Q. Halloween is always a problem. I want the kids to be with me and their dad wants them to be with him. I keep trying to tell him that the kids want to trick-or-treat with their friends, not in a neighborhood 30 minutes away, but he says they have friends near him, too. It’s so frustrating! Their dad never listens to me. What’s good ex-...Read more

Q. My bonus daughter and I get along very well and many people who meet us just assume I am her mother. I believe I should always support her mother, so I am quick to correct the assumption. Even though she has never said anything, I can tell by my bonus daughter’s expression that she is disappointed by my clarification. Is it necessary to ...Read more

Q. I don’t trust my child’s father. He says one thing and does another—all the time. I get to the point where I think maybe, just maybe, I can trust him and then he pulls something that makes me furious. Most recently I found out he is taping when we exchange the kids to use against me at some point, but last week he was telling our co-...Read more

Q. Every time my ex and I don’t agree, he takes me back to court. This last time we were ordered to go to co-parenting counseling. I really don’t see how that will help. We don’t trust each other, and we don’t agree on anything. I mean anything, from what time the kids should go to bed at each other’s homes to who can pick up the kids ...Read more

Q. My ex and I have been separated for 6 months. Yesterday my ex refused to drop our kids off at my home because my girlfriend’s car was in the driveway. I think she thinks my girlfriend and I were seeing each other prior to our breakup, but we were not. She was a co-worker and that is against company policy. I was recently transferred to ...Read more

Q. I have a 9-year-old son from my first marriage. My ex-wife (from my second marriage) and I raised my son together for 5 years. We split up 2 years ago, but she is still in my son’s life and spends a few hours with him every week. My new partner is resentful of even the smallest amount of time my son spends with her and demands that I no ...Read more

Q. I have noticed in other columns that you have suggested that parents should be the only ones attending 504 special ed meetings for their children. Bonus parents should not attend. My ex believes his wife should attend, but last time we tried it, she was very opinionated and took over the entire meeting. Our meeting is coming up, and I would ...Read more

Q. I served our country, had some serious things happen to me and just could not see through to the other side for years. I did not want to return home and met someone else. I hurt my wife and my family. That is something I live with every day, but I have no desire to reconcile. I try to take an active part in my children’s lives, but my ex ...Read more

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