MY ANSWER

Our grandchildren are getting into their teens and we're wondering what we can give them for Christmas.
Billy Graham writes, "You might consider giving them a Bible—one that will encourage them to read it for themselves, and will last a long time."

MY ANSWER

We give some money to our grandchildren for their birthdays, and we've never received thanks from them.
Billy Graham writes, "An ungrateful, self-centered child easily becomes an ungrateful, self-centered adult—and now is the time for their parents to prevent this."

MY ANSWER

Our son turned his back on us years ago because we didn't approve of the way he was living, and now he wants to come home for Thanksgiving.
Billy Graham writes, "Let me ask you a question: Did the prodigal son's father know whether or not his son had changed his way of living when he welcomed him home?"

MY ANSWER

My parents are always getting after me because I'm in my mid-30s and haven't gotten married yet.
Billy Graham writes, "Perhaps a gentle word from you will help them understand your feelings. (Avoid arguing, however; it will only make things worse.)"

MY ANSWER

I am 14, and my parents just told me I was adopted. I am devastated, because it makes me feel like I don't belong in this family.
Billy Graham writes, "Perhaps it would have been better if your parents had told you earlier about your adoption—but in any case, this knowledge shouldn't make you feel as if something is wrong with you, or that you don't belong."

MY ANSWER

My children say I ought to think about going into a nursing home before I start having problems, but I really don't want to.
Billy Graham writes, "We all want to be active and independent, and that's good—but eventually this may no longer be possible, and we need to prepare for that possibility."

MY ANSWER

My wife and I are worried about her aunt. She's been giving money to someone who gave her a hard luck story that we know isn't true.
Billy Graham writes, "If someone is victimizing your wife's aunt, then you need to do everything you can to stop it."

MY ANSWER

Our teenaged niece has been saying her life isn't worth living, but her parents say she's just going through a phase. Are they right?
Billy Graham writes, "The worst thing that could happen would be for people around your niece to ignore what she is saying—and discover only after it's too late that she was serious."

MY ANSWER

My sister just moved in with her boyfriend. Our parents won't have anything to do with her. But is it right for them to treat her this way?
Billy Graham writes, "I hope your parents will look beyond their immediate hurt and try to keep the door open. ... The time may well come when your sister will find herself rejected—and if so, she will need the love of her family."

MY ANSWER

My parents warned me not to marry my fiance. Now he's divorced me and I can't bring myself to face them. What should I do?
Billy Graham writes, "Don't let your pride, or anything else, keep you from making contact with your parents. You need their support right now, and hopefully they'll be wise enough to give it to you."

MY ANSWER

My daughter-in-law and I attend the same church, but she seems to avoid me. What have I done wrong?
Billy Graham writes, "I don't know, of course, what has caused this problem between you and your daughter-in-law—but your son probably knows, and you may want to talk privately with him about this."

MY ANSWER

My uncle is a Christian and believes my aunt (who died last year) is in heaven—but if that's the case, why is he so grief-stricken?
Billy Graham writes, "The more we loved someone, the more we will miss them—and the more we will look forward to seeing them again in heaven."

MY ANSWER

I've been very hurt because of something my brother-in-law did to us, and there's no way I could ever forgive him.
Billy Graham writes, "Have you ever stopped to think about the damage you've done to yourself because of your failure to forgive? When someone hurts us, all kinds of emotions try to take control of us."

MY ANSWER

My husband and I both lost our first spouses when we were in our 60s. Our children from our first marriages have had a very hard time accepting our remarriage.
Billy Graham writes, "I urge you to sit down privately with each of them and listen to their worries. Rightly or wrongly, they are probably thinking more about how your remarriage impacts them than what it means to you."

MY ANSWER

I have an aunt who cares more for her dogs and cats than she does for her family. What would you say to someone like that?
Billy Graham writes, "Pray for your aunt, and if you have an opportunity, gently share your concern with her. She may not even realize what she's doing."

MY ANSWER

My husband's parents are good people, but they act almost as if our children don't exist, while their other grandchildren get all the attention. Isn't this wrong?
Billy Graham writes, "In my experience, favoring one child or grandchild over another is not only unwise, but it's also wrong. Not only does it hurt the children, but it also brings resentment and even anger in its wake."

MY ANSWER

I guess you'd say we have a very dysfunctional family, because we can't seem to get along with each other. Why are some families like this?
Billy Graham writes, "Down inside, we each want our own way, and when someone blocks us we get upset and want to strike back."

MY ANSWER

My mother has become very irrational, but my father won't take her to the doctor. Is there anything I can do?
Billy Graham writes, "You are facing a very difficult situation, I know, because you don't want to meddle in your parents' lives or make the situation even worse than it is. But as parents grow older, sometimes the roles they and their children once had become reversed."

MY ANSWER

Our children are all grown up and gone, so what do you think Mother's Day should mean to us now?
Billy Graham writes, "For one thing, it should be a time of thanksgiving as we remember our own mothers and thank God for them. Where would we be without them?"

MY ANSWER

How can I tell my mother to back off and stop trying to run our family's life? I don't want to hurt her, but what should I do?
Billy Graham writes, "Try to understand your mother's actions—even if you occasionally find them irritating. No doubt she loves you and your family, and even if she intrudes more than she should, she still cares for you and wants what is best for you."