Keep your kids safe from online sextortion—cases are soaring in Canada

 QUESTION Dear Adele, I have heard the term sextortion, but what is it? As a parent of a teenager about to start high school, do I need to be worried about this? Uninformed ANSWER Dear Uninformed,  According to Brieanna Charlebois of the Canadian Press, “Sexual extortion, or sextortion, occurs when someone threatens to

Understand the reasons for “school refusal” before developing coping strategies.

 QUESTION Dear Adele, Last year our middle schooler frequently tried to avoid going to school. He skipped class several times, got behind in his assignments, and would regularly call us to pick him up at school for psychosomatic illnesses, such as headaches, diarrhea, or a racing heart. With classes starting

Back-to-school anxiety can be eased by talking with your kids

 QUESTION Dear Adele, We understand you had successful careers as a teacher and a social worker. We wondered if you had any back-to-school tips for us and our elementary school children? Many thanks. Preemptors ANSWER Dear Preemptors, How wise you are, to be cutting some problems off at the pass!

Overscheduling kids can cause a lot of stress, anxiety, and pressure.

 QUESTION Dear Adele, Our nine-year-old is an excellent athlete. This September, he wants to play hockey, be in a swim club and take karate. We also have a six-year-old who wants to take music lessons, learn to skate and be involved in cubs. Somewhere, we would like to find some “Me”

Money sense is best taught when children are young

 QUESTION Dear Adele, We are young parents with two youngsters under six. We are looking for ideas about how to teach our children about money. Any suggestions? Fledgling Father ANSWER Dear Fledgling Father, According to Britannica “Money is a commodity accepted by general consent as a medium of economic exchange.”

A gentle parent’s sensitive response encourages positive actions

 QUESTION Dear Adele, What is ‘Gentle Parenting’? Just Wondering ANSWER Dear Just Wondering, ‘Gentle Parenting’ was invented by British childcare writer and parenting guru Sarah Ockwell-Smith. The jury is still out as to whether this parenting method is sufficiently scientifically proven, so proceed with an open mind if you decide

Wise wealthy parents should keep their kids unaware of their fortuitous financial situation.

 QUESTION Dear Adele, Our grandchildren are being raised in a privileged upper-income home where they have everything they could possibly want. However, despite economic advantages, the adolescents seem to be struggling with a number of issues including substance abuse and mild depression. This seems hard to explain given their fortunate

Grieving the loss of the family pet

 QUESTION Dear Adele, Our beloved family pet, Baxter, a Labrador Retriever, will soon be crossing the Rainbow Bridge. We know our children will be devastated to lose the pet they have always known and who has offered them unconditional love. We are looking for ideas to help them through this

The importance of teaching manners is part of good parenting

 QUESTION Dear Adele, I am a 32-year-old single, childfree woman who is dating a 35-year-old man with two youngsters, ages five and ten. While I care for the children, I find them quite unmannerly. In my opinion they are often rude and do not seem to know the words ‘please’

Despite having few role models, single-parent fathers do have what it takes.

 QUESTION: Dear Adele, I am 29 years old and a university-educated, single male. My former girlfriend recently phoned me from the hospital to inform me of the birth of a child, whom I fathered. She said she did not want to parent the boy and that I could raise him

Understanding a firstborn’s behaviour when adjusting to the new baby

 QUESTION Dear Adele, My husband and I will be welcoming a new baby to our family next month. We currently have a toddler, who is almost two years old, and are wondering what we might expect in terms of behaviour from him. Any tips? Expecting ANSWER Dear Expecting, Congratulations on

The best Father’s Day gift is spending quality time with dad.

 QUESTION Dear Adele, Father’s Day is here again. Have you got any good ideas to show my dad how much I think of him? Grateful Son ANSWER Dear Grateful Son, Celebrating fatherhood may have its origins in pagan sun worship. In some types of paganism, the sun is the father

Why parenting on the same page is so important and how to do it.

 QUESTION Dear Adele, My husband and I often disagree on how to approach a parenting issue. He was raised in a permissive environment and likes to parent in a relaxed, easy, ‘few limits’ way. I was raised in a stricter home where rules were made clear and enforced. I think

The pros and cons of dress codes for high school students

 QUESTION Dear Adele, My daughter attends an Ottawa high school where there is a dress code. I am following with interest the CTV news story regarding Ottawa students and parents who are “outraged at humiliating high school dress code blitz” at Beatrice Desloges High School. I know there are pros

The gift of your time is the most valuable thing you can give your children

 QUESTION: I recently have found myself a single parent with three small children. I am not yet thirty years of age and now regret that I did not finish my education. I am very worried about the long road ahead, ensuring that my children have what they need to grow

Parenting tips to deal with your argumentative teen without loosing your cool

 Question: Dear Adele, We are embarrassed to tell you and the world that our sweet 14-year-old daughter has become so argumentive, causing discord, friction, and disharmony in our family. We thought we were the perfect parents with an ideal child. We never expected a disagreeable teenager to emerge almost without

Should teenagers be encouraged to get part-time jobs?

 QUESTION Dear Adele, Our teenager is experiencing some peer pressure to work at a local ice cream shop this summer with his friends. While it would be beneficial for him to have some of his own money, we are not really sure he is ready to take on the responsibility

The reasons why most siblings are so different

 QUESTION - What is Temperament? Dear Adele, My husband and I have three children who are as different from each other as an apple, an orange, and a banana. Each has some wonderful characteristics, but at the same time, each has distinctive flaws and challenges. We are the same adults

Celebrate Easter with your family no matter how small it may be

 QUESTION Dear Adele, I am the sole parent of a six-year-old daughter whose extended family lives in another city. Easter is upon us, and I’m wondering how to celebrate the day without family around. Any ideas? On Our Own ANSWER Dear On Our Own, Miriam Webster defines a family as a

How to move forward when motherhood overwhelms you

 QUESTION Dear Adele, I am a 25-year-old single mother of two children. The oldest has behaviour problems that are being investigated, and the youngest is a poor sleeper who keeps me up, night after night. I am also struggling doing a job that I do not like and am living

The importance of the family mealtime

 QUESTION Dear Adele, We are a busy family of five that is constantly on the go. My husband and I both work outside of the home and are involved in sporting and community activities. The three children ages six, nine, and 13 are bused to and from school and are

Talking with your older children about war and conflict

 QUESTION Dear Adele, Images of destruction, devastation, and death from the war in Ukraine fill the screens of our televisions and social media devices. Our children, ages 11 and 15, cannot help but see them and be affected by this human catastrophe in Ukraine. How do you suggest we handle

When your child keeps getting out of bed!

 QUESTION Dear Adele, Several months ago, we moved our preschooler out of his crib into a junior bed. Unfortunately, this has led to a new sleep time problem. Our son has discovered the freedom of no railings and is constantly getting out of bed after we have said good night.

Tips to respectfully cohabitate with your boomerang kids

 QUESTION Dear Adele, Our 22-year-old son recently finished a college diploma but finds himself without a job, and without a place to live. He seems to think he wants to move back home into our basement, for a while. He wasn’t the easiest teenager and we were pleased to see

Why new dads can and should take paternity leave

 QUESTION Dear Adele, My husband and I are expecting our first child shortly. While I plan to take a generous maternity leave, I think my husband should also take some paternity leave, and share the load, so to speak. He, on the other hand, sees no reason for him to