Parenting

Sophia's "Straight A" Son Went To Live With Dad; Now He's A Dropout

Dr. Dale Archer — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Sophia's son was a straight A student and received a scholarship for college. He moved across the country to live with his dad, however, and started getting into trouble. Now his dad has kicked him out of the house, he's no longer in school, doesn't work, rides a bike and is lucky if he gets a weekly bath.

Brooke's Mom Thinks She Is After Her Boyfriend

Dr. Dale Archer — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Brooke and her mom have not exactly gotten along for the past several years. Her mom has been in a long distance relationship with a guy who recently visited. Mom asked Brooke to email him the photos from his trip which she did. Suddenly Mom is accusing her of stealing her boyfriend!

Sarah Loves Her Daughter, But Will No Longer Tolerate Her Behavior

Dr. Dale Archer — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Sarah divorced her husband 10 years ago. She and her husband had the two girls 50/50. When her oldest daughter turned 16 she chose to live with dad. She treated her the way her dad treated her, too, yelling, swearing and throwing objects at her.

Tia Is Physically/Verbally Abused By Her Mom

Dr. Dale Archer — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Tia has been verbally and physically abused by her mother for years. She has been having thoughts of harming her mom to make it stop.

"Lost" Is Afraid She's Losing Her 16 Year Old Son

Dr. Dale Archer — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 14:00:00 GMT

"Lost" is 53 and divorced. Her problem lies with her 16 year old son and their relationship. When he comes home from school, he goes straight to his room and doesn't want to see or talk to her. He says she wants to control everything, while she says he shows no respect, and she's afraid she's losing him more and more each day.

Is Michelle Forever Tied To The Woman Who Ruined Her Family?

Dr. Dale Archer — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Michelle's son is 24, and just found out his girlfriend is pregnant. This is the same girl, when he was 17, that introduced him to Oxycontin and other drugs, resulting in a very serious addiction. Overcoming the drugs, he got back with the girl recently, only to have her break up and run to another guy. Two weeks later, she's back with her son..... AND pregnant.

Denise Is Devastated Her Daughter Won't Return Her Granddaughter

Dr. Dale Archer — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Denise's daughter had her own child when she was 16. After the birth, she left the baby with Denise and didn't look back. Now, eleven years later, her daughter is living with her mother. She asked for her daughter to let the girl spend the weekend, but she refuses. She wants to know what she, as the grandmother, can do.

Louise's Boyfriend Allows His Daughter And Her Son To Disrespect Them

Dr. Dale Archer — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Louise moved back in with her boyfriend a month ago. The problem is that his daughter and her son are both overcoming their addictions and live with them. They act like they don't want her there, and disrespect both her and her boyfriend. She wants a life with him, but it's all about them!

Elizabeth Keeps Her Ex To Babysit Her 8 Year Old Daughter

Dr. Dale Archer — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Elizabeth is 48 with an 8 year old daughter. She dated a man for a while, but all he wanted to do was go drinking with his friends, and he stood her up a few times as well, so she moved out but they kept dating. Now they're apart, but she keeps him around to watch her daughter while she works. They got into another argument and now she needs him to babysit, but he is demanding it his way.

Mary Is Afraid She's Losing Her Daughter

Dr. Dale Archer — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Mary left her husband and took their daughter away when the child was but a baby. Now the daughter is 30, a psychotherapist and is pushing her mother away. Seems she'd rather talk to her dad and his mother, while telling her mom she needs space. She is very upset that her daughter is going to parties where alcohol will be served as she wasn't raised that way. Plus, she is upset that her daughter had WHISKEY in her house! This was never a part of their lives, and she blames the new man she's dating. The more she tries to advise and tell her daughter what to do, the worse it gets. She insists she knows what is best, but daughter won't listen and keeps pushing further away. Thoughts for Mary?

Donna's Sister Performs Exorcisms On Her Son

Dr. Dale Archer — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Donna has been given temporary custody of her 15 year old nephew. He has delusions, suicidal thoughts, anger, paranoia and is a danger to himself and others. His mother told him he was possessed, which he believes. His father goes along with everything so his son is not upset. She wants to get mental health help for her nephew, but how, when her custody will run out soon? Thoughts?

Lana Worries About Her Ex Taking The Kids To Florida

Dr. Dale Archer — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Lana and her husband recently divorced. She had to move out of the house because he refused, so she moved to a neighboring town. Two weeks later he moved nearby. Now he wants to take the children, 9 and 6, to Florida to visit his mother and sisters, as well as a four day vacation at Disney World. She hesitates, and wonders if this would be too disruptive for the children. Thoughts?

Portia Doesn't Like Her Daughter's Daddy Calling To Check On Their Baby

Dr. Dale Archer — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Portia and her boyfriend have a little girl. Recently, he said he needed space and left. He said give him time and that he needs to "find himself". He doesn't like it when she calls him. However, he calls her periodically to check on their daughter and this makes it hard on her, since he doesn't want to hear about her. She wonders what she should do. Ignore him or try to work it out. Thoughts?

Shelby Cannot Get Over Her Forced Abortion

Dr. Dale Archer — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 06:00:34 GMT

A year ago, when Shelby was 18, she was forced to get an abortion by her father. Years before he insisted she work instead of seeking help for her bulimia, which she eventually overcame on her own. Now dad has run out on the family, and she has frequent dreams/nightmares of saving babies, but she never gets to them in time. She is working and supporting her mom, and needs help coping with her feelings. Do you have words of support?

Michelle's 17 Year Old Daughter Has Become Impossible

Dr. Dale Archer — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 06:00:49 GMT

Michelle's 17 year old daughter is home from boarding school. No longer the sweet little darling, she's rude, manipulative and demanding. She's unhappy with everything and appreciates nothing, and mom doesn't know what to do. She wonders if boarding school is to blame.Thoughts?

Col Wants A Relationship With The Daughter Of Her Son's Ex Girlfriend

Dr. Dale Archer — Sun, 27 May 2012 06:00:20 GMT

Col broke up with his girlfriend who has a 5 year old daughter. Her son has raised this child like his own since she was a week old, and she loves her like her own grandchild. She wants to keep seeing the little girl, but her son says no, that they have to move on and cut all ties. She wonders, should she listen to her son? Or should she secretly see the little girl?

Has Becoming A Single Mother Ruined Ramona's Life?

Dr. Dale Archer — Wed, 16 May 2012 22:00:42 GMT

Ramona is a 20 year old single mom whose own mother is helping her raise her son. She's upset because her mom criticizes her parenting skills, while also criticizing the father for not sticking around. She feels like all the responsibility is on her. She has to work part time at a fast food joint, cleanup after others in the house and take care of her son. She wants to be happy again, but feels like her circumstances prevent this. How can she be happier and stronger?

Bethann Is Afraid She's Lost Her Daughter

Dr. Dale Archer — Fri, 11 May 2012 06:00:01 GMT

Bethann was married for 18 years before she divorced her husband due to drugs and other women. She admits she made mistakes as she raised her three children alone, but she did her best. Now her oldest daughter is 23 and doesn't want anything to do with her. Mom is distraught, and wonders if it's her daughter's drug use that is causing this. She asks if she lost her daughter forever. Thoughts?

Ella's Daughter Will Not Forgive Her

Dr. Dale Archer — Fri, 04 May 2012 06:00:33 GMT

Ella was an addict who had two little girls. One day she left her girls with so-called friends while she got her fix. When she returned, the oldest, aged 3 at the time, had been raped. Authorities removed the girls and now, 15 years later, she's finally clean. Her oldest daughter forgave her, but the youngest refuses. She wants her daughter back -- what else can she do?

Michelle's Problems Are Her Child, Work and Boyfriend

Dr. Dale Archer — Wed, 02 May 2012 22:00:21 GMT

Michelle hates her life. Her deadbeat boyfriend quit his job and she wonders daily who he's cheating with; her 4 year old son was kicked out of daycare and the new one calls her daily to come get him. She hates her job, working 55 hours a week and is exhausted when she gets home. She has centered her life trying to make the boyfriend happy while she has become miserable. She's at the end of her rope. I gave her my advice; what's yours?

Katie Wants To Protect Her Son From His Absent Father

Dr. Dale Archer — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 22:00:50 GMT

Katie is worried about her 5 year old son. He misses his dad, but his dad doesn't come around to visit him very often. He refuses to make any effort and her son is becoming sad about this. She wonders what she should tell her son?

Dawn Is Living With Her 2 Daughters, 2 Grand Kids and The Baby Daddies

Dr. Dale Archer — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:00:28 GMT

Dawn uprooted her life in order to help her three grown daughters, their children and their baby daddies. Only problem is that they're all living together and no one is getting along and there's another baby on the way. Mom is at her wits end and asks how does she make everyone get along?

Robi Has A Serious Problem With Her Boyfriend's Mother

Dr. Dale Archer — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 06:00:15 GMT

Robi has two babies by her boyfriend. They live next door to his mother who does not approve of her parenting skills. She tells boyfriend that Robi's a bad mother, and a big problem. She just can't seem to get along with her. Also, the mom broke up boyfriends last marriage. So she says, she'd never marry him because this WOMAN would then be her mother-in-law -- yet asks how to cope with her. How would you advise this confused woman?

D's Son Has Lost Respect For Her

Dr. Dale Archer — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 14:00:18 GMT

D and her husband recently separated after a 12 year marriage. His dad told him his mother has been intimate with the men she's dating, and he has screamed at her, cursing, and attacked a punching bag until he tore a hole in it. One night D lost it, hitting him with a belt and told him to go live with his dad. Is there a way to repair this mother/son relationship?

Should Marilyn Turn Her Daughter In?

Dr. Dale Archer — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 22:00:21 GMT

Marilyn's 28 year old daughter had a gun and threatened to use it on herself; she even had the note already written. They struggled with the gun, and finally the daughter said she'd get help. Problem is, she's always loaded with prescription drugs. Daughter was committed to the hospital recently, but now she's out and was arrested while driving under the influence. She was turned loose because there was no room in the jail. Marilyn wants to protect the babies, who have been in multiple car accidents with their mother, but is afraid to call CPS because they may take her grandchildren from her. What to do?