June 3rd, 2011 by admin

By Dr. John Duffy,
Author of The Available Parent: Radical Optimism for Raising Teens and Tweens

We are on vacation in Florida with another family. Three young teenagers are on board, my 13-year-old included. A number of times over the past week, I have peered over to see each of their beautiful faces lost in a 3 ½ inch screen: a Nintendo DS, iPhone, iPod Touch, or any other thing!

One might be texting friends back home, another might be selecting a new song, while yet another is playing the latest downloaded game. There they were in the car last night, screens lighting their faces. There they were on the couch, in front of the giant TV screen! Even in bed, all faces illuminated, eyes entranced.

So how is a parent to counteract the draw of the tiny, sophisticated, intoxicating hand-held plaything? Read the rest of this entry »

August 23rd, 2008 by admin

By Armin Brott
Dear Mr. Dad: Six months ago, my wife and I divorced because she was having an affair.  After our divorce, she remarried and my 3-year old son has become attached to her new husband, who showers him with expensive presents.  I know my son loves me, but it isn’t easy for me not to feel hurt by their relationship. I don’t want to harm my son’s relationship with his stepfather, so how can I deal with these feelings? Read the rest of this entry »