Family Matters

Teen suicide is on the rise, as youngsters fall prey to negative thinking and find themselves in a vicious cycle of depression and feelings of hopelessness. We’ll talk about how you can come alongside a grieving friend who has lost a loved one to suicide.

In this day and age with the increased use of technology and devices, as well as parents working long hours to support their families, time spent with our kids is being greatly affected, and unfortunately, the research is showing the negative impact of this lifestyle on the family as a whole. Many parents believe that if they can just provide well for their kids and give them the things that they ask for, they’re doing a good enough job at parenting,

Maintaining healthy relationships with your adult children and their new spouses can be tricky. On the next Family Matters, we’ll give guidance to a couple who have become estranged from their son and daughter-in-law and are unsure how to proceed with making amends to the rift in the relationship.

It’s always tough for a mom to say goodbye to her adult child when he or she decides to fly the nest and begins to tackle life as a grown up. But when that adult child is struggling to support himself and is generally not coping with the responsibility of life on his own, a mother often wants to step in and rescue him.

For a parent, it’s difficult to stand on the sidelines and watch your child make poor choices in their friendships. Your child’s social environment is a big deal because those that surround you are able to influence you.

Aside from the obvious physical distinctions, what are the essential differences between male and female? I'm disturbed by all of the gender-bending and -blending that's been promoted in society over the past few decades. I believe there are unique differences between the sexes that should be affirmed and celebrated. At the same time, I don't know exactly how to respond when friends on the other side of this issue challenge me to identify and describe them. Can you help me?

What's your opinion of babies sleeping with their parents? A friend of mine believes that the so-called "Family Bed" is beneficial for every member of the household. She even claims that this practice can prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and provide other health benefits. Is she right?

Last time on Family Matters we were responding to a cry for help from one of our listeners who feels like a loser and has lost hope in this life. A plea like this really touches our hearts at a deep level and we always want to step in and help as much as we can.

Have you ever felt as though your life is falling apart and there’s no hope for you? These kinds of feelings are not to be taken lightly and should be assessed by an outsider who can offer a different perspective on the situation.

Is twelve years old too young for a girl to be expressing a keen interest in boys? My husband and I have a difference of opinion on this point. Our daughter and her best friend like to talk about "cute" boys and often tease each other about who has a crush on whom. To me this seems like normal preteen behavior. My husband, on the other hand, feels that she is too young and that such activity will lead to worse behavior when she is older. I respect my husband very much and want to maintain solidarity with him. At the same time, I can't help wondering whether he's being too strict. What do you think?