What do I say to well-meaning people trying to dissuade me from the flu shot? [more inside]
posted by Go Banana on Oct 28, 2009 - 57 answers

I'm looking for a generative music toy for my three year old autistic son. [more inside]
posted by Homeskillet Freshy Fresh on Oct 27, 2009 - 9 answers

I'm a nanny for a woman who's been unemployed for 2.5 months and is now depressed. The means she is a) home ALL THE TIME, and b) driving me absolutely crazy. What, if anything, can I say? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 26, 2009 - 24 answers

My kid spent the night with his friend. The next day, thinking he's still at the friend's house, I get a phone call from the local grocery store. Seems my kid was shoplifting. Now, both of the mom's involved are angry with each other. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 19, 2009 - 39 answers

Being a parent. What's appropriate in terms of displaying emotions? Of course, more inside. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 12, 2009 - 51 answers

How can I help someone who has three young children but who doesn't want to be a mother anymore? I know that this sounds completely irresponsible and selfish and cruel but I would appreciate help if you can take the time to read the details. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 8, 2009 - 27 answers

How can I stop my toddlers from kicking the seat in front of them on an airplane? [more inside]
posted by zarq on Oct 8, 2009 - 55 answers

My 28-month-old boy throws up like Stan in "South Park," every 2 to 3 days. How can we help him keep his food down? [more inside]
posted by homelystar on Sep 28, 2009 - 14 answers

Please help me nip another parental failing in the bud. I want help my children be more responsible. [more inside]
posted by Fairchild on Sep 21, 2009 - 34 answers

Looking for parenting advice/resources for raising children who are close in age. Sibling rivalry has begun to enter the picture, and we want to learn how best to cope with it and limit it as much as possible. [more inside]
posted by gimli on Sep 12, 2009 - 10 answers

I am going to have a baby sometime in the next month. What things do we need to have before the baby gets here, and what things are we better off waiting on? And what are we better off skipping altogether? [more inside]
posted by logic vs love on Sep 8, 2009 - 30 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

I’m interested in learning more about meditation. I also have ADD and find it impossible to shut off my brain and clear my mind. [more inside]
posted by bondcliff on Aug 26, 2009 - 35 answers

Avoiding Mommie Dearest: How to raise a healthy, happy daughter when your own relationship with your mother was less than ideal? [more inside]
posted by thenewbrunette on Aug 24, 2009 - 20 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

I lost a link to a really interesting article I wanted to read... can YOU help me find it? The article was probably on a science blog. It was, more or less, a debunking of arguments in favor of behavioral heritability and the genetic predisposition for certain horrible actions. If not a blog, perhaps it was in a weekly sitting in my therapist's office? [more inside]
posted by mr. remy on Aug 10, 2009 - 5 answers

My parents split about a year ago. My father has started dating under unusual circumstances, and it makes me somewhat angry. Am I overreacting? How can I find peace with the situation? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 4, 2009 - 32 answers

Any insights on how I can help my daughter? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 1, 2009 - 48 answers

BabyFilter: Getting a 4-month old to sleep in a crib instead of her beloved swing...help! [more inside]
posted by sapere aude on Jul 25, 2009 - 23 answers

What are some excellent co-parenting books? [more inside]
posted by ian1977 on Jul 20, 2009 - 3 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

I am looking for personal blogs written by dads. [more inside]
posted by SkylitDrawl on Jul 7, 2009 - 34 answers

Public education filter: if you went to school in a good district, a not-so-great district, or an in-between district, how did it affect the quality of your education and your success later in life? [more inside]
posted by Bardolph on Jun 23, 2009 - 37 answers

It looks like my daughter will be earning a full scholarship to essentially the private school of her choice in NYC. These schools on average cost around $35,000/year. What's it like to go to an expensive private high school on scholarship? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 23, 2009 - 23 answers

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

My baby girl, 7 months old, has a spiral fractured femur - mum caught her as she was falling while getting into a back carrier - she is in hospital, has had specialist orthopaedic paediatrician attention and is now in traction. She is probably at the the best hospital in the country for this, but it is a long way from home. She is 100% breast fed, and my wife is staying with her. Can any of the medicos or Mefi, or people who have had similar experience offer some advice? [more inside]
posted by five fresh fish on Jun 13, 2009 - 12 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

My toddler is saying, "fuck". Funny when some kid on YouTube says it, not funny when your 2 year old says it at a church during prayer! And he's not trying to say truck like a defective Elmo. He's actually picked it up...(I'm no an angel, but my wife and I try to watch our mouths) and ohmygosh please any ideas on how to make him stop? What sucks the most is most other parents assume his mom and I swear like sailors. My theory on how he picked it up...he probably heard us or TV say the word or he was trying to say another word...we reacted to it...and now it's his favorite little show when he's angry and not getting his way. We've tried suggesting he was trying to say another word like frog or truck...telling him to say another word that's more fun like "fooey"...and now since he gets a devlish look on his face when he says it, so we've opted for discipline. Other parents: your kids ever done this so young? Did people look at you like the scum of the earth when he was throwing a tantrum at Target, too? lol
posted by mikee on Jun 2, 2009 - 50 answers

I'm going through a severe period of depression, and I'm having a hard time being a good parent. Can anyone give me advice on how to get through this without traumatizing my children? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 25, 2009 - 16 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

Help me respond appropriately to my teenage son's marijuana use. [more inside]
posted by headnsouth on May 22, 2009 - 42 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

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

Piano lessons for a reluctant 9-year-old? [more inside]
posted by schrodycat on Mar 28, 2009 - 35 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

So many great pads available to soften hard mattresses, but nothing seems to go the other direction. What are some creative ways to make our cushy pillowtop mattress firm enough for safe cosleeping with a new baby? [more inside]
posted by Bardolph on Mar 24, 2009 - 14 answers

Can someone recommend a psychologist in Metro Vancouver who deals with adolescents and adults? My wife and I are at our limits with our 16 yr old who we believe may have some form of personality disorder. We would like her to get some counseling but she's adamantly opposed to it. We would like to get some professional advice ourselves on how best to deal with our family issues and possibly on how to convince her to go for counseling , but picking a name out of a phone book is too much of a duckshoot. I pick Mefi over the yellow pages!
posted by anonymous on Mar 24, 2009 - 7 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

How to make it clear to a socially awkward adolescent boy that he's spending too much time with a younger adolescent girl, and that it's likely to hurt their friendship (as the girl gets more and more resentful towards him for isolating her from her friends)? [more inside]
posted by parilous on Mar 7, 2009 - 49 answers

[NewDadFilter:] I'm a shy person and a new dad. Is there anything I can do to keep from transmitting that trait to my kiddo? [more inside]
posted by wheat on Mar 6, 2009 - 23 answers

I'm having a baby girl any week now, and I couldn't be more excited, but it's left me thinking a lot about whether or not I want my parents involved in my daughter's life. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Feb 9, 2009 - 19 answers

What is empty nest like for couples who had their children young? My wife and I had our daughter young. We are both 31 and our daughter is 13. We have been raising children our whole adult life. What is it like for parents like us when their children move out? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Feb 5, 2009 - 12 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

My ex is a drunk, so I threw him out. However, we have a young child, and I'm having a hard time figuring out where to go from here. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 23, 2009 - 14 answers

Can this mommy friendship be saved? Please forgive my overly long background story... [more inside]
posted by lgandme0717 on Jan 11, 2009 - 29 answers

Can you hack toddler toys to lower the speaker volume? [more inside]
posted by middleclasstool on Jan 2, 2009 - 20 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

How to deal with a bad aesthetic environment whilst bringing up a child. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 1, 2008 - 27 answers