When little kids ask why their mom and dad don’t live together

Heather Walter — pictured here with her adorable three year-old daughter –contacted us via Facebook with a heart tugging kid question. The root of her challenge stems from her co-parenting challenges. We know that SO many of you genuinely sympathize with the frustrations that both parents feel when they hit a rough spot. Sometimes co-parents [...]

What’s this single dad’s next logical step?

We received another email this week from a distraught single father — and it has stumped us. This 35-year-old man fell deeply in love a few years ago, but, unfortunately, the relationship was on-again-off-again. A year and a half later, they broke up for good.  She moved back east, and he remained on the west [...]

What exactly is child support supposed to cover?

You’ve let us know that many of you struggle with the outrageous choices your co-parent makes. And we know (first hand) how difficult it is to manage your budget when child support is undependable — or nonexistent. The compromises many of you make to keep peace with your ex for the kids’ sake are nothing [...]

Is parenting more challenging today?

Rachel and I buzz back and forth constantly. We live on opposite coasts with super hectic schedules (just like yours), so chatting on the phone is a rare treat. We often discuss how to balance all the demands of our complicated lives. Keeping kids organized and getting everything done (especially when Dad is out of [...]

Back to school: When you dread filling out those school forms

We’re always intrigued when worries about school creep into the conversation long before summer is over. Of course, we’re delighted that you’re telling us what’s on your mind. And school issues are clearly front and center for SO many of you. Maybe you moved during the summer. Or, you are just starting co-parenting following a [...]

Can a relationship with a parent do more harm than good?

When we talked about “no show” co-parents, you enthusiastically agreed that a Plan B was essential. You told us that relying on a parent who routinely disappoints — by breaking promises — is a BIG mistake. We heard you loud and clear. After all, having alternate plans is a great way to limit kid disappointment [...]

Do you warn your kids about “stranger danger”?

When Alisa Maier was returned safely to her parents, the collective sigh of relief was audible. In case you did not follow this frightening news story, four-year-old Alisa was snatched from her front yard in rural Missouri while she played with her brother. Thankfully, law enforcement authorities were able to locate her and return her [...]

When is it okay for kids to meet someone you’re dating?

This concern just might make it the No. 1 spot in our “Asked Most Often” category. MANY of you have emailed this question to us: “When is it okay for me to introduce my kids to meet someone I’m dating?” (And, yes, we’ve both asked ourselves this very same question!  We wish we had an [...]

Do you worry about too much fast food?

Do Happy Meals make kids fat? That’s what we asked at Twitter after reading this recent Los Angeles Times article, about a Silicon Valley county in California informing McDonald’s of its intent to sue if toys are not banned from McDonald’s Happy Meals. And we just knew that you’d have something to say. Thanks to [...]

My young daughter wants to look *sexy* Help!

A single dad who frequently stops by sent us a terse email yesterday.  This single dad wants to know what to say to his nine-year-old daughter, who told him, “I want to look sexy.”  Say what? Here’s the story: This single dad is raising his third grader — and fifth grade son –  solo. Their [...]

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