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Parenting & Children Articles

How do I help my Grandchild?

Tuesday, May 6th, 2008

My granddaughter (7 years old, 1st grade) is having problems in school with behavior. She is extremely intelligent, reads numerous books each week on approximatly a fourth grade level. But, she has no self control, she talks (blurts out things) all the time and at inappropriate times. It's very hard to reign her in once she starts talking. She also can have a melt down if she is over stimulated, ie: the Mall with all the noise and people send her over the edge. She is in trouble at school most days. My son and his family just move back to our home town, the school she was in before moving was on the verge of expelling her (they refused to allow her to ...  
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Boyfriend’s son ignores me, Part II.

Thursday, May 1st, 2008

I wrote to you 3 weeks ago about an issue with my boyfriend´s son ignoring me. I received an answer from Dr. Marie on April 7, 2008. She wrote what she thinks the reason is and that my boyfriend should have a man to man talk with his son about it. I told my boyfriend about her suggestion. He said he can´t force his son to like me and wanted to know what Dr Marie suggests I should do. Please advise. Thank you. A. You've been dating this man for 6 years and you've known this boy since he was 11. He's now 17 and is still being rude to you. In your last letter, you said your boyfriend believes that no matter ...  
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I can’t accept my partner’s child.

Thursday, May 1st, 2008

Six months ago I met the man of my dreams - except there is one catch - he has a 2 year old daughter. I am 24 and he is 34, we have been dating for 6 months and are now living together. I am finding it very very challenging to accept his daughter into my life. He was not previously married to his daughter' mother, in fact she accidently got pregrant in there 2-3 week dating period. They tried to make it work when they found out about the pregnancy but could not. My partner is extremely committed to his daughter and has promised to always be there for her. I am feeling very resentful of him and his past mistake. I am angry ...  
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My oldest is bullying his brothers.

Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008

I have 3 boys ages 8, 6, and 3. About four days ago we went to a motel to visit the kids' grandparents and to have pizza and go swimming. The kids were all in the pool and playing. I was in the pool with them. When I turned my back my oldest pushed the middle childs' head under water. I turned around in time to see him coughing and sputtering. I told him that he couldn't do that because he could drown and if he tried to do it again he would have to get out of the pool and stay out. Less than 5 minutes later, I turned my back again to check on my youngest on the steps of the pool. I ...  
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How do we protect the children?

Wednesday, April 16th, 2008

I am soon to become the step-mother of two children I care very much about. Dealing with their mother who has custody, is difficult as she suffers from a mental disorder(s). We live over 200 miles apart. She is on medication, we believe for a bipolar disorder. She believes she is a victim regardless the situation (even when there isn't one). She is 30, lives at home and is unemployed (has never worked) and doesn't drive. She often complains about being able to handle life, she must be in control of everything regardless of how small.. She has frequent outbursts, rage, threatens everyone then will call back and act as if nothing happened. Her mother shows the same behavioral issues, they often fight with ...  
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My son has trouble with change.

Wednesday, April 16th, 2008

My 5 year old boy has problems with changing his clothes. For instance now that the weather is changing he is going to give us a real hard time putting on short pants. It the winter he won't put on his jacket. Once we get it on him he will wear it every day without any issues. It is only the first time with something new or something he hasn't worn is a while. What I had to do with his jacket is force him to wear it, it was a cold day. What should I do? I try to get him to change with rewards but he will not do it so I have to force him and it is usually a big ordeal. A: ...  
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Can Bipolar Be Projected Onto Others?

Sunday, April 13th, 2008

Q. I believe my bipolar step daughter is projecting her illness onto her children. We recently, mutually ended our guardianship of two grandchildren ages 8 and 9 . Thier mother is bipolar and I believe has other mental issues as well. We felt she was doing a better job of controling her illness. The children have been with her less than 2 months and we are seeing signs of real trouble. The 8 year old was taken, by mom to the local mental health facility and admitted for evaluation. Mom says she is having symptoms that the child never exhibited in our home. Now, less than 24 hours later the child has been put on Respidol(sp). I believe that the mother is trying to ...  
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Why Does My Son Hate Visiting His Father?

Sunday, April 13th, 2008

Q. I have been divorced from my ex for 4 years. We have a son who we adopted at 18 mos, from a trauma and neglect background. He is 7.5. He has multiple neurological issues, PDD-NOS, anxiety disorder, emotional disregulation and others, but is bright and sweet. I divorce my ex because he was an abusive bully. Not physically-but emotionally-but the psych. i was seeing at the time said it was only a matter of time before it became physical. My question is visitation. My son hates to go, has always hated to go. Screams and hollers and begs me not to make him go. Runs when ex shows up-has to be coaxed, or if I'm dropping off, it takes a good 20 minutes to ...  
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How Can I Help My 10-Year Old Son?

Sunday, April 13th, 2008

Q. My son is ten years old, and has been seeing a psychiatrist for 6 years. When he was three years old he was potty trained, his father and I split up and 6 months later he started going to the bathroom on himself. I have had him checked out 3 times, there is no medical problem. He also has anger problems. He has woke me in the middle of the night standing over me with a knife, when asked what he was going to do with the knife, he stated he was going to kill me.(mother) I have had to call the police and he has been restrained in handcuffs to keep himself from harming anyone or himself. I have tried several medications to ...  
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Where does my boyfriend go emotionally during the week?

Monday, April 7th, 2008

My boyfriend and I have been living together for about 7 months now. We have been sleeping together for the past year or so prior to moving in with each other. He and I have known each other since we were 12 and he was then and still is one of my best friends. I'm now 27. He has 1 child from a previous relationship, I have none. I had a miscarriage last fall with his child. It was very painful for he and I both, but we're still trying. We get along very well on a daily basis, generally. We talk alot and spend alot of time together. It seems as of late that he loves me more on the weekends. He's ...  
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Boyfriend’s son ignores me.

Monday, April 7th, 2008

My almost stepson is 17 years old. I date his father for 6 years and he ignores me the entire time. He doesn´t talk to me and if I talk to him, he only answers yes or no. I always treated him good, never did anything to deserve this. I feel like his father never did much about it. When I bring this subject up, he gets angry and protective of his son. I always end up being the bad person, who criticizes his son. He says no matter how his son treats me I need to love him, respect him and make him feel welcomed. But his son doesn´t have to do anything. The only thing I want is for us to be friends ...  
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15 year old son may have Bipolar Disorder

Friday, April 4th, 2008

I have a 15 year old son who has been in some trouble. I discussed the possibility of his having Bipolar Disorder with his doctor and she agreed that it is possible and he needed to be reevaluated ASAP. He is scheduled to be reevaluated next month but in the meantime the school is persuing to expell him and I am concerned that they do not have all of the facts. Is that not discriminatory? It is obvious that he has mental health issues that need to be addressed. I am concerned that he may have had it all this time and no one really knew...even me. A: Your question is primarily a legal one. Since different cities and states have ...  
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Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family -- in another city.
-- George Burns