My 14-yo son has recently come out to me as gay. Should I share anything about the "experimental" phase of my youth? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 7, 2009 - 74 answers

Step-parenting filter: Looking for general advice on being a new step mom. [more inside]
posted by cheemee on Nov 2, 2009 - 14 answers

Help. Help help help. My (ex?) girlfriend has taken our six day old child to her parents house and is barricading herself there. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 14, 2009 - 42 answers

My mother's grief is overwhelming me. How do I keep my cool? [more inside]
posted by Monsters on Sep 5, 2009 - 25 answers

How big a deal is it not to be adopted by a step-parent? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 1, 2009 - 33 answers

Unexpected pregnancy. Are we crazy? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 19, 2009 - 103 answers

How do you extricate yourself from a family-oriented friendship? Very long and pathetic story to follow. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 4, 2009 - 28 answers

I am deeply concerned for my mother, and hate her boyfriend. [more inside]
posted by kaseijin on Jul 17, 2009 - 27 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

My mother has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. She has decided to stop treatment as chemotherapy is not working and surgery/radiation is not an option. The oncologist estimates she has about one month left. I have the option of taking FMLA and spending all of my time with her during her last days if I want. But I am not sure that would be the healthiest option for me. My mother says just take a day or two a week and try to live as normal a life as possible. But I feel selfish living my life while she is dying. Any one ever have a similar experience?
posted by burlsube on Jul 9, 2009 - 36 answers

I've always felt I didn't want/shouldn't have babies. Lately, (I'm 25) I've been having strong thoughts (and dreams) that I really want a child. It's scaring me a bit. Some friends have told me it might be normal at this age. Please help me understand or share your experiences. [more inside]
posted by thankyouforyourconsideration on Jun 18, 2009 - 35 answers

What sorts of questions will a Quaker or Montessori school ask me, the parent of a prospective student? [more inside]
posted by cocoagirl on May 27, 2009 - 10 answers

How should I deal with my Alzheimer's father? I have had problems with my father going back ages. He has been verbally, emotionally, and physically abusive to not only me, but my sibling and mother as well. I had almost convinced my mom to leave him when he got Alzheimer's, and now we're stuck caring for him. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 20, 2009 - 18 answers

My mother took out credit cards in my name. She is now filing bankruptcy, and she is not able to continue paying the debt that's in my name. My husband's upcoming job will preclude us from filing bankruptcy for the debt in my name. Is there any way I can avoid paying $35k of debt she charged up in my name without suing her or otherwise getting her into serious legal trouble? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Feb 10, 2009 - 18 answers

Fellow introverts, and others who need lots of alone time: How did you deal with becoming a parent? [more inside]
posted by El Curioso on Jan 31, 2009 - 12 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

Is there a term for this? A high school honors teacher is being unreasonably hard on my daughter..... [more inside]
posted by winks007 on Sep 19, 2008 - 48 answers

I live in the Cleveland, Ohio area (live in upper far east side, work in lower far east side) and am looking for grief resources for any of the following: people with a DBT background who are grieving, people in their 20s who are grieving, people whose parents died young, "radical Catholics" or "glass-half-full agnostics" who are grieving, Italian-Americans who are grieving a fellow Italian, people who are grieving a loved one that died of a liver ailment. I am kind of an introvert, so while getting a feel for what groups are out there is good, I could also use websites, books, etc. re: same. Thanks. [more inside]
posted by RobotHeart on Aug 17, 2008 - 5 answers

I am going to be my father's best man. What special considerations do I need to take into account for my toast? Any particularly good/bad examples of what to say based on experience? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 3, 2008 - 6 answers

Single mom/Single parent: How does one go about building a lasting relationship with a single mother, to show her that you will not only be there for her, but also for her son? (She's 22, and he's under five I'm assuming.) [more inside]
posted by hadjiboy on May 5, 2008 - 10 answers

My boyfriend's son's mom accidentally left her cellphone in my boyfriend's car this afternoon. He looked through it and found text messages about her buying and selling drugs. So... now what? [more inside]
posted by kerfuffled on Mar 13, 2008 - 42 answers

Help a miserable 20something deal with her paranoid, overprotective father! Long story short: I need help dealing with an overprotective parent. His behavior and beliefs have been debilitating both developmentally and socially, and I can't stand to watch another stagnant year go by. I need to start living my life. I'm a 20 year old girl and a bit of an old soul. I've already graduated from college with honors and I'm almost done with my master's. I have a full time job. I'm attractive, I take care of myself, I have everything I want in the material sense, but I'm miserable. I don't have friends. I've never dated. I don't go out. I have no sense of enjoyment in my life. I don't know how to interact with people or cope with my anxiety. [more inside]
posted by sansgras on Dec 23, 2007 - 51 answers

How do we help a 17 year old kicked out of the house get his property and identification? [more inside]
posted by Leenie on Sep 14, 2007 - 17 answers

How can I make my household more functional and less antagonistic this summer? Tons of details inside. [more inside]
posted by k8t on Apr 11, 2007 - 34 answers

What are typical annual earnings for work-from-home parents who do not use childcare services? [more inside]
posted by acoutu on Mar 13, 2007 - 8 answers

Seeking advice about how to confront parents about mom's mental illness. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Feb 25, 2007 - 13 answers

Lawsuit Filter: So my significant other and significant others parent both work for the same company. SO's parent might be suing said company for age discrimination (and has a very good case). SO is worried about being blacklisted and/or targeted. How much should I and SO worry? Could SO also sue if SO is targeted because of the suit or at that point even join the lawsuit? I know (most of you are) not a lawyer but at least point me in the right direction. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Feb 16, 2007 - 8 answers

How can I get past the fear that I'm totally going to botch the very important job of parenthood, and just be a good mom? [more inside]
posted by justonegirl on Jan 24, 2007 - 27 answers

What should I do with a monetary Christmas gift from my estranged father? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 23, 2006 - 39 answers

Any ideas for interacting with a newborn? [more inside]
posted by justonegirl on Dec 7, 2006 - 35 answers

Something special to do for boyfriend who is a stressed out single parent? [more inside]
posted by mintchip on Nov 25, 2006 - 9 answers

How to get my parents engaged in life again... [more inside]
posted by oflinkey on Aug 12, 2006 - 13 answers

How would I find out the complete criminal record of my father? [more inside]
posted by rileyray3000 on Aug 11, 2006 - 9 answers

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

My father has primary liver cancer, how do I prepare for the coming months emotionally and financially? [more inside]
posted by a22lamia on May 12, 2006 - 23 answers

My parents divorced when I was a toddler, with virtually all my baby pictures plus many hours of movies (including birth, first steps, etc.) going to the non-custodial parent. For a variety of painful reasons, I have been long estranged from that parent, as well as that entire branch of the family. And that is of the good. Yet it would mean so much to be able to fill in the blank slate of my childhood with images and sounds. Am I wrong for feeling as though morally this collection belongs to me? Does a child, especially an estranged child, have the right to ask for their baby pictures? And how, precisely, do I ask such a favor of a person from whom I want absolutely no other contact? [more inside]
posted by nakedcodemonkey on Apr 22, 2006 - 12 answers

What can a marketing consultant do to earn $500-$1000 a month from home without continuing in marketing or writing? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 23, 2005 - 7 answers

ParentFilter: What do you do about an almost-three-year-old girl who screams excessively? [more inside]
posted by cerebus19 on Aug 16, 2005 - 23 answers

How do I get the "slush" from a (clean) disposable diaper out of my front load washing machine? [more inside]
posted by frecklefaerie on Jun 12, 2005 - 5 answers

My mum will be 65 on March 18. She can just about buy anything her wee little heart desires. I cannot because money is, well, in short supply. What should I get/buy/do for her birthday? [more inside]
posted by deborah on Mar 8, 2005 - 21 answers

HomeHospiceFilter: my father is coming to live with us in the midst of his battle with mesothelioma and melanoma. I have a couple of months to furnish our teeny-tiny (10x10 plus closet) guest room with stuff that's comfortable, practical, and homey. Of course, I have a teeny-tiny budget, too. Suggestions? [more inside]
posted by whatnot on Mar 4, 2005 - 6 answers

A co-worker and friend of mine is a single mother of three (girls of 6 and 11, son of 14). The boy is becoming more and more hostile and defiant by the day, and even ran away for several hours this past weekend. He's bright and creative, but seems to reserve his anger for the home. I'm fairly certain drugs/alcohol are not involved. Mom is at wit's end. I don't have kids myself so I feel unqualified giving advice. Anyone here who's been in the same situation? Any recommendations on how to go about beginning to try working this out? Counseling?
posted by sharksandwich on Feb 10, 2004 - 20 answers