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Do you feel so stressed that you think your chest feels like an elephant is sitting on it? Do you have high guilt from your parenting? Did your 10 year old get abducted and replaced with an alien? Dr. Leman answers these questions with his usual wit and wisdom.

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Question #1 Kayla:

I am SO stressed out. I feel guilty about whether I am making the right decisions for my kids. I am the only one responsible for my children and I feel trapped in my own home. This situation gotten has gotten so bad that I am having chest pains over raising a 1 and 3 year old!

Dr. Leman’s Answer:

Yes, parenting two small children is a huge responsibility! Mom, you need to take care of yourself. It is not unlike the instructions on the airplane by the flight attendants to put on your own oxygen mask before assisting children. You have got to take care of yourself so you can be there for them!

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Take some time away. Join a MOPS group or some other group that gives you a break from the responsibility and gives you some adult conversation.
2. Keep some order in your home. Use a playpen for the one year old and put the three year old in his room when you need a break.
3. Sneak a nap in while the kids nap. (But not with the kids!) Cleaning can wait!

Question #2 Rosanna:

Our 10 year old has become a different person. He seems to have been abducted by aliens! We have raised him to have good character, but we are losing heart and don’t know how to get him to behave. My husband is about to do a Kirk Cameron Bible Study with him.

Dr. Leman’s Answer:

This sounds like you have an advanced son! Usually the aliens come around in around age 11 or 12!

Try asking your son, “Do you think that your life is mapped out for you?”
Mom and Dad, you may have been too prescriptive towards this child.

I would advise:

1. BACK OFF!
2. Change your approach.
3. Be cautious; don’t bring the hammer down.
4. Pray for guidance.

If your son gets the perception from you that he is getting off track, he won’t like it and will push back and rebel all the more.