Q: Last month your column discussed practicing self-denial with kids and offered ways to guard them from developing narcissistic tendencies. It was helpful advice, but I'd also like to encourage my ki... more

Q: We're traveling home for Christmas and this will be our 2-year-old daughter's first flight. I'm feeling stressed and anxious about it. Can you offer any advice?... more

Q: Every now and then I'll see these "man on the street" interviews on television where people's ignorance of history is on display -- and it discourages me that our culture doesn't seem to value its ... more

Question: I recently read that narcissistic behavior is on the rise, and this seems to confirm my own observations of a culture that seems to be increasingly selfish and entitled. I'm especially conce... more

Question: Thanksgiving is this week, and I'm having a hard time getting up for it. I'm usually a positive person, but all of life's difficulties decided to visit me this year. And the mess the world i... more

Q: How much do my children need to know about my past? Is there any reason to be completely open with them about the moral failings of my youth?... more

Q: I recently read an article suggesting another economic recession may be looming. What's the wisest way to handle my finances during a period of economic uncertainty?... more

Q: Should I marry my pregnant girlfriend? Our relationship has always been one of convenience, and neither of us considered it permanent. She intends to raise the baby, and I want to do my part. But m... more

Q: Last year while confronting cancer, I underwent a hysterectomy and had a breast removed. Since then, my husband has distanced himself emotionally and doesn't seem to care at all about sex. I'm deva... more

Q: We adopted our son at birth and have raised him in a loving home. Now that he's a teenager, he's obsessed with the fact that he's adopted. When he gets angry, he yells, "You aren't my real parents!... more

Q: Our teenage son is extremely intelligent. The problem is he only wants to play video games all day and night when he's home. It's a struggle to get him involved in any kind of physical activity or ... more

Q: I feel like I've "run my course" at work. I'm considering changing careers, but I'm already 45. Should I just ride it out in my current job and wait for retirement?... more

Q: Would you recommend adopting a child from another country or a different ethnic group? My spouse and I are seriously interested in helping a youngster who needs a home, but we're unsure about the p... more

Q: How should I respond to my child's fascination with evil characters? He's only 3 years old, but whenever he plays make-believe, he always takes on the role of the villain, and the only action figur... more

Q: My husband and I are newly married, and my in-laws are always making unannounced visits. We've subtly suggested that they call first, but so far nothing has changed. What should we do?... more

Q: The idea of "leadership" seems to be getting a lot of hype these days. Whether I'm at church, in a bookstore or at work, it seems the assertion that "everybody should strive to be a leader" is alwa... more

FOCUS ON THE FAMILY... more

Q: Is it OK for married persons to have friends of the opposite sex? While my husband was away on a weeklong trip, I had a male friend from work come over to help me care for our 18-month-old daughter... more

Q: How can we get a break from the kids once in a while? Ever since they came along, we can't even find two minutes to sit down and have a meaningful conversation.... more

Q: After decades of looking forward to retirement, I find that the promised carefree lifestyle isn't quite what I expected. I worked hard to attain this goal, and now I'm struggling with discontentmen... more

Q: We just learned my spouse has cancer, and we're reeling. We have the best possible medical care, but there's one area where doctors can't help us: What can we do to keep the disease from harming ou... more

Q: Can you help us decide on a strategy for giving our child the best possible education? Our daughter is ready to start school, and we want to get her moving in the right direction.... more

Q: I recently discovered my preschooler playing "doctor" with a neighborhood friend. I've always thought this kind of thing was innocent and normal in very young kids, but when I found my own child in... more

Q: Should I ask my husband to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases? He recently ended an affair, and we're working toward reconciliation. It's a touchy process and I don't want to do anything ... more

Q: Our son and his wife both work and have extremely busy lives -- probably too busy. My husband and I frequently take care of our grandchildren so that their mom and dad can keep their hectic pace. W... more

Q: Should I step in to help if I feel my son-in-law isn't caring properly for my daughter and grandchildren? He constantly neglects to put oil in their car -- which leaks like a sieve -- so I do it. B... more

Q: Should I ask my fiancee to be tested for infertility before we're married? I've always wanted my own kids and I'm determined to be intentional about that. If I can't do this with my fiancee, I'm no... more

Q: Do you think it's OK for a 14-year-old boy to sleep in the same bed with his 11-year-old sister on a family vacation? Our family of four will be sharing a single room with two queen-sized beds, and... more