I have a four, almost five year old, who sucks her thumb (since she was 16 weeks old). She had promised to stop on her 5th birthday (one month away), but now that it’s getting closer she doesn’t want to stop. How can we help her transition without the “conventional” methods (bitters on thumb, etc.)? [...]

My 8th grader wanted to quit basketball. “I absolutely hate this, I am not a competitive person. I have DREAD about going, this brings me no joy. Why should I keep doing something that makes me so unhappy when I could do something else physical?” She was on the team last year last year. Hated [...]

Do you have 2 minutes? Doctor G offers 4 concrete suggestions for taking the arguments out of homework time!

My daughter is 16 and has been in a relationship with a boy for over a year. He recently told her he was going to go to a dance with another girl. He says just as friends, and it doesn’t matter what she has to say. My daughter is really upset, by his mother telling [...]

Doctor G answers the important questions about allowance – when, why, and how. Also, should we pay our kids allowance for doing their chores? Many thanks to Alicia for the question!

So thrilled to be interviewed by Sherri Kuhn on SheKnows Parenting! Do any of these 6 ideas sound like something that would make you feel great about your teenager? Let me know!

Happy New Year! I’m over on Huffington Post Parents trying to take one “holiday season thing” off your to do list!

I need advice on a family issue. My wife’s father is at the end of a long illness. He is in hospice in NJ and she is there now. He will likely pass in the next few days. We are trying to decide if I should fly the kids from CA to NJ for the [...]

Have you seen EverydayFamily? A great site with blogs and expert information and even a TV show, I’m honored to be featured over there once a month.  This month I answered questions about picky eaters at different ages.  Will you recognize one of your own kids?

Doctor G, my 7 year old son has lost his winter coat already this year. Twice!! Should I replace it or should I make him earn the money to replace it?  It’s really concerning me. A Mamavation Mom, in (state not provided) I totally understand your frustration. All I have to do is picture the [...]

I was always taught that a healthy dose of paranoia was good to have. As a parent, we stay prepared for things like bad weather. When we were on the east coast, we prepared for additional terrorist attacks. Our kids were involved and aware, but we didn’t instill a deep fear in them. What do you [...]

The winter vacation season can bring joys and frustrations. Plan out a holiday schedule that isn’t crazy, but do make time for a little character building for kids!

My partner and I are merging two families. My kids are 2 years apart, my son is older. He has two daughters, a little younger but the same split. I give my kids different responsibilities and privileges. He makes a point of being completely equal with his girls. This has led to some conflict. Do [...]

In honor of Thanksgiving – that day that we sit at a big table and ask ravenous or comatose or bored family members what they are thankful for – I’ve re-written a post about teaching gratitude. It can be taught! Maybe not best between the stuffing and the mashed potatoes at half-time of the big [...]

Have we finally succeeded in making smoking evil? Have parents beaten the tobacco companies, now that characters in movies don’t smoke unless they’re bad, now that even celebrities feel shame and hide their tobacco habit? Sadly, we have not won. The smartphone has the solution, not just for Big Tobacco, but for all kinds of [...]

I have two step daughters 12 & 14. The fourteen year old is a very good person but can be very disrespectful when angry and she is angry when she has to do something she doesn’t want to do like laundry, feeding the dogs, dishes, cleaning her room etc She will talk back and talk [...]

I have two step daughters 12 & 14. The fourteen year old is a very good person but can be very disrespectful when angry and she is angry when she has to do something she doesn’t want to do like laundry, feeding the dogs, dishes, cleaning her room etc. She will talk back and talk [...]

It’s Food Drive time at school! The next time your child comes home asking for a donation for anything (books, clothes, canned goods, money)? Don’t say yes right away! Here’s why.

Why should you bother taking the kids along when you vote? Here’s why! Teach kids to make the world a better place.

The fantastic readers of Your Teen Magazine never fail to challenge me with their questions. This month I’m answering a mom who’s 2nd grade daughter had a friend over to play. That friend (the youngest in her family) wanted to play “Prom.” How do you play? Find sparkly underwear and a fancy dress, and then [...]