Family

Michigan State won't have much difficulty preparing for Maryland on Sunday.

David and Kelly Hensor of Fuquay-Varina, N.C., had been through seven unsuccessful fertility treatments over the last few years when they arrived at their doctor's office last fall, physically, emotionally and financially drained.

During the subprime loan era, it's well documented that lenders took all kinds of shortcuts - such as failing to verify borrowers' employment or income - to sell mortgages.

Your 5-year-old is begging to play soccer, but you're not sure he's ready for a team sport. Are there signs to watch for?

Infertility specialists in the U.S. are lobbying for inclusion of assisted reproduction benefits in the health care reform play. They point to the fact that even multiple rounds of in vitro fertilization (IVF) cost less than caring for premature infants that arise from cash-strapped couples engaging in dangerous practices to achieve pregnancy to save money. Three rounds of IVF at $10,000 each is a bargain when the care of one premature infant runs approximately $200,000 from delivery to homecoming.

Q. What do you think of kids on leashes? Chicago Parent magazine put that question up on its Facebook page and - no surprises here - some readers went ballistic. "Treating the child like a dog!" was the common theme of said rants. One person suggested that these kids be taught to bark. Don't you just love people who think with their pituitary glands?

We knew this day would come eventually the day our bodies turned on us.

Dear Mr. Dad: I was up changing my baby's diaper last night and saw green sparks shooting out of it. I called my wife in to show her, but it didn't happen again. She thinks I'm nuts, but I'm quite sure I saw something. Could I have?

Q: Each time my husband's daughter comes to visit, there's a fight. We live in another state and she stays with us for months at a time during her school vacations. With spring break coming up, I'm anticipating yet another problem. For example, during her last visit I asked her clean her bathroom. Her father overheard me and chastised me for asking her to do chores when she's visiting. He's very protective of her and likes her to relax when she is with us. But, it doesn't seem fair to assign chores to those who live with us and not to those who live here part of the time. What do you think?

Your 9-year-old might not have a solution for the health care stalemate, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't give her a shot at it.