1) My wife wants to stay at home to raise our daughter. She feels it's very important, but we simply don't have the money. What should I tell her?
Asked by Nathan L. from Casper, WY

It is important for parents to spend quality time with their children. The early years in life are essential for learning and growth, and also for establishing a bond with your child. If this is very important to your wife then you should consider all options before you tell her it is impossible.

First of all, if you are planning on putting your child in day care call around and get prices. Day care is expensive and a lot of times it is much less costly for one parent to stay home than pay a day care provider. Factor the costs of child care into the equation. Also, look at all possible budgeting options to see if there is any way that cutting back in a few areas will make it possible. If after looking at all of these different options it is still impossible to get by on your income sit your wife down and talk to her. This is something very important to her so you must be delicate. Tell her that you have looked at ALL options and don't see how the family will get by on one income. Show her the budgeting plans you have already come up with that have failed (this will show her how important the subject has been to you as well). Also, ask her if she has any ideas on how it will be possible to either make it work or bring her back to reality.

2) My girlfriend feels like it's time for me to meet her parents. Maybe I've seen too many movies, but I'm terrified. Any tips on making a great impression?
Asked by John B. from Davenport, IA

I will give you the same advice that everyone else probably already gave you; be yourself. Yes, these are her parents and they mean a lot to your girlfriend. Those two people will now become a part of your life for as long as you are with her, so you may as well be comfortable. Also, remember that they are just people like you. They aren't holy beings that you need to make fall in love with you the moment they meet you. If you care for their daughter, treat her right, and make her happy they will see it and will be grateful for you. A parent wants nothing more than their child to be happy. Don't try to do something over the top to impress them because they will see right through it. There is no reason to be nervous, and her parents will appreciate you being comfortable with them.

3) I hooked up with a girl I've wanted to date for months. The problem is I was too drunk to perform. How do I get a second chance? Do I even deserve one?
Asked by Jimmy K. from Columbus, GA

The problem in this situation is not that you had difficulty performing, but that you were drunk in the first place. If you were really interested in this girl you wouldn't have gone after her as if she were a drunk booty call. If you want a second chance you have to first make sure that you are really interested in her rather than just interested in getting laid. If this is the case, the next time you have a chance to have a moment with her simply talk to her. Sincerely tell her that you have been interested in her for a while now, and you are very sorry about what happened your previous meeting; that you really like her and a drunk hook up seemed so wrong that you just couldn't bring yourself to do it for fear that it would ruin the chances of you two dating in the future. Then, apologize again and ask if you can make things right by taking her out to a nice dinner. It is also important that if she agrees to dinner that you do not have sex on this first official date.

4) I finally got up the courage to tell my best friend that I was falling for her and that I wanted to date. She didn't take it well and has been avoiding me. Is there any way to pretend like this never happened and go back to the way things used to be?
Asked by David D. from Parkersburg, WV

This is a hard situation to get over on both ends. Your feelings for her were probably very unexpected and caught her off guard, and the rejection you have faced was equally unsettling. In order for things to head back in the direction they were you must confront her. Apologize for catching her off guard and if you made her feel uncomfortable in any way. Then tell her that if she doesn't share the same feelings you would love to forget that it ever happened and go back to the way things were. Let her know that she is your best friend and that you don't want to lose her as a friend. It will take some time to get back to where you were, and it may not ever get back to exactly the way it was. The most important thing is for you to forget about what happened and not act any differently around her. If you act differently then she will as well.

5) Is it ever appropriate to spank a girl during sex?
Asked by Sam Y. from Buffalo, NY

Every woman is different when it comes to likes and dislikes during sex. Never hit a woman hard enough to leave bruises or red marks that don't go away after a short period of time. The best way to figure out if the girl you're with is interested is to give her a light tap on the butt and see how she reacts to it. If she makes a weird face definitely don't do it again. If she seems to enjoy it you are in the clear. A few slaps on the behind during sex can be a big turn on. Don't get too carried away though and start spanking her like she were being punished.

6) After 5 years of wedding bliss, my wife and I have completely lost the sexual spark we once had. Recently she shocked me when she suggested we bring another woman into the bedroom to spice things up. While excited about the idea, I somehow think this could be a very dangerous "Pandora's Box," to open. What should I do?
Asked by Chris J. from Portland, OR

Have you ever watched the show "Friends"? I seem to recall that this situation didn't work out so well for Ross. This situation could be good or bad, and only time can tell. It may open up Pandora's Box, but most likely it is just your wife trying to bring back the spark. If you feel that you lost the sexual spark then there is no doubt that she feels the same way. Most men have a fantasy of a threesome, and maybe she believes that helping you achieve this fantasy will bring back a spark.

7) I recently spent nearly an hour flirting with a girl at a bar just to find out that she was already taken. Is it ever okay to just ask a girl right away if she's single?
Asked by Steven V. from Long Beach, CA

I don't see a problem with asking a woman up front if she is single. You may want to come up with a more clever way of asking than being that direct, however. Such as asking if she is there with anyone, and mentioning her having a boyfriend. If she is single she will correct you, and if she is taken she will not. Women today aren't as upfront about their status if they can get a free drink. Also, some women are naive about these things and don't see it as flirting so much as having a friendly conversation.