Q: We have two teenagers (son and daughter). They seem to have difficulty finishing things, like school projects or chores at home. They both say they get overwhelmed. Do you have any advice?

Jim: I like a famous quote that's often attributed to Mark Twain: "The secret to getting ahead is getting started. The secret to getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one."

Let me share a story that illustrates how to achieve what may seem like an impossible goal, by breaking it down into smaller steps. In 1848, work began on a suspension bridge near Niagara Falls, connecting the United States and Canada. It was a daunting engineering challenge for the time. The initial difficulty was getting the bridge's first cables across the 800-foot river gorge; the Niagara River was too swift and dangerous to pull lines across by boat.

Engineers came up with a clever solution. A 16-year-old teen named Homan Walsh flew a kite from the Canadian shore until it landed on the American side. With this accomplished, the thin kite line was used to pull a slightly thicker rope across the river. Then that rope pulled an even stronger one across. Repeating this method, the engineers were soon able to pull the first steel cable from shore to shore, and the bridge's construction was underway. Oh, and Homan Walsh won a $10 prize -- which would be worth nearly $4,000 in today's economy -- for his kite-piloting skills.

No matter our age, it's common to become overwhelmed -- whether we're facing a significant challenge or a mundane chore. But by remembering to "fly a kite," we can all learn to break these things into more manageable pieces -- and accomplish what we need to do.

Q: My husband and I have been married 15 years. I know he isn't a mind-reader, but after so many years I think he at least should be aware when I have a need. Having to tell him that I want to spend time together or need affection just kills the romance. I'm frustrated!

Dr. Greg Smalley, Vice President, Marriage & Family Formation: This is actually a source of tension for many couples. Deep inside we all know our spouses can't read our minds, but we often act like we expect them to.

This even hits close to home for me. It's affirming when Erin, my wife, picks up on my body language and comes alongside me in the way I'd hoped. But that won't sustain our relationship long-term.

Marriage takes work. Successful couples strive to learn one another's needs and cues. But they also recognize that relationships are dynamic -- and each of them, wife and husband, is constantly changing. At any given moment, that means your spouse may not be aware of what you're feeling. And if he does sense you have a need, he may not know exactly how to respond. Realistically, expecting your mate to read your mind sets up them (and your relationship) for failure.

So, tell your spouse when you need a hug, attention or a listening ear. No one is in a better position to understand -- and communicate -- your needs than you.

Bonus "pro tip": one of the most enlightening things any of us can do is to occasionally reverse the roles, so to speak. In my case, that's asking myself: "How would I feel if Erin expected of me what I'm expecting of her right now?"

If this continues to be a source of tension in your marriage, I invite you to call our staff counselors at 855-771-HELP (4357) or visit FocusOnTheFamily.com.

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 jimdalyblog.focusonthefamily.com or at Facebook.com/JimDalyFocus.

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Q: I get really frustrated with my husband. He's always willing to play with our children, but when it comes to the practical side of parenting -- diapers, bath times, dinner -- I don't think he pulls his weight. What's a woman to do?

Jim: This is a fairly common source of tension between moms and dads. Men and women often have different viewpoints about parenting. You may feel it's just natural that tasks be shared, and in general, you're correct. But it might not be so obvious for your husband. Perhaps he wasn't expected to help around the house when he was younger. Or maybe his parents operated under clearly defined roles that now guide his thinking.

Whatever the reason, the key to resolution is communication between husband and wife. So, begin by sharing your concerns and see if, together, you can agree on ways to divide household duties to your mutual satisfaction.

If dialogue doesn't do the trick, counselors often suggest you lay out appropriate boundaries to help motivate Dad's involvement. For example, tell him he'll likely have to fix his own dinner since you'll be busy with things like feeding and bathing the kids, cleaning the house or grocery shopping. This isn't meant to punish your husband -- it's just communicating the realities of the workload around the house. If he likes sports, you might try using "team-based" descriptions to illustrate how different players may need to change assignments based on the game situation and play design. It also helps if he sees and hears from peer dads who have grasped the concept and live it out.

Fortunately, most guys will get the picture and step up. But if this remains a source of tension in your marriage, I invite you to contact our staff counselors at 855-771-HELP (4357) or FocusOnTheFamily.com.

Q: What do I do if my child does not want to go to school?

Dr. Danny Huerta, Vice President, Parenting & Youth: There are various reasons why kids don't want to go to school. They may feel bored in class, or they might struggle academically. Unfortunately, a common reason is that they may be picked on or bullied. The key is exploring and discovering what's underneath the surface.

If your child feels bored at school because it's just too easy, brainstorm with teachers for ways to make academics a bit more challenging. This might even involve considering alternative options, if feasible, such as homeschooling, private school or a magnet school.

If your child struggles academically, validate his efforts and work together to find help. Talk with teachers and/or the school counselor about extra support. You can also look for tutoring outside of school that fits your budget.

If your child is being bullied, you must advocate for her and equip her. Again, validate her feelings and interpretation; being bullied can feel demeaning and scary, so it's understandable why she would want to avoid school. Reserve time to attentively and patiently listen to her point of view about what's happening. Find out if school personnel are aware of the situation and discuss possible solutions with the principal, school counselor and teachers. Keep in mind that there are generally other educational options you can choose if necessary. The main thing is that you cannot just ignore what is happening to your child.

All of these possibilities require your attentiveness and intentional involvement. Pursue understanding of your child's behaviors rather than simply reacting to them. As a parent, your role in your children's lives is to advocate, provide for, guide and love them through the difficulties of life. They need to overcome challenges to grow.

For more practical parenting tips, visit FocusOnParenting.com.

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 jimdalyblog.focusonthefamily.com or at Facebook.com/JimDalyFocus.

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Q: I'm a dad who could use some advice. I've always been close with my pre-teen daughter, who is a "hugger." But as she approaches puberty, I'm suddenly paranoid about how I can interact with her and still show affection appropriately. Do you have any insights?

Jim: I'm especially sensitive to this dilemma because of how it impacted my wife. When Jean and I first got married, she struggled with physical touch like hugging or holding hands. We talked about it numerous times. But one day Jean finally realized why touch was so difficult for her -- her father started withdrawing physical affection from her when she was about 12. She remembers her mother telling her father, "Honey, your girls are blossoming. It's not appropriate for you to touch them or hug them." So he just suddenly stopped.

That happens in many households. Dads stop showing affection to their daughters because they believe -- or they've been told -- that it's not appropriate. That idea might be well-meaning, but suddenly withdrawing your affection entirely sends your daughter a confusing message. She'll wonder, "Why doesn't Dad want to be close to me? What's wrong with me? Does he not love me anymore?"

Your daughter might feel like you're turning your back on her, or that you aren't interested in being around her anymore. That can inflict a deep emotional wound that she'll carry for the rest of her life. It could even affect her ability to enjoy her marriage with her husband someday -- and send her "looking for love in the wrong places" in the interim.

Dad, if you or your daughter feels self-conscious about the way she's developing, transparently discuss ways to communicate affection that you both find acceptable. You certainly want your daughter to feel comfortable, but don't withhold your affection entirely. She needs you.

Q: I hear relationship experts talking about how important it is to "listen to your spouse." So, I try to do that even when I'm holding my peace wanting to respond. We still have trouble communicating. What's the secret?

Dr. Greg Smalley, Vice President, Marriage & Family Formation: The way many people interpret it, "listen to your spouse" just means "don't interrupt while they're talking." That's a good place to start, but active listening goes much deeper. Here are some suggestions.

First, stay focused. Don't let your thoughts wander when your spouse is talking -- it's not the time for you to formulate what you'll say next (and we all struggle with this). Honor your spouse by listening respectfully to what they're telling you. To do that, don't just hear what your spouse says, listen to what they mean. If you're not sure, allow them to finish and then ask for clarification.

Second, your body language shows if you're interested in what your spouse is saying. Nonverbal communication is just as important to effective dialogue as the words you use; in fact, many studies indicate that it's much more important. So, make (and hold) good eye contact and let your posture show you're open and attentive.

Finally, learn the unique ways your spouse communicates. If your mate likes feedback, repeat their comments back to them to assure them you're listening. On the other hand, your spouse may prefer you listen quietly until they've finished. In that case, nodding to acknowledge their points shows you're attentive and engaged.

Active listening is much more than not interrupting when your spouse talks. It communicates respect by showing you care what your mate thinks, feels, and says. It's a crucial ingredient to resolving problems and deepening your intimacy as a couple.

For more tips to help your marriage thrive, visit FocusOnTheFamily.com.

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 jimdalyblog.focusonthefamily.com or at Facebook.com/JimDalyFocus.

INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT SECURED. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.