Family Matters

Is potty training a child always such a difficult and challenging experience? We've been trying to potty-train our son since he turned two years old. So far we haven't had much success, and the stress level in our household is at an all-time high. After several months, we're still not making any progress. Is this normal?

Do you have any encouragement for moms who are employed outside the home? I'm aware that Focus on the Family spends a lot of time affirming stay-at-home moms in their role, but I'm wondering if you can offer any support to those of us who have to leave home every day simply in order to help pay the bills.

How do I know when my disciplinary methods have crossed an inappropriate line? I was disciplining my five-year-old last night and feel that I got out of control in the way I handled the situation. I'm terrified this morning that I may have gone too far. How can I know for sure? What should I do to prevent this from happening?

Are Christians really obligated to keep the "law" of the tithe? I hear a lot about tithing from the pulpit of my church, and quite frankly it angers and frustrates me. How does all this fit in with everything Paul says about the new covenant of grace and the Christian's freedom from the law? Why should I, as a follower of Jesus, be bound by Old Testament rules and regulations?

Is it true that the Scriptures don't really have anything to say about homosexuality and the legalization of gay marriage? I've heard this argument advanced many times – so often, in fact, that I've become seriously confused about the issue. What's your perspective?

How much time should I devote to my work? My job requires me to put in long hours every week. As a result I'm not able to give as much attention to other things – including my family – as I'd like. In your opinion, how much time is too much time for work? Do you suggest I look for another job?

Could my struggle with bulimia and anorexia stem from a lack of understanding of my identity in Christ? A friend recently suggested this possibility, and I'm not sure what to think of it. I've been struggling with eating disorders ever since I was a teenager, but I never considered it a spiritual problem. Does my friend's analysis sound valid to you?

Do you think it's wrong for my spouse to smoke marijuana? He's been a fairly regular user for most of our married life, and I've never seen it as a big problem since many people have assured me that pot isn't addictive. But he's been using it more often lately, and sometimes he even smokes in front of the children. So I've begun to have my doubts. Do you think this is a serious issue? What should I do about it?

Is it okay for a man to use sexually suggestive cell-phone photos of his wife as substitutes for illicit pornographic material? I'm in the process of recovering from a long-term addiction to pornography, and I thought this might help me get over the problem. What you do you think about my idea?

Do you have any advice or suggestions for a mother who wants to make the transition from full-time career woman to stay-at-home mom? What can I do to make this change as smooth as possible for the entire family?