Q: Should I be concerned if my child has an "imaginary friend"?

Jim: According to Dr. Bill Maier, imaginary friends are a completely normal part of life for preschoolers. Parents shouldn't be concerned about them unless a child is so focused on the relationship with the "friend" that he or she seems to be losing touch with reality. And, of course, you should never allow your child to blame their imaginary friend for their own misbehavior. In time, the imaginary friend should disappear.

Danny Huerta, a staff counselor at Focus, gives an illustration: "If kids have been made fun of, a lot of times they'll create a superhero that has powers that will help them feel protected -- maybe a stuffed animal that can be ferocious, like the comic strip 'Calvin and Hobbes.' Hobbes is an example of an imaginary friend 'coming to life' and the fun a child can have with that."

Research shows that an only or first child may be more likely to invent an imaginary friend, and language skills may develop sooner for children who talk with an imaginary friend. Although children should not be discouraged to invent imaginary friends, make sure your child is playing with other children and not existing completely in a pretend world.

Interacting with your child about their imaginary friend can lead to some great teachable moments and opportunities to address specific situations that may have prompted them to invent their pretend companion. Dr. Maier says: "You don't have to go so far as setting a place at the table for your child's imaginary acquaintance, but playing along can be fun for both of you."

Q: My son is heading to college next month. I'm worried about the challenges he'll face -- challenges to his faith and his moral values, not to mention the practical challenges of living on his own for the first time. How can I "let go"?

Dr. Greg Smalley, Vice President of Family Ministries: Your love for your son is touching and inspiring. At the same time, it's important for you to remember that leaving the nest, going off to college, establishing independence, and learning to deal with the demands of daily life are all normal rites of passage for a young adult. It's OK to mourn this change of season. A certain degree of sadness and bittersweet emotion are normal. But don't look at the situation as if you're "losing" your son. You're simply letting go of the joys and responsibilities of parenting him under your roof.

Your son has reached a place in his personal development where he must assume increasing responsibility for his own actions. It's up to him to decide how he's going to respond to the challenges he'll face at college. This is the moment for which you've been preparing him ever since you brought him home from the hospital. At some point, he has to pass beyond your control and discover what it means to be accountable to himself and to God.

The most important message you can send your son as he goes off to college is, "I believe in you. You have what it takes to be successful!" A boy needs to hear this from his parents. Then, show him through your behaviors that you believe in him. Don't jump in too quickly to give advice. Allow him to fail. Don't call to remind him to study, and so on.

Your relationship with your son will never again be the way it was when he was younger. But this process of letting go -- of "giving him wings" -- can actually result in a deeper, more enriching relationship going forward.

Jim Daly is a husband and father, an author, and president of Focus on the Family and host of the Focus on the Family radio program. Catch up with him at www.jimdalyblog.com or at www.facebook.com/DalyFocus.

Q: Am I obligated to take care of my parents even though they hurt me in many ways when I was growing up? Our family was really dysfunctional. Now my parents are old, feeble and increasingly unable to look after themselves, and I'm not sure how I feel about caring for them given our past.

Jim: Your question hits home with me because I, too, grew up in a dysfunctional home. Sadly, situations like yours and mine are not unique. Many adults carry the scars of a painful childhood. We may look back, even at the recent past, and remember only abuse and neglect from the people closest to us.

As hard as it may seem, we believe it's important for you to reach out to your parents during this difficult time, and to forgive them. Even when they're not seeking that forgiveness, we can choose to give respect and care to our elders. True honor is placing the highest value on our loved ones whether they deserve it or not.

You can't change the painful events of your childhood or alter your parents' choices. But you can refuse to give their problems power over you. You can make up your mind to find the good in your parents, no matter how meager or unrefined, and to honor them in spite of their flaws. Caring for your parents doesn't necessarily mean agreeing with everything they say, or giving in to their every demand. It simply means doing what you can within a realistic framework to live at peace with your aging parents. It means making wise choices that will keep your conscience clear. When they're gone, you don't want to look back on this time and regret not reaching out to them.

Q: What can I do when my spouse avoids conflict and seems to want "peace at any price"? Unresolved issues are boiling beneath the surface, and we're growing apart. How can I turn things around before it's too late?

Dr. Greg Smalley, Vice President of Family Ministries: If handled correctly, conflict can be a pathway to deeper intimacy in your marriage. Disagreements about money, career, child rearing, sex and in-laws can typically be traced to one underlying issue: fear. At some point, all of us are gripped by the fear of inadequacy, rejection, powerlessness and so on. The cure for these fears can be found in intimacy, validation, love, and connection -- qualities that are essential to any marriage.

With that in mind, we suggest that you ask your spouse to try an experiment with you. It will take just 20 minutes once or twice a week. During the first 10 minutes, one of you will talk about issues that are bothering you. The other will agree to listen without argument or debate. The only response allowed is to ask for clarification. During the second 10 minutes, the other spouse will talk. Again, a request for clarification is the only response permitted.

At the end of the 20 minutes, take a time-out from each other. Reflect on what your spouse has said. Does it help you understand some of the reasons for his or her feelings? Chances are, this experiment will help you both better understand the underlying issues that are causing strain in your marriage.

If your spouse remains intent on avoiding conflict, seek assistance from a qualified counselor who can help you gain perspective on what's happening. Contact Focus on the Family for a free consultation and referral. Also, you may want to seek out a copy of my book "Fight Your Way to a Better Marriage" (Howard, 2012), which is custom-made for your situation.

Jim Daly is a husband and father, an author, and president of Focus on the Family and host of the Focus on the Family radio program. Catch up with him at www.jimdalyblog.com or at www.facebook.com/DalyFocus.

Q: After the Boston Marathon bombings, I'm feeling more anxious about world events and the possibility of terrorist attacks in our country. Do you have any suggestions for dealing with these fears?

Jim: Many Americans report feeling stressed out by the potential for terrorist attacks at home. But our counseling team suggests that these feelings are normal.

One of the best ways to deal with them is to talk with someone you trust. We all need "safe" people in our lives -- friends with whom we can be honest without having to worry that they'll judge us or make us feel ashamed. If you know one or two people like that, give them a call, get together for coffee, and tell them how you're feeling.

If you don't have any safe people in your life, you need to find some. Church is a great place to start. Many churches sponsor support groups where honesty and vulnerability are encouraged. And if you're spiritually inclined, bringing your fears before God in prayer and meditating on Scripture can provide great comfort.

Also, while the events in Boston and elsewhere are tragic, they are also, mercifully, rare. Keep in mind that our media and the relentless 24-hour news cycle can contribute a great deal to anxiety in the wake of terrorist acts. Sometimes it's best to just tune out.

Finally, if you're experiencing physical symptoms of anxiety -- shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweaty palms -- you should talk to your physician. You can also contact Focus on the Family for a free consultation with one of our licensed counselors.

Q: How can I help prepare my daughter for the physical, emotional and psychological changes that adolescence brings?

Dr. Greg Smalley, Vice President of Family Ministries: I have two teenage daughters of my own, so I've had a bit of experience in this area. My advice is for you to get out of the house while you still can. Ha!

Seriously, while navigating a young girl through the emotional teen years might seem daunting, it can be a beautiful experience for both parent and child.

First, open communication is the key! You need to help your daughter understand the physical changes her body will experience. Girls need to know about breast development, new hair growth and the reproductive cycle. The first menstrual period should be viewed in a positive light, as a passage into adulthood rather than a burden or a "curse."

It's also important to talk to your daughter about her increasing interest in the opposite sex. She'll need to be prepared to deal with attention from boys. This is an important time to review specific guidelines about relationships, affectionate touching, the progressive nature of sexual contact and the spiritual, physical and emotional advantages of saving sex for marriage.

Ideally, you want to create a home environment where talking is the norm. Plan on having a series of conversations with your prepubescent girl, perhaps at age 9 or 10. Some parents plan a special weekend away from home in order to have undistracted, one-on-one time during which these discussions can take place. If you're a single dad who feels uncomfortable discussing these matters with your daughter, consider seeking help from an adult woman who not only shares your values, but has enough rapport to talk with her about these topics.

Other issues to talk about might include the importance of friends, the need for independence and your daughter's desire to form her own identity. If you will stay in communication about the changes she's experiencing, the teen years have the potential to deepen your relationship considerably. Remember, you're on the same team!

Jim Daly is a husband and father, an author, and president of Focus on the Family and host of the Focus on the Family radio program. Catch up with him at www.jimdalyblog.com or at www.facebook.com/DalyFocus.