Foster Child Bonding

Q

Our 18-week-old foster child has been with us since she was five weeks old. Since her mother got out of rehab two weeks ago, she has begun seeing her mother once a week for an hour. Now the baby has started something odd — and this happens only with me. When settling down for sleep, she puts her head on my shoulder, then turns to snuggle up under my jaw. Then she’ll work her way up my face and open her mouth in an O shape, suctioning herself to the side of my face. This usually happens two or three times before she goes to sleep. Is this odd?

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Allergy Anxiety

Q

Because our eight-year-old son has a serious peanut allergy, we’ve been teaching all of our children the importance of food safety. At the same time, we don’t want to frighten them, especially the youngest, who freaks out when she sees nutty candy bars at the supermarket checkout. What’s the best way to handle this?

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Toddler Comfort

Q

I babysit my two-year-old niece, whom I take to toddler activities with my daughter, who is just two months older. I stay with them for the gymnastics class, but leave while they take a supervised crafts class. My niece cries hysterically when we go to both classes, and continues to cry even when I stay with her. What can I do to help her feel more comfortable?

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Wondering About Religion

Q

Our six-year-old has a strong aversion to religion, to the point where he gets upset when people pray or say grace in front of him. He says it’s because he doesn’t understand why someone would talk to someone they can’t see. While my husband and I aren’t particularly religious, my mother-in-law insists on buying him religious books, which he refuses to read. Will he be missing out on something crucial to his development if he doesn’t learn about religion?

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Temper Tantrums

Q

When she doesn’t get what she wants, my 11-month-old daughter has little temper tantrums. While I understand this is normal, I’m concerned she will scratch herself while pulling at her hair or clothes.

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Kindergarten to Grade One Anxiety

Q

The school year is almost over, but my six-year-old daughter still seems to be struggling with the transition to all-day school. She cries almost every day and isn’t able to cope with small disappointments, like not being first in line. I’m afraid this will get even worse over the summer and she’ll be starting grade two at a disadvantage. What’s going on? Can I do anything to help her?

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Giving Up the Bottle

Q

My two-year-old still wants a bottle when he wakes in the morning, when he goes down for a nap and before bed. I took his soother away at 19 months so I wouldn’t have to battle over it, but now it seems I have a fight on my hands anyway.

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Overly Attached to Sibling

Q

Our 11-year-old daughter will not go anywhere, other than school or the sitter’s, without us or her 13-year-old sister. She tells me she’s not comfortable attending a birthday party or even visiting a friend’s house by herself. However, if I take her to these events, she has a wonderful time.

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Imaginary Friends

Q

Sprinkles, my six-year-old’s imaginary friend, has been with us for more than four years. About six months ago, my son realized Sprinkles had left him and he was distraught. Eventually he got over it, but today he whispered in my ear that Sprinkles is back. At what age do imaginary friends leave a child and should I do anything about this?

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Child with Sad Feelings

Q

At times, my six-year-old son seems to be intensely sad. For example, today the story of Puff the Magic Dragon left him in tears. Other times, sadness will just seem to sweep over him and he’ll be non-communicative, maybe just wanting to be held. I have a history of depression myself, and I hate to think he’s destined to suffer in the same way.

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