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Meghan Leahy

Meghan Leahy

Meghan writes about parenting for the Washington Post. She's the mother of three daughters and the author of "Parenting Outside the Lines." She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and secondary education and a master’s degree in school counseling and is a certified parent coach. Send a question about parenting to onparenting@washpost.com.

Parenting Q&A: My 11-year-old cursed at me. Should I let it go or draw a line?

Should this parent just forget about their 11-year-old cursing out of anger?

By Meghan Leahy●

Parenting Q&A: I coach my son’s sports team. Why is he so disrespectful during practice?

Parent coaching their son’s sports team is tired of him clowning around during practice.

By Meghan Leahy●

Parenting Q&A: Toddler prefers Mom and throws tantrums when Dad tries to help

Their 3-year-old has a strong preference for mom over dad, and it’s making these parents miserable.

By Meghan Leahy●
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Parenting Q&A: Should co-parents let teen decide the custody schedule

Teen wants to change the custody schedule. Can these co-parents push back?

By Meghan Leahy●

Parenting Q&A: How do I get my teen to stop snapping at his ‘annoying’ little sister?

A mom is frustrated that her teenage son keeps snapping at his little sister who is in a “challenging phase.”

By Meghan Leahy●

Parenting Q&A: How do we tell our 4-year-old he can’t roughhouse whenever he wants?

A 4½-year-old tries to initiate rough play at times when it’s not appropriate. How should his parents address that with him?

By Meghan Leahy●

Parenting Q&A: How can I help an intelligent 5th-grader who shows signs of depression?

How can this reader help a 5th-grade student who is disconnected and shows signs of depression?

By Meghan Leahy●

Parenting Q&A: How does a parent teach a shoplifting child a lesson?

A child of color stole candy. How does a parent teach a lesson without criminalizing them?

By Meghan Leahy●

Parenting Q&A: We want our kids to work service jobs as teens. Our friends are horrified.

Friends were horrified that this reader thinks it’s a good idea for their kids to work service jobs as teens.

By Meghan Leahy●

Parenting Q&A: Should I tell my friend I think her teen daughter is manipulating her?

Should this reader tell a mom from that her teen daughter is manipulating her?

By Meghan Leahy●

Parenting Q&A: My 3-year-old son just gets angrier when I try to calm his tantrums

No matter what this parent tries, their 3.5-year-old won’t calm down during tantrums.

By Meghan Leahy●

Parenting Q&A: Should we tell our family and friends about our son’s autism diagnosis?

A parent is concerned about telling friends and family about their tween’s recent autism spectrum disorder diagnosis.

By Meghan Leahy●

Parenting Q&A: My son can dress himself, but some mornings refuses. Do I make him?

A 4½-year-old simply refuses to dress himself some mornings. How do I manage this? What’s age appropriate?

By Meghan Leahy●

Parenting Q&A: I don’t condone my teen’s drug and alcohol use. How do I talk about it?

How do I let her know that I’d really rather she not do it at all, without leading her to stop confiding in me?

By Meghan Leahy●

Parenting Q&A: My husband died recently, and now my 6-year-old is acting out

He was her absolute best buddy, so I know why she’s hitting her sister and telling lies. But she’s never been like this before. What else can I do to help her?

By Meghan Leahy●