You're considering a move to Los Angeles for a job in Irvine. You and your (stay-at-home) wife are both in your early 30s, and have two young (under two years old) children. You were raised in the midwest, and prefer the suburbs. You want to live in an area that has lots of other young families and easy access to eating and shopping and preschools and other things like that. You don't want to spend more than 30 minutes or so commuting. You want to spend about $3,000 per month on rent for a 3+ bedroom single-family-home (or condo, you suppose). What areas of Los Angeles do you focus on?
posted by anonymous
on Apr 15, 2013 -
25 answers
My preschooler is getting just old enough to have a proper social life (playdates, birthday parties, etc.). I've got some specific questions about the parental etiquette expectations surrounding these kiddie get-togethers.
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posted by Bardolph
on Apr 5, 2013 -
24 answers
Tell me about your daily schedules, parenting logistics, etc., with a newborn
plus a toddler or older child.
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posted by Bardolph
on Mar 7, 2013 -
15 answers
Moving to a better school zone. Should I do it? Tough decisions concerning moving, staying put, and financial future.
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posted by anonymous
on Aug 25, 2012 -
19 answers
Parents of MeFi: What on earth do you do with your children if/when you go on vacation and don't want to take the kids?
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posted by peep
on Aug 7, 2012 -
60 answers
My mother-in-law spends her life worrying about everything. She says she's happier than she's ever been. I think she needs help.
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posted by up in the old hotel
on Jul 25, 2012 -
17 answers
Please suggest bike routes in New England that meet some specific criteria. We took our son on a section of the East Bay Bike Path near Providence for his first bike ride last week and he loved it. He sits in an
iBert on Mom's bike. We are looking for similar routes. In looking for similar I articulate what specifically I think is good about this path for us in the extended explanation. We can ride weekdays in addition to weekends. Thanks.
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posted by safetyfork
on Jun 25, 2012 -
11 answers
She's not into what she thinks girls her age are "supposed" to be into. How do we show her that what
she likes is what's normal, and maybe encourage her to reach out to find the other kids that like that stuff too? Is that what we
should be doing?
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posted by kostia
on Jun 11, 2012 -
97 answers
Taking the family on our very first cruise on a
Carnival Conquest. A 7 day Western Carribean itinerary going to Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. Help me with experienced cruiser/traveler tips, especially with children. What should I know about, avoid, and go out of my way to do. Of course special snowflake multiracial special needs family details inside.
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posted by cross_impact
on May 16, 2012 -
6 answers
Happy DINK having doubts: How do you discern between real change in baby-making opinion and just temporary hormonal brooding?
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 19, 2012 -
53 answers
We are exploring moving in with my mother for six months over next winter. She has a very large home where the daylight basement functions as its own living space -- second washer/dryer, kitchenette, bathroom, bedrooms etc. What questions should we be asking? Have you ever done this? How did it go?
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posted by amanda
on Feb 9, 2012 -
13 answers
Looking for a very specific book of yoga positions for children - it was simply written and the illustrations were black ink line drawings on white paper, usually of young people and adults doing introductory yoga positions.
My mother used the book with my brother and myself regularly in the 1970s, but looking through the various kids' yoga books on Amazon now I'm not finding it. Anyone who grew up in the same era, or who raised kids in the same era, find this familiar?
posted by luriete
on Feb 7, 2012 -
4 answers
I have a four year old (turning five in March) step son who loves dinosaurs, cars, and super heroes. So basically, he's a normal four year old. Any movie suggestions for me/him that aren't Pixar? I'm thinking stuff like The Shaggy D.A. but maybe kids don't like that stuff any more?? Help!
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posted by gwenlister
on Jan 6, 2012 -
31 answers
Looking for a printed explanation to give to my son and ex-daughter in-law why using their kids as cudgels against the other is bad for the kids.
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posted by Pecantree
on Nov 13, 2011 -
7 answers
Are you a person with an excellent relationship with your parents? Or perhaps you are a parent with an excellent relationship with your kid(s)? Care to share?
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posted by hollyanderbody
on Jul 25, 2011 -
47 answers
I'm reading (and really enjoying)
The Glass Castle, and my wife and are about to have our first kid. What other memoirs or non-fiction books should I read that focus on parenting, raising kids in unorthodox ways, or just plain unique families?
posted by nitsuj
on Jul 14, 2011 -
20 answers
This summer, my 7-year-old niece will be staying with my wife and me for two weeks while she goes to a summer school/science camp. Her classes don't start until 1p. I need ideas for short activities and things to do in or near Berkeley, before her classes, from ~9a - 12p.
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posted by mattdidthat
on May 6, 2011 -
15 answers
Help me find health insurance. Moving back to the States with wife and two kids after being away for 10 years. May not have jobs when we return. What is the best way to find health insurance? I have no idea where to start or what my options are if we return unemployed. Moving to Texas if that is relevant.
posted by jasondigitized
on Mar 17, 2011 -
22 answers
A week ago, my sister and her husband (they have a four year old) have decided to undergo a trial separation. Please help me figure out how best to support her, and whether or not I should keep my mouth shut.
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posted by anonymous
on Nov 9, 2010 -
17 answers
Need suggestions for keeping a close relationship with my distant nephew. He's almost eleven, and his parents have just let him join Facebook.
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posted by cyndigo
on Sep 27, 2010 -
12 answers
What are some good board and card games for 3-4 year olds that a 6 year old might enjoy too? I'm think of Zingo and the like.
posted by Artw
on Aug 28, 2010 -
14 answers
Recently I got a dog. He's doing great, I'm doing great, it's been nearly 3 months since I got him from the shelter. Problem: He's meeting my brother and his kids, in a few weeks (family reunion weekend), and my brother has a strong fear, maybe even a phobia of dogs. What can I do to put him at ease, navigate the situation and help everyone get through this unscathed?
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posted by Elfasi
on Mar 17, 2010 -
28 answers
Our kids are 2 and 5. Their mom and I have a marriage that is clearly only lasting because we both love our kids so much and they need us. That said, we do NOT fight, either in front of the kids or alone. We just have a big ol' blank where the love used to be. On a daily basis we just basically ignore each other as much as possible and focus our energies on the kids. I do not foresee this lasting forever. However: When to break up?
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 21, 2010 -
40 answers
I need help sorting out if my son is behaving like a typical pre-teen or if he completely flipped the hell out. My oldest son turned 12 a couple months ago and now I have no idea who this child is. I'm at a loss to know what's normal for this age and what I should be concerned about. Books and the Internet are all over the map, so maybe the hive mind can help.
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posted by anonymous
on Jan 18, 2010 -
67 answers
Great news! My family has won a $6,000 1-week vacation through my work. Unfortunately, we can’t take the trip until Christmas (2010) but I have to book and pay for the trip by the end of this month. Help! I need kid-friendly suggestions that will also provide some much needed R&R for two exhausted and stressed-out parents.
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posted by victoriab
on Jan 6, 2010 -
22 answers
Help us quiet our suddenly screechy-at-bedtime 19mo daughter! Difficulty: shares room with brother.
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posted by larsks
on Oct 29, 2009 -
6 answers
Any married Moms out there took a job in another city or state because you need a job and there was nothing available in your profession locally? I am assuming that you come home on weekends. What are the ages of your kids? How does family life work? How is it working out financially--renting a house/apartment, paying for two households--is it worth it? How does the hubby deal with it?
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posted by sandra194
on Jun 25, 2009 -
7 answers
I'm taking my 8 year old son and 10 year old daughter on a spontaneous road trip through New York City, Upstate New York and New England next week. Any suggestions?
posted by mjmcport
on Jun 23, 2009 -
17 answers
Trying to decide just how close to move to our kid's (very enthusiastic) grandparents. If you've experienced the childrearing-with-nearby-grands situation (as kid, grand OR parent), how did it work out? Any advice on encouraging involvement while still maintaining boundaries?
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posted by Bardolph
on Jun 4, 2009 -
21 answers
Apologies, I know there is a lot on this topic, but I have a specific question that doesn't seem to be answered.
We are thinking of having kids. We both want them.
What should we discuss before we jump in with both feet?
Who will stay home, and for how long?
What kinds of names are you considering?
What forms of punishment / praise will be used?
When can she get her ears pierced?
etc.
There seems to be so much to discuss... and I want to start having the conversation before I get hormonal. This will be our first.
What conversations did you have before yours were born?
posted by saragoodman3
on Mar 26, 2009 -
22 answers
I want to read fictional and/or true stories about people being put into positions of responsibility unexpectedly for extended periods of time and how they deal with it.
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posted by reenum
on Jan 27, 2009 -
37 answers
Is it possible to have a great, Carribean, resort vacation with an 18 month old toddler in tow?
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posted by kilikina73
on Sep 29, 2008 -
7 answers
Is there a blog that would allow me to blog about my daily activities and my kid within the same blog?
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posted by JintsFan
on May 7, 2008 -
5 answers
What do you do once you have a kid and family problem stakes seem higher, i.e. you're concerned about exposing your child things that go against what you believe?
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posted by anonymous
on May 6, 2008 -
27 answers
