Help me help my daughter appreciate what she has instead of wanting more, more, more. [more inside]
posted by lucyleaf on Dec 26, 2009 - 58 answers

Parenting techniques, insight, and maturity needed before I completely ruin my kid's life. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 8, 2009 - 36 answers

We're going to have a second boy. Help us get rational about it. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 16, 2009 - 75 answers

Looking for tips, advice, how-to's, words of wisdom, dire warnings, helpful websites/blogs/books, and general info on single parenting in general...and for single parenting for a dad raising an almost 3yo in particular. [more inside]
posted by ian1977 on Jul 13, 2009 - 12 answers

How are American parenting practices unique? [more inside]
posted by Fairchild on Jun 18, 2009 - 30 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

Will I be a good mother even though I have depression? Personal experiences would also be very appreciated!! [more inside]
posted by katala on May 12, 2009 - 28 answers

Any suggestions for separation anxiety in twin toddlers? [more inside]
posted by zarq on Apr 15, 2009 - 25 answers

Please help me decide if I want to be a parent or not? [more inside]
posted by katala on Mar 13, 2009 - 52 answers

What are your tips for parenting small kids when you have a chronic illness? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 18, 2008 - 10 answers

A friend of mine is quite possibly a father of a nine year old girl in California. He'd laid up some with a woman who got pregnant and determined to have the child, told him to get the hell away from her, she didn't want him in her or the childs life anyways, so go buzz off, and my friend did buzz off. Nine years pass. He's very interested in that child now, he'd want to establish paternity first off -- Momma was sortof a sleaze, as he was at the time -- he wants to know if he is Daddy and if he is how does he find his daughter? Street word is that Momma had to give her up to CA social system. [more inside]
posted by dancestoblue on Nov 18, 2008 - 16 answers

Can anyone recommend baby videos for nine-month olds (and up)? [more inside]
posted by zarq on Nov 17, 2008 - 26 answers

My dad was an insecure, unlikeable jerk (to me at least) who clearly did not like his children. I have become an insecure, unlikeable jerk (to me at least). Am I doomed to have the same, terrible relationship with my future kids as well? [more inside]
posted by bitteroldman on Oct 12, 2008 - 29 answers

Is there anywhere that sells all-cotton winter coats for toddlers? My fragile son has skin allergies and while the usual mountain climbing gear may be great for all of those two-year-olds who are climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, what about the kids who need their skin to breathe free, man? [more inside]
posted by Overzealous on Oct 4, 2008 - 11 answers

Our children are taking piano lessons. They need a piano. We don't know what we're doing. [more inside]
posted by Fairchild on Sep 19, 2008 - 25 answers

What are your favorite media resources for parenting? [more inside]
posted by tk on Sep 2, 2008 - 6 answers

What are your favorite family games? [more inside]
posted by keith0718 on Aug 30, 2008 - 24 answers

How can I help stop child abuse, other than writing a check? [more inside]
posted by middleclasstool on Aug 28, 2008 - 19 answers

Is there anything you wish you did for your child before they were born? Or anything you DID do that you could recommend? [more inside]
posted by csimpkins on Aug 17, 2008 - 17 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

Is it possible for a small child to have cataplexy without narcolepsy? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 7, 2008 - 6 answers

Which irreverent, funny parenting blogs have extra added autism? [more inside]
posted by pootler on Jul 23, 2008 - 13 answers

Flip this question: What is great about parenting a boy? [more inside]
posted by k8t on Jun 23, 2008 - 41 answers

Give me your baby hacks! My wife and I are expecting our first child in November. What tips and tricks can you offer us to make our lives a lot easier? For example, a friend of mine swears that putting a crying baby in front of a mirror will cause it to stop. Another uses noise cancelling headphones to temper the noise from his shrieking child. I am looking for hacks on everything from diaper changing to stroller modifications. Make our lives easier as we enter into parenthood.
posted by jasondigitized on May 20, 2008 - 46 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? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 6, 2008 - 27 answers

When my lease expires at the end of May, my boyfriend and I will be moving together. This is all very exciting, but I'm going to go from living alone to being a (basically) stepmom to a 10 year old boy. How can we make this easier on everyone? Are there any books that will be helpful? [more inside]
posted by kerfuffled on Feb 28, 2008 - 16 answers

Having kids or not when you have chronic health issues: how did you decide and come to terms with it? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 21, 2008 - 12 answers

Looking for positive experiences where single parent and young child(en) were separated by great distances. Specifically, I am curious to know how it was made to work. [more inside]
posted by panoptican on Jan 3, 2008 - 9 answers

MeFi Parenting filter: What are appropriate consequences for an 8-year-old who has a history of carelessness with belongings, and has lost his $250 glasses? [more inside]
posted by liquado on Dec 21, 2007 - 60 answers

How do you deal with a five year old child who breaks your stuff when his parents think he never does anything wrong and how dare you think otherwise, and than smack the door in your face? [more inside]
posted by davar on Apr 21, 2007 - 37 answers

My wife and I are Buddhist. We have a four year old daughter who we would like to see get a great education. In our area/county, some of the better (academics, arts, and athletics) schools are Catholic schools. Would it be a good idea to send my daughter to a Catholic school? [more inside]
posted by jasonspaceman on Feb 3, 2007 - 68 answers

How do the parents of Black (and biracial and other ethnic minority) children teach them about racism and -- most importantly -- how to handle it? [more inside]
posted by jason's_planet on Nov 17, 2006 - 16 answers

Happiness and children. In your experience, is it true that children actually decrease their parents' overall happiness? [more inside]
posted by Amizu on Nov 16, 2006 - 43 answers

How to introduce a little kid to grown-up movies? [more inside]
posted by Andrhia on Nov 11, 2006 - 44 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

So we're going to the Oregon coast camping for a week. [more inside]
posted by craniac on Aug 6, 2006 - 8 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

Was your father 45+ when you were born? Were your own children born later in your life? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 27, 2006 - 34 answers

Recommendations for a progressive pediatrician in Boston? [more inside]
posted by mds35 on Mar 6, 2006 - 5 answers

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

Resources for parenting gifted toddlers and pre-schoolers. [more inside]
posted by acoutu on Dec 14, 2005 - 8 answers

SingleParentFilter: I am a single dad with primary custody of my son. His mother has a live in boyfriend who she met and moved out for while we were still married. I am having trouble dealing with my feelings towards this man as I see him becoming a bigger part of my son's life. What are strategies I should know? [more inside]
posted by DragonBoy on Dec 6, 2005 - 42 answers

I need ideas on how to ameliorate the experience of flying across the country with a toddler and a baby. I'll be the only adult and will be holding my baby in my lap. Any advice, besides "Don't do it?" [more inside]
posted by bibliowench on Nov 13, 2005 - 19 answers

What leads to a child/young adult picking up a parent's behavior (good or bad), rather than rebelling against it? [more inside]
posted by ontic on Aug 5, 2005 - 13 answers

What can you tell me about your experiences giving/raising/being an adopted child? [more inside]
posted by nelleish on Mar 16, 2005 - 13 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

I need some good, solid information about child vaccines. Everything I read either smacks of propaganda (the anti-vaccine side) or is cheerfully oversimplified (the pro-vaccine side). Is there a moderate, objective book or website that addresses the claims of both sides? [more inside]
posted by recurve on Jan 29, 2005 - 23 answers

Mysonhatesmefilter: Very often, My 2.5 year old son wants nothing to do with me. [more inside, if you please, Matt]
posted by anonymous on Nov 18, 2004 - 40 answers

Parentfilter (which would be a nice idea, btw). The Boy has grown out of his backward facing car seat (Jersey law is 20 lbs and one year. He'll meet both in 12 days), and we need to upgrade into something forward facing. I've hit a bunch of sites comparing the safety and prices, but I'm hoping for advice from people using them. Who makes the best car seat for children?
posted by FunkyHelix on Jul 12, 2004 - 8 answers