Boarding school woes

Q: I am planning to send my child to a boarding school in the September term. My husband says that he suffered going to boarding school and does not want this to happen to his only daughter. She has been accepted and it is hard to get a transfer now. What can I do?

A: You could make a special appeal to a school close to home and see if it has any available space. You could also see if your daughter could board for the first year and then get a transfer the following year. I think it would also be a good idea for your husband to see a counsellor to deal with any issues that might still be affecting him from his boarding school experience.

Q: I am a visitor to a special facility and have a small problem with the persons who are hosting me. Even though I have my own room, if I do not lock the door with a key, they just barge in. I think this is rude. The dean of the facility thinks that the children are just excited about my visit. How do I address this without offending anyone?

A: You can have a fun activity with the children where you teach them how to respect privacy. You may also address this at a staff meeting by stating that you plan to have the activity with the children and ensure that you share why you are conducting the activity.

Q: My husband wants a third child and we just cannot afford it. We cannot even afford a full-time nanny right now. I have sat down and shown him the budget, but he says something will work out. He is from a large family, and so am I, but I am strict with finances. How can I be clearer to him?

A: You have been very clear so far. You now need to pray about it and let God move. You have a lot of power where this is concerned. Be smart. You may also want to see a counsellor with your husband to discuss the issue further.

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. Responses to concerns are to be considered as general as cases shared with psychologists privately would be probed more deeply. Pray always!