Delayed Reading by: Dr. Tina Lepage Q: I have two kids – a six year old boy and a four year old girl. My daughter is learning to read already and quickly catching up with her older brother. My son has begun to say he doesn’t like to read, especially after he sees my daughter reading. I’m not sure if he is delayed or if my daughter is just really early in learning to read. They’re both … [Read more...]

Sibling Sleep Challenges by: Dr. Tina Lepage Q: My wife and I recently had a second child, but this question is about our older child, and we're not sure if this problem is related or not to having added a sibling to the mix. The problem is that my 4-year-old insists on waking me up every morning around 4:00am! I'm exhausted and need help. A: Wow, a preschooler with sleeping challenges and … [Read more...]

Spring Break Guidelines by: Dr. Tina Lepage Q: Spring break is coming up and my children who are freshman and sophomore (one boy, one girl) in high school want to go away to a beach with other kids and parents I don't know well. On one hand I don't want to be a stick in the mud, but this really is the kind of thing I imagine a senior in high school doing, not younger. I don't want to be the … [Read more...]

Making Gift Giving (and Recieving) Meaningful by: Dr. Tina Lepage Q: My children have started asking for Christmas gifts. Every year when they start making their lists I struggle with being reminded how much *stuff* my kids already have, and concerns we are 'spoiling' them. Truthfully they get so many toys and gadgets and movies throughout the year I don't see them being as appreciative of … [Read more...]

Figuring out ADHD Diagnosis by: Dr. Tina Lepage Q: I recently took my child to a psychiatrist for an appointment. His teacher had suggested possible AD/HD. I’m not so sure. On one hand he does have trouble paying attention, and so do I really. But the work has also now gotten harder as he’s getting older, plus he’s kind of a class clown and I wonder if that isn’t to mask social … [Read more...]

Effective Discipline and Keeping Your Cool By: Dr. Tina Lepage Q: This month we continue with a Part II follow up to last month’s Ask Anything, where I said when referring to not using spanking, “It would take another column to address what the better techniques are to use, and how to control one’s own temper in the moment, so perhaps I can write about that next month.” A: It’s … [Read more...]

by: Dr. Tina Lepage Q: Recently, my in laws had our two children, ages 2 and 3, over for extended visits lasting 3-4 nights while I took care of our infant and my husband traveled for work. In the most recent visit, the 2-year-old was jumping out of his packand-play at nap time and tearing apart the room, so my mother-in-law gave him several verbal warnings in an aggressive manner and then … [Read more...]

by: Dr. Tina Lepage Q: My husband and I were discussing how to talk to our young child about sex. A friend is pregnant and some curiosity has come up. Seems like such an uncomfortable thing to try to explain to a kid! Any thoughts? A: Parents often express feeling uncomfortable or unsure about what to say to their children about sex, and that includes children of all ages! Educating your … [Read more...]

by: Dr. Tina Lepage Q: Both my son and daughter seem to be fearful of approaching new people and making friends. While I guess it is OK to be a little shy, I wonder what I can do to help them have less anxiety around meeting people. A: As you say being shy temperamentally is not a problem in and of itself, but it is a great idea to help your children be more comfortable making friends. Some … [Read more...]