When my children were little, discussions about what costumes to wear for Halloween began in September. They loved dressing up, attending Halloween parties at school, trick-or-treating with friends, and then sorting (and eating) the candy they collected. While my children…
When my son was in a tween, he asked if he could take golf lessons. I signed him up for introductory lessons with a golf pro. He enjoyed it so much I sent to a summer golf camp for a…
One of the toughest parts of parenting is watching your child struggle. Whether they're upset about a grade, being left out of a party, or not making the starting lineup of a sport, it's hard to ignore the immediate impulse…
I discovered Trey Kennedy several years ago while scrolling TikTok. One of his videos popped up on my feed—it was a skit about the difference between Mom waking a kid up for school and when Dad does it. I laughed…
José Rolón, a New York-based wedding planner, content creator, and activist, has more than half a million followers on TikTok. Under the handle, @nycgaydad, Rolón posts about family life as a single father of three. "I began posting on Instagram…
Preparing for when the kids venture outside the nest
Looking for a great way to spend time with your kids that’s fun, affordable, and gets them off their screens? Gardening is an ideal activity. Whether you plant one in your yard, on your deck, or on a kitchen windowsill,…
A smaller number of households are doling them out, but at what cost?
Parents may think they know what it’s like to be in elementary, middle, or high school since they’ve been through it already. But is childhood really the same as it was when we were young? The answer is yes—and no.…
In many families, money and finances are considered grown-up topics. Parents may believe children shouldn’t be privy to the family budget or included in any discussions regarding financial decisions, and while they have good intentions, shielding children from the topic…
An Interview with Kim and Penn Holderness
When parents decide to divorce, it can be difficult to break the news to kids in an age-appropriate way. What are some explanations they can understand? How do you reassure them that while Mommy and Daddy won’t live together anymore,…
The 52-year-old dad has amassed a following by finding the humor in raising teens.
Since becoming a parent almost 30 years ago, not a day has gone by that I haven't questioned myself and wondered, "Did I do the right thing?" or "Could I have handled that situation better?" The reality is that there…
Your teen daughter is getting ready for a party with friends and seems angsty. She's staring in the mirror, looking at herself from every angle, pulling at her clothes and visibly upset. “Mom,” she says, “Do I look fat?” While…
Many adults join book clubs as way a way to socialize and broaden their minds. When you commit to reading the same book and get together to discuss, it’s an opportunity to spend time with friends, enjoy literature, and perhaps…
What therapists want you to know about the risks and rules you might consider
As my daughter’s 8th birthday approached, we started discussing what kind of party she wanted. I thought she might say bowling or gymnastics, but she asked for a Survivor-themed party. I wasn’t sure how execute that until I did a…
Getting kids to keep their rooms clean is an ongoing struggle for many parents. Kids often view their bedroom as "their space" and feel they should have autonomy. But for the parent, walking past a room with clothes all over…
Many parents shy away from talking about money with their kids. It’s deemed a “grown up” topic, and sharing your family’s financial situation with children can feel awkward. But understanding finances is a crucial life skill. Earning, saving, taxes, budgeting,…
Everyone knows to send bathing suits and bug spray, but what else do you need to purchase before sending your child off to sleepaway camp? The first year my daughter went to sleepaway camp, I couldn’t imagine her being away…
When Donna Meyer's two sons were little, she tried getting them involved in every sport available in her town. "They were very active kids,” she says. “I knew all the benefits they would get from playing sports, from physical exercise…
When my daughter was in the first grade, her teacher required students to complete a reading log each school night. I remember one evening when my daughter had tears as she struggled to get through her 15 minutes of required…
Last November, when I asked my sister-in-law for gift ideas for my nieces and nephew, she was stumped. My 9-year-old nephew had a few items on his list for me to choose from, but my twin 6-year-old nieces weren't asking…
As parents, it's common to worry about what our children are eating. We want them to enjoy a wide range of nutritious foods and to develop a healthy relationship with food, but getting children to try new flavors and eat…
Shannon Carpenter has been a stay-at-home dad for 14 years. "Initially, I was joking when I suggested to my wife that I stay home with our then 15-month-old son,” he says. “But the more we talked about it, the more…
I recently saw this meme on Instagram that made me chuckle (credit @mommycusses) ME: (Hanging one-handed from a cliff, seconds from death) MY KID: Can you hold this? While the situation is exaggerated, the sentiment is relatable. Moms…
In 2016, Krista St-Germain became a widow and single parent of two children overnight after a drunk driver killed her husband. “Being a single parent can be overwhelming,” she says. “You are the only person taking on the parenting load.…
When I was pregnant with my third child, my husband and I couldn't wait to tell our two daughters, ages 8 and 5 at the time. We explained that Mommy had a baby in her belly and both girls…
When I was a kid, my mom made one dinner that catered primarily to my father's palate. Unless it was a special occasion, my mom didn’t ask my brothers and me what we were in the mood to eat, and…
According to a survey by the American Pet Product Association, in 2020, pet ownership rose from 67% of households to an all-time high of 70%. If you haven’t taken the pet plunge yet, here are a few things to consider…
When deciding the right time to have a baby, considerations like maternal age, finances, and ages of other children come into play. For more than a year, the pandemic has given couples even more reason to wonder, “Is now the…
Melinda Wenner Moyer always knew she wanted to write a parenting book but wasn't sure what aspect she wanted to tackle. One evening, she and her husband were discussing current events over dinner. "I was getting increasingly frustrated by the unsavory behavior…
Heading back to school always comes with a bit of stress, but this year the transition may be especially challenging. Many children haven’t been in the classroom full-time in more than a year. The rules will be different, and most…
'I think any time you can join your kid in a shared hobby is a chance to talk with them about what is going on with their lives'
June is LGBTQ Awareness Month, and across the country, picnics, parades, and workshops celebrate gay pride. They also provide an opportunity to support members of the LGBTQ community and educate your children on different family structures and backgrounds. If you…
We can all agree that motherhood is hard work and moms are more than deserving of a day that celebrates them and all they do. But for some people, Mother's Day can be difficult. "There is an assumption that it's…
Experts weigh in
Local experts share on this important topic
How to teach your children to advocate for themselves in a virtual world
As mothers face a long and uncertain winter, what can they do to preserve their physical and mental health?
How to make Thanksgiving safe and fun for college kids
How to discuss politics with your children ahead of an increasingly heated cycle
How to deal with the understandable re-entry anxiety
How will this generation-defining event affect our children?
A look at the topic with advice from the experts
How to help kids after a tough first summer away
