Ask GoodJoan

Questions and answers from October, 2004:

How would you choose a belt-positioning booster for a child about to grow out of her car seat (she's 39 pounds and the weight limit on the old seat is 40)? She is especially tall as well, so I'd like to find something that will last a while.
Also, how would you convince your child to stay in a belt-positioning booster when your state's law does not require anything other than a seatbelt after the child reaches 4 years of age? She has older friends who sometimes only use a seatbelt. [More...]
How do you handle potty training? [More...]
Why do men always get in trouble for leaving the seat up? Why does it have to stay down anyway, why don't women put it up when they are done? Why do the men have to do all the work? [More...]
Hi. I am pretty close to some friends of mine who have children. These children (3 years old and 1 1/2 years old) are always very happy to see me. I see them at church once or more a week.
Doesn't sound like a problem? Well, recently I've been feeling some real 'disgust' at the 'hero worship' going on from one or more of the parents. I'm wondering if I should pull away a bit? I feel like I'm 'competing' with the parents. [More...]
What's the average lifespan of a pair of household rubber gloves? [More...]
Hi! With Christmas coming up, we have the annual onslaught of unnecessary gifts. How do I politely tell my and my husband's family to not inundate us with gifts for our son? He's their only grandchild (on both sides) and is very much loved, but this is getting crazy. He already has clothes he'll never wear, and toys he'll never touch. I'd like to instill a sense of value for things, but with all the stuff he has, I think it'll be hard. They tell me he's only young once, and it's "grandparents' privilege." He'll be 21/2 at Christmas. I should note it's more of a problem with my husband's mom. I can tell my mom to limit her spending, which my dad reinforces. Why do holidays have to be so stressful!!? [More...]
I had a pain in the *ss younger sister when I was growing up... I think it all had to do when I dropped a frozen pumpkin on her head when she was an infant.... I think she still has a dent!!!! Do you think she has BRAIN DAMAGE?????????? [More...]
How old should a child be before he/she is let loose alone in a public restroom? Having two younger children to tote around, and with the added difficulty of having all boys, I can't easily follow my six-year old into the bathroom. Should I hustle everyone into the ladies room and stand outside? Should I let him go to the men’s room and guard and listen at the door like a watchdog? I'm not so afraid of what he'll do in the bathroom alone, but rather, of what others might try. He wants to be independent, however, and I'm stuck on deciding what's the safest route for him. [More...]