Q: I'm so frustrated and embarrassed by my kids. When I take them out they want everything: toys, candy, whatever. If I say no, they nag, whine and cry. I try to be firm, but I usually give in just to shut them up. I know I'm wrong, but they wear me down. Why can't I just say no and stick with it?
Q: My wife and I have accrued enormous debt. Even though creditors are always calling, she sneaks purchases into the house, which makes things worse and adds to clutter. The stress is affecting our relationship. Why can't she see what she's doing to us?
Q: I'm always so stressed out! I can't stop worrying that I'm not doing a good job at work even though my boss assures me that I am. It takes me so much time to finish projects because they must be perfect and then I doubt myself. I worry about what people think of me, so I try to please everyone. All of that drains me. I tell myself to stop worrying but it doesn't work. What can I do?
Q: My daughter (age 9) has a best friend whose mother is a close friend. The mother recently misconstrued an issue between the girls and humiliated my daughter, who did nothing wrong. My ''friend'' told her daughter to tell her if my kid ever said anything mean so she could ''get back at her.'' Her daughter is outspoken. My daughter is quieter. She asked me not to say anything. What should I do?
Q: I've been married almost 10 years. We have a wonderful 5-year-old son. I want another baby, but my husband doesn't. He loves our son. How could he not love or want another? I'm thinking about stopping my birth control, not telling him and seeing what happens. Is that terrible?
Q: My daughter (15, ninth grade) was invited to the prom by a senior (17). They go with a large group and afterward everyone spends the night at one house. Is this OK? I'm not sure how comfortable I am. I'm not overprotective, but I worry. The kids are nice, but you never know.
Q: I've been dating my boyfriend for six months and I constantly feel insecure. At times he seems to really love me, then he withdraws or acts rude. In the past, he's broken up with girlfriends suddenly.
Q: My son is 16, respectful and a good student. We have talked about sex, waiting until marriage, drugs and respect for others. He doesn't want a girlfriend to distract him from school. Yesterday, I discovered his screensaver is a naked woman and he has visited porn sites. In my day, we used to peek at dad's hidden Playboy magazines. Is this normal for a teenage boy?
Q: Every vacation, I visit my mother for several days and spend the rest with my partner. Mom's always trying to get me to stay longer and attend parties with her friends, which I do NOT enjoy. This year, when I told her no, she got very quiet. She always does this when I disappoint her. Now I feel guilty. Should I?
