Adoption

Where can I find information about adopting family members (e.g. stepchildren, grandchildren)?

Where can grandparents get information about their rights to visit or adopt their grandchildren?

Biting

Is biting common in children?

My grandmother tells me I should just bite my child if he bites me. Should I do this?

Communication

What are some ideas of how we can be a strong family?

How can we be a strong family?

In the past few months, there was a period of time when my teenage daughter and I seemed to be fighting constantly over everything. Things seem to be smoothing out now, but our relationship is strained because of all of the conflict. What can I do to increase communication between us?

Your 7-year-old son comes home from playing with his friend, Stuart, and looks sullen and glum. When you ask him what's wrong, he replies that he hates Stuart and doesn't want to play with him again. What can you do?

How can I get my child to talk to me?

What are some ways to understand your child's needs if they cannot or do not communicate verbally?

How can I "read" my child's feelings when he-she won't talk to me?

What can I do to increase conversation during family meals?

Cultural/Ethnic Differences

In Missouri, how do infants born to Hispanic mothers compare with those born to Anglo and African-American women?

In Missouri, how are Hispanic mothers doing in terms of health risks compare with those of Anglo and African-American mothers?

In Missouri, what are the trends in the numbers of births to women of different races?

Discipline

If children never get punished, won't they get spoiled?

How can I discipline my son without giving him the message that he is a "bad child?"

What are some alternatives to spanking?

Is spanking ever a good idea?

My son and daughter, ages 9 and 7, are always fighting in the back seat of the car. How can I make these rides more pleasant for everyone?

I feel like I say "no" to my 2-year-old son a thousand times a day. Is there something I can do to avoid being so negative?

It’s 20 degrees outside, and my five-year old tells me she wants to wear her sundress to preschool when I ask her what she wants to wear. What do I do?

Introducing Significant Other to Children

When is a good time for my significant other to introduce me to his/her children? How can we prepare the children for this?

Learning

The counselor says my child is a visual learner. What does this mean? Does she need special education?

I know my child needs help, but how do I figure out what the real problem is and what to do?

What are the warning signs to let me know that my child needs extra help in school?

School has been in session for three months and my son is struggling. He's always in trouble and his teacher says he just won't pay attention. What can I do?

My daughter never wants to go to school. It is only a few weeks into the year and already she had been sick two or three times. I don't know if it is a problem at school or if she's really ill.

Meals

My four-year-old twins are so picky about what they will eat that I worry they are not getting a balanced diet. What can I do?

My teenage son doesn't want to have dinner with the family because he thinks it isn't "cool." He wants to spend all of his time with his friends. Should I insist that he have dinner with the family, or should I allow him the freedom to choose?

When it's time for us to eat dinner, it's very difficult to get my three-year-old daughter to come to the table. She is busy playing and doesn't want to stop what she is doing, so sometimes it takes several attempts to get her to come and eat

It's easier for me to not have family meals because I end up doing all of the work-planning the menu, preparing the food, setting the table, clearing the table, and doing the dishes

I find myself constantly directing my children not to play with their food, not to chew with their mouths open, and to sit still at the table. What can I do to make mealtimes more enjoyable?

Physical Development

Where can parents or grandparents go to find information about screening for children’s developmental delays/issues?

What is Attachment Parenting?

How much physical activity for children over the age of 2 is enough?

Why is physical activity so important for children? What's the big deal?

What are growing pains?

How does play promote physical development?

Is it okay to "rough house" with my 7-month-old son?

What are some signs of concern I should watch for concerning my child's physical development?

What can I do to help my child grow and develop normally?

How much will my baby grow during the first year?

Raising Kind Kids

I want my children to learn that it is important to help out and do their part. What can I do to get them to help out more?

My 8-year-old daughter is planning her birthday party and wants to invite all of the girls in her class, except for one girl, Felicia, who she doesn't like very much. How can I handle this situation?

Why is my child showing negative behavior?

My 2½ year-old daughter occasionally hits a playmate when she comes to visit and my daughter doesn't always get her way. How can I discourage this kind of aggressive behavior?

Can infants and toddlers show kind behavior?

My children are having trouble sharing. Any resources available for help with this?

Responsibilities/Chores

What are some ways to help children get their homework done?

What should I do when my 8-year-old son forgets his chores?

My son and daughter get really busy during the school year with soccer games, dance lessons, and homework. Should I do their chores for them during this time?

Should I reward my children for doing chores?

What are some appropriate chores for school-aged children?

I have three children ages 9, 7, and 6. How should we decide who does what chores around the house?

What should I do when the newness of doing chores wears off?

How should I teach my child to do chores?

Safety on the Internet

What are some warning signs that my children may be involved in something they shouldn't be while on the Internet (i.e. chatting with a stranger, downloading explicit material, etc.)?

Where can I find out more about safety for children on the Internet?

Where can I report problems with inappropriate content or unwanted contacts on the Internet?

What are some general guidelines parents can teach children about Internet safety?

How should I punish my child if he or she finds inappropriate or harmful material on the Internet?

How effective is filtering or monitoring software at preventing children from seeing offensive material on the Internet?

What can parents do to minimize the threat or danger of harassment or sexual solicitation on the Internet?

Are there real dangers on the Internet or is most of what we hear about just media hype?

What are some of the dangers for children on the Internet?

Where are the areas of the Internet that children or teenagers might come across harmful or inappropriate information?

Self Esteem

When my 7-year-old daughter makes a mistake or gets even an average grade in school, she gets very upset with herself. How can I help her cope?

What do children need to develop a healthy self-esteem?

When do children begin to develop self-esteem?

Separation

My son always acts out when I return after we have been apart. How should I handle this?

What is the best way to say goodbye to my child when I drop him-her off at childcare?

Should I just slip away while my child is occupied at the family childcare center so as not to cause him to cry?

What should I do if my child announces she is not going to childcare because she doesn't want to be separated from me?

I have to leave my child in childcare while I work. Is there anything that can ease the pain of separation for my child? He always cries when I leave.

How can I explain to my toddler when I will return when he has no concept of time?

My 18-month-old son is going to start at a new childcare center soon. I know separating at first will be hard for both of us. What can I do to make separating easier for both of us?

How early should I teach my child to say goodbye?

I am a divorced parent with two children under the age of two. They live with me and spend time with their other parent every other week. How can I make their separation from me easier?

Sexuality

My daughter just came home from a sleepover, and revealed to me that she and her friends were playing strip poker. My daughter said the older sister’s friend is the one who initiated it. Eleven years old seems too old for "curiosity". Is it? How should I handle this?

I found my preschooler with his friends examining their private parts. Is this normal? What should I do?

I have a 14 year old daughter and would like some information on dating. All I can seem to find is information on teen dating violence. Do you have information on boundaries and appropriate curfews?

Sleeping

My infant will not go to bed. I’ve tried letting her cry herself to sleep, but that doesn’t work—she will cry for hours. Any suggestions of where to look for advice?

My 2 ½-year old daughter is beginning to outgrow naps, but she gets cranky if she doesn't take one. What should I do?

My 5-year-old son still likes to sleep with a night light on and his bedroom door open. Is that okay?

What are some alternatives to allowing my child to sleep in bed with me?

Our 3-year-old son sometimes has trouble sleeping and gets frightened at being alone. Should we allow him to sleep with us for a while?

If my 18-month-old daughter wakes up in the middle of the night, what should I do?

Whenever my 2-year-old son gets a new toy, he wants to sleep with it. Is this okay?

My preschool boys, ages 3 and 5, seem to get more wound up as the night goes on. How can I make a routine that will help them unwind before bedtime?

I have a 4-year-old son and a 2-year-old daughter. How much sleep should they get?

Support

I've found a number of articles on the "Rights of Grandparents in Missouri," but the reviewed dates are old, How can I find out if this information is still correct for 2005?

What are some ways to support parents in my community?

Toilet Training

My grandmother tells me all her children were potty trained by the time they were 1 year old. Am I doing something wrong?

Violence/Abuse

What do I do if I suspect a child is being abused?

What can adults do to prevent children from being affected by domestic violence in their homes?

What are the signs of child abuse?

How are children affected physically by living in a violent home?

How are children affected emotionally by living in a violent home?

Are women who are victims of domestic violence more likely to have grown up in abusive homes?

Are children who witness domestic violence in their homes more likely than to grow up to be abusers compared to children from non-violent homes?

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Last updated:01/25/2007