Q. I have lived alone since my husband’s passing six years ago. Over those six years, I have grown very close to my grandson who is now 7. When he sleeps over, he likes to sleep in my bed. I recently met a man who I care for very much and he occasionally sleeps over. My grandson has met him and seems to like him, but he has never slept over ...Read more

Q. I have a great boyfriend I love very much. We work together—he’s an executive--and even though we aren’t supposed to be dating, the attraction was just too strong. We have been working together for four months and dating for three. He is such a great guy; I can see myself with him forever.

However, today, when he walked into work, I ...Read more

Q. My brother is angry with me because I am best friends with his now ex-wife, Samantha. He expects me to abandon a 12-year friendship because they broke up. I haven’t taken sides. I see both of their points of view! And, I’m not so sure they won’t get back together. So here I sit, trying to figure out what to do. I’m just not willing to...Read more

CHICAGO — A few blocks from the Democratic National Convention, Planned Parenthood is offering free medication abortions and vasectomies at its mobile health clinic to demonstrate “what is possible when policies truly support accessible reproductive health care,” according to the agency.

Physicians were providing abortions and vasectomies...Read more

Dear Mr. Dad: I'm a super-involved at-home dad of a 1-year-old daughter. We spend a lot of time together and it’s usually pretty fun. But sometimes I have a feeling that she’s bored, which isn’t surprising, because, honestly, sometimes I’m pretty bored myself. Got any ideas of how I can keep her entertained?

A: Wow, this question takes ...Read more

Q. My son’s fiancee left 18 months ago, taking their two young children with her. The relationship had a number of struggles including immaturity, mental health and his drinking issues. He is told "no" when he asks for visits and sees his kids infrequently. He doesn’t send notes, call or video-chat with the kids. He refuses to consult a ...Read more

Q. My child’s father never returns my phone calls or texts. I wait for hours, sometimes days, for a reply and one never comes. So, I have to make the decision myself and then my son’s father gets angry that I didn’t consult him. Most recently, there was a deadline to sign up for soccer. I texted almost two weeks in advance. He never ...Read more

Q. I often hear, “Set clear boundaries” when co-parenting, but my co-parent just does what he wants and I am left frustrated and angry because he doesn’t listen to me. For example, he’s never on time. The court order says 10 a.m. on Saturdays. He rolls in at 10:30 and I’m sitting at Starbucks for a half hour with a crying 3 year old. ...Read more

Q. I think my boyfriend is cheating. We dated for about three months and then he moved in. We’ve been together for about 6 months now. Here’s the problem: A few months ago, he stopped coming home every night. When I ask him where he has been, he says he was drinking with friends and stayed at one of their homes. I think he should call me and...Read more

Q. Six months ago, I married a man who shares equal custody of his three children with their mother. I get along great with the kids, and they have often asked me to join them at their recitals, open house and parent teacher conferences. Their dad and I are always careful to tell their mother in advance when I will be attending. It doesn’t ...Read more

Q. My 21-year-old son who lives with me recently broke up with his girlfriend of two years. This was not a mutual split. He has found another, moved on and his past girlfriend is very hurt. I understand his decision, but I dearly miss his former girlfriend. She was part of our family for two years and I feel like I've lost a child. I would like ...Read more

Q. My co-parent is a lost cause. They are a narcissist! I looked it up on the internet and they check all the boxes. They think they are perfect, always right, and try to manipulate me and the kids to get their own way. They act like they care, but they obviously don’t. They can’t be a good influence. What’s good ex-etiquette?

A. I can’...Read more

Q. I am my husband's second wife and we have been happily married for 40 years. My issue is that whenever my husband thinks of a place or a person from the past, he will start by saying: "When we were in Santa Fe, New Mexico....." So, I ask the obvious question: Who is we? His response is: my ex-wife. For 40 years I have told him that he shouldn...Read more

Q. Reading your column, it is obvious that you are an advocate of both parents spending time together with the children after a breakup. I have no desire to spend time with my ex. We bring out the worst in each other and I don’t want the kids to see that. So, if you can’t or don’t want to, what is good ex-etiquette?

A. I’m an advocate ...Read more

Q. My kids tell me that their stepmother will not allow them in their home unless their dad is present. She asks them to sit outside until he gets home. It appears she hates them and wants nothing to do with them. He is so afraid of another divorce that he puts up with it. The kids tell me they are hungry and hot and it doesn’t matter. She ...Read more