Traverse City Record-Eagle - Evelyn Petersen: Ask Evelyn

Ask Evelyn: Son won't clean up
Q: My son goes from one thing to another without cleaning up after himself. I frequently have to remind him to clean up something, throw something away, put something away, turn something off or close something. I'm tired of nagging. How can I help him change and reduce my frustration?
Ask Evelyn: Cuddling, not play groups
Q: We have a very intelligent 8-month-old. He's beginning to walk, and is exposed almost daily to enrichment opportunities like a play group, library, music and play sessions, plenty of educational toys, fairly regular nap times and very regular bed times. BUT he's is inclined to screaming temper tantrums at unexpected times that include flaying his arms and legs about.
Ask Evelyn: Kids need to work toward goals
Q: Our 7-year-old son is rather serious and intelligent but lacks motivation and perseverance. He has the knowledge to be exceptional, yet he'd rather watch television. He's taking guitar lessons but he won't practice. I hate to force things on him but if I let him quit out of laziness, will quitting become a habit?
Ask Evelyn: Teach the teacher
Q: Our parent conference is coming up soon. Usually I just go and listen to what the teacher has to say about our son, but then I always leave feeling unsatisfied. What are some ways we can be better prepared for this parent teacher conference?
Ask Evelyn: Repeating word is normal
Q: We have a 4-year-old who was born two months prematurely. He's always been small and a bit behind, but is certainly bright and has no trouble learning. In recent months, he has shown some difficulty starting some of his sentences. He will repeat the first word several times before getting into the sentence.
Ask Evelyn: Dinners do more than feed
Q: We recently had 8- and 10-year-old children, along with their parents, as guests in our home. The kids ate like animals! They would pick up food with their hands and stuff it in their mouths; the parents said nothing. I also dislike seeing our grandchildren eat at their house in front of the TV on the floor; they seldom join the adults at the table.
Ask Evelyn: Don't overschedule kids
Q: We have a 9-year-old boy and a 7-year-old daughter. I always felt I knew what I was doing with our son, but I usually haven't a clue with our daughter. She's basically a good girl who is happy and well loved. But often she has these frustrating fits of crying.
Ask Evelyn: Stepdaughter feels unloved
Q: I have a 17-year-old stepdaughter. Her mother and I have been together for three years and have been living together for a year. Before we moved in together my stepdaughter was excited. Now she won't speak to me even though I try to engage her in discussions and family activities. She used to have mom all to herself. She told her mom she feels un-needed and can't wait to graduate and move into a dorm at college.
Editor's Note: Ask Evelyn will return
Evelyn Petersen's column will return. Visit