| Subject | Date Asked |
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| Shy child | 12/3/2008 |
Q: My daughter is 6 and is in the 1st grade. Her teacher informed me yesterday that she was very shy, ...
A: If your daughter is happy at school, and doing well, then in my opinion there is nothing to worry ...
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| My Son | 12/3/2008 |
Q: OK I'm a single mother with no one to turn to for help.......... My son has not been listening for ...
A: I understand how you feel, but don't worry, there's plenty you can do. First you need to think of 3 ...
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| 6-year-old girl with behavioral changes.. | 11/21/2008 |
Q: My 6yo has always been high energy, frequently flitting from one toy or task to the next. She had ...
A: Yes, I do have a suggestion for you to try. We too have had a child with behavioral difficulties. ...
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| What should mother do | 11/20/2008 |
Q: Chat should mother do if your 14 year old daughter came home with a small tattoo, and her father did ...
A: If you had asked me that question before the tattoo was done, I would have advised against it ...
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| Strange Behavior | 11/20/2008 |
Q: I have a 4 year old son, and yesterday Icaought him and his frined (also 4)with thier pants down ...
A: First of all don't worry! Children of this age often experiment and want to see each other to check ...
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| 9 yr old having "solid" accidents | 11/18/2008 |
Q: my niece is a 9 yr old girl, she has been having "poop" accidents lately. Though I just found out ...
A: This is quite common, I get many questions about this problem. It sounds as if you are doing the ...
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| Difficulty with my son | 11/14/2008 |
Q: My 6 year old son is very good in studies. The problem is that he is very slow in writing and also ...
A: Eating slowly is not necessarily a bad thing. Your son is unlikely to ever eat more than he should, ...
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| Problems with 12 year old son | 11/11/2008 |
Q: I am hoping to get some kind of answer. I am a mother of 2, our oldest is 16, our youngest is 12. ...
A: You poor things. What a lot you are having to live with. As far as I can see there are 2 main things ...
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| 4 1/2 year old boy won't poop in the toilet | 11/5/2008 |
Q: My son was always a little late with the potty training but after he was 3 and a half years old he ...
A: Sorry for the delay in answering, I've been really busy this week. As you rightly say, your son has ...
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| toileting | 11/4/2008 |
Q: my daughter still does poos in her pants even though she is 6 next march.i am genuienly concerned ...
A: This is a very common problem, many people have asked me very similar questions. First, don't worry, ...
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| My 6 year old son is lashing out (hitting & kicking) at school | 10/9/2008 |
Q: My family and I live in the Netherlands. My children (son 6yrs, and two daughers 4yrs & 18mths). The ...
A: Yours is a difficult problem, and without knowing your children well I cannot be sure, but I will do ...
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| Toddler won't sleep in his bed | 10/9/2008 |
Q: My son has been sleeping in my bed since birth. For the last few months we have been trying to get ...
A: This can be a slow process, it is hard on the parents while you are going through it, so you have my ...
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| Preschool | 10/3/2008 |
Q: My 4 year old has started preschool this september, and I am having a real hard time with him. He ...
A: This is very distressing for you, I know as I have had this experience myself. What you are already ...
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| my sons ( 3 and almost 5) | 9/30/2008 |
Q: My sons are very defiant. I trying very hard to keep control of myself but this is extremly ...
A: Sorry for the delay in answering your question. I think you need to take 2 courses of action for ...
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| naked children | 9/27/2008 |
Q: my 12 year old and his friend like to pretend to eat each other. They will pick one to be eaten ...
A: You are right, it is inappropriate for 12 year olds to behave like this. If they were five, I would ...
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| conflict | 9/26/2008 |
Q: My son is five he is the only child. my problem is on of his friend (best friend) picks on him and ...
A: I think you are right to reduce the amount of time your son sees his friend. It would probably upset ...
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| 8 year old won't wipe! | 9/22/2008 |
Q: My eight year old has been potty trained since she was three. My issue? She doesn't wipe her ...
A: A reward system and patience is the best course of action for this. Talk to her about hygiene as ...
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| Adopted 6-year-old: Severe separation anxiety | 9/11/2008 |
Q: I adopted my 6-year-old from Vietnam when she was just shy of months old. From the very start, she ...
A: Separation anxiety is a very common problem and most children will go through a phase of it at some ...
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| Socializing in class | 9/10/2008 |
Q: My 6yr old first grader is an only child. She is smart and very outgoing. She loves to be around ...
A: I have known many children like this as a teacher - it can be difficult but they do get better as ...
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| 7 year old cries when left at school | 9/9/2008 |
Q: I have a 7 year old boy that is very sensitive. He is now into his second week of grade 2 and he ...
A: It is distressing, but quite common for children even older than him to cry at first in the morning. ...
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| 5 year old girl - angry | 9/8/2008 |
Q: I have a 5 year old girl, that lately seems very angry and unhappy all the time. She never use to be ...
A: It sounds as if you are doing the right thing. Children do go through phases of tantrums and anger ...
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| 6 year old misbehaving at school | 9/5/2008 |
Q: My 6 year old son just started 1st grade. He has been going for a week and a half and has been ...
A: I have had some experience of this, both as a parent and as the teacher. It is very upsetting and ...
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| 9 year old daughter's questions | 9/2/2008 |
Q: Cathy, My husband and I have a daughter (9), and two sons (7) and (5). Our daughter has asked if our ...
A: Your daughter is at a perfect age to start talking to her about sex and puberty. She is old enough ...
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| Terrible 2's - TOUGHER 3's!! | 9/2/2008 |
Q: I have a 3 1/2 year old and a 4 1/2 month old - both boys. The oldest went to 2 year old preschool ...
A: It is very worrying when our children behave like this, you have my sympathy. I feel that your son ...
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| my 12 year old | 7/12/2008 |
Q: Me and my 12 year 1 a month take showers together. I mean like butt naked showers. I will clean him ...
A: I don't feel that a 12 year old needs his mother to wash him, and I certainly don't feel that you ...
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| 5 yr old problem | 7/4/2008 |
Q: My 5 year old is really getting to me. I am trying to understand his problem so I can "change" my ...
A: There are 2 issues here: the babysitter and his behavior at home. His behavior when you take him to ...
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| Growth of an 11 year old boy | 7/2/2008 |
Q: My 11 year old seems to have started puberty. He wears a size 10.5 shoe and his doctor has stated ...
A: Children start puberty at different ages. I teach 10 - 11 year olds and we cover the the basics of ...
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| obsession with food | 6/30/2008 |
Q: my little daughter is 3 years and weighs 13kg and is 90cm long wears between 2-3 and 3-4 years ...
A: I wouldn't worry too much. She is probably going through a growing spurt. I find that my kids start ...
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| 6 1/2 year old doesn't like crowds of other kids | 6/26/2008 |
Q: I have a questions that has been lurking in my head for some time. My son is 6 1/2 and he is very ...
A: Plenty of adults dislike large social scenes and far prefer small gatherings with a handful of ...
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| 4 year old grandson | 6/26/2008 |
Q: have a 4 year old grandson who is always saying how much he hates other children. He is jealous of ...
A: Yes, it's normal for a child around that age. He is too young to understand how he feels. Also ...
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| Greg my son 5 1/2 year old | 6/22/2008 |
Q: My son is getting into trouble by not listening at all in pre k and also in camp. I thought by him ...
A: I recommend a behavior chart. You can set targets for your son, 2 or 3 should be enough, which can ...
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| wetting in strange places | 6/18/2008 |
Q: 7 year old son has been weeing in his 9year old sisters bedroom and in his own bedroom also once on ...
A: It sounds as if your son is feeling the need of some attention - and control. There are various ...
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| Second grader wants to wear Pull-Up to school | 6/15/2008 |
Q: Cathy, My second grader wet herself in class last Tuesday and since then she has wanted to wear a ...
A: I agree with you, it is better not to let her wear a pull up during the day, although it is not ...
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| First Grade Girl Bully | 6/11/2008 |
Q: My daughter is in first grade in Australia is a small semi-private Catholic school. She has a girl ...
A: You are absolutely doing the right thing. Your daughter will meet other children like this in the ...
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| 6 year old grandson | 6/11/2008 |
Q: My 6 year old grandson behaves very well at our home and at his Dad's home. His dad has full ...
A: It's always a problem when children misbehave for others. To a certain extent it is necessary to try ...
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| 10 year old and hygiene | 6/2/2008 |
Q: We are having a problem getting our son to take a shower. He will let the water run for 15 minutes ...
A: I personally don't think he is old enough to be expected to make the choice himself. Some children ...
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| 10 year old and hygiene | 5/30/2008 |
Q: We are having a problem getting our son to take a shower. He will let the water run for 15 minutes ...
A: You need to get your son into good hygiene habits so that he wants to be clean. Many children of his ...
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| 7 year old calls himself stupid-manipulation or inferiority complex? | 5/30/2008 |
Q: I'm worried about my 7-year old son. He has adopted the habit of calling himself stupid on a fairly ...
A: This is not an uncommon problem, especially for younger siblings, but can happen to any child. I ...
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| Lying problem/Behavior problem in a 6 six year old. | 5/14/2008 |
Q: My name is Brandy and I am the proud step mother of a six year old girl. She is almost seven. My ...
A: Lying is something that most children will do at some point in their childhood. They discover they ...
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| Head banging baby | 5/13/2008 |
Q: My 10 month old granddaughter is very bright. She been walking since 8 months and can string 2 words ...
A: It seems your granddaughter is starting to have tantrums! Although they are called the ‘terrible ...
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| 6 yo son, lying and stealing | 3/28/2008 |
Q: Within the last 7 days, my 6yo son has stolen candy from a store, a cellphone from a friend and ...
A: Try not to worry, it is very normal for children of this age. My youngest son is 7 and he does it! I ...
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| Five year old son sniffing and wearing 10 year old sister's underwear... | 3/26/2008 |
Q: He started this at age 4 and then because of job relocation, he and my husband moved for 7 months. ...
A: It is not unusual for a 5 year old to want to dress up, even if it is in his sister’s underwear! I ...
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| Boyfriends Son | 3/24/2008 |
Q: my boyfriend asked me to stay with his daughter while he ran to do handle some work related stuff. ...
A: Very upsetting for you. You were doing him a favor and have been criticized for it. I’m not sure ...
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| MY 3 GRANDCHILDREN | 3/17/2008 |
Q: ..MY 3 GRANDCHILDREN ARE ALL UNDER 5 AND I HAVE LIVED ALONE UNTIL RECENTLY MY DAUGHTER MOVED IN WITH ...
A: Sorry I haven’t answered earlier, my email is playing up and I have only just received your message. ...
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| 6 year old with attitude | 3/17/2008 |
Q: My 6 year old son gets these attitudes that are just awful. I have two other children and he is now ...
A: It is really hard to deal with that kind of behavior especially when you have three children! You ...
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| 4 1/2 year old refuses to poop in toilet | 3/14/2008 |
Q: My 4 1/2 year old son absolutely refuses to poop in the toilet. He is holding his poop in most of ...
A: This can be distressing for everyone - and very unpleasant too! You have obviously tried many ...
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| My child won't try | 3/13/2008 |
Q: My son is 8 in grade 3 French Immersion. He is having tremendous trouble with reading & writing in ...
A: This is a very common problem, particularly among boys. I have one or two in my class at the moment ...
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| 5 year old | 3/13/2008 |
Q: My daughter is 5.In general she is a good girl,but there are few things that we don't like in her ...
A: It is always difficult to deal with the kind of behavior you have described, particularly if it is ...
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| son | 3/12/2008 |
Q: I wrote earlier but I don't think my school e-mail will allow a response so I am writing from home ...
A: This is a difficult one! My son was exactly the same at his age. The good news is that at 13 he is ...
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| son | 3/12/2008 |
Q: My son is an almost 9 year old underachiever. He does just what he HAS to, to get by. He hurries, ...
A: This is a difficult one! My son was exactly the same at his age. The good news is that at 13 he is ...
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| Shadow of her sister | 3/7/2008 |
Q: I have two girls aged nearly 5 and 7 years old. The older one is outgoing and talkative whereas the ...
A: I would try not to worry too much. It is best not to compare the two sisters as it is very unusual ...
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| 6 year old behavior problems | 2/24/2008 |
Q: I have a 6 yr old daughter that is driving me nuts. She doesn't listen, is extremely mouthy & sassy. ...
A: It is really hard when a child is behaving so badly, it sounds to me as if she is attention seeking. ...
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| 5 year old boy-Growth and Behavior | 2/21/2008 |
Q: Do growth spurts and behavior issues go together? My son had problems in Kindergarten (not ...
A: Children can go through phases of more difficult behavior for no apparent reason. My younger son ...
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| How to get a child from lying about taking a bath | 2/19/2008 |
Q: I have a 7 yr old daughter that knows how to take a bath, even wash her own hair. She has been doing ...
A: I can understand your frustration, especially as your daughter has been so independent about having ...
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| My 4 year old refuses to poop in the toilet | 2/14/2008 |
Q: I have a 4 year old daughter who refuses to defecate in the toilet. She has bowel movements only ...
A: Very frustrating for you! I have a friend whose 4 year daughter would only poop if my friend put a ...
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| Frustration | 2/4/2008 |
Q: the problem is when the game he is playing is not going his way or his team are losing he gets very ...
A: I sympathize with both you and your son. I think there are two possibilities to consider here: It ...
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| 11 year old ADD Son | 2/3/2008 |
Q: I have 3 kids (Kindergarten, 4th and 6th grades) and my 6th grader was diagnosed with ADD (without ...
A: There are no miracle cures, as I am sure you know, but exercise can help in many ways. A study in ...
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| 51/2 yr old crying and not listening | 2/1/2008 |
Q: My 5 1/2 yr old has started crying at kindergarten when another child looks at him mean or for other ...
A: I can understand your distress - it’s hard when your child troubled and upset. I would suggest two ...
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| My four year old almost five in April is pooping in the bathtub. | 1/21/2008 |
Q: How should I disapline my four year old boy who is going to be five in April when he poops in the ...
A: First I must apologize for the delay in my answer - I’m afraid the message got stuck in junk mail by ...
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| Kidergarten | 1/20/2008 |
Q: I am trying to find out if I have to send my daughter to school in September, or if I have the ...
A: I’m really sorry, but I don’t know the regulations in the US, I’m from the UK. In England children ...
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| child behaviour | 1/19/2008 |
Q: what i have to do. i have to ask many times to my 5 year old son for doing any thing even to simple ...
A: This is a very common problem, so don’t worry. I suggest you introduce a behavior chart. You can ...
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| My son doesn't like me. | 1/8/2008 |
Q: At first I thought it was just a phase that would come and go, but it's going on 2 years now. My 6 ...
A: First, I would like to say that it is extremely unlikely that your son doesn’t love and depend on ...
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| re-behavior | 1/7/2008 |
Q: Bailey, Thank you for answering my question- I have a 5 y/0 boy almost 6 who has been very ...
A: Two very different problems with your two sons! I will deal with the 8 year old first. It is ...
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| 3 kids | 1/3/2008 |
Q: I have 3 children, ages 11, 10 and 9. I am a good mother and don't worry about that. However, there ...
A: Yes of course you are entitled to time alone. It doesn’t make you a bad mom just because you don’t ...
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| distraction of six year old | 1/2/2008 |
Q: My problem with my six year old is that he is slow in writing, eating at school and at home. The ...
A: This is quite a common problem. My youngest son is also very slow with his eating in particular (he ...
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| my son is always hungry | 1/2/2008 |
Q: i have a 4 year old son which i have taken 2 the doctors many times because he is always complaining ...
A: I’m glad you have been to the doctor, it is always best to check there is nothing wrong. I have ...
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| my son | 12/31/2007 |
Q: My son is 6yrs old and is in kindergarten. Dominic has always been very sensitive and loving. When ...
A: It sounds as if Dominic’s behavior is giving you lots of problems! It is not unusual for children’s ...
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| shy 5 year old | 12/30/2007 |
Q: Our 5 year old daughter is extremely shy. She won't talk to any grownups (aunts, uncles, neighbors, ...
A: I’m sure your daughter is normal so don’t worry! She does sound exceptionally shy especially if she ...
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| pacifier at night | 12/29/2007 |
Q: My son is 5 and still has a pacifier - 1 only - at night time. He loves his "ninny". I am ...
A: It is important to balance your desire to be rid of the pacifier and your child’s need for security, ...
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| Night Time good nights | 12/29/2007 |
Q: My son is 5 and he is potty trained. However, I have been putting a "good night" diaper on him at ...
A: Some children, particularly boys, will continue to wet the bed occasionally even in their teens. ...
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| Swearing | 12/18/2007 |
Q: Ours is a Christian home. We have a seven-year old boy who has picked up swearing from some of his ...
A: It is always a good idea to try to explain to a child why you don’t like certain behavior, but ...
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| sharing a room | 12/17/2007 |
Q: can a 5 almost 6 year old girl share a room with a 14 year old boy
A: You don't give any details so I am not sure what the circumstances are. Is this a permanent ...
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| 4 year old hits his friends at school | 12/12/2007 |
Q: My four year old has been hitting his classmates. What do I do? I have talked to him and explained ...
A: Don’t worry - this is very normal at this age. You son hasn’t yet found other ways to influence ...
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| my 9 year old son | 12/10/2007 |
Q: I had custody of my son for the first five years of his life. we were very close. i ended up getting ...
A: First I would like to apologize for the delay in answering. I’m afraid your email got ‘lost in the ...
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| 6 yo eating disorder, parent neglect and emotional abuse | 12/8/2007 |
Q: I find myself at odds over what to do. This is not the first time I find myself searching the ...
A: This must be very hard for you, you obviously care for the boy a lot. I feel that you can have a ...
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| I don't know what to do | 12/7/2007 |
Q: My 6 year daughter is in 1st grade at Catholic private school. We are not Catholic but this school ...
A: I can understand how worried you must be, however it seems to me to be the school which is at fault ...
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| 8 year old daughter | 12/6/2007 |
Q: My daughter is 8 in a couple of weeks and I am so scared that we are already growing apart. Even my ...
A: You have plenty of time to redress this so don’t worry. I imagine your daughter is reacting to the ...
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| 6 yr old attitude | 11/24/2007 |
Q: Our 6 year old daughter has always been a very loving child. She is a big help and is still very ...
A: It sounds as if your daughter is pushing against the boundaries to see how far she can go! It may ...
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| My 4-almost 5 year old and his school | 11/17/2007 |
Q: I have a very bright and healthy boy who has just started junior infants and is finding it very ...
A: I can see how this behavior would be worrying, especially as you know it is out of character. I ...
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| 9 year old daughter + anger | 11/14/2007 |
Q: I have a 9 year old daughter who is so negative, angry all the time. She is very indecisive, likes ...
A: This is not uncommon behavior for this age group. It’s particularly common for a younger sibling but ...
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| My daughter doesn't want me to have a boyfriend | 11/12/2007 |
Q: I am a mom and ended my 15 year relationship 2 years ago. My 11 year old daughter was handling ...
A: This must be hard for you, you are caught in the middle of a difficult situation. My parents got ...
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| 6 Year Old Hitting At School | 11/7/2007 |
Q: I recently received a phone call from my child's teacher today that he was hitting another student ...
A: Did the school give you both sides of the story? Do you know why your son hit another student? ...
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| Advice on Playground Issues | 10/31/2007 |
Q: This may seem trivial, but I wanted advice on what to tell my 5-yr old daughter about some issues ...
A: Unfortunately she is going to come up against this attitude from others a lot and she needs to ...
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| 6 year old son/anxiety | 10/24/2007 |
Q: Our 6 year old son is experiencing extreme anxiety in certain social situations: In the classroom ...
A: It sounds as if your son has not yet understood that trouble for some does not equal trouble for ...
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