How often do people change their minds about starting a family? [more inside]
posted by lilyflower on Nov 24, 2009 - 24 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

It's a lovely Fall day. Where's a good place to take some young 'uns train watching in Philadelphia? The priority is on lots of trains, up close. I don't mind paying to get on a platform. Proximity to West Philly a bonus. Thank you!
posted by carter on Oct 25, 2009 - 6 answers

My parents want to give up the teenager they adopted a few years ago. Can they do this? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 26, 2009 - 23 answers

It's been almost three years since my mother died, and my father has slowly been working himself back into seeing new people, but it's starting to cause major family drama. I'm 23 and live on my own in a different city, so this doesn't bother me much. But my 17 year old sister still lives with him, and she's really upset that this is going on. To make matters worse, the latest person he's seeing is my sister's favorite teacher from school. What can my dad do to ease this transition for my sister? What do both people deserve here? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 1, 2009 - 34 answers

Someone reassure me that I will indeed get joint custody.... [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 21, 2009 - 8 answers

What are your favorite books to read aloud to young children? [more inside]
posted by palliser on Jul 15, 2009 - 27 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

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

How do you best address family members' drug abuse/criminal history with your children? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 9, 2009 - 19 answers

Will be in Berlin at the beginning of September with nearly 5-year-old son. What family activities you would recommend?
posted by lgandme0717 on Mar 23, 2009 - 5 answers

In search of website, blogs, etc that keep up with federal and state (specifically NC) policies that affect families with children with developmental and physical disabilities? [more inside]
posted by greta simone on Mar 20, 2009 - 0 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

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. [more inside]
posted by reenum on Jan 27, 2009 - 37 answers

Is it true that 3 days before and 3 days after a woman's period, there is sort of like a grace period, where the woman won't get pregnant? [more inside]
posted by minsid on Dec 29, 2008 - 21 answers

Need advice on child psychologist or family therapist in Northern Virginia/DC area. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 16, 2008 - 1 answer

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

Do you have any advice for helping a family deal with the death of an infant, with the added fuck you from god that the mother can't have another child? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 26, 2008 - 23 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

I think the way my brother parents is damaging my nephew. Should I mind my own business? [more inside]
posted by esereth on Feb 5, 2008 - 49 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

I'm at University and far removed from home geographically. My parents are planning on getting divorced soon and anyone semi-observant would've seen this coming years and years ago. Both wonderful people, both wholly incompatible. So what can I/they do for my adorably clueless, naive, 8-year old sister who still has no idea? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 4, 2007 - 14 answers

How to help a restless 3-year-old? [more inside]
posted by catherinem on Sep 19, 2007 - 11 answers

Local secrets to family entertainment in Seattle? [more inside]
posted by Riki tiki on Aug 24, 2007 - 9 answers

What are some fun things to do in Los Angeles with a 11-month-old? [more inside]
posted by chinston on Aug 15, 2007 - 9 answers

How do we find our dream home in London from 287 miles away? [more inside]
posted by Glinner on Aug 14, 2007 - 3 answers

Montreal in the summer, with kids... looking for family friendly stuff. [more inside]
posted by glip on Jul 9, 2007 - 15 answers

How did you and your partner reach the decision to adopt (or not to adopt, as the case may be)? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 4, 2007 - 10 answers

Increasingly, my fiancee and I have become distant in our ideological views. I realize that this is likely to happen in any relationship as people age but I still feel rather strongly about some of these issues (as she did early on in our relationship) and I don't appreciate the increasing pressure from her and her family to "grow-up". How common is this situation? And, if so, is there any advice you can offer to work through the problems? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 26, 2006 - 69 answers

I'm looking for an online resource for family members of people who suffered during wartime. [more inside]
posted by La Gata on Sep 17, 2006 - 1 answer

Other than Archive.org, where can I legally download animated cartoons for my 7-year-old? [more inside]
posted by LarryC on Sep 14, 2006 - 4 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

Why did you choose to have a baby? I'm trying to get inside the mindset of people who are older than I am and in a very different part of their life. If you're someone who has always planned on having a family, why did you always plan on it and how do you feel about it now? If you never planned on a family and changed your mind, what made you change your mind? If you never planned on children but one come along by accident, how do you feel about them now? I'm looking for personal stories/anecdotes/opinions about it, not so much statistics or figures.
posted by twirlypen on Dec 26, 2005 - 33 answers

ParentFilter: I've a 17 mo old child, and I'd like suggestions as to activities to educate and entertain him. [more inside]
posted by Zinger on Nov 21, 2005 - 14 answers

I have reason to believe I may have a half-sibling from Frankfurt Germany or surrounds. How do I find out for sure? [more inside]
posted by onhazier on Oct 24, 2005 - 2 answers

NashvilleFilter: Help me reconnect with my family in Nashville, TN. [more inside]
posted by ZakDaddy on Sep 21, 2005 - 8 answers

I'm a 40-ish woman, intelligent, fun, interesting, married, a home owner, have a lot in common with women I meet. You like me when you meet me...why do you turn off when you learn I have no children? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 26, 2005 - 42 answers

We're thinking of moving to a somewhat remote (and beautiful) area. We may not be able to afford a house in the "rich" town with the "good" schools. We might have to settle for a house in the affordable/poor town next door with the mediocre schools. How much will this choice of grade school and/or high school affect my kids for college, life, etc.? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 21, 2005 - 28 answers

"Daddy, where do we come from? How did people get here?". I love my inquisitive little guy! Can anyone point me to a good illustrated resource on evolutionary biology for little kids?
posted by Scoo on May 8, 2005 - 9 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

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

Do you regret not having children? [more inside]
posted by icetaco on Sep 21, 2004 - 60 answers

Any immigration experts in the house? [more inside]
posted by widdershins on Jan 21, 2004 - 21 answers