When you discover your son wearing female clothing, including skirts, tights, heels and even panties, it can be a shocking experience. You worry that if your son is a cross-dresser, he has a mental problem or sexual perversion.

Ear infections are one of the most common childhood illnesses, affecting as many as 50 percent of all children before their first birthday, Boston University School of Medicine professor of pediatrics Jerome Klein reports on the UpToDate website.

It's easy to establish parental authority with small children who rely on their parents for basic care. The role of a parent becomes less defined when the child in question is actually a young adult.

Noticing black gums on your child can be frightening, but there are many possible causes. In general, milk ingestion isn’t a direct cause of black gums, but it may contribute to periodontal disease that involves the gum line.

Of all the fruit staples in the average North American diet, the strawberry is the most likely to cause an allergic reaction, according to Dr. Janice Vickerstaff Joneja.

Congestion in kids has many possible causes, including exposure to environmental irritants, allergies, viral and bacterial infections and changes in humidity levels.

When deciding what to give to soothe a sore throat and cough, determine the type of cough and suspected underlying cause. In general, there are six different types of coughs that your child may be experiencing, according to the website WhatToExpect.com.

A lack of concentration or focus is a common finding in children. Your child's inability to concentrate may be caused by attention deficit disorder, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Your kids may not know much about the world, but they are bar-none experts at pushing limits and trying patience. However, you don't need to be a zen master to handle the trying times of rearing your children. Practicing patience with your children comes with deliberate effort, empathy and perspective.

Whether your child is teething, has a cavity or just got his braces tightened, a toothache causes discomfort and irritation. Until you can take your child to the dentist, use home remedies and over-the-counter care to make the pain bearable.

An upset stomach can have a variety of causes, including eating certain kinds of food, eating too much food, eating too quickly, indigestion or a viral infection such as the stomach flu. A child suffering from an upset stomach may also suffer from heartburn, nausea, excessive burping and bloating.

Reinforcing good behavior while discouraging disobedience and anti-social behavior generally produces positive results in children. Positive reinforcement helps children feel good about their choices, which motivates them to increase the behaviors that bring rewards.