Q: My mother now has dementia and is living in a local care facility. This will be the first Christmas when Grandma isn't part of our family celebration. I'm concerned about how to handle this with ou... more

Q: My new husband and I are excited for our first Christmas as a married couple. But we're having differences of opinion over how we should celebrate. Is that normal?... more

Q: My father is a retired engineer and has virtually everything he wants, so it's almost impossible to buy presents for him. He insists we shouldn't get him anything for Christmas. But I want our chil... more

Q: Some close friends of ours recently lost their teenage son to suicide. All of us are devastated, and our friends are racked with guilt. We're also concerned about how this will affect other kids; w... more

Q: I'm a mom to 3 energetic young boys. I grew up with two sisters myself -- in other words, "just us girls" -- so the constant competition between my little guys has been a real shock to me. Should I... more

Q: Since school started this year, my two "tweens" seem to be increasingly irritable. They tell me they love school and all of the activities they're involved in; they have plenty of friends, etc. But... more

Q: My two kids enjoy sports and are pretty good athletes. But if they do have a bad game, I'm never sure what to say to encourage them afterward. I just don't seem to have the right words or advice in... more

Q: I didn't want a divorce. I tried to save my marriage, but ... anyway, it's done now. Friends and family are telling me to get on with life for me and my kids and start fresh. What's your take?... more

Q: My daughter is starting to go through puberty. As a dad, I'm suddenly paranoid about how I interact with her. We've always been close and "huggy," but now I wonder how/if I can show her affection a... more

Q: A friend of mine claims he's heard that having an affair can actually spice up your marriage. That sounds wrong to me, but I'm not really sure what to say to him. What's your take?... more

Q: With three young children in the house, I'm trying to create order by setting rules. But every time I turn around, it seems like I need to set a new rule. How many should I have?... more

Q: My wife and I have been married for a few years, and our relationship is already starting to seem a little stale. Is that normal? It bothers both of us, but we’re not sure what to do about it.... more

Q: Do kids really change your life -- and your marriage -- as much as people claim they do? My spouse and I have been thinking about starting a family, but we're nervous about "taking the plunge."... more

Q: I'm about to retire after a challenging but satisfying business career. I'm concerned about keeping my mind sharp now that I won't be dealing with complex details every day. Any suggestions?... more

Q: Since my daughter became a teenager, it feels like I'm raising a little monster. I'm ashamed to say that sometimes I just want to pull away and separate from all the drama. What do you suggest?... more

Q: I'm a dad with two preteen sons. I want them to enjoy the same sports and hobbies I do; I think that will keep us close as they grow up. Do you have any advice?... more

Q: I know I've gotten a bit overweight. I've tried all sorts of diets, etc., but I just can't seem to lose even a few pounds. It's very discouraging and affects how I feel about myself. Should I just ... more

Q: I recently married a relatively young widower with two children. Boom: instant stepparent. I'm doing my best to learn how to be "Mom" for my stepchildren, but it's a lot harder to connect than I ex... more

Q: We're doing our best to raise our children to be content with what they have. But that goes out the window whenever they visit my parents. Grandma and Grandpa give in to our kids' every whim, fill ... more

Q: I've been married for two years, and my wife is expecting our first child. I'm excited but terrified. My relationship with my father was terrible, and I'm afraid I'll be a lousy dad just like he wa... more

Q: We've done our best to raise our son into a mature adult. But now that he's finished college and is out on his own, he's making poor choices. We're disappointed and wonder where we went wrong.... more

Q: I want to "connect" with our teenagers. But they have class, homework, jobs, friends and extracurricular activities. My husband and I both work and we're usually coming and going as well. Everybody... more

Q: I get so frustrated watching other families who seem to be perfect. They're like the old show "The Brady Bunch" -- the parents are loving, the kids always seem happy, and I never hear of any real p... more

Q: As a busy mother with young children, I don't have much choice but to take them with me when I go shopping. But sometimes they drive me crazy in the stores! Help!... more

Q: I've been through a series of challenges and disappointments over the past few years. I try to keep a positive attitude, but sometimes it's hard to avoid self-pity and discouragement. Do you have a... more

Q: I'm experiencing an awkward situation with an extended family member. This person recently disagreed with something I posted on Facebook and commented harshly. I admit I responded poorly in the mom... more

Q: As a parent, I have a hard time watching my school-age children go through challenges; my natural inclination is to step in and fix things for them when I can. Isn't that what parenting is about?... more

Q: My husband and I love being parents. But with three kids in the house now, our marriage isn't as fun as it once was. Is that normal?... more