Q. My ex and I have been divorced for three years. We both have new partners, and our children get along well with everyone. This year, my daughter suggested that we all have Thanksgiving together. My ex thinks it's a great idea, but my current partner isn't comfortable with it. My daughter doesn't understand why we can't all celebrate together....Read more

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Over the years, Stephanie Wallace and her twin sister, Della, have recruited extra roommates to make ends meet, first their brother, Joshua, then his girlfriend, Diana, as rent climbed to $3,700 on their two-bedroom apartment in San Jose. Still, they scrimp on groceries to pay the utilities and are planning to get rid of ...Read more

Q: Our breakup was nasty, and I rarely talk to my child’s other parent. When we do, it’s on a court-ordered app. Lately I have been getting notifications that my ex is trying to talk to me. I don’t want to talk. He drives me crazy. How can I convince the court that my child is better off with me? What’s good ex-etiquette?

A: I ...Read more

Q. My child tells me that she can do various things at her mother’s home that she can’t do at mine. It seems to me that there are no rules over there, and it makes me look unreasonable. I think my ex is doing this on purpose, so the kids will prefer her home. What’s good ex-etiquette?

A. My first question is, how do you know?

You said ...Read more

Q. Halloween falls on my ex’s night this year, and I’m really disappointed. Our kids are 6 and 9, and I’ve always taken them trick-or-treating. I asked if I could come along, but my ex said no because it’s her parenting time. I think we should both be able to participate in special occasions regardless of whose night it is. What’s good...Read more

Q. My 8-year-old daughter told me that she wants to dress up for Halloween with her mother, her mother’s boyfriend and his two children. They are all going as characters from the same movie. I’ll admit it bothers me. It looks like they’re pretending to be one big happy family and I’m being replaced. I told my daughter that I thought she ...Read more

Q. My son’s mother and I broke up seven months ago. She’s already living with someone else. He’s a felon and I’m furious that she’s dating someone like this. If he wasn’t in the picture, I’m sure we would have gotten back together. We have a 5-year-old son and I let him know every day that his mother has chosen this guy instead of ...Read more

Q: My ex wants us to celebrate our daughter's birthday together every year because she says it's better for our daughter. We don't fight in front of her, but being together is uncomfortable and I'm sure she can feel it. I'd rather have separate celebrations. Does putting the kids first mean we have to celebrate together? What’s good ex-...Read more

Q: My 9-year-old has started calling my husband “Dad.” Her father is furious and corrects her every time she does it. He says she already has a dad and allowing this is disrespectful. I understand why it hurts his feelings, but she's very close to her stepfather. This was her choice. What do I tell her?

A: There’s a fine line we walk ...Read more

Q: My ex shows up for everything that involves our daughter, even when it happens during my parenting time. Soccer practices, school events, sometimes even routine appointments. When I say something, she tells me, “I'm her mother. I have every right to be there.” I want us both involved, but sometimes I'd like to just be Dad without my ex ...Read more

Q: My ex's girlfriend has started texting me about our kids. Pickup times, homework, schedule changes, you name it. She's pleasant, and I don't dislike her, but I'm beginning to wonder why I'm co-parenting with her instead of my ex. Where do you draw the line? What’s good ex-etiquette?

A. Before you send, “I had children with HIM, not YOU,�...Read more

Q: My child repeats everything her mother tells her. The problem is that her mother is very angry. I had an affair and eventually told my wife and left. I am a demon in my ex's eyes, and she's trying to convince our daughter to hate me. I understand why my ex is so angry, but making our child hate me isn't going to do anyone any good. What's ...Read more

Q: I told my ex's new wife that I was saving up to take my daughter to a concert that I knew she wanted to go to. The tickets were very expensive, but I had been saving for six months because I wanted to surprise her. Yesterday was my daughter's birthday. She came home from her dad's house with a ticket to the concert. Evidently, her dad and his...Read more