Q: I have noticed that my grandchildren are very violent in their play activities, much more than their parents were. Even my six and eight-year-old granddaughters are very rough and use Superman and Spiderman as their role models, in playing with each other. How can I stop this?

A: Your granddaughters have been exposed to more violence than your children, especially with all the movies and cartoons that they possibly have been exposed to since birth.

Also, play time at school has additional influences as children are going to share what they have been exposed to. You can encourage your granddaughters not to be violent towards each other by rewarding positive play and by explaining to them how they can hurt each other when they are rough.

Q: How do I tell my children that I have to go abroad to earn some money to pay the bills and also to get a mental health break from my husband? My children are 12 and 14 and in a very good high school in central Jamaica. My life is chaotic right now and the bills are piling up. With my profession, I can get a legal job easily in the United States. I am not sure what I should do.

A: Whatever you do, you need to be honest with your children. Find a quiet place, turn off your cellphone and give them your undivided attention as you speak with them.

If you decide to go abroad, ensure that where your children will be staying will be comfortable for them and that their caregiver(s) are aware of all of their needs, especially medical. Please keep in touch with the children as often as possible.

And, whether or not you go, I think you will benefit from some marital counselling. Please make an appointment with a marriage counsellor as soon as you can, to work on the concerns that are present in your marriage.

Q: I see where you talked about rehabilitation for teenagers? Where can I get more information.

A: The University Hospital of the West Indies has a drug rehabilitation programme. You can call RISE Life Management Services at 967-3777 for drug abuse treatment information.

Having problems with your children? Write to Ask the Doc, c/o The Gleaner, 7 North Street, Kingston, fax 922-6223 or email: helpline@gleanerjm.com. Dr Orlean Brown-Earle, child psychologist and family therapist, has the solutions in The Gleaner's Positive Parenting feature on Mondays.