What kind of activities can a 5-year-old do alone to entertain herself? My daughter goes to my mom's 2 days a week, from 9 am to 3 pm. She’s getting really, really bored. [more inside]
posted by yawper on Nov 17, 2009 - 33 answers

Help us quiet our suddenly screechy-at-bedtime 19mo daughter! Difficulty: shares room with brother. [more inside]
posted by larsks on Oct 29, 2009 - 6 answers

Hiring-a-nanny-filter: did the interviews, chose the perfect nanny. Then she dropped off the face. Hired someone else. Then the original nanny resurfaced with an excellent explanation. I want the original nanny! What to do? [more inside]
posted by Mrs Hilksom on Aug 16, 2009 - 41 answers

I just accepted a job as a part-time live-in nanny and I'm looking for advice from all parties (nannies, parents and children) who have experienced this situation before. [more inside]
posted by easy_being_green on Aug 10, 2009 - 6 answers

Our nanny, who is otherwise *perfect*, just informed us that she is pregnant. She would like to continue working through the pregnancy and after her child is born. Is this a good idea? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 31, 2009 - 35 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? [more inside]
posted by Bardolph on Jun 4, 2009 - 21 answers

Time, money, work, and children. How do people do it? It seems we could afford it, or have time for it, but not both. [more inside]
posted by rabbitrabbit on May 14, 2009 - 15 answers

So we recently had a baby, and I am looking for an RSS feed that will teach me how to take care of her. [more inside]
posted by ND¢ on Dec 4, 2008 - 17 answers

Would like to end the ongoing clashes over housework and childcare with my husband. What has worked for your family? [more inside]
posted by lgandme0717 on Oct 25, 2008 - 30 answers

Perspective filter: When my Mum is caring for my baby, is it reasonable for her to have someone else, who I don't know, care for him? Angst and hair-pulling follows. [more inside]
posted by lottie on Sep 24, 2008 - 53 answers

We have a 3 1/2-year-old son. Our current babysitter, the daughter of one of my wife's coworkers, is leaving for university shortly, and we're trying to find a replacement for her. The same coworker has a son who's about 16 years old. [more inside]
posted by scrump on Aug 14, 2008 - 77 answers

I'm looking for some advice on full time preschool/child care for a 2+ year old. [more inside]
posted by malphigian on Jul 20, 2008 - 11 answers

I'm looking for thoughts on how to split up baby care between partners during maternity leave. [more inside]
posted by A Terrible Llama on Jul 10, 2008 - 17 answers

Can you recommend a good combination bike trailer/jogging stroller. [more inside]
posted by drezdn on Jun 2, 2008 - 8 answers

What are some great places for drop-off child care in Manhattan? We need to be able to bring a 3-year-old and leave her in safe hands for a few hours. Any places that are open till late at night (midnight or 1 am)? Thanks.
posted by shivohum on Apr 23, 2008 - 1 answer

Toddlers and copyediting do not mix. Help me figure out childcare. [more inside]
posted by libraryhead on Mar 14, 2008 - 14 answers

I am going back to work and need child care in Nov. The baby will be a year and I am thinking of nanny sharing. [more inside]
posted by beccaj on Mar 10, 2008 - 6 answers

How do I get my daughter to eat her school lunches? [more inside]
posted by dnthomps on Aug 18, 2007 - 35 answers

How to find a babysitter in Seattle? [more inside]
posted by Riemann on Jan 30, 2007 - 6 answers

Those with two or more kids: if you had to do it all over again, would you do so, or not? Not counting outside factors like the state of the world and so forth. [more inside]
posted by zek on Jan 17, 2007 - 46 answers

Child care solutions for working at home with a newborn? [more inside]
posted by justonegirl on Jan 4, 2007 - 25 answers

Looking for guidelines on physically handling children at school. [more inside]
posted by dragonsi55 on Dec 16, 2006 - 10 answers

Polling all grandparents - would you be willing to move/spend part of the year in a different city in order to spend lots of time with, and provide daycare for, your grandkids? [more inside]
posted by n'muakolo on Oct 14, 2006 - 11 answers

A child exposed his penis to my daughter at day care. What is the best way to handle this? [more inside]
posted by frecklefaerie on Aug 11, 2006 - 32 answers

How do we find a nanny? [more inside]
posted by escabeche on Jun 22, 2006 - 9 answers

Parents with home-based businesses -- how do you do it? [more inside]
posted by acoutu on Jan 19, 2006 - 6 answers

What are the questions we should be asking when evaluating a child care provider? [more inside]
posted by borrowed_tunes on Nov 7, 2005 - 12 answers

My wife and I have just taken in two boys (my second cousins, ages 11 and 7) after they lost their mother to a drunk driver that was "evacuating" New Orleans the night before Katrina. We do not have any kids of our own, so this is all new to us. We are looking for some resources (primarily books, maybe some web sites) relevant to our situation that will provide information and support for helping us to set up proper rules, boundaries, etc. for the boys and some other resources that will help us to help the boys grieve the death of their mother. We were in a bookstore last night and were overwhelmed by the amount of choices. Recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
posted by ajr on Sep 10, 2005 - 24 answers

How can a stay-at-home dad make a bit of cash on the side? [more inside]
posted by mds35 on Aug 29, 2005 - 24 answers

What great advice, words of wisdom, and welcome would you give to new parents and their new baby. [more inside]
posted by Mom on May 2, 2005 - 48 answers

Which is better for a short term (3+/- mos): Hiring a nanny or sending your infant to child care? The child is coming on 15 months, and a second income is imperative. [more inside]
posted by ValveAnnex on Mar 16, 2005 - 9 answers

Does anyone have any advice for calming squabbling infants? [more inside]
posted by davehat on Feb 17, 2005 - 15 answers

How much do you pay your nanny? I'm in the process of hiring a regular babysitter for my kids. I've found someone I like, a college student with tons of experience who's really great with my little ones. She'll just be here two mornings a week-- one morning with just my infant and the other morning with my toddler as well. How much should I offer her? What about tips? What else do I need to know? This is in Chicago, but I'm also curious if the going rate varies in different parts of the country/world.
posted by bonheur on Jan 12, 2005 - 8 answers

Anyone ever hired a live-in nanny?
posted by adampsyche on Nov 12, 2004 - 16 answers