Name: Scott

San Mateo, CA

Number of kids: 2

Ages of kids: 6 and 10

Problem: I'm sure most parents out there have been stumped once or twice by their kids. I was just wondering what kinds of questions other parents have had a hard time giving good answers to. I get a range of them, from "Where do people go when they die?," to "What are stars made of?" I'd like to know which ones you get and, possibly, any good answers to the harder ones, like death, drugs, sex, divorce, etc. Thanks!!!

Solution submitted by Julia S. from Bellevue, WA: You should be open about drugs and sex from the start. Whenever you see someone smoking marijuana or doing a drug, discuss it with your kids. Ask them what they think. Tell them what you think. Let your kids be exposed to normal sex talk. Let them know that it is nothing to be ashamed of, but that it is a private matter. Above all, EDUCATE them about the dangers of sex and drugs.

Sex and drugs can kill you the first time. LSD "killed" my son on his first "trip." He is now at a mental hospital and is sedated 24 hours. It is your responsibility to discuss the facts with your kids about these things. Do not tell them lies to scare them. The truth will do it well enough. So whenever the question "where do babies come from?", tell them. Don't suddenly give a big sex or drug talk. Try to fit it into your normal conversation schedule. And about the star thing, tell them that stars are big balls of gas that are moving at thousands of miles per hour. But they appear not to be moving because they are so far away. Good luck!