Parenting Advice
Karen Deerwester, Ed.S. - Parent Educator and Early Childhood Specialist, founder and CEO of Family Time, Inc., and consultant. In 17 years of classes, seminars, and one-on-one coaching, Karen has supported thousands of parents in their efforts to build great foundations for children. Karen is uniquely committed to helping parents become problem solvers in the large and small questions that arise "living with children."

  Ask the Expert
When it comes to parenting questions there are no right answers, only solutions and suggestions that can help point your family in the right direction. As a parent educator, Karen has helped thousands of parents overcome various parenting perils. You'll find her suggestions for your parenting dilemmas not only useful but practical. Ask her your questions.

  Recent questions

Infants
  • Cries when tired
  • Cries during bath
  • Whining

    Parenting Toddlers

  • Young bully
  • Working moms and Daycare
  • Trusting the caregiver
  • Toddlers hits younger sibling
  • Cried at preschool
  • Biting
  • Misbehavior
  • Overactive toddlers
  • Child prefers mom
  • Ready for daycare
  • Mom working fulltime
  • Thumb sucking
  • Active, curious toddler
  • Stopping pinching
  • Whining
  • Creative play
  • Diaper change
  • Teething and sleep
  • Showering with dad
  • Sleeping through the night
  • Hungry at night
  • Falling asleep on her own
  • Needs mom after bedtime
  • Child prefers caregiver
  • Ready for potty training
  • Potty training regression
  • Potty training regression 2
  • Resisting potty training
  • Aggressive behavior
  • Preschool behavior
  • Not talking
  • Teaching quiet behavior

    Teenagers
  • Dating
  • Online chatting
  • Parenting Children
  • Behavior at school
  • Tantrum in restaurant
  • Siblings at the same daycare
  • Behavior at school
  • Lies about school
  • Child hits mother
  • 'Needy' behavior
  • Friend doesn't want to play
  • Music lessons
  • 4-year-old lying
  • Toddler says No
  • Grumpy behavior
  • An unhappy child
  • Sleeping alone
  • Creating a playroom
  • How much homework?
  • Learning to read
  • Behavior issues vs. ADHD
  • Inappropriate touching
  • Sleepovers
  • Getting teased at school
  • Talking about puberty
  • Afterschool childcare
  • Dropping off at daycare
  • Explaining the facts of life
  • Positive discipline
  • Helping with schoolwork
  • Older child has problems sleeping alone
  • School uniforms
  • Childhood friendships

    Family Issues
  • Step-children acting out
  • Multi-lingual home
  • Becoming a working mom
  • Dealing with guilt about caregivers
  • Shared parenting
  • Bilingual home
  • Finding time for it all
  • Co-parenting
  • Feeling jealous
  • Parental fighting
  • When Mom loses control
  • Disagreements about kissing
  • Son showers with dad
  • Step-sisters fighting
  • Single parent dating
  • Respect and stepfamilies
  • Stepfamily discipline issues
  • Dealing with a family death
  • Sibling rivalry
  • Grumpy evening behavior
  • Stepfamily discipline
  • Differing parenting styles