Q. My 15-year-old daughter has some friends and I think that for teenage girls they are too close. They talk non-stop. They take the same bus to school, they are in the same grade-10 class and they are on the cellphone in the evenings. What could they have to talk about so often? How can I stop this?

A. Friendship is a main aspect of life for all people. Your daughter has found some friends whom she apparently has a lot in common and so when you have a lot in common with someone you will have a lot to talk about.

At this teenage stage your daughter will be very sensitive to many issues and will have a lot to share about her feelings and expectations to friends who are not likely to be judgemental.

Ensure that you have her understand that the household rules still exist and that homework must be done. Remember, her friends are people who like her. Let your daughter know that you love her by being a good listener and by encouraging her in positive ways.

Q. I am going away to study and I will not be back for a year this time, as I have some final-year issues to attend to. I will be taking my 10-month-old-son as I have help for the baby while there. My situation, though, has been complicated by my 10-year-old who wants to be with me while I am away. He is very jealous of the baby. His father is not in the picture and he is refusing to stay with my mom while I am away. Please help me.

A. Jealousy is an emotion that everyone deals with at different times in life. Your older son is probably feeling jealous as he may see that you are giving a lot of attention to his brother than he is getting. In the short time you have before you go away, allow your son to honestly express his feelings about the situation. Children feel their parents understand them when they are given a chance to share their feelings. Be honest with your son and, as simply as you can, without too much detail, share the reasons for your trip and explain why he has to be here while you are away.

If possible, have him visit over the summer holidays. Please make sure that you have regular contact with him while you are away, by telephone or Internet. Try to get his father involved, if possible. Ask your mother to be understanding of his feelings.

Q. My husband thinks that we should migrate, for financial reasons. He is in education and I am in the medical profession.

We will get jobs; we checked that out. But the children are in third and fourth form and because of that I do not want to leave now, as I love our high school educational system.

The children are ready to go, they think it will be fun, like when they go up for the summer. They do not understand that we will not have a helper or a taxi driver to pick them up and drop them off.

How do I convince my family that it is best for us to stay here for now?

A. You need to schedule a family meeting and sit and discuss the pros and cons of living in another country. Look especially at the social and financial concerns. Go on the Internet and look at the schools and possible areas that you will live and work in, and share the information with your family.

Have your husband and the children understand that they will have to help in all household activities? Allow each family member to share his/her reasons for wanting to go or not go.

You can also go through a discussion of what a typical day or term or long holiday period would possibly be like. Pray together as a family about this important decision.