Recent content by Aunt

On the substance abuse thing,as somebody who has been there a long time ago I can say that 12 steps, contrary to popular beleif is not for everyone. If he says it is not for him dont assume that this is because he is unwilling to get clean. I can remember finding this attitude maddeningly...

I agree with everyone here although I would add that you can handle it tactfully and for the sake of harmony should. Rather than making an announcement to the family and having to justify yourself, just dont put your child in a situation where they are unsupervised with this man. Go to all the...

I faced this issue a few years back when a relative got my niece an iphone and i felt she was too young. I have since revised that view but with a few caveats. I would set down clear rules depending on the family's view of what is suitable net surfing as to how the device may be used and reserve...

the only thing i would add to this is not to beat yourself up too much. If you are filled with guilt it can make you tempted to let your kids run riot. The past is the past and you are now doing everything you can to change it.

as a counsellor i can advise that one size does not fit all. Many people who say they dont like the profession as a whole have not gone to one who fits their needs. it is a very personal thing. But I would advise some sort of help on anger management. remember teens are almost designed to push...

I know i come to this a little late but the question running through my mind is what the relationship with the aunt and uncle was previous to all of this. If they all behaved normally before, it seems odd that their behavior has changed now. I would actually make one final attempt to talk before...

I would not pull him as a punishment for bad grades, because if he is unhappy socially at school it will likely make things worse. If he is unhappy there I would look at other schools with him. Id ignore his protests about organization and supervise his homework every night till things improve...

please delete

I think this sounds normal. It is more common for boys to act like things are normal and bottle it up. I am a therapist and i dont work specifically with kids anymore but i used to do family work. Shopping around with him for the right person to talk to is a good idea. Therapists are a bit like...

This is the real dilemma for me. That there are in some parts of the world that bigoted. And you cant say gay ppl can adopt in this part of the country because it's citizens are nicer than here because they are jerks. I can remember reading about a lesbian couple who faced the choice of moving...

I dont care what any study says. If it is illegal for me to hit someone my own size then it is not OK to do this to someone 1/2 my size. Not even if I use a euphamism like "spanking or smacking"

I am actually s fence sitter on this issue. On one hand i believe in equal rights for all. I am pro gay marriage so should probably be pro gay adoption. I certainly dont think that sexuality determines the ability for anyone to be a good parent, But... I am still concerned that the kids would be...

i can answer this, of course excessive rules won't work but some rules and guidance particularly surrounding her well being may just show her that somebody cares. This is important.

yeah it was me that said contact him in writing. Obviously you need to do the best thing for yourself and your kids. It is good to hear he is at least not trying to wriggle out of child support. I guess all you can do now is look after yourself. Surround yourself with people who love you and...

It seems this issue is two fold. Im afraid the second you have sex you are potentially signing on for parenthood because all sex has an element of gamble to it! I would ignore his homophobia and go right ahead and keep these great guys in your kids life. Whether to freeze him totally i dont...