Ask Joanne roundup of the year

This year I have been answering your questions in my Ask Joanne column. I have been a life coach for about nine years, so have dealt with many people's problems in that time. The main focus of coaching is about moving forward – it's not about analysing the past, it's about taking action to move your life on. So when I answer your question, I will make a point of including practical suggestions for things you could do straight away – maybe an article or a book to read or a helpline to call. If you take action, things will change.

I don't pretend to have all the answers, but I will give you an objective, professional opinion and ask you some searching questions. Hopefully this will inspire some new thoughts from you and help take you towards a solution.

If you send me a question, the answer will appear on this site within a few weeks, either on a Monday or a Thursday. It's always worth checking back on your answer after a few days, because often people will leave comments giving extra advice.

So what have been the most frequently asked and memorable questions of 2009?

There are certain issues that crop up more often than others, including:

• Potty training - it's something that seems to vex many of you.
• Stress and anxiety - In both parents and children. I often wonder how this mother is doing now - I hope she has found some support for her depression. And I hope that this little boy, who's clearly very stressed, is getting some help now.
• Fussy eaters - from the child that's afraid of food, to the child that tantrums at every meal.
• Step-siblings - blended families come with many complications. Interestingly, most of the emails I receive about step-families come from men. They're struggling, but they're looking for solutions, which has to be a positive route to take.

So if any of these things trouble you, rest assured that you're not alone.

And some questions are more unique, and spark debate amongst commenters, including:

• Should a six-year-old shave her legs?
• Can age gap relationships ever work?
• What do you tell a child about God, if you don't believe?
• How do you get a child to listen when you say no?
• The boy who won't take his socks off

So thank you very much to everyone who has sent in a question, read the column or left a comment. Parenting is a tough enough job at the best of times, but if you reach out someone will be able to help you.

And to see your question answered in Ask Joanne in 2010, all you need to do is click here and fill in the form. It does ask for your email address, but this is kept private and your name can also be changed on request.