Dear Grace: My daughter is at an age where she wants to start dating. I want to give her advice on how she should behave as a good Christian, but I'd like some help, because I do not want to "turn her off" by sounding too strict or demanding. What kinds of things should I tell her?

A 9th-grade girl returns to school in the fall to discover that her two best friends during middle school no longer want to eat lunch with her. Over the summer her friends got accepted into a more popular group, and the new group doesn't "like" her. Without warning or explanation she is cast out, alone, desolate.

"Mass is boring." "I don't get anything out of Mass — why should I go?" "Why can't I just pray alone?" These are common feelings, especially among young people but among many adults as well. How should we respond.

Dear Dr. Ray, My daughter, Kara, is twelve years old and mature for her age. But she is very sensitive to any kind of teasing at school. Besides telling her to "just ignore it," which does little good, what can I do? ¯Sensitive myself

My husband and I disagree over whether or not to give allowances to our two sons, ages six and nine. He says they live here, so they should not be paid for chores. I think allowances are a good idea. Your opinion? ¯Fee or Free

Dear Dr. Ray: I know discipline needs to be consistent to work best, but it seems I'm on my kids all the time, and I'm not seeing much improvement.

We've all had times when we're physically in one place but mentally in another. Most of the time, its not a real problem except when it comes to being a husband and father.

Thirty years ago it was believed that poverty and discrimination were primarily responsible for juvenile crime and other behavioral problems. Now we know that family disruption is the real culprit.

Dear Dr. Ray: I have two children as different as night and day. My son is so easy-going that sometimes he almost seems to be raising himself. My daughter has to do everything her way. Discipline just bounces off her. - Half-defeated

The Greek word for entertainment literally means "to inform with delight." Another definition might just be Veggie-Tales. In a kids' media landscape spotted with insipid purple dinosaurs and cynical Bart Simpson clones, the Veggie-Tales are a fresh, fun, and spiritually healthy alternative.