Q My boyfriend and I are thinking about getting married. We each have teenagers — he has a son, age 17, and I have a daughter, age 16. My daughter lives with me full time. His son lives with him every other week. We see a potential problem with this and aren't sure how to approach the issues we may face with two unrelated teenagers living under the same roof. We both work and there will be many times our kids will be home alone. What do you suggest?  

Creativity expert, professor, father and former day care provider Rustin Wolfe writes a weekly MinnMoms parenting advice column that uses creative punishments to put a positive spin on negative behavior.  

Q Is it bad ex-etiquette for an ex/co-parent to use a child's birthday party to propose, announce an engagement or pregnancy with the new partner? i.e. guests sing happy birthday, candles are blown out and ex takes center stage and say, 'While you are all here...'? And, if you are faced with this, what the heck do you do?