co-parenting

I Found Out My Ex Has Been Giving Our Kids Melatonin Before Bed, and I'm Not OK With It: Advice?

I Found Out My Ex Has Been Giving Our Kids Melatonin Before Bed, and I’m Not OK With It: Advice?

September 16, 2020 / Advice / By

A mom writes in asking for advice about her ex and children’s father giving their kids melatonin without her permission. This mom says that she learned from her children that her ex, their father, and his girlfriend gave them dissolvable melatonin before bed while they were on a camping trip. This mom says that her kids don’t have and have never had sleeping issues, so she can’t think of why they were given melatonin. Ultimately, she says she is not ok with this and turns to the community for advice.

Is It Possible to Co-Parent Without Getting the Courts Involved?

Is It Possible to Co-Parent Without Getting the Courts Involved?

September 14, 2020 / Advice, Divorce / Separations, Parenting, Relationships / By

A mom writes in asking for advice about co-parenting. She wonders if any other moms have experience co-parenting their children shared with an ex without the need to go through a court process and settle on an official arrangement. She says she is not technically separated from her partner yet, but it’s coming. He has told her, after they split, she’ll be able to see their child every day and he is adamant they don’t involve the courts. But he also refuses to put a schedule in writing, which worries this mom.

Should I Send My Daughter, Who Is Sick with the Flu, to Her Dad's Just Because of Our Custody Agreement?

Should I Send My Daughter, Who Is Sick with the Flu, to Her Dad’s Just Because of Our Custody Agreement?

September 14, 2020 / Advice, Divorce / Separations, Parenting, Relationships / By

A mom writes in asking for advice about what to do with her daughter, who is sick with the flu. She is conflicted about whether she should send her sick daughter to her father’s. The father thinks that their daughter should still come stay with him, and, per court order in their custody agreement, it is technically his weekend to have her. Still, this mom feels like her daughter shouldn’t go until she’s feeling better. Who’s right?

My Daughter's Father Has Been Pretty Much MIA Since the Pandemic Began: Advice?

My Daughter’s Father Has Been Pretty Much MIA Since the Pandemic Began: Advice?

September 14, 2020 / Advice, Relationships / By

A mom writes in asking for advice about her daughter’s father, aka her ex. She says she and her ex ended on okay terms and initially shared custody of their daughter 50/50. But since the novel Coronavirus pandemic began earlier this year, she says, he has not seen much of his daughter. Nor has he contributed financially towards his daughter’s care. (She specifies that they do not have a child support arrangement currently, but she is now thinking of asking for one, given how little help he is providing.) In the end, she is looking for advice from other moms about how to handle this situation.

I Need Co-Parenting Advice: How Often Should I Speak with My Ex? Do We Need to Keep It 'Business Only'?

I Need Co-Parenting Advice: How Often Should I Speak with My Ex? Do We Need to Keep It ‘Business Only’?

September 14, 2020 / Advice, Relationships / By

A mom writes in asking for advice about co-parenting. She wants to hear from other moms in co-parenting situations about how often they communicate with their exes. She is also curious whether most people keep it “business only” and discuss only matters pertaining to the children or if there is room for friendly conversation. She wants to hear specifically from moms who say they have a “friendly” relationship with their ex.

My Son's Father Wants to Take Our Son 'for a Few Months' Upon His Release from Jail, But I'm Uncomfortable with That: Advice?

My Son’s Father Wants to Take Our Son ‘for a Few Months’ Upon His Release from Jail, But I’m Uncomfortable with That: Advice?

September 14, 2020 / Advice, Relationships / By

A mom writes in asking for advice about her child’s father. She says her son’s father is about to be released from jail and has requested that he take their son “for a few months” after he returns home. This mom is not comfortable sending her son to live with him for that long given his history, her son’s unfamiliarity with his father, and the fact that the father lives quite far away. How can she work to help father and son build a relationship she is actually comfortable with?

My Ex Wants to Take Our Son With Him Across the Country to Meet a Woman He's Never Even Met in Person: Advice?

My Ex Wants to Take Our Son With Him Across the Country to Meet a Woman He’s Never Even Met in Person: Advice?

September 14, 2020 / Advice, Relationships / By

A mom writes in asking for advice about her ex. She says that her ex has requested to take their son on a cross-country trip to meet a woman whom the ex has not met in person. This mom has tried to explain her concerns about this situation to her ex, but he does not seem to care. She is worried that if she flat-out tells him no, he will find ways to cause problems for her. Any advice for this mom?

I'm Very Concerned About My Son's Living Situation When He's Staying With His Dad: Advice?

I’m Very Concerned About My Son’s Living Situation When He’s Staying With His Dad: Advice?

September 14, 2020 / Advice, Relationships / By

A mom writes in asking for advice about her son’s living situation when he is staying with his dad. She says that her son, 5, stays with his father every weekend. They live in a two-bedroom apartment with no yard. The father’s girlfriend, who also lives with them, is due to have a baby at any minute. Recently, the father’s father, who is an “alcoholic,” moved in as well. She is also concerned that her son is sleeping in a “baby crib” while there. What can or should she do?