Q. I am so stressed out. I am a secretary who has a low salary and a high volume of work. My boss is so horrible. I have a son with an illness and after working at the job for three years and doing late hours, my boss is so insensitive to my son's illness. My son has a skin problem and it is not easy getting people to care for him, so many times I have to get home quickly after work. His father works in the evenings and so we are strapped for time. How can I get my boss to be more understanding?

A. Please make an appointment with your manager and let him know the concerns that you have for your son's care in the evenings. Also, share basic information of the medical concerns your child have. Be clear in sharing the reasons why you have to be home by a certain time. In the meanwhile, keep trying to get a babysitter for your son. Let your manager know that you are seeking child care. Keep on praying that you will get the right babysitter.

Q. My son is studying in another country and now has called to let us know that he will not be returning to Jamaica to live after graduation in 2010. He is planning to get a job in his field of studies and get married, etc. He has always had mental health challenges but does well academically. He is prone to depression. Even though he is 24, I was hoping that he would come home at least for a few years and then go away. How do I encourage him to come home?

A. You must remember that at 24, your son is an adult and seems quite capable of making his own choices. I am happy that even though he presents with depression, he has been able to complete so many years of college. You must remember that your role as a parent is to make him independent of you and others. Encourage him to seek help when he needs it and to keep in touch with you. Remember it is good that he wants to move on and be a productive world citizen.

Orlean Brown-Earle, PhD, is a child psychologist and family therapist. Dr Brown-Earle works with children with learning and behaviour problems throughout the island and in the Caribbean. Email questions to helpline@gleanerjm.com or send to Ask the Doc, c/o The Gleaner Company, 7 North Street, Kingston.