Parents often tell me that their toddler doesn't eat anything, yet most of those toddlers are growing and developing fine. First step is to check with your pediatrician and make sure that your daughter is truly gaining weight and growing appropriately. Here are a few reasons why she may not be eating what you think she should:

You don't fully define the members of your family outside of yourself and your daughter. Is her father involved? Does he have an opinion on the co-sleeping? My sense is that perhaps your nuclear family consists only of you and your daughter, and the situation has been going on for a very long time -- perhaps the entire eight years of your daughter's life.

Unlike adults, children often don't tire of eating the same thing every day. As long as it is healthy and he eats it, I wouldn't worry too much about repetition. When he stops eating it, then it's time to get creative or try new items.

While some children self-soothe through auditory, olfactory or taste sensations, many are comforted by tactile sensations. 

She CAN have almost everything you eat, as long as it's cut into small pieces. Infants actually learn to eat by mashing food with their gums, so even toddlers who don't get their first tooth until they're a year old do fine with soft pieces of grown-up food. I find that one-year-olds love eating small pieces of steamed veggies (such as carrots and sweet potato), whole grains (pasta, cereal and bread) and chicken. Take whatever you eat, cook it a bit more if needed or mash it slightly so it's soft, cut it into small pieces and serve it as finger food. Thick yogurt works well when it comes to learning to use a spoon, and most infants and toddlers love it.

First, support your daughter. Help her understand why people stare and whisper. Explain to her that it's their problem, not hers -- and that she is beautiful and wonderful and strong. Emphasize that she is differently-abled.

Around this age, parents either tell me that their child won't eat anything, or that they eat all day long, so yes, it is very common. Your daughter may be going through a growth spurt and therefore is truly hungry.

It is critically important that schools and families work together. I suggest you talk to his teacher or the school administrator who handled the cheating -- assuming it was discovered.

There are actually two important questions rolled into your one: what to do about a bullying situation and how to talk to your teenager.

How old is that boy at school? Obviously his behavior is inappropriate at any age, but it may need to be handled differently if he is younger or older.

Every mom wants to do the best for her child. And most parents are also quick to assume responsibility and guilt for any challenge.

It sounds like your daughter may need some encouragement and reassurance. Try sitting with her and helping her along the way. If an assignment is long, break it into smaller, more manageable sections so she can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

It's perfectly fine to take your new baby home for the holidays. The danger isn't in the airplane itself, but the potential contact with sick individuals. If possible, wait until she is 6-to 8-weeks old and has received her first set of vaccinations--to protect against whooping cough, pneumococcal and Hib meningitis and rotavirus (a vomiting and diarrhea illness).

Starting middle school can be an exciting time filled with many challenges, including changing classrooms, meeting new teachers and making new friends. To help ease the transition for your son, take a tour of the school ahead of time and walk to each of his classes if you know where they are.

Since you have a history of a consistent bedtime routine and your toddler previously slept well, it does sound like something is causing him discomfort and disrupting his night. He's at the right age for teething and some toddlers do experience quite a bit of pain as teeth poke their way through sensitive gums...ouch!