Question: I've searched the site for an answer to this one, and from what I can see, the other questions don't involve the parent `div` using `position:absolute;`

Here is my code:

```
<div id="wrapper">

    <div id="child">
    Here are the contents to be displayed.
    </div>

</div>

```

Here is my CSS:

```
#wrapper {width:1024px; height:auto; position:absolute; top:0px; left:0px; border:solid 1px #000;}

#child {width:500px; height:1000px; position:absolute; top:35px; left:15px; border:solid 1px #FF0000;}

```

Here is a fiddle: [jsfiddle](http://jsfiddle.net/aEbFv/2/)

Answer: 
If the parent cant be relative then the child has to be relative (you will obtain the same behavior). If both are absolute then they are not related, and therefor the parent cant adapt to the child (or vice versa). You will also have to add padding-bottom to the parent to patch the full size of the child (at least the top of the child + whatever padding you want)

Updated fiddle with example: <http://jsfiddle.net/aEbFv/8/>

```
#wrapper {
    ....
    padding-bottom: 60px; /* 35px from childs top + 25px for padding */
}
#child {
    ....
    position:relative;
}

```
now give to 

```
    #wrapper{
position:relative;
position:absolute; // remove this line
}
    .child{
    position:absolute;
    left:0;
    right:0;
    width:500px; // remove this line
    }

```

always give to **parent div** `position relative` and **child div** given `absolute` 

More **[about position](http://css-tricks.com/absolute-positioning-inside-relative-positioning/)**