Our advice columnists have been fielding a wide range of parenting questions over the years, and today we’re revisiting some classic letters from the Care and Feeding archives. If you have a parenting question of your own, you can submit it here. One letter from a single mother living in a quiet apartment building describes her struggle with connecting with a new neighbor who has a young baby. The mother hears the baby crying frequently and feels empathy for the new parent, but is unsure if offering help would be appropriate. The advice columnist suggests starting with a friendly introduction, expressing interest in the neighbor’s life, and offering support in a respectful way. The writer is encouraged to be patient and considerate, recognizing that the new parent might be shy or uninterested in forming a friendship. The key takeaway is to be a supportive neighbor without overstepping boundaries. Another letter from 2019 asks about the etiquette of thank-you notes for children's birthday gifts. The parent is unsure whether to force their 5-year-old son to write thank-you notes, especially since he is not naturally inclined to do so. The columnist responds that while thank-you notes are a traditional way to show gratitude, they are not always necessary. If the child is not willing to write them, a simple verbal thank you or a parent dictating the note can be acceptable. The advice emphasizes the importance of teaching gratitude without creating unnecessary stress for the child. A third letter raises the question of whether it is wrong to laugh when children get hurt. The parent admits to laughing at times when their child takes a funny tumble, and wonders if this makes them a bad parent. The response acknowledges that laughter is a natural reaction, especially when the child is not seriously injured. However, it also notes that children can be sensitive to their parent’s reactions and might feel their pain is being dismissed. The columnist suggests using techniques to manage laughter, such as focusing on something serious or offering immediate comfort to the child. The goal is to balance genuine emotion with sensitivity to the child's feelings. In a recent letter, a parent describes their 7-year-old daughter's difficulty in making friends, especially after forming a connection with a girl named Brenda at summer camp. The two girls share similar interests and traits, and the parent was excited to arrange playdates. However, the playdates have since ended, and the parent is left wondering why. This letter highlights the challenges of helping children build and maintain friendships, a common concern for many parents.