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Parenting --Teens/Questions Answered by Expert Richard Taylor

SubjectDate Asked
tantrums1/25/2012
  Q: About a week ago my 13-year old daughter threw a tantrum in a store (there's really no other way of ...
  A: Let her have her tantrum....walk away from her and don't talk to her. Leave her where she is and if ...
tantrums1/25/2012
  Q: About a week ago my 13-year old daughter threw a tantrum in a store (there's really no other way of ...
  A: First of all, nothing is normal about a 13 yr old girl. You may never have to spank her again. She ...
social awkwardness11/3/2011
  Q: I want to know how I can help my son be accepted socially. He is 17 and very handsome. He plays one ...
  A: First of all this is not an uncommon issue and one that can have an easy solution but it depends ...
RAISING TEENS5/30/2011
  Q: I got married to my husband almost 15 years ago and at the time my son from previous engagement was ...
  A: The simple answer is you need to start acting like a parent. Your kids have seen you stay in this ...
8 year old lying5/21/2011
  Q: My eight year old son is lying. I have tried everything to get him to stop. However, he does not lie ...
  A: After reading your entry my first thought was to recommend a stringent plan of positive ...
18 year old very difficult and disrespectful at home5/14/2011
  Q: We have an 18 year old son who is on the verge of graduating high school and has been accepted into ...
  A: My impression is that you have it under control. Your the only one who really knows what's right ...
18 year old very difficult and disrespectful at home5/13/2011
  Q: We have an 18 year old son who is on the verge of graduating high school and has been accepted into ...
  A: Your son has answered your concerns for you...He wants only your money. If your ok with that one ...
What kind of punishment can I give my son who is 17 yrs old for not coming home on a given time he was told to come home? It is now 4 in the morning and I specifically asked him to be home at 1am4/10/2011
  Q: This is the second time he has done this.
  A: The only real punishment that can be exacted on a 17 year old is to take away privileges. if he has ...
Teen Son3/25/2011
  Q: My son turned 15 three months ago. two months ago, his girlfriend, who only turned 15 one and a half ...
  A: When children have children the devastation of normalcy becomes very difficult to reacquire. Your ...
Son shunned by long time friends3/23/2011
  Q: I have a 20 year old son living at home - unable to find work and is looking at going to College in ...
  A: I do apologize for any misunderstandings from my last post. It looks from what you written that ...
Son shunned by long time friends3/23/2011
  Q: I have a 20 year old son living at home - unable to find work and is looking at going to College in ...
  A: Perhaps this is a good chance for your son to realize that his friends have found that being and ...
Is this normal or does my son need professional help?3/16/2011
  Q: I am the mother of a wonderful 5 year old boy. He is super intelligent and academically advanced ...
  A: it was by some one much older....I agree with your assessment of your personal issues with your son ...
Is this normal or does my son need professional help?3/10/2011
  Q: I am the mother of a wonderful 5 year old boy. He is super intelligent and academically advanced ...
  A: From the perspective of one who was sexually abused as a child the effects can manifest themselves ...
getting older2/28/2011
  Q: i am 10 years old and almost 11 in July and I have feeling like I want to tell my mom EVERYTHING ...
  A: Getting older can be very confusing, even beyond your age the process of aging creates fear and ...
What is going on with this family?1/11/2011
  Q: There's this one family I got to know well through being friends with their son. My parents ...
  A: You need to understand that families have multiple dynamics in how they respond to each other. I ...
Dillon age 1212/25/2010
  Q: My son got into a fight after school the other day he said that the other kid was hitting him first ...
  A: the logic of current self defense laws are very confusing. It is my belief that you told your son ...
daughter11/12/2010
  Q: Here is what we have so far for our daughter. Do you thinks it's too much or ok? She is on meds ...
  A: You've put a lot of thought into this and I think the decision now is up to your daughter. The only ...
20-year-old daughter11/10/2010
  Q: Our soon-to-be 21y.o. has returned from university after suffering from a severe bout of ...
  A: The fact that you mentioned "tough Love" as not an option indicates the need to do something drastic ...
Dealing with my 17 year old niece with ADHD11/9/2010
  Q: My 17 year old niece Emily comes over a lot. I don't mind I love her to death. But how should I ...
  A: At 17 your niece is thinking herself as an adult and with that punishments are not effective. My ...
Dealing with lying8/28/2010
  Q: We have started having a lot of trouble from my 17 year old son. Just seems like things just keep ...
  A: The first rule of dealing with kids is not to get angry! You can get mad, be disappointed, ashamed ...
14 year old daughter3/13/2010
  Q: My daughter, when caught doing something she shouldn't do,we ask her why she did it even though it ...
  A: the simple answer to the question is ...when your able and willing to act like an adult and pay your ...
My 13 yr old Son Brian3/11/2010
  Q: My question is.....My son who is usually quiet and otherwise a good boy has begun dating a 13 yr old ...
  A: To start with let me let you know that I have a personal policy of never letting my children date ...
how to handle my teenager2/16/2010
  Q: We have a 16-year-old boy recently diagnosed with depression. Over the past three years, his grades ...
  A: Beyond medication the only advise I can offer is to have your son get involved in service toward ...
23 yr old son working as male prostitute to fund his fiancee's wedding...1/26/2010
  Q: My 23-year-old son is in university, and lives with us at home (purely for financial reasons - he is ...
  A: The end never justifies the means and your son's actions are unconscionable, immoral and dangerous. ...
16 yr old son got woman pregnant1/26/2010
  Q: My 16 yr old son last night told me he'd got his girlfriend pregnant. She said to me she's pregnant ...
  A: There is nothing to do! Your son is acting like an adult and therefor must suffer the consequences ...
23 yr old son working as male prostitute to fund his fiancee's wedding...1/26/2010
  Q: My 23-year-old son is in university, and lives with us at home (purely for financial reasons - he is ...
  A: My first impression is to tell you to Stay out of your sons business. If you don't, you run the ...
My son's crisp addiction is an issue...1/26/2010
  Q: Recently when cleaning the family home, I was stunned by what I found in my 16-year-old son's room - ...
  A: Let him be. He will eventually move onto other things. As you stated, he is doing everything else ...
How do I tell my 16 yr old son his dad is not his biological dad?1/25/2010
  Q: I'm 42, and divorced, with a 16-year-old son and 15-year-old son. I divorced my husband back in ...
  A: This issue as you explained is perhaps the most degrading issue I've dealt with. Please don't take ...
Dealing with parents1/14/2010
  Q: I need some advise i am in my 20's and i have been having issues with my parents they are completely ...
  A: Marcy, Let me start with the obvious. You are an ADULT. You can chose to do whatever you would ...
my 17 year old son's education1/7/2010
  Q: my son is generally a good lad. He has never been in any trouble. He decided to go back to school ...
  A: This is a fairly easy question to answer, the hard part is carrying out what has to be done. Your ...
Teen girls being bi curious1/3/2010
  Q: I have a teen daughter who started out lying to me about her friendship with one of her school ...
  A: The seriousness of this situation may be out of your hands. At her age and her development her ...
How can I help a grandchild get motivated.1/1/2010
  Q: As a child, my grandson Mike was the victim of two divorces. His birth mother walked out on him when ...
  A: There are only two ways to deal with this issue. The first you've already mentioned and one that ...
Teen Sister12/15/2009
  Q: My 16 year old sister is stealing my parents valuables (mainly jewellery) then pawning them for ...
  A: Please excuse my bluntness but your parents are weak and that weakness will be the ultimate ...
stepdaughters12/7/2009
  Q: I had been divorced for 2 years when I met my husband. I have 3 children (now ages are 8, 9, 13). ...
  A: There are other experts on this site that may be able to offer a differing perspective. Keep in ...
stepdaughters12/7/2009
  Q: I had been divorced for 2 years when I met my husband. I have 3 children (now ages are 8, 9, 13). ...
  A: The truth of your situation is revealed in your last sentence. Is love enough? The simple answer ...
18 years son visitting his girfriend12/6/2009
  Q: What time to leave in evenings after my son is visiting his girlfriend home who is living with her ...
  A: To answer your question you need to understand what the word respect is. Respect is: the condition ...
Behavior11/23/2009
  Q: in one of your responses you have mentioned that if parents want to control/punish teens ...
  A: As a parent our feeling for our children, often times regardless of who they are or what they have ...
Skin Bleaching and control,11/19/2009
  Q: I am a teacher dealing with young people. I write from Nigeria. Why do girls like bleaching their ...
  A: The best way to alter an individuals desire to change who they are is to help them to understand who ...
17 year old boy11/11/2009
  Q: My wife and I have to boys one 14 and the other will be 17 year old next month. Both my wife and I ...
  A: This is a very easy question to answer the problem is in how hard it is to implement. Your son has ...
Physical Abuse in an Eleven Year Old10/31/2009
  Q: I have a friend of mine who will beat his child when he brings home bad grades from school. He feels ...
  A: You may not be able to convince your friend about this abhorrent behavior. If these beating are ...
My teen is asking difficult questions.10/12/2009
  Q: Violet is 13, and when she got back from school yesterday, she asked me why she doesn't have ...
  A: Katherine, You tell her the truth. You explain the events like you explained to me and then ...
My Parents are way too Overprotective10/11/2009
  Q: My parents sent me to college with a maid to keep control over me. They say its because they love ...
  A: First of all, let me put this question into perspective....Your at college with a maid, your at ...
My 12 year old son totally disrespectful10/5/2009
  Q: My 12 year old son is ADHD, on no medication and I don't know that it is relavant but he is so ...
  A: This is a very difficult question to answer. I often get asked what to do in cases like this and ...
My son's rude behavior9/22/2009
  Q: Richard, I have been at wits end with my son, he will be 14 in a few months and over the last 4 or 5 ...
  A: Amy, First of all you did nothing wrong. Your son's behavior is a result of something external. ...
My fiance's trouble 18 year old brother moved in with us. very disrespectful9/5/2009
  Q: My fiance's younger 18 year old brother moved in with us. He is living in our living room and paying ...
  A: You need to listen to what I'm going to say.... First of all you need to ask yourself, is this the ...
Housekeeping9/1/2009
  Q: On average what should a teenager who is working full time expect to pay his or her parents for ...
  A: That is a very difficult question to answer. There are a variety of opinions on this matter ranging ...
Good Teen (16) boy, Bad Grades, Acts Depressed8/19/2009
  Q: I like your straight forward approach. I have a son 16 and daughter 11; they live with their ...
  A: Tony, This is indeed a difficult situation and one that will continue to degrade without ...
Relocation of Teenage daughter8/11/2009
  Q: ......Right now, I'm totally at my limit with my 15 year old daughter. Recently, I went to court to ...
  A: This is a very difficult situation and one of the tragedies of divorce. Divorce in itself does not ...
Teen with lying and stealing7/15/2009
  Q: My teenage son has a lying problem. He lies about the simplest things to major things. And today, he ...
  A: Many young men fall into this problem when they try to become something they are not. The lying is ...
Stepparenting and Teenagers6/29/2009
  Q: ..I have a 15 year old step daughter, and we do clash. I realize I am not her mother, but her and ...
  A: Your assessment of the situation is right on. You have very little power in this relationship and ...
moody 11 year old girl6/20/2009
  Q: My bright,intelligent,calm little girl,has recently turned into a moody,unloving child-she won't ...
  A: This is not uncommon but I would suggest a few things to help ease your daughter into her new life. ...
step daughter/father6/16/2009
  Q: Wife and I going on 5 years marriage and I have 12 year old step daughter. She is suddenly getting ...
  A: I'm sure there a many things going on in this young girls life that contribute to this recent ...
How to get along with my boyfriends teenagers6/15/2009
  Q: Please help, my boyfriend but broke it off because " I drove a wedge between him and his family". He ...
  A: The unfortunate part of your question is the inability of many to change, even when that change will ...
Almost 18 yr old son and lack of responsibility6/10/2009
  Q: My son will be turning 18 at the end of this month. We have 3 other children, all girls. He and his ...
  A: There seems to be a bit more going on in the situation but let me get right to the question. I ...
Disfunctional 13 yr old twin boys6/7/2009
  Q: 4 years ago my father died and this tragic loss which came without any warning acted as a catalyst ...
  A: While reading your question my first thoughts were on the many levels of difficulties and the ...
Relationship between adopted child and mother6/5/2009
  Q: I have three grown sons from a previous marriage. We have one adopted daughter we waited 9 years to ...
  A: This is not an unusual situation. The fear that your wife feels over the loss of her daughter is ...
16 year old step daughter5/31/2009
  Q: My 16 year old step daughter, Amy, has basically been getting in trouble for the last 2 years. she ...
  A: I think that my previous assessment was correct. Despite the conditions and relationships the only ...
my 16 year old Son is out of control5/29/2009
  Q: how can i be effective in my discipline of him? he has been out of control for a while,his dad threw ...
  A: I'm going to need more time to consider your question. In the interim, you may want to look at a ...
Please help!!5/24/2009
  Q: I am a single mother of two boy's.My youngest is 5. I have been dealing with him peeking in on the ...
  A: This is not an abnormal activity but it could easily turn into a serious problem if not taken care ...
15-year-old has run away5/23/2009
  Q: My husband and I got into a heated argument with my son yesterday afternoon. It started in the ...
  A: Even in the best of conditions, making all the right decisions parenthood is never easy. The number ...
15-year-old has run away5/23/2009
  Q: My husband and I got into a heated argument with my son yesterday afternoon. It started in the ...
  A: With all that's been said and explained, I would have answered the question with less personal ...
15-year-old has run away5/23/2009
  Q: My husband and I got into a heated argument with my son yesterday afternoon. It started in the ...
  A: Please excuse my bluntness during this response. There are things I have observed however that ...
15 year old wants to move in with his girlfriend and her parents are encouraging it!!4/21/2009
  Q: My 15 year old son is in a very toxic sexual relationship which I do not condone at all)with a 15 ...
  A: I have to say that this question has forced me to pause and really consider the issues involved. ...
My son had sex 13 Help4/9/2009
  Q: My son had sex 13 how do i handle this? I think he should not see her any more his mom thinks its ...
  A: Your initial response is a good one, separate the two and never let him see her again. The fact ...
Uncooperative 16 yo son4/8/2009
  Q: I just read a question almost identical to mine so apologies in advance for another one. The ...
  A: There is one other option that I thought might have some merit. There are court mandated schools ...
Bad Parenting?4/5/2009
  Q: I am a 17 year old twin, with a 22 year old sister who is rarely allowed to drive, despite having ...
  A: I really do feel like its time to confront your parents. You three of you need to first confront ...
Bad Parenting?4/5/2009
  Q: I am a 17 year old twin, with a 22 year old sister who is rarely allowed to drive, despite having ...
  A: I do apologize, I did answer this question and I have to admit I did a great job last time, I hope I ...
parenting4/1/2009
  Q: I am a mom of a 5 year old. My son has always asked a lot of questions just like other kids. But ...
  A: The stages of development vary greatly. The process of questioning comes and goes and may have ...
Boyfriend's teenage son has no ambition and is lazy3/19/2009
  Q: I hope you can give me some advice on how to deal with my boyfriend's teenage son that lives with ...
  A: I'm going to be blunt and to the point. You may not like my answer but in my opinion it is the best ...
What kind of person is Goldilocks3/16/2009
  Q: I'm curious to know more about goldilocks' after reading its story.Based on the goldilocks' & the 3 ...
  A: That question, or those questions are for you to ultimately answer. The reason for the topic that ...
What kind of person is Goldilocks3/15/2009
  Q: I'm curious to know more about goldilocks' after reading its story.Based on the goldilocks' & the 3 ...
  A: You could say that as a result of very neglectful parents, Goldilocks was left to her own devises. ...
relationship with my 19 yr. old daughter3/12/2009
  Q: I raised my foster daughter since age 6 along with her 5 year old brother. I am a single mom. My son ...
  A: The most difficult aspect of what your asking is achieving the goal you so desperately want, a ...
13 year old run away3/6/2009
  Q: My son is 13 years old will turn 14 in two weeks. Two nights ago he ran away from home. He was at ...
  A: Questioning him may not result in the truth, it would be better I think to simply talk to him about ...
13 year old run away3/6/2009
  Q: My son is 13 years old will turn 14 in two weeks. Two nights ago he ran away from home. He was at ...
  A: From what you have described the situation is not a dangerous one by any means, but falls into the ...
13 year old run away3/6/2009
  Q: My son is 13 years old will turn 14 in two weeks. Two nights ago he ran away from home. He was at ...
  A: This is a most troubling situation and one that will require a lot of thought and love. In order to ...

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Parenting --Teens

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Richard Taylor

Top Expert on this page

Expertise

I can answer questions regarding parenting and child rearing.

Experience

I am the father of Ten children and have been married for over 29 years. My wife and I have adopted two children and have successfully raised into adulthood four of our ten. We are Grandparents and have experience in that area as well.

Education/Credentials
I have a Masters in Special Education, with over 15 years in education and over 29 years as a successful parent.

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