Ask Dr. Bill

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Teaching Young Children About Modesty

How can I teach my young kids about modesty?

Finding Support in Raising an Autistic Child

Our family needs help and support in raising our autistic son.

When Grandparents Spoil Their Grandchildren

How do my spouse and I prevent our kids from being spoiled by other family members?

When Toddlers Are Picky Eaters

How do you get picky children to eat what you set before them?

Young Son Exposed to Internet Porn

My 10-year-old son is upset after seeing pornography on his friend's computer.

Stressed-Out Stepfather

My husband has experienced a lot of change recently. How can I support him?

Preteen Daughter Interested in Boys

My 12-year-old daughter is already interested in boys. My husband and I disagree on how to handle this.

My Teen Son Won't Do His Chores

My 14-year-old son rebels against doing chores. What should I do?

Adopting an Abused Child

We're considering adopting a young child from the foster care system who has been abused.

My Husband Falsely Accused Me of Infidelity

My husband thinks I had an affair with a coworker. How can we get past this?

When a Young Child Is Being Bullied at School

It's been a battle getting our 9-year-old to go to school.

Should I Let My Teen Use Facebook?

Even though he's set up an account behind my back?

When a Child Says, "I Wish I Was Dead"

How should a parent react?

Should I Let My Teen Daughter Date?

My 16-year-old daughter wants to have a boyfriend, but I'm not sure if I should let her.

Developing a Teen Boy's Self-Confidence

My 15-year-old son is still very shy and nervous around girls his age.

Is My Young Son Experiencing Gender Confusion?

Should I be concerned about my five-year-old son?

Teaching Kids About Budgeting

Can you explain the "10-10-10-70" budget plan?

Teen Son Failing at School

We've tried everything and can't get our son motivated to do his schoolwork.

Explaining Death to Young Children

My grandmother is dying of cancer. How do I explain this to my young kids?

My Husband's Porn Addiction is Destroying Us

He refuses to address this situation. What do I do?

When Older Kids Suck Their Thumb

My six-year-old still sucks his thumb and carries around his blanket.

My Son's Father is in Prison

What do I tell my son about his father?

Is My Son Becoming a Bully?

I'm concerned that my 7-year-old son may be a bully-in-the-making.

My Teen Son is Having Premarital Sex

Our 17-year-old son is having sex with his girlfriend. How do we handle this situation?

Letting Kids Attend Sleepovers

Should we let our young daughters attend a sleepover at their friend's house?

Teaching Young Kids the True Meaning of Thanksgiving

How do we teach our young kids about the history of Thanksgiving?

Should Our Daughter Get an HPV Immunization Shot?

I'm unsure as to whether my 12-year-old daughter should be immunized against HPV.

Back to Basics

How can my family resist cultural pressures and focus on what's most important?

The Boy Next Door is Bullying My Son

How do I deal with a neighbor whose son is mean to my child?

Forgiving Infidelity

Should I reconcile with my husband after he had an affair?

Children with Imaginary Friends

Should I be concerned that my young grandson has an imaginary friend?

My Husband Wants to Bring Porn Into Our Marriage

My husband wants to "spice up" our sex life with pornography. What do I do?

My Daughter's "Cute Baby" Phase

How can I help my 4-year-old grow out of her "cute baby" phase?

Should My Ex and I Remarry?

My ex-husband and I are considering getting remarried. Any advice?

Could My Grandson Have Autism?

I'm concerned about my grandson. Is he showing signs of autism?

How Will Divorce Impact My Child?

If my husband and I divorce, should I live near him for our child's sake?

Getting Your Kids to Clean Up After Themselves

How can I motivate my grade school kids to clean up after themselves?

My 4-Year-Old is Afraid to Sleep in the Dark

We've tried all kinds of things to solve the problem and don't know what else to do.

My Teen Daughter is a Tomboy

I'm concerned that my 14-year-old daughter is not very feminine.

Marriage Impacted by Premarital Sex

My husband and I had premarital sex, and it's affecting our marriage. What do we do?

Help! My Husband's Addicted to Video Games!

My husband has a serious addiction to video games. What do I do?

My Child Told Me, "I Hate You!"

I was hurt by my daughter's mean words. How should I respond?

Should My Stepdaughter Call Me "Mommy"?

My husband's former wife is upset because her daughter is calling me "mommy." What should I do?

My Best Friend's Kids Are Driving Me Crazy!

How do I give my best friend advice on parenting her kids?

Should We Pay Our Kids for Doing Household Chores?

My husband and I are wondering if it's appropriate to pay our kids for doing household chores.

Our Teen Granddaughter is Not Following Our Rules

We have custody of our teen granddaughter and are at odds with her mother. Can you help?

Father-Daughter Conflicts

How I can communicate to my husband that our daughter's self-worth is more important than her grades?

Can a husband be successful with his career and family?

Do you have any advice or encouragement I can share with my husband as he juggles his responsibilities of career and family?

How Can I Be a Better Father?

Can you give me advice on being a better dad to my two young sons?

Toddler Bedtime Fears

My toddler daughter has suddenly become afraid of sleeping alone. What do I do?

Resource Recommendations for Childcare Workers

What resources would you recommend for working with young children?

My Teen Son and His Stepdad Don't Get Along

My teen son and his stepdad don't get along, and I feel caught in the middle. What do I do?

Helping a Child Recover from a Scary Movie

My 8-year-old son watched a scary movie, and now he's constantly fearful. What do I do?

Protecting a Young Teen Daughter from Bad Influences

How do I protect my daughter without making her feel odd or left out?

Helping an Adopted Daughter Fit Into Church

My soon-to-be adopted daughter hasn't been enjoying church. What do I do?

Helping a Teen Cutter

A teen wants to help a peer who's cutting himself.

Overloaded Single Parent

I'm a single mom whose kids need help with school.

How Do I Tell My Kids About My Husband's Porn Addiction?

My husband's recovering from a porn addiction, but I don't know how to tell our kids about it.

My Child Won't Sit Still in Church

How can I make my 4-year-old son sit still in church?

My Young Teen Fears Bedtime

My 13-year-old daughter is fearful at bedtime. How do I help her?

Dealing With an Abusive Husband

My husband is verbally and physically abusive. What do I do?

Teen Daughter Avoids Displays of Affection

Our 15-year-old is no longer affectionate with us. Should we be concerned?

Helping My Teen Maintain Sexual Purity

How can I help my 16-year-old avoid the sexual mistakes I made as a teen?

Should I Date My Co-Worker?

Can you offer me advice about dating co-workers?

Attitude of Gratitude

How do we teach our 5-year-old to be thankful for what she gets?

ADHD and Finding a Psychologist

We think our son may have ADHD, but I'm worried about sending him to a psychologist.

Am I Doing Enough As a Father?

I heard something about "the father's blessing." How do I give that to my kids?

Bedtime Routines

Our 15-month-old fights going to sleep. What do we do?

Bugged by Fear of Bugs

My daughter is so afraid of bees she screams when she sees any bug.

Defiance and Compliance

My son is having behavior problems at his preschool.

Disturbing Drawings

My 4-year-old draws pictures of people with no faces or heads. Should I be concerned?

Fear of Groups

My son is afraid of walking into a room of people.

Holiday Tension

How do we diffuse holiday tension with our in-laws?

How Do I Handle Unwanted Advice?

We're overwhelmed with unwanted parenting advice from family and friends.

Looking for Male Role Models

I'm a single mom with a daughter who needs a positive male role model.

Mealtime Battles

How do I get my 5-year-old to eat what the rest of the family eats?

Nagging for Toys

My 7-year-old daughter has been nagging me for a Bratz doll.

Our Marriage Is in a Rut

Long gone are the days of romantic dinners, love notes and spontaneous dates.

Rules and Rebellion

My teens say they will do whatever they want when they go to college.

Seeking Attention — Positive or Negative

My middle child feels like she needs to misbehave or cry to get my attention.

Unwilling Den Mother

I would like your advice about some children in my neighborhood.

I Don't Like My Husband's Friends

I have nothing in common with my husband's friends, and this has led to arguments.

Fatherless Father

I grew up without a father, and now I AM a father. Can you give me some advice?

Young Child Keeps Wandering Off in Public

I have to watch my 3-year-old constantly because she wanders away in public.

Absentee Dad

My 4-year-old son has never seen his father. How do I explain this to my sweet little boy?

Adjusting to a New Stepdad

My 3-year-old is not talking to his new stepdad. What do I do?

Child Exposed to Violence and Sex

My 7-year-old has seen explicit movies at his friend's house. What do I do?

Depressed Daughter

Our 9-year-old feels depressed and says she could kill herself. What should I do?

Explaining Separation to Children

My husband and I are separated. How do we explain this to our 3-year-old?

Family Bed Feedback

Dr. Bill Maier addresses concerns about the "family bed."

Is It Okay to Need Companionship?

I'm a single mom in need of companionship. What do I do?

Kids Curious About Sex

Is sexual curiosity normal among young children?

Mother Concerned About Tomboy Daughter

My own 8-year-old daughter likes to dress and act like a boy. Should she see a therapist?

Mother-In-Law Undermines Parental Authority

My mother-in-law defied my wishes, buying a Barbie for my young daughter. How do I deal with this?

Possible Anxiety Disorder

Filling in for Dr. Bill Maier, Dr. Walt Larimore addresses a young woman's concerns about anxiety.

Pregnant Teenage Daughter

My 15-year-old daughter is pregnant and considering an abortion. What do I do?

Problem With Backtalk

My 6-year-old talks too much. Plus, she disrespects me by backtalking. What do I do?

Safety vs. Overprotection

How can I give my young child freedom without being either too relaxed or overprotective?

Separation Anxiety

My 9-year-old doesn't want to spend the night at her friend's house without me.

Sibling Rivalry

My 2-year-old is jealous of the attention his baby brother is receiving.