I am a fifth-grade teacher, with 31 students in my class, ages 10-12. At least HALF of them whine and complain at the simplest of tasks. They act as if everything is too much work... More >>

I have tried to teach my two boys the importance of 'considering the source' when someone says things that hurt their feelings... More >>

I've heard many callers talk to you about defiant teenage behavior. I raised three kids (now all adults) who did NOT act out at all as teens. I am sure one of the reasons for this is that, when they were in grade school and high school, neither my husband nor I went to the school to complain about an assignment or an exam being unfair... More >>

I'm a high school science teacher, and I teach ninth and tenth graders. Most days, I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle, what with all the distractions teenagers have today... More >>

My wonderful husband is the reason I want MORE children, and months ago, this was NOT an option. Prior to our son's arrival, I had plans, schedules, and everything organized. I learned very quickly that babies laugh at that planning... More >>

I've been listening to you for four months. I'm a high school English teacher in a rural public high school. I agree that public education is not the best - it's flawed, and yes, riddled with lazy teachers, and overpaid, feckless administrators, plus a watered-down curriculum. But I'm hoping to change things, at least in my own classroom... More >>

My daughter is nearly 14 (another daughter is 12) and yet to bring up boys much, which is good, but I know she has questions like - when will a boy like me? And if I have my way, not for another 5 years. More >>

...I try to teach all of my players that the choices they make now will affect the rest of their lives. Life is about the choices you make, and just because your parents might have made mistakes, it doesn't mean you need to repeat them... More >>

Two weeks ago, I got an email from April, who told me her daughter had chosen to write about me for a school essay entitled 'My Hero.' Of course, I asked April to send a copy of it, and she did. Here is 11-year-old Savannah's essay... More >>

I've messed up monumentally. With several failed marriages and a too-strong work ethic, I damaged my children in ways I now see that I could easily have prevented... More >>