My kids (currently 6 and 9) have become voracious readers. We have a large and varied collection of excellent fiction for them, but the non-fiction collection is more haphazard. They love learning new facts as they read (the type of thing that makes them look up from the book and say, "Did you know...?"). I want to make sure that the collection of books gives them a good introduction to fields where I myself may not have enough knowledge to judge the quality/accuracy of the book. So what's the kid's book in your field that makes you say, "If only every kid got to read this book, people would understand [topic] better."?
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posted by winston
on May 18, 2013 -
19 answers
My four-year-old son’s birthday is in late November. In our state, that means we can choose whether he starts (all-day) kindergarten this coming fall, when he’s 4-going-on-5, or next year, when he’ll be 5-going-on-6. I’m pretty paralyzed over this decision. I’m looking for insights, especially those with some sort of data behind them, to help.
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posted by anonymous
on Apr 18, 2013 -
43 answers
My preschooler is getting just old enough to have a proper social life (playdates, birthday parties, etc.). I've got some specific questions about the parental etiquette expectations surrounding these kiddie get-togethers.
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posted by Bardolph
on Apr 5, 2013 -
24 answers
My kids (a boy and a girl) are now five years old, and my wife or I read to them every night before bed. I'd like to start reading larger books to them which we can stretch out throughout a week or more, by reading them a chapter a night. Please help me put together a great reading list of age-appropriate books that will capture their imaginations and inspire happy dreams.
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posted by zarq
on Apr 2, 2013 -
61 answers
Tell me about your daily schedules, parenting logistics, etc., with a newborn
plus a toddler or older child.
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posted by Bardolph
on Mar 7, 2013 -
15 answers
I have a beautiful, curious, 8 month old daughter. I love her, but I don't know how to play with her. Help!
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posted by elizamina
on Feb 7, 2013 -
21 answers
What things should I be concerned about when it comes to our 11 year old having a 3DS?
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posted by Saminal
on Jan 31, 2013 -
11 answers
At times my 3-year-old son deliberately misbehaves. Do I double down on the discipline, or shrug it off?
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posted by zardoz
on Nov 27, 2012 -
48 answers
It's time to switch my kids from regular car seats to booster seats and I can't figure out which to buy or what features I should be looking for. If you've gone through this, can you please share your experiences to help me make a decision?
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posted by zarq
on Nov 18, 2012 -
8 answers
How old was your child when you first started leaving her with babysitters who weren't relatives? How long would you leave them for?
posted by gerryblog
on Oct 3, 2012 -
31 answers
AdviceFilter: What life experiences (or fun things) should my partner and I make time for, before having a baby?
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posted by amoeba
on Sep 19, 2012 -
19 answers
I have a 4 yo and another on the way. We camp a lot. We have a VW jetta wagon, but it's getting cramped and we need something bigger. I like the Mazda 5 but my wife thinks it's "too minivan looking." ANy suggestions for maxi-wagons that have that third row of seating that can fold down into cargo space? We do not want an SUV but may have to consider something on the small end of the SUV range ... and we're hoping not to spend more than 24k. Used/new/prev lease all are options.
posted by luriete
on Jul 30, 2012 -
22 answers
She's not into what she thinks girls her age are "supposed" to be into. How do we show her that what
she likes is what's normal, and maybe encourage her to reach out to find the other kids that like that stuff too? Is that what we
should be doing?
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posted by kostia
on Jun 11, 2012 -
97 answers
I'm looking for websites that have cool, educational, entertaining and kid-safe stuff I can share with my two 4 year olds, perhaps similar to
the kids should see this, and/or sites that suggest neat projects and how-to's my wife and I can work on with them to open their eyes to the wonders of the world around them. All suggestions welcome!
posted by zarq
on Jun 10, 2012 -
4 answers
Parenting filter: I have two kids, 11 and 9. I'm a divorced dad trying to figure out a plan for their accountability for their chores when they're with me. The biggest stumbling block seems to be division of labor. On the one hand, assigning individual chores (Daughter, you wash the dishes. Son, you dry and put away) and rewarding for completion seems simple enough. But I want to teach them teamwork, negotiation, time management (who does what part first) and shared responsibility. So sometimes I say "Clean the kitchen, you figure out who does what". The latter seems better for a shared reward like a trip to the movies. Does anyone favor one approach over the other, and why? BTW they're coming from a household where their mom and I differed on how to handle chores, so they're a little used to coasting.
posted by punocchio
on May 17, 2012 -
22 answers
Have you discovered your child has seen online pornography? What did you do about it?
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posted by amoeba
on Mar 5, 2012 -
25 answers
Unwilling toddlers and forced social interactions with adults: is it OK to instruct your child to (for instance) hug Great-Aunt Maisie, when she'd prefer not to?
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posted by Bardolph
on Dec 29, 2011 -
46 answers
I need advice on how to raise disciplined, well-behaved children.
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posted by zarq
on Nov 23, 2011 -
47 answers
Help me teach my 7-year old to SEE! I love my 7-year old son beyond words. He’s creative, cheerful, smart, and loving. However, he truly doesn’t
see the world around him. My 4-year old daughter is much more aware of her surroundings. I don’t want to change him, just help him learn how to open his eyes and be more aware of his environment. The fact is, I have been the same way he is for most of my life, and I’ve learned recently that life is not only easier but more fun when you’re aware of your surroundings. I’d rather he not have to wait 30 years to improve.
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posted by zachawry
on Oct 21, 2011 -
21 answers
I am a 25 year-old gay(-ish?) male living in New York City. Perhaps uncharacteristically, I have a really strong drive to have kids (of my own) and really want to do so in the next five or ten years. I'm torn about how to get there though, given relationship difficulties that hinge largely on unresolved issues relating to my sexuality. Warning: TL;DR potential, but significant context is necessary.
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posted by anonymous
on Sep 25, 2011 -
21 answers
I'm reading (and really enjoying)
The Glass Castle, and my wife and are about to have our first kid. What other memoirs or non-fiction books should I read that focus on parenting, raising kids in unorthodox ways, or just plain unique families?
posted by nitsuj
on Jul 14, 2011 -
20 answers
Seven-year-old boy incredibly defensive, takes everything too seriously and overreacts to criticism. Have you been one or had a child like this and can offer advice?
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posted by anonymous
on May 11, 2011 -
23 answers
A dog bit our son. How do we keep this one bad experience from turning into a lifelong fear of dogs?
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posted by scrump
on Mar 10, 2011 -
36 answers
Background: I've been the step-dad to my boys for almost 10 years. They are now 12 and 13 and have no interest in spending time with their Bio-dad.
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posted by snsranch
on Mar 4, 2011 -
26 answers
Please suggest good, upbeat recordings of classic children's songs. Criteria: no actual children singing, no lite-pop instrumentation, preferably some harmony. Will also gratefully accept recommendations for singable, melodic and repetitive grownup songs that a toddler might enjoy.
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posted by Bardolph
on Jan 4, 2011 -
40 answers
Parents of 3+ year olds! How do you deal with being tired *all the time*? I've gone from being single and childless and in my early 30s to being the boyfriend of a mother of two boys (3 and 7). Things are astonishingly good between us, and the boys are great (albeit a lot of hard work, even according to their Mum), but I'm *so* tired after helping out with the boys - it's all the games of tag, the nerf gunfights, the question and answer sessions, etc. We're really enjoying ourselves, but ohmigod I'm exhausted. Help me not feel like I'm letting the side down at home with my housemates, at her place, out and about with my friends and at work. Other than 'coffee', 'more sleep' and 'less time with the girlfriend and the boys' (done, done, and ain't gonna happen), what are your protips for fighting off tiredness and irascibility?
posted by MarchHare
on Nov 2, 2010 -
26 answers
My kids are now 2 yrs and 7 months and we're going to be introducing them to peanut butter for the first time. Their pediatrician says it's safe. If you have direct experience with this can you please tell me at what age you introduced your kids to nuts and how it went? I'm specifically trying to figure out what possible allergic reaction warning signs we should be looking out for and how we should react to them.
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posted by zarq
on Sep 28, 2010 -
34 answers
My kid is bad. I need a book to teach me how to make her not be bad anymore.
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posted by ND¢
on Sep 23, 2010 -
61 answers
What movies and books should I introduce to my kids as they move towards adulthood? I would like to give my kids a solid foundation in books and movies outside of what will be thrown at them by the media and their friends. I turn to Mefi to give me a list of the literary and cinematic signposts that would broaden and round out a toddler, tween, or teenager.
posted by jasondigitized
on Sep 14, 2010 -
36 answers
I'm trying to deal with some familial baggage that seems to be getting heavier by the year and I'm wondering from parents what your perspective is on your kids. How did their characters shape your relationship? If you had a difficult toddler (defined however you like) did that inform your relationship with them as teens and then as adults?
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posted by amanda
on Sep 1, 2010 -
29 answers
Is there a kid-friendly portal to pop music videos? She is not satisfied by Kid Disney and she wants to listen to the "latest" hits. She begs us to let her watch music videos on YouTube, but she's not ready to be let loose on that yet. So where can we let her browse and watch "current" videos with not too much bad stuff?
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posted by cross_impact
on Aug 23, 2010 -
9 answers
I'd like to learn about jobs that involve working intensively, one-on-one, with preschool or elementary-aged kids, to help them learn or develop. But, I have so many constraints that I'm not sure any role fits. Could you point me to any possibilities?
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posted by Other
on Aug 5, 2010 -
8 answers
Raising a child, what did you come across that you wished you would have known earlier.
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posted by zaxour
on Jul 13, 2010 -
48 answers
How can I help my three kids adjust to my plans to move in with my girlfriend? Specifically, how important is alone time with dad?
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posted by anonymous
on Jul 9, 2010 -
14 answers
I need help sorting out if my son is behaving like a typical pre-teen or if he completely flipped the hell out. My oldest son turned 12 a couple months ago and now I have no idea who this child is. I'm at a loss to know what's normal for this age and what I should be concerned about. Books and the Internet are all over the map, so maybe the hive mind can help.
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posted by anonymous
on Jan 18, 2010 -
67 answers
