
If I felt close enough to the parent, for example if we did favors for each other with watching the kids, then I would ask casually in conversation, trying to eliminate any feelings of awkwardness. Otherwise, I wouldn't solely ask this question, and if I didn't know the parent very well then I absolutely wouldn't ask!
What do you want the panelists to weigh in on? Email your ideas to editor Tamara O'Shaughnessy at tamara@chicagoparent.com.