Parenting

a mother consoling her son by holding his arm

When my son was arrested, I took a step back and let him face the consequences. It was a turning point for both of us.

4 min read

My son dropped out of high school and community college. I supported his choices every step of the way.

5 min read

A young girl wearing a mauve sweater lies on a bed with a pink and white striped blanket. She is wearing headphones and a smart phone she is holding is blocking her face.

We got a cell phone for our 11-year-old. Two years later, here's what we've learned.

Our teen has had a cell phone for two years. She's made a few mistakes, such as making friends through gaming apps, but we've worked through them.

5 min read

a mother holding her child on her back as they run through a field

I felt guilty every time I left my kid to work out. I reminded myself that, as an older mom, staying healthy is most important.

I struggled to work out because I always wanted to be there for my daughter. But once I let go of the mom guilt, my daughter and I thrived.

4 min read

Cheerful schoolboys talking on a class at elementary school

I thought I was doing everything right as a parent. Then my kid's teacher told me about his disruptive behavior in class.

My 7-year-old is a caring and kind kid, but he sometimes misbehaves, and I'm left wondering what I'm doing wrong as a parent.

5 min read

Woman and her daughter walking down path to school.

My daughter was homeschooled for the first few years of her education. When she asked to go to a local school, she thrived.

Homeschooling worked well for our family, but my daughter wanted to go to school with her friends. She's now thriving there, too.

5 min read

A woman smiling and holding a seashell with a drawing on it while wearing a hat and sunglasses.

I came to terms with not having my own kids. Now, I'm finally at peace with not being a grandmother.

It took me a while to come to terms with not having kids. Now, friends are having grandchildren, and I'm accepting not being a grandmother, either.

4 min read

two teens laughing while sitting on a large couch

My family is forgoing big vacations, and instead, we splurged on a big couch. It has brought us together like never before.

As a parent, I should prioritize experiences over items. But my teens are finally hanging out with me and opening up to me — all thanks to our couch.

4 min read

Father and son dealing with teen problems.

My kids say things like 'I hate you' when they don't get their way. It's hard not to take it personally.

I was not prepared for how hard it was going to be to parent teenagers. They would fight my rules and tell me they hated me.

4 min read

Shawn Johnson East sitting on her kitchen counter and hugging one of her kids while another child drinks a beverage from a glass.

Olympic medalist Shawn Johnson East on perfectionism, success, and the parenting question that keeps her up at night

Olympic medalist and co-creator of Beam Kids Shawn Johnson East opens up about perfectionism and helping her kids find their passions.

4 min read

Female driving school instructor is teaching how to drive to young woman

My teenager finally can get a driver's license. He's not remotely interested.

I'm a Gen X and couldn't wait to get a driver's license. My teenager is Gen Z and he couldn't care less about getting one.

6 min read

A composite picture with Patric Gagne as an adult on the left and a child on the right with the text "acting out" overlaid.

How sociopathy works, according to a diagnosed sociopath

Patric Gagne, the author of "Sociopath: A Memoir," discusses the stigma of living as a diagnosed sociopath.

1 min read

Dad on the couch with two kids climbing on him.

I was almost a helicopter parent, but slowly giving my kids more independence is working wonders for their self-reliance

I wanted to protect my kids from danger and was almost a helicopter parent. I realized I needed to give them more independence, and they're thriving.

4 min read

I'm over-involved in my daughter's life and often check in with her college professors. She wants space, but I can't let go.

My daughter has just started college, and I'm frequently contacting her professors to see if she's in class and if she seems distressed. I can't stop.

4 min read

A young white queer woman in a flowery meadow refuses money being offered to her by a man in a suit hanging out of a helicopter.

They inherited billions from their parents. They don't want it.

They only had one weekend to give away $100 million of their inheritance. But first, karaoke.

11 min read

A child's legs dangle out of a white storage bin, toys are scatterd all over the floor of the room.

My decorating aesthetic is 'I have kids.' We keep toys, art supplies, and stuffed animals in our shared space so we have easy access to them and to each other.

I'll have a more curated decorating aesthetic when my kids are older. For now, I'm happy living amongst the chaos of toys and art supplies.

5 min read

Grandmother holds newborn baby in hospital room.

I was in the delivery room when my daughter gave birth. I was worried about overstepping and made sure she knew I was there to support her.

My daughter asked me to be in the delivery room when she gave birth. I wanted to support her and didn't want to weigh in on decisions unless asked.

5 min read

teen boys sitting together looking at laptops

I put so much thought into picking my kid's names. Now, they complain that their names aren't unique enough, and it hurts me.

I chose to name my oldest boys Graham, James, and Ford after careful consideration. They hate those names and prefer Maverick, Ja'Maar, and Grayson.

3 min read

A happy smiling family on vacation in Bali

I went on a co-parenting vacation with my husband's ex and her family. Our bond as a blended family has never been stronger.

Kirstin Edwards and her husband traveled with his ex-wife, her husband, and their kids. Their co-parenting trip brought their blended family together.

5 min read

The author with her husband and grandsons standing on a balcony with a city view.

My husband and I feel lucky to have good relationships with our older grandsons. We see them at least once a year.

We love spending time with our older grandsons. We see each other at least once a year and connect through card games, outdoor time, and writing.

4 min read

Priya Rajendran lighting birthday candles with her daughter at home

I struggled to be present for my daughter when I worked in an office. Working from home saved our relationship.

As a single mom working in an office, I couldn't pick my daughter up at school and had to hire childcare. Working from home helped me be a better mom.

4 min read

We give our kids independence in stages, tied to privileges and responsibilities. So far, it has worked out incredibly well.

Our kids are allowed to play outside alone at around age 5. Then, they can bike alone to a store at age 10. At the same time, they have to do chores.

4 min read

A woman wearing green pants and a gray tank top stands next to a bench with some ducks.

It took me 10 years to feel sexy again after giving birth. A new man and back injury helped me get there.

My partner's unwavering attraction to me was the first part of my journey to accepting my new body. New health issues changed the way I felt for good.

5 min read

Smiling daughter looking at caring mother by lake

As the mother of teens, I have to be a parent and a friend

I grew up thinking that parents could not be friends. But now that I have four kids of my own, I want to be both things for them.

4 min read

I'm a mom and relationship reporter. Here are 9 tips to help your teen through their first relationships and heartbreaks.

Lisa A. Phillips started researching teen dating when her own 13 year old started doing so. She says parents should validate teens' feelings.

4 min read

Mom showing son how to load dishwasher in kitchen.

I thought cleaning up for my son was easier than asking him to do it. Now, I'm determined to teach him to do chores for himself.

I used to clean up after my son instead of waiting for him to do his chores. I realized it's better to teach him these tasks so he can be independent.

4 min read

A family of four walking outside in a field

We're a family of 7 living on one salary. Here are 11 things we're doing to combat the rising prices of groceries.

My husband is a public school teacher and I'm a freelancer. My kids are now eating the free school lunch, and I stopped drinking Starbucks.

6 min read

A young boy with blonde hair, wearing a blue shirt and blue goggles holds a pipette above a beaker holding a cloudy liquid.

I work in a research lab and know how to make science fun for kids. Here's how my family finds science in everyday life.

As a lab technician, I'm doing these four things — including turning bath time into a fun experiment — to get my young children excited about science.

5 min read

The author with her daughter and husband with a city view behind them.

I used to lie about my age. I stopped after my 7-year-old daughter caught me.

I started lying about my age in my mid-30s. I stopped when my 7-year-old daughter caught me during a school project about family.

4 min read

A mother hugs a young boy while a girl is hugging her from behind.

I catch myself playing favorites with my kids, but I don't feel guilty about it

Growing up, I always felt that my parents favored my sister. I'm trying not to do the same with my kids, but it can be tricky not to have a favorite.

4 min read

The big thing missing in stories about teens and social media

Social media is bad for teens, right? That's a lot of what we hear. But a recent study examined voices missing from the conversation: It's the teens.

5 min read

My older brother raised me, and I thought I could pay him back by spoiling his kids. It has created some unexpected issues.

My older brother worked hard so I could have nice things growing up. I could never repay him, so I now buy his kids gifts, which often become clutter.

4 min read

Photo collage of family with various drugs.

The 'naughty little secret' of today's drug-friendly parents

Today's parents are saying yes to drugs. Just don't tell their kids.

11 min read

My 10-year-old is allowed to roam alone. I want him to have independence.

It all started during the pandemic, when we created a pod with kids with similar age. Now they are all allowed to go to each others' houses without adults.

4 min read

My 5-year-old is already better at money management than I am

My 5-year-old daughter is learning about money management through gift cards. She understands budgeting and delayed gratification.

4 min read

father and son standing in the kitchen and chatting

When I tried having the sex talk with my kids, they asked me sensitive questions I wasn't expecting. I struggled to be truthful.

I prepared to give my kids the sex talk. But they were much farther along than I thought, asking questions about abortion and sex changes.

4 min read

A man and his young son sitting courtside at a basketball game.

I'm a multimillionaire who balances frugality and treating my 3 kids. I remember what it's like not to be wealthy.

Brandon Medford, a CEO and multimillionaire, balances frugality and treating his kids. He learned to build his wealth after starting his own company.

4 min read

I reluctantly quit my pilot job to teach our kids at home. It was so boring until I started educating them through travel.

I quit my high-paying job to teach our kids at home. I never wanted to homeschool and hated it until we started traveling and learning through trips.

3 min read

Georgie Noble with her mother Bett, her granddaughter Lacey, and her daughter Alisha smiling and standing outside in front of a green plant.

I became a grandma at 41. I love that I'm still young enough to really enjoy my granddaughter.

Georgie Noble's granddaughter was born when she was 41, and she enjoys having enough energy to play with her. She loves being a young grandmother.

4 min read

Suzanne Hayes and her adult daughter standing in front of a crusie ship

I'm jealous of my adult daughter because she's more emotionally mature than I'll ever be. She gives me something to strive for.

My daughter asked me to keep my advice to myself. I was impressed at how easily she set a boundary — something I could never do.

4 min read

I took my children to Space Club, an indoor play area in NYC. It felt expensive for 3 kids but was well worth the price.

I paid $115 for my three kids to visit Space Club in Brooklyn. The NYC indoor playground was expensive, but they had a blast, and so did I.

5 min read

The author's 10-year-old twins posing by a pool on a sunny day.

I let my 10-year-old twins roam free with no supervision on vacation. The week had a huge effect on them.

I let my 10-year-old twins roam free with no supervision when we stayed at a private resort. I saw a huge change from having so much independence.

4 min read

kid sitting on dad's shoulders while mom looks from a distance

My kids prefer their father to me. It felt unfair until I realized it was a blessing in disguise.

Ariba Mobin is the second-favorite parent in her family. At first, she felt rejected and resentful. Then, she found it actually made her a better mom.

4 min read

A woman wearing a green and white dress and a denim jacket kneels down with two children, a boy and a girl, on the front porch of a house.

I left a dream career in marketing to homeschool my kids and care for my family. Here's what I wish I had known before I quit.

I always envisioned climbing the corporate ladder, but now I homeschool my children. Here's what I wish I'd known before I took the leap.

5 min read

I was a latchkey kid. Yet, I struggled to give my tween the independence she needed.

I was a latchkey kid but when my 12-year-old asked to walk alone to a café I panicked. Eventually I gave her the independence she needed.

4 min read

a teen girl grabbing a phone from her mothers hand

My daughter is entering high school without a smartphone. Instead, I got her a phone without apps or WiFi.

I decided my daughter will not have a smartphone for all four years of high school. Her "dumb phone" will not have access to social media.

3 min read

A teen girl belly-down on a bed with a purple blanket looking sadly at a purple smart phone.

I don't let my teens have social media. My 16-year-old daughter wasn't happy at first, but the other day she thanked me.

My kids were angry with my no social media rule, but I don't want them to be exposed to the inherent dangers before they are equipped to handle them.

4 min read

Molly Devane standing in the sun and looking at the camera.

I got laid off from my tech job after 6 years. Now, I'm juggling being a stay-at-home mom while job-searching, and it's complicated.

I became a stay-at-home mom after getting laid off from my tech job. It's hard to juggle job-searching while taking care of my child.

4 min read

Naomi Carmen stands next to her daughter

I apologize to my 7 and 2-year-old when I'm wrong. I'm giving them the respect I never had growing up.

Naomi Carmen grew up with a skewed view of personal relationships because apologies were scarce for her. She's proudly raising her kids differently.

5 min read

A baby crawling away from a woman bringing a thread from her blazer with it

Millennials waited to have kids. Now they've hit an unexpected snag.

More people are waiting until their 30s to have kids. But that's when careers start taking off.

11 min read