130
votes
I am 21 and I am terrified beyond belief of my father
You are 21. You are an adult under Egyptian law. If you need missing papers, you can apply for them without having a guardian. You only need someone to vouch that you live with them, which brings us ...
80
votes
Accepted
What would you do if you are pretty sure your son is heading towards a disastrous marriage?
If my daughter came home with a nice person or clearly the wrong guy:
I'd ask her conversationally what she sees in him and I'd listen.
I'd have him over to our home as often as possible -- dinner, a ...
- 17.5k
57
votes
Accepted
Mom too worried with germs and disease
Babies/children build up their immune systems by being exposed to germs and dirt. Keeping them away from germs and dirt actually gives them a weaker immune system. (http://www.webmd.com/parenting/d2n-...
- 4,208
50
votes
What can we do? Teacher assigned a book that will be too upsetting to our child because of the anxiety she’s facing during the pandemic
First, a note: I am not speaking to whether this is a correct choice on your part on her behalf; I would encourage you to ask that as a separate question.
If you have concerns about a particular ...
- 61.8k
28
votes
What would you do if you are pretty sure your son is heading towards a disastrous marriage?
Pre-marital counseling for ANYONE entering into a marriage or long-term cohabitation seems like a really good idea. Even in healthy relationships, that counseling is designed to prompt conversation ...
- 381
25
votes
What would you do if you are pretty sure your son is heading towards a disastrous marriage?
What would you do if you were in the parents' shoes?
As a parent myself with a young child I can't actually provide any solid thoughts on what I would in this exact situation do but based on my ...
- 2,080
22
votes
I am 21 and I am terrified beyond belief of my father
sorry to hear about your situation. It is for sure a very difficult situation. The fact you are feeling anxiety is natural and very understandable, so don't be down on yourself for that. The fact you ...
- 221
22
votes
Mom too worried with germs and disease
(Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, your doctor or your girlfriend's doctor)
It is possible that your girlfriend is experiencing postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The hormonal changes ...
- 1,391
20
votes
What can we do? Teacher assigned a book that will be too upsetting to our child because of the anxiety she’s facing during the pandemic
I've had similar reservations about books chosen by my child's teacher, and in every case it's been better to reserve judgement until after the child has at least sampled the book. Some books that I ...
- 659
19
votes
I am 21 and I am terrified beyond belief of my father
Sounds scary.
I would advise you to join the army. The army in Egypt has a two year term of service which will go by in no time - as a woman, administrative and medical jobs are the only available ...
- 393
15
votes
Accepted
Should I push my parents to divorce?
Should I push my parents to divorce?
To make it plain: No.
The answer is "no" for at least two reasons:
The decision whether or not to divorce is quite complex, with multiple consequences either ...
- 2,758
13
votes
What would you do if you are pretty sure your son is heading towards a disastrous marriage?
My experience is the child's reaction is based on their personality.
My younger brother always did what my parents suggested. If they disliked his friends or girlfriend, he would listen and obey. He ...
- 131
10
votes
What would you do if you are pretty sure your son is heading towards a disastrous marriage?
You must know how far you're are going to push your concerns and what outcome you are willing to accept.
Let my tell you my own story from the perspective of the child.
I met a woman who was the ...
- 213
8
votes
Is an 8 week trip abroad an appropriate time away for a 14 year old?
Everything looks fine about the trip (reputable group with long, positive track record, worthy cause, etc.) except for one thing: It is 8 weeks long.
Is this a group that has a lot of experience ...
- 243
8
votes
I am 21 and I am terrified beyond belief of my father
I'm across the border from you in Israel. I happen to know a Beduin girl who was in a very similar situation to you, and she claimed that it is very very common. I lost touch with her when she did the ...
- 1,320
7
votes
How to help my 8-year-old who has selective mutism and doesn't say a word at school?
I disagree that switching schools won't help. One of the problems with selective mutism is that peers begin to expect the child not to talk. When the child does speak, it may elicit reactions of ...
7
votes
As a teenager, my mom refuses to believe that I have anxiety/depression/ possibly ADHD. How can I help her understand that she is hurting me?
As someone who suffers from depression and anxiety and was finally diagnosed with ADHD in their 30's, I feel your pain on this one.
What can you do to convince your mother you have them? ...
- 1,040
7
votes
Accepted
Should I be concerned about my daughter talking to herself?
I wouldn't be concerned at all. This is incredibly common, and not just in children. Many adults do it. Some internalise their voices, others externalise them.
You shouldn't do anything about this - ...
- 26.6k
6
votes
I am 21 and I am terrified beyond belief of my father
What your father is doing is wrong. The role of a man in a family is to serve his wife and protect his family. For a man to hit a woman is inexcusable. In the West, we teach this as fact. A man who ...
- 2,680
6
votes
I am 21 and I am terrified beyond belief of my father
I know what I am suggesting is extreme, but so is your situation and your fear.
Get out. At least out of the city. You have survived this far, and you DO have the strength to reach out with this ...
- 3,109
6
votes
How to help an early teen stop catastrophizing?
While this is the first time this new school year that this sort of catastrophizing has occurred, it is far from the first time it has happened.
People often think in a yes/no manner (called ...
- 69.8k
6
votes
How to transition from someone with no knowledge of parenting into someone who is likely to succeed at the task?
Here's the approach I've taken as a soon-to-be Dad, in my personal order of importance:
Babysit the kids of friends or family members. Nothing in the world will prepare you more than actually caring ...
- 161
5
votes
Should I push my parents to divorce?
Put simply, no, I don't think you should push your parents for divorce. In addition to the answer that sleske gave, I'd give you these points to consider:
Depression is a horrible mental illness that ...
- 179
5
votes
How much crying is OK for a newborn child?
Before I give you my advice as a mother of 6 and grandmother to boot, I just want you to realize that you were given instincts as parents and to make sure to follow them. :)
Newborn babies are ...
- 482
5
votes
My mother refuses to believe I have Social Anxiety Disorder
Facilitate a conversation between your mother and your doctor
There is no argument you can make that will convince your mother if she will not listen to the arguments in the first place. Your ...
- 437
5
votes
Should I be concerned about my daughter talking to herself?
I wouldn't be concerned. I believe that this is a healthy sign of development if anything. Introverted children can become discouraged if you express dismay at this, mayhaps even creating a rift.
- 69
5
votes
Accepted
Helping 6 year old with anxiety disorder to cope after my visits end
Unfortunately, what happens after you leave is largely out of your hands and a question for the parents to write here. But maybe there are things you or the parents do (unknowingly) while you are ...
- 189
4
votes
Mom too worried with germs and disease
Like Martin, I think Dave's answer is the correct one --too sterile an environment has been convincingly shown to be harmful. However, I think it's also important to understand this from your ...
- 6,143
4
votes
Mom too worried with germs and disease
On top of Dave Clarke's answer (which is the answer in my opinion), I would suggest that you and your girlfriend look at other people's kids of different ages and talk to their parents. My wife and I ...
- 987
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