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How Honest Should I Be with My 4-Year-Old About the Fact That His Father Is in Jail?

How Honest Should I Be with My 4-Year-Old About the Fact That His Father Is in Jail?

August 13, 2020 / Community Q&A, Motherhood, Parenting, Relationships / By

A mom writes in asking for advice about her 4-year-old son and her son’s father. Her son’s father, who was involved in their lives for a time, is currently in jail. He has two years of his sentence remaining, and she says he plans to be involved when he is released. He talks to his son while in jail, but this mom has told her that his dad is “working.” She is wondering if lying to him about his father’s actual location is harmful. Should she tell her son where his father really is?

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?

August 12, 2020 / Community Q&A, 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.

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?

July 10, 2020 / Community Q&A, 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 11-Year-Old Doesn't Want to Visit Her Dad Because of COVID-19 Fears, But He Is Heavily Guilt-Tripping Her: Advice?

My 11-Year-Old Doesn’t Want to Visit Her Dad Because of COVID-19 Fears, But He Is Heavily Guilt-Tripping Her: Advice?

July 2, 2020 / Child Custody, Community Q&A, Motherhood, Parenting, Relationships / By

A mom writes in asking for advice about her 11-year-old daughter. She shares custody of her daughter with her ex. However, her daughter has not wanted to visit and stay with her father (and his wife), mostly because of anxiety over COVID-19 and also because she has a new baby sister at her mom’s right now. This mom says her daughter’s father will call and guilt-trip her about not coming to the point where it upsets the daughter and makes her cry. What can this mom do?

My Daughter's Father Is About to Get Out of Prison: Should I Let Him Be Part of Her Life?

My Daughter’s Father Is About to Get Out of Prison: Should I Let Him Be Part of Her Life?

June 26, 2020 / Child Safety, Community Q&A, Raising Kids, Relationships / By

A mom writes in asking for advice about her ex, the father of her two-year-old daughter. She says her daughter’s father has had very little involvement in her life due to being in and out of prison. Though this mom has no interest in any kind of meaningful relationship with her ex — and refuses to let him live with her again — she is conflicted about to what degree, if any, she should let him into their daughter’s life, given his history. Other moms share their advice for her below.

I'm Scared My Child's Father May Try to Take Custody from Me: Advice?

I’m Scared My Child’s Father May Try to Take Custody from Me: Advice?

June 22, 2020 / Child Custody, Community Q&A, Custody Battles/ Paternity Tests, custody battles/ paternity tests, Parenting, Relationships, Relationships / By

A mom writes in asking for advice about custody. She says the father of her child, who is now five, has never been involved in the child’s life because she did not want him to be. She is now at a point where she is slowly letting her child’s father into their lives, but she is worried that he may try to take custody. Could he do that? Any. advice for her?

My Husband and I Split Household Costs 50/50, But He Definitely Doesn't Do 50 Percent of the Housework: Advice?

My Husband and I Split Household Costs 50/50, But He Definitely Doesn’t Do 50 Percent of the Housework: Advice?

June 17, 2020 / Community Q&A, Love & Marriage, Relationships, Relationships / By

A mom writes in asking for advice about her husband. She and her husband both work full time in addition to having a son. She says her husband believes they should split the cost of everything 50/50, and they do. But it gets more complicated because this mom says that his “50/50” attitude does not apply when it comes time to taking care of their house and child. How can she work with him on a more equitable division of labor? YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: My Husband Does Not Help Our Family At All: Is It Time for Me To Leave Him? A member of the community asks: “Should a household always be 50/50? So my husband and I both work 40 hours a week. We both have decently straining jobs. His more physical, mine more mental. He believes we should split the bills 50/50, and we do — half on electric, gas, lease, car, down to the grocery bill. The problem is, he barely does any housework. I’m usually the one staying up on my days off to clean everything and running around after work to keep it that way. When our son has a difficult time sleeping, I’m usually the …

My Husband and I Split Household Costs 50/50, But He Definitely Doesn’t Do 50 Percent of the Housework: Advice? Read More »

My Mother-in-Law Trash Talks Me and My Kids: How Do I Tell My Husband I'm Done?

My Mother-in-Law Trash Talks Me and My Kids: How Do I Tell My Husband I’m Done?

June 8, 2020 / Community Q&A, In-Laws, Relationships / By

A mom writes in asking for advice about her mother-in-law. She says she’s always had a problem with her mother in law, who has made disparaging remarks about her and both of her grandchildren. After moving in with the mother-in-law, at her own request, this mom was once again subjected to hurtful comments. She left with her kids and went to her own parents’, but how can she tell her husband she won’t return to his mom’s

How Do You Know When It Is Time to Give Up On Your Relationship?

How Do You Know When It Is Time to Give Up On Your Relationship?

June 8, 2020 / Community Q&A, Relationships / By

A mom writes in asking for advice about whether she should end her relationship with the father of her child. She says she and her father’s child have been separated for five months, and during this time, he has been sleeping around. Moreover, he hasn’t seen their child since Christmas, and he may have abusive tendencies. Is it time for this mom to move on?

My Husband Does Not Help Our Family At All: Is It Time for Me To Leave Him?

My Husband Does Not Help Our Family At All: Is It Time for Me To Leave Him?

June 4, 2020 / Community Q&A, Love & Marriage, Motherhood, Relationships / By

A mom writes in asking for advice about her husband. She says her husband, to whom she has been married for 7 years, does nothing to help her or their kids. He doesn’t work. He doesn’t help around the house. He keeps making efforts that only last for days before going back to doing nothing. Things are only becoming more strained with time. They have been to counseling, but the problems remain. Should this mom give up on the marriage or keep trying?

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?

June 2, 2020 / Child Health, Child Safety, Community Q&A, 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?

The 20 Funniest Dads on Twitter

The 20 Funniest Dads on Twitter

June 1, 2020 / Entertainment, Parenting / By

There’s a reason the term “dad jokes” is such a thing. While they may make teenagers cringe, dad jokes can also bring us many laugh-out-loud moments during the ridiculously entertaining (and sometimes frustrating!) chaos that is home life with children.

When Should I Tell My Daughter About Her Biological Father?

When Should I Tell My Daughter About Her Biological Father?

May 29, 2020 / Community Q&A, family, Relationships, Relationships, Step Family / By

A mom writes in asking for advice about her 7-year-old daughter. She says that her daughter has ever only really known one father, who is not her biological father. Her biological father has never been in her life. Her fiancé, however, has been in her daughter’s life as “Papa” for six years. Her daughter, though, is starting to ask questions about why she doesn’t look like her mom and dad. Now, this mom is wondering: Is now a good time to tell her daughter about her biological dad?

Should I Keep My Father in My Life or Cut Him Out Completely?

Should I Keep My Father in My Life or Cut Him Out Completely?

May 11, 2020 / Community Q&A, family, Grandparents|Family, Relationships, Relationships / By

A mom writes in asking for advice about her father and whether she should keep him in her and her kids’ lives. She says she has never had a good relationship with him; he cheated on her mom multiple times and has mental illness struggles. She has tried to set ground rules for him that he does not follow. After a recent incident, she is wondering if she should simply cut him out of her life for good.

Should I Be Concerned That My Daughter's Father Bathes in the Tub with Her?

Should I Be Concerned That My Daughter’s Father Bathes in the Tub with Her?

May 4, 2020 / Child Safety, Community Q&A, Motherhood, Parenting, Relationships / By

A mom writes in asking for advice about her daughter’s relationship with her biological father. This. mom says she recently learned that the girl’s father — whom this mom has not been with for a long time — bathes naked in the tub with his daughter. This mom is concerned about this behavior, but should she be?