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Ex-etiquette: Beware of badmouthing

Parents / Family Living /

Q. My son comes home from my co-parent’s home and tells me that they say bad things about me. My co-parent is aware of how damaging badmouthing can be, so I’m surprised by this. What’s good ex-etiquette?

A. Years ago, while standing in line at the supermarket, the woman behind me caught my eye. She had a little one in a car seat perched...Read more

Vladimir Kokorin/Dreamstime/TNS

Ex-etiquette: Dad's role when ex-wife has surgery

Parents / Family Living /

Q: My children’s mother has to have surgery. I did not hear this from her, but from the children. Evidently, she has had serious back problems for a while, yet I had no idea. The kids tell me they will be staying with their grandmother for about a month while their mom is recuperating. We share equal custody. Shouldn’t I be asked to weigh ...Read more

Dreamstime/Dreamstime/TNS

Missouri lawmakers propose IVF protections as Planned Parenthood defunding advances

Parents / Family Living /

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A Republican state legislator has filed a plan to protect in vitro fertilization procedures in Missouri following an Alabama court ruling that declared frozen embryos are unborn children.

State Rep. Bill Allen, a Kansas City Republican who narrowly unseated an incumbent Democrat two years ago, floated a measure Wednesday...Read more

Margoorita/Dreamstime/TNS

Ex-etiquette: How to stop grandma from bashing his ex

Parents / Family Living /

Q: My mother is out of control. She is very upset that my ex left and says horrible things about her when the kids are around. Her last rant called their mother “a lying, cheating ho.” And I didn’t know what to do. I try to reel her in, but she doesn’t listen. I don’t want to stop her from seeing her grandkids, but she doesn’t ...Read more

Dreamstime/Dreamstime/TNS

Ex-etiquette: Advice on common complaints

Parents / Family Living /

Over years of working with couples, both dating and no longer, there are some common complaints I hear every day. So I’m passing on a little good ex-etiquette in the hopes that this will help everyone someday will find their special someone.

“ I recently met someone online and we were having quite a good conversation but when talking about ...Read more

Antonio Guillem/Dreamstime/TNS

Ex-etiquette: Setting boundaries

Parents / Family Living /

Q. My husband's ex-wife and I get along well, and as a result, she thinks she can just walk into our home any time she feels like it. My husband does not want to confront her. He’s happy they are no longer arguing. And since I have a good relationship with her and I’m regarded as the peacemaker in this family, he wants me to be the one to ...Read more

Dreamstime/TNS

Ex-etiquette: Respect your child's time with other parent

Parents / Family Living /

Q: My son’s father and I share our 13-year-old's time equally, but his dad always seems to want more time. Why he thinks he deserves more than half, I don’t know, but that’s the impression he gives. My son will be comfortably watching TV when his father will call and tell him something to lure him away from my home—he just bought a puppy...Read more

Shari L. Gross/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS

Planned Parenthood to cut staff, consolidate health care centers in Upper Midwest

Parents / Family Living /

MINNEAPOLIS — Planned Parenthood will consolidate some of its clinics and eliminate dozens of positions in the Upper Midwest, the organization's leaders announced Tuesday

Across Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and the Dakotas, 36 positions will be eliminated from Planned Parenthood North Central States, including nine staff members and 27 open ...Read more

Ex-etiquette: Be skeptical of what your child tells you about what's going on at mom's house

Parents / Family Living /

Q: My child returned to my home after his weekend with his mother and while he was getting ready for bed, he mentioned that his mother didn’t come home last night. He’s only 14. What should I do? What’s good ex-etiquette?

A: One of the most common mistakes co-parents make is to believe their children when they tell them something the ...Read more

Drew Angerer/Getty Images North America/TNS

Ask Mr. Dad: It's not too late to vaccinate

Parents / Family Living /

Dear Mr. Dad: A few months ago, you recommended that expectant and new dads consider getting a flu vaccine. Well, with a toddler and a pregnant wife (who’s due in just a few weeks), life got busy and we never got around to getting vaccinated. At this point, is it still worth getting the shot? And if so, who should get it?

A: According to Dr. ...Read more

Dreamstime/Dreamstime/TNS

Ex-etiquette: Should I go to his family reunion?

Parents / Family Living /

Q. My child’s father and I have been divorced for 20 years. We have a daughter who is now 23. He remarried and also has another daughter, age 18. The girls are quite close. My daughter came home from college with an invitation to her father’s family reunion and she has asked me to attend with her. I have not talked to a relative of his since...Read more

Dreamstime/Dreamstime/TNS

Ex-etiquette: When there's a difference in routine

Parents / Family Living /

Q. My husband and I have been married almost 4 years and I have a 7-year-old bonus daughter. Our morning routine consists of five people (including my son and a new baby) taking showers, eating breakfast, dressing ... the normal hectic schedule of most households on a school morning!

This morning my bonus daughter asked if I could dry her hair ...Read more

Dreamstime/Dreamstime/TNS

Ex-etiquette: Setting house rules for blended families

Parents / Family Living /

Q. My boyfriend and I moved in together last April. We dated for a year prior to deciding to combine our families. I have two daughters, 7 and 16. He has a 12- and 17-year-old son; the oldest is planning to go to college in Hawaii after graduation. Recently I noticed the vibe is a little different between our oldest children and I am concerned ...Read more

Ex-etiquette: Will her ex be an unwanted guest at party?

Parents / Family Living /

Q. I just broke up with my husband of four years. Christmas was rough, but most of my friends stood by me and made it bearable. New Year’s Eve is around the corner and I have been invited to a party given by a friend who was my friend first. Her husband has become my ex’s best friend and I know my ex will be there. I don’t want to see him....Read more

 

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