Question: My 14-year-old daughter is frightened by the prospect of starting high school. She's a solid student but afraid of failing. What if nobody likes her? How can we help her overcome her silly worries?

Answer: I'd hardly characterize her worries as silly. It's normal to feel insecure in the face of the unknown. Be sensitive to her tensions and avoid minimizing her concerns.

Is she worried about being exposed to new situations? Role-play possible solutions so she can practice coping with starting a new school.

As a solid student, she has developed the skills to be successful in class. Now she will learn how to apply those skills in high school. Emphasize that she has your support and can ask for help anytime she needs it.

The high school social terrain is daunting to most kids. Her friends are going with her, and she'll likely make new friends, too.

Remind her that everyone in her class is starting in the same place. The buddy system will work well until she learns her way around the building.

Show her you're confident in her ability to succeed.

Q: My twins are starting second grade. I think they should be in separate classes this year, but my husband disagrees. What do you think?

A: Some sets of twins thrive when given the opportunity to develop in separate classrooms. Others do best when they are together.

You and your husband know your kids better than anyone. Evaluate their level of maturity and independence. If given the option of separating the kids, discuss it with them. Their reaction will likely inform your decision.

Schools have experience with this issue and will likely offer a recommendation. How about a trial? If a few weeks of separation are excessively stressful, reunite them. You can always try again when they have socially and emotionally matured.

Have a parenting question? Call the Family Support Line, 303-695-7996 or 877-695-7996, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Family Support Line is a program of Families First, sponsored in part by the Rocky Mountain News.