MY ANSWER

Our son is leaving for college in a few weeks, and I can't wait for him to go. I hate that it's like this, but what can we do?
Billy Graham writes, "The first thing you can do is to try to tone down the rhetoric—in other words, to do all you can to avoid the shouting matches."

MY ANSWER

Our children are excited to be in the Christmas play at church, but my husband has made it clear he doesn't intend to go. How can I explain this to them?
Billy Graham writes, "The best approach is for you (and your husband) to be as positive as possible with your children, encouraging them and letting them know you are proud they've been selected to be in the Christmas play."

MY ANSWER

My son is in fifth grade, and he's having a lot of problems. The school says he might need medication to calm him down. I'm not sure I like him being on a drug.
Billy Graham writes, "I appreciate your caution, and I urge you to talk with both your son's teachers and your doctor about his problems. ... Do all you can to let your son know you love him, no matter what problems he is having."

MY ANSWER

Our daughter has just informed us that she's getting married, in spite of our strong opposition. She's legally on her own, but is there anything we can do?
Billy Graham writes, "The best we can do is offer [our children] our love and advice, and then pray that God will give them the wisdom to do what is right."

MY ANSWER

Our son abandoned our two grandchildren and their mother, and now we don't know where he is either. Where did we go wrong?
Billy Graham writes, "You may feel you weren't perfect parents—but none of us are, and from what you say, you tried to bring your son up to do what is right."

MY ANSWER

Our daughter plans to move in with her boyfriend. We didn't raise her this way. What should we do?
Billy Graham writes, "One thing I hope you will do (if you haven't already) is tell her that you love her—and because you love her, you hate to see her head down a road that she will almost certainly regret later on."

MY ANSWER

Since my divorce over 15 years ago, I haven't seen my children. Now they've made it clear they don't want anything to do with me. Is this a hopeless situation?
Billy Graham writes, "Is any relationship with your children possible? Perhaps not—but you won't really know until you try to reach out to them."

MY ANSWER

I feel so guilty because my son is in prison. What should I have done differently?
Billy Graham writes, "Single parenting is difficult even under the best of circumstances, and my heart goes out to anyone who must bear the burden of parenthood alone, regardless of the reasons."

MY ANSWER

Our son came home at Christmas from his first semester at college, and when we got ready to go to church he announced that he wasn't going because he no longer believed in God. Where did we go wrong? We feel like such failures as parents.
Many young people go through the same thing, suddenly thinking they are the first people in the history of the human race to have all the answers to life's problems and mysteries!

DECISION MAGAZINE

The Influence of a Christian Mother
In a violent world, we desperately need consecrated Christian mothers.

DECISION MAGAZINE

To Hear Your Voice
Our Father longs to hear from us.

DECISION MAGAZINE

Waiting on God
Pastor Jim Cymbala recounts how God has used the Brooklyn Tabernacle to reach sin-ravaged people with the Gospel.

DECISION MAGAZINE

Missing the Children
When we are away from God ... He misses us.

DECISION MAGAZINE

A Strong Foundation
Marriage is not a short-term option. It is a contract for life. Be faithful.

DECISION MAGAZINE

Parents Are Not Miracle Workers
As parents, our job is to take care of the possible and trust God for the impossible.

DECISION MAGAZINE

Doing Our Part
Training children begins with our own obedience to God’s will.

DECISION MAGAZINE

Finding God Even in Brokenness
Jeff and Belinda Lams walked with their daughter, Aria, through her seven-year battle with leukemia. And they've found that God is walking with them still.

DECISION MAGAZINE

Making It Easy to Be Good
A little encouragement goes a long way.

DECISION MAGAZINE

'Something Remarkable'
A Connecticut woman finds hope at a Billy Graham Crusade in 1957.

DECISION MAGAZINE

What Mothers Cannot Do
A poem for mothers.