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

Is a large port-a-crate a good idea for a portable bed for our 11-month old human baby? [more inside]
posted by otherwordlyglow on May 23, 2009 - 24 answers

How do I deal with my "permissive-parenting" spouse? [more inside]
posted by theKik on Apr 1, 2009 - 41 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

Strategies needed for negotiating with my 6 year old kid's school re: rules, behavior, etc. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 30, 2009 - 26 answers

We're going to be introducing our nearly-4-year-old son to the joys of snowshoeing, igloo-building and possibly even snow-camping this season. Help us not screw it up for him! [more inside]
posted by scrump on Dec 12, 2008 - 19 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

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

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

I'm planning to buy a bicycle for myself and a trailer for two children to ride in. For the bike, I'd like to get something like a simple three-speed cruiser, but I've been told that I'll need more gears to pull the trailer. What do I need to look for in a bike to make it a good trailer-puller? [more inside]
posted by winston on Aug 25, 2008 - 11 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

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

Parents: what are your favorite newish tools of the trade? I'm helping to research a magazine article, trying to identify really great products new to the market in the past 18 months or so that make parents' lives easier. What recent discoveries have you made? [more inside]
posted by Camofrog on Jul 29, 2008 - 12 answers

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

Our 8yo boy is very sensitive. Any teasing really seems to upset him, and of course that's the reaction the teaser is going for. How to help him? [more inside]
posted by luser on Jun 17, 2008 - 32 answers

ParentingAssistanceFilter! How do I deal with a friend that's a bad influence? [more inside]
posted by kbanas on May 23, 2008 - 34 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

My niece's mom is an alcohol/drug addict. My niece has consistent contact with her mom over the phone. Did I do the right thing in letting her know about her mom's problem? If not, can I mitigate the damage I've done? [more inside]
posted by parilous on Jan 25, 2008 - 31 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 much do parents tell each other about the stories/secrets their children thell them? [more inside]
posted by twiki on Dec 20, 2007 - 32 answers

How old is too old for a boy-girl sleep over? [more inside]
posted by parilous on Oct 4, 2007 - 65 answers

Our 18 year old cat died this afternoon. Would it be beneficial to my 6 1/2 year old daughter to have a full "pet funeral", or should I just quietly bury him in the backyard before she gets home from school today? [more inside]
posted by aguy on May 24, 2007 - 42 answers

What is the benefit of growing up in the big(ish) city? [more inside]
posted by Wolfie on Apr 27, 2007 - 46 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

Did your parents divorce when you were a small child? Do you wish they hadn't? Do you wish they had handled it differently? What did they do right? How do you feel about the custody arrangement they worked out? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 9, 2007 - 41 answers

At what age should you start giving a child an allowance? Personal experiences? Obvious follow-up: How much?
posted by dirtylittlemonkey on Feb 6, 2007 - 35 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

My 15 year old is starting to slack off at school. Help me make her understand that she needs to straighten up! [more inside]
posted by keep it tight on Dec 15, 2006 - 39 answers

What questions should we ask of a prospective babysitter? [more inside]
posted by dan g. on Dec 12, 2006 - 34 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

I have a 7 month old son. We love him to death, but he's currently driving us crazy with his wildly inconsistent sleeping habits. What should we do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 29, 2006 - 26 answers

I'm looking for safe, reliable, and affordable daycare in Portland, Ore. [more inside]
posted by iced_borsch on Jul 22, 2006 - 5 answers

My sweet son has many disabilities--type 1 diabetes, ADHD, depression. At 15, he just confessed with great pain that he doesn't know his multiplication tables very well. Explains a lot. Any really wonderful suggestions that don't infantilize and humiliate him. Ones that work? Any personal success stories and moral support will make me heart you.
posted by wordswinker on Jul 21, 2006 - 52 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 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

Parents: how often do/did you bathe your young kids (those too young to handle it themselves). We put our 3 year old in the tub about once a week, sooner if really dirty. Some of our friends dunk theirs every night. Consensus?
posted by luser on Oct 27, 2004 - 17 answers

How hard (or easy) is it to transistion from having two kids to three? Anyone have any experience? I do not know of anyone personally that has gone through this. Nothing on the way...yet. Currently two toddlers with stay at home mom. Appreciate any thoughts.
posted by repoman on Jun 11, 2004 - 13 answers