This study examined family structure and parenting challenges in 80 African American, 45 European American, and 74 Latina mothers (aged 19-62 yrs) infected with HIV. Findings from extensive maternal interviews and questionnaires indicated broad heterogeneity in living arrangements, high rates of mother-child separation, and low rates of current homelessness despite a 50% lifetime rate. Parenting problems and depression were reported, especially by low-income mothers, yet many described positive changes following diagnosis of HIV and expressed optimism about their future prospects. Mothers' primary concerns centered on disclosures to their children and permanency planning. The need to blend quantitative and qualitative approaches in understanding maternal and child functioning was discussed, and the salience of HIV as an attributional magnet was noted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2007 APA, all rights reserved) Full Article available from PsycInfo for a FEE: http://content.apa.org/journals/cdp/5/3/197.html.