lately she has been showing extreme displays of anger outbursts and complaining about headaches. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=156 My friend committed suicide. Obviously, I wish he wouldn't have taken his own life, but I'm having a hard time with the idea that it was a sin. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1667 My friend told me yesterday that she isn't a Christian anymore. I'm really upset and shocked because she was always so passionate for Christ. And now she says, "I'm not into that stuff anymore." http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=100068 One of my Christian friends is only happy when she's got a boyfriend. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=100069 There's a group at school who use prescription and over-the-counter drugs to get high. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=100070 How do I teach the youth to deal with bullies in school? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1194 Does it make us bad Christian parents if we send our daughter to public school?!?! That seems to be the reaction of people around us...family included. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1688 Also being in 8th grade has so much stress involved. I feel fat and ugly. I look at my older sisters and think how pretty they look and how pig like I look. I don't want to develop an eating disorder but I don't eat as much as I used to. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1689 Our 7th grade son has been invited to a party. They are going to see a pg-13 movie which our son on his own accord spoke up and said he did not want to participate. Do we make up a fib and say we have another commitment or do we tell them the truth? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1686 Our teens are crazy about text messaging. My son receives as many as 50 messages in an hour everyday from a girlfriend and that is unacceptable. He is a good kid and very caring, does his devotionals, is a leader at school. Can you give me any ideas? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1685 My 15 year old son is severely depressed and talks about suicide. Please help me make the Godly decision in helping my son. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=74 My husband and I attend different churches. What do I do? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1684 My daughter who is 17 is thinking about having sex with her boyfriend and she is coming to me if she can go to the clinic and get birth control. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=869 My 15 year old daughter wants to have plastic surgery. My husband and I don't think it is necessary. Any suggestions on how to handle this touchy situation? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1578 My 15 yr old daughter is really liking a guy that is 18 yrs old and is not a Christian. She loves the Lord and is usually a pretty good judge of character but this guy has told her that he loves her. As a parent, how do I handle this? http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=1683 I feel used by my church. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=100064 Today in school, everyone slammed Christianity and agreed that belief in God is illogical. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=100065 What do you think of online poker? My youth pastor doesn't like that I do it for fun. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=100066 My sister has caused a lot of hurt in my family. She continually uses us and doesn't care who her actions hurt. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=100067 I have a very good friend that is going through a rough period in her marriage. She has talked to her husband about her unhappiness. She has been coming to me for some advice, I am not married. It is hard to give her the "right" answers. http://www.homeword.com/real_life_answers_info.php?articles_id=955