Q How do I get my three-year-old to share at home? He shares at school, but everything at home belongs to him; he even asks why we are in HIS house. He has no sibling, but we share with him so I don't understand why he won't share back.

A Let us think about it. Your child has been given things and you have said "This is yours". If the items are his, why should he share? It is not uncommon for three-year-olds to want to own things and be in charge. They are asserting their independence and imitating behaviour they see. It is important to have him understand whose house it is and that everyone who lives in the house shares the items in the house. Keep reminding him to share and ensure that you share with him, and say so. Say for example, "Let us share this mango", or "We are going to share time playing with this toy or watching TV".

Q My child is extremely gifted in music and math. She is seven years old and playing grade-one-level music and doing math problems like a grade-four child. I am worried that here in Jamaica there will not be school opportunities for her as she gets older. Where can I get her tested to see if she is a genius?

A It is wonderful to know that your child is doing so well. The Mico Care Centre or any clinical or child psychologist in the island will be able to test your child to determine if she is a genius. Some schools have private programmes for very smart stu-dents, where they will work with your child as best as they can to maximise her abilities. If she is very advanced, there are pro-grammes in the United States and England that you can work with to allow your child to advance at her special pace and not be frustrated.

Q My friends say it was not good for me to tell my six-year-old son that I am pregnant and will be having a baby. They think that if something happens, it will traumatise my son. I am three months pregnant and excited. Everyday he wants to see the baby and touch my tummy. I do not see anything wrong with that.

A It is quite okay for you to share with your son the news that he will be having a sister or brother soon. The more he participates in the preparation for his new sibling, the better the relationship should be between them. Ensure, however, that he does not feel responsible for this child and limit information to only what he needs to know. Ask your friends to think positively about this wonderful thing that is happening to you and to pray for God's guidance as you go through this wonderful experience.

When you have kids, you get the full package: runny nose, nausea, diarrhoea, gripe and a slew of testy troubles that come with early childhood. The Gleaner's health specialist, Dr Orlean Brown-Earle, has all the answers. Email questions to helpline@gleanerjm.com or send to Ask the Doc, c/o The Gleaner Company, 7 North Street, Kingston.