http://www.record-eagle.com en-us Copyright CNHI All Rights Reserved. 5 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:40:58 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/askevelyn/local_story_328074222.html http://www.record-eagle.com/askevelyn/local_story_328074222.html Q: Our 4-year-old changes her clothes several times a day after school and on weekends to "look nice." She'll wear new clothes or use a schoolbag once or twice, and then later refuses them and wants something new. It's very draining. How much force should we use and is it worth the fight? Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:20:58 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/askevelyn/local_story_321072117.html http://www.record-eagle.com/askevelyn/local_story_321072117.html Q: Our daughter will be 20 this month, lives at home and attends a community college full time. She has her own room. She has her boyfriend over from time to time and when they are in her room, they keep the door open and just sit on the bed and watch TV. One day my wife came home and found them under the covers watching a movie. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:20:58 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/askevelyn/local_story_314072141.html http://www.record-eagle.com/askevelyn/local_story_314072141.html 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? Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:00:58 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/askevelyn/local_story_300080258.html http://www.record-eagle.com/askevelyn/local_story_300080258.html 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. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:10:58 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/askevelyn/local_story_293071237.html http://www.record-eagle.com/askevelyn/local_story_293071237.html 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? Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:20:58 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/askevelyn/local_story_286072020.html http://www.record-eagle.com/askevelyn/local_story_286072020.html 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? Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:20:58 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/askevelyn/local_story_272072050.html http://www.record-eagle.com/askevelyn/local_story_272072050.html 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. Tue, 22 Sep 2009 07:25:58 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/askevelyn/local_story_265072520.html http://www.record-eagle.com/askevelyn/local_story_265072520.html 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. Tue, 15 Sep 2009 07:10:58 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/askevelyn/local_story_258071234.html http://www.record-eagle.com/askevelyn/local_story_258071234.html 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. Tue, 08 Sep 2009 07:10:58 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/askevelyn/local_story_251071050.html http://www.record-eagle.com/askevelyn/local_story_251071050.html 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. Tue, 25 Aug 2009 07:10:58 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/askevelyn/local_story_237071157.html http://www.record-eagle.com/askevelyn/local_story_237071157.html Evelyn Petersen's column will return. Visit Tue, 11 Aug 2009 06:50:58 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/askevelyn/local_story_223065054.html http://www.record-eagle.com/askevelyn/local_story_223065054.html Q: I dread seeing my 3-year old grandson when we baby-sit every other weekend. He's not a problem child. I just hate baby-sitting, and dislike myself for hating it. I didn't feel this way when he was an infant, but now that he's become a "person" with new needs, it's different. I feel guilty but feel as if I'm going to the gallows as the time comes for him to arrive. Can you help? Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:30:57 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/askevelyn/local_story_208223042.html http://www.record-eagle.com/askevelyn/local_story_208223042.html No matter how many brainwashing ads companies do about skills learned from video games, research proves that children learn more from hands-on experience with people-to-people games and activities than from computer or video games. Tue, 21 Jul 2009 07:00:58 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/askevelyn/local_story_202070324.html http://www.record-eagle.com/askevelyn/local_story_202070324.html Q: My 15-year old-is very angry with me. She wants an expensive cell phone that does everything under the sun like her friends have, and I simply can't afford it. She says I'm letting her down. Why do these kids think they should have whatever they want no matter what. -- Frustrated Dad Tue, 07 Jul 2009 06:45:58 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/askevelyn/local_story_188064659.html http://www.record-eagle.com/askevelyn/local_story_188064659.html Q: I used to get annoyed with my 6-year-old's crying and would yell, but then I learned that encouragement and patience helped much more. However, with a full-time job I lose patience with him sometimes. We really want him to be more confident, but have no idea of how to do this. Please help.