Dear Family Coach: A boy in my 14-year-old daughter's class sexted her a picture of his privates. He asked her a few times whether she wanted to see the picture, and she declined. But he wore her down, and eventually, she said it was OK to send the picture. How should we handle this? — Freaked Out Parents

Dear Freaked: Unfortunately, young adults are given this very powerful tool to communicate with their peers at the exact moment they are least able to control their impulses. Hormonal teens notoriously struggle to think through their actions and view potential consequences as real and present danger. To make matters worse, they tend to view adults as nincompoops who don't know anything. So many teens lack the knowledge of how to act appropriately online.

I'd first talk to your daughter about how the picture made her feel. Is she upset or overwhelmed? Work through those feelings first, and empathize with whatever she feels. Her feelings may also change as time passes, so check in every few days.

Also, talk to her about her role in receiving these pictures. The boy was clearly pushing her into a place she didn't want to go. But after consistent pressure, she either caved into his wishes or her own curiosity. Before she succumbs to peer pressure or potentially sends a boy mixed messages, you should have a conversation about no meaning no. Ask her how she felt when he was pestering her. Then, talk her through how she might handle those situations in the future.

The last step is to contact the boy's parents. They should have an opportunity to teach him how to handle himself. I'd ask that he apologize to your daughter for disrespecting her with his picture. Hopefully, he will learn a vital lesson before he heads into serious trouble.

Dear Family Coach: My daughter is almost 3 years old and has begun to transition from her high chair. She likes sitting at the table to eat with my wife and me. However, 90 percent of the time, we cannot keep her in her chair to eat. She roams the house, and we spend hours coaxing her back to her seat. Last night, she ate a good amount of food for dinner, but it took an hour and a half. Do you have any guidance for how to get her to sit and eat? — Tired Dad

Dear Tired: Your daughter is telling you something with her behavior. Let's try to interpret it.

For starters, she might not be that hungry at dinnertime. It's possible she loaded up on post-nap snacks and milk, and that she is too full to sit and eat by the time dinner rolls around. Or, it's possible that she becomes tired and less focused at the end of the day. She might get the bulk of her calories earlier, so it's no big deal if dinner is on the lighter side. Try to limit her snacks and drinks after 3 p.m.

Additionally, your daughter undoubtedly enjoys the game of getting up, being chased back to the table, sitting, having a bite and then running off another time. Instead of chasing her, set a timer for dinner. Don't fight her if she gets up. But tell her that dinner will be over after 20 minutes. At that time, take away her meal. It's guaranteed that she will be hungry in the morning and stay in her seat. She'll know that dinner has a finite period and that if she misses it, there will be no more food until morning.

Dr. Catherine Pearlman, the founder of The Family Coach, LLC, advises parents on all matters of child rearing. To write to Dr. Pearlman, send her an email at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Catherine Pearlman and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.