ArcaMax

Q: My dad was never part of my life. Now I'm married and my wife is expecting our first child. I feel completely unprepared and anxious. What does it take to be a good father?

Jim: I can relate. That was me. That IS me. Being a dad is tough regardless of the circumstances. But the job seems especially daunting for guys like us whose fathers ...Read more

Q: I'm a college graduate in my mid-20s. Unfortunately, my mother seems unable -- or unwilling -- to acknowledge that I'm an adult. How can I help her understand I'm not a kid anymore?

Jim: It's relatively common for parents to struggle with the idea of a daughter or son moving ahead into full adulthood. There can be any number of factors ...Read more

Q: I'm the admittedly biased but proud father of a beautiful 16-year-old daughter. Predictably, I'm not the only one who's noticed how she's blossoming. She's getting increased attention from boys, so I expect The Dating Question will be coming up soon. Do you have any advice for interacting with and vetting any potential boyfriends?

Jim: I "...Read more

Q: Sadly, our daughter is going through a divorce. What can we do as grandparents to help our grandchildren cope with this devastating breakup?

Jim: I'm saddened to hear of this difficult situation. At the same time, your desire to help your grandchildren through this tough period is encouraging. A number of factors play into how you can best ...Read more