Conversations

When Furniture Falls, We Blame the Parents

Accidents happen. Parents and companies make mistakes. But in the age of social media, extending any sort of understanding has become a rare occurrence.

The Importance of Setting Family Goals – and How to Do It

As common as personal goals are for most of us, the vast majority of families have never given thought to setting goals for their family.

How 10 Minutes a Day Changed My Relationship With My Preschooler

When kids' behavior spirals out, dedicating focused, uninterrupted time with them can make all the difference.

Another Snow Day, Without the Magic

Today, we enter into our sixth snow day in 30 days. The magic is gone and I'm fresh out of ideas.

How to Navigate Todder Fears of Blow-up Penguins and Stray Hairs

Being a hero in the eyes of my little ones is a perk of motherhood I expected. I assumed I’d be saving my kids from bees, the deep end of the swimming pool, and the mean kids at the park, but I nev...

The Unexpected: Grieving the Loss of a Surprise Pregnancy

When I fantasized about leaving New York City, three things shone brightest on my mental wish list. Most obviously, a garbage disposal. You never realize how useful they are until you’re not allowe...

This Is Your Kid's Brain on Porn

These days, porn is never more than a few clicks away. And according to researchers, the effects on the brain are similar to the effects of drugs.

How a Parent’s Affection Shapes a Child’s Happiness for Life

There have been a number of recent studies that highlight the relationship between parental affection and children’s happiness and success.

Toddlers Are the Most Chivalrous of Us All

When it comes to being generally cheerful, excited, and happy to see you, no one does it better than toddlers.

Why Working Out Disagreements in Front of Your Kids is Good for Them

Research shows parents who manage disagreements well are actually modeling healthy conflict resolution for their kids.

7 Reasons I Wish I Were Raising My Kids in the 80s

If Marty and Dr. Emmett Brown offered to give my family and me a ride in their DeLorean, I’d want to go straight back to the 80s and raise my kids there.

Can We Please Stop Trying to One-Up Each Other?

Parenting is not a competition. But some moms seem to think so.

Motherhood Was the Gateway to My Creative Side

When I had kids I thought I had forfeited my chance to express my creative dreams. But fulfilling creative work and motherhood doesn't have to be at odds.

5 Ways My Husband Out-Parents Me

As hard as it is to admit this, when it comes to parenting, there are some things my husband does better than I do.

Don't Be Fooled: 7 Things Your Baby Doesn’t Need

What the baby product industry doesn't want you to know is that many of their products are completely unnecessary and some are even dangerous.

Paid Family Leave Would Actually Make Businesses Stronger

Paid parental leave isn’t bad for business. In fact, it can actually help the bottom line.

5 Family Films That Celebrate Boy-Girl Friendships

Boys and girls often play together in real life, but it’s rare for media or advertisements to reflect this. Here are five great films that do.

An Honest Look at Your Social Life Before and After Having Kids

Here's a glossary that provides pre- and post-parenthood definitions of commonly heard words and phrases.

5 Picture Books to Help Get Little Kids Interested in STEM

These five picture books instill children (and parents) with excitement while exploring science, technology, engineering, and math concepts.

Phonics Instruction Can Help Your Kids Learn How to Read

Some educators and experts believe the phonics approach is old-fashioned and boring, impeding or even slowing down the learning process. But is it?

3 Science-Backed Tips for Raising Independent Kids

Ultimately, parenting is about raising adults, not children. And teaching them to be independent has never seemed as urgent as it does today.

Everyone Benefits When You Reclaim Some Time Just for You

“...But I still feel guilty,” I confessed over the phone to my sister, also a mother of young children. “I'll never forget what our pediatrician once told me,” she replied. “She said to never feel ...

The Early Poops Don't Smell: Reflections From My First Year of Fatherhood    

When my kid was first born, I felt a lot of things, but instant, unconditional love wasn’t one of them.