Lisa Gibalerio, Author at The Belmont Voice

Ask Lisa: Guidance on Weight Gain

December 1, 2025

Ask Lisa: Guidance on Weight Gain This month’s column addresses a challenging issue. A parent writes: My daughter, a recent college graduate, has put on a lot of weight (upwards of 50 pounds) over the last several years. I realize this is…

Opinion

Ask Lisa: Supporting a Grieving College Roommate

October 27, 2025

How should a college freshman balance the many joys of a new collegiate experience with the sadness of a roommate grieving the loss of a loved one? A father reached out: “My son is a college freshman. He seems to be adjusting…

Opinion

Ask Lisa: Guidance on ‘Cut-Off Culture’

September 23, 2025

A parent reached out for guidance: “Despite raising three children in a loving home, one of my daughters and I have a difficult relationship. We’ve had yelling matches (what family hasn’t?), but there was never any abuse. I’ve worked hard to support…

Opinion

Ask Lisa: Guidance on Coming Out

June 22, 2025

A parent reached out to me recently asking for guidance concerning his 10th-grade son: “I’m fairly certain that my 15-year-old is gay, but he hasn’t officially ‘come out’ – at least not at home. His mom and I are mostly OK with…

Opinion

Ask Lisa: Setting Boundaries With Friends

May 23, 2025

A parent of a Belmont High School junior reached out to me recently with this concern: “My daughter is fortunate to have a nice group of friends. But one of the friends (I’ll call her Maya) leans hard into my daughter for…

Opinion

Ask Lisa: Comparison is the Thief of Joy – Social Media Edition

April 30, 2025

A parent of a 20-something reached out to me recently with this concern: “My 27-year-old daughter has changed jobs, apartments, and partners with dizzying regularity since she graduated from college. Why? Apparently, the jobs, apartments, and partners just aren’t good enough.’ When…

Opinion

Ask Lisa: Parenting and Legal Weed at Home

February 24, 2025

This month, I received a question from a parent about occasional cannabis use: “Now that marijuana has been legalized and shops have opened, my wife and I like to occasionally unwind with a THC-infused seltzer or an edible. We have teens at…

Opinion

Ask Lisa: Keeping Up With Kids In College

January 28, 2025

A parent reached out to me with a question concerning her college sophomore: “His freshman year didn’t go well academically. My husband and I chalked it up to the inevitable challenges of adjusting to college. But we just reviewed his latest grades,…

Opinion

Ask Lisa: Parenting with a Chronic Illness

January 7, 2025

Raising a family is daunting at the best of times. Juggling work, housework, and kids’ activities can be exhausting. Managing a long-term illness on top of this adds a unique set of challenges. One parent, who was diagnosed with a chronic illness…

Opinion

Ask Lisa: My Teen Spends Weekends Alone, How Can I Help?

December 2, 2024

With the holidays upon us and the flurry of social gatherings and activities, many parents may find themselves worried about their teen’s social life — or lack thereof. One parent recently shared this concern: “My son is a junior in high school…