Care and Feeding is Slate’s parenting advice column. Here’s what you need to know

A 5-year-old boy and his cousin lost a pet mouse in a hot air balloon accident.

Liam 's sister-in-law is furious with him and says he's a bad influence on her daughter.

Your husband may need to intervene and talk some sense into his sister's anger.

A 9-year-old daughter wants to earn some extra money by walking dogs.

Her father thinks this is a good idea and is encouraging her to pursue it, but I'm against it.

She's a little on the small side for her age, and I have serious doubts that she would be able to control a larger dog.