In situations with three or more children, my son appears to come out on the losing end socially when a certain other child is added to the mix. My wife and I are beginning to worry that a pattern is developing that we need to break somehow. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 3, 2009 - 12 answers

How much has where you grew up determined your personality? How important is location? Those who grew up in New Zealand, how much has its culture and limitations shaped you? Children of expats, how did having expat parents influence you? Any Americans in NZ want to tell me why they are raising their children there? [more inside]
posted by scazza on Jun 19, 2009 - 9 answers

What happy memories do you have of being a young child that make you think either "those were good times" or "that was good parenting"? [more inside]
posted by onlyconnect on Aug 12, 2008 - 64 answers

How does an adult start a meaningful dialogue with a pre-teen boy? [more inside]
posted by pornucopia on Jun 19, 2006 - 63 answers

We were discussing the source of playground rhymes/mythology/logic. Is there an example of a piece of nationally or internationally popular playground lore we can trace to a specific author?
posted by Protocols of the Elders of Awesome on Jan 2, 2006 - 8 answers

I need some common childhood misconceptions about Santa. For example, "If you are not at home at Christmas, Santa will think you will have moved and not leave any presents!" Something that children would believe (or make up on their own) and be terrified of. [more inside]
posted by jmccorm on Nov 16, 2005 - 33 answers

I was raised by an abusive father. Now in my early 30's I am looking ahead to the future when I may become a father. I am determined not to recreate the family environment I grew up in but know how these things sometimes turn out -- that people determined not to recreate something sometimes wind up doing so in an unforseen manner. I was in therapy for 2 years in my 20's to work on the issues but therapy is not an option now because of money. I have worked hard not to be my father, but part of me is afraid that I will wind up being like him as a parent. (In particular, I worry about being a father to a son because of my history). I am looking for information about the father-son relationship as well as information about how to be a good parent when you have a background like mine. Please offer advice, books, suggestions - anything that can help.
posted by anonymous on Feb 13, 2005 - 16 answers

YetAnotherLostKidsBookFilter: Since people have been so helpful with others, maybe you can help me. (MI) [more inside]
posted by SisterHavana on Jan 8, 2005 - 5 answers

When you're a kid, adults tell you fantastic stories. Which ones did you believe?
posted by Len on Dec 2, 2004 - 54 answers

fff asked a really good question about how children think. Many responders wrote that they have no memories from their childhoods. This freaks me out. I remember my childhood more vividly than my college years. I have a childhood friend who also has no memories from when she was a kid, which is really odd, because I remember all sorts of things we did together. Have there been any studies that shed light over why some people can recall their childhoods and others can't?
posted by grumblebee on Dec 1, 2004 - 16 answers

What on earth is going on in children's heads?

I have no memory of being a child, and certainly none of what sort of things I thought about when I was a kid. As an adult, I see kids do inexplicable things and wonder just how the heck they thought to say/do such strange things; and I see kids witness/experience things that they have no framework whatsoever for understanding.

What goes on in a kid's brain? Is it noise, is it long ponderings, is it blank, is it confused, etc. Any idea what "it sounds like" inside there? [more inside]
posted by five fresh fish on Dec 1, 2004 - 61 answers