Dear Barbara — “What if we fight all the time? It seems like that’s all we ever do anymore: nitpick about everything, look for the worst in each other, and are ready to duke it out daily. What can we do?” First, let me assure you: you’re not alone! Earlier this month on September 2, […]
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Dear Barbara, We recently met a family at our library who has since that day been asking our son to come play. I don’t feel comfortable with my children spending a lot of time with a family I barely know, so I invited the family to a 4th of July party we were going to. […]
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Dear Barbara, How do I convince my husband to change? There are certain areas we’ve been fighting about for years now. And I really am right. How can I get him to see it? The moment I married Dennis I knew I was in for an adventure. He wasn’t just different in his interests. His […]
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One of my favorite quotes about moms explains the reason for your it’s-so-hard-to-leave-them fear, worry, and anxiety. Author Jean Fleming wrote, “Every child is a piece of a mother’s heart walking around outside her body.”* Babies and little ones so recently severed from your body are especially hard to leave. Their existence literally depends […]
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Dear Barbara, How should we handle giving gifts to our children? I want them to have some presents they want, but I don’t want to overindulge them. Are gifts appropriate? I feel pressure to forego gifts altogether and spend Christmas morning serving at the soup kitchen instead. I equally feel the pressure to buy them the […]
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