Conversations

Get access to our latest news by signing up for our newsletter.

Flower painting
Parenthood

Whether They Meet Them Or Not, Our Relatives Shape Our Kids

Even if the stories aren’t happy, love-conquers-all stories, they're important. These were real people’s stories – people we have ties with.

Parenthood A boy is standing with closing his mouth

The F Word: a Discussion on the Power of Language With My 9-Year-Old

The consequence for the use of this language will depend upon the context, the cultural norms, and, let’s face it, the potential for parental embarrassment.

Parenthood Boys doing riddle arragement

In the Middle

You could say we’re each experiencing a kind of “middle-age.” First there’s my son, Ryan. He’s nine. He’s in the middle years of his childhood, halfway to adulthood. He’s loving this time in his li...

I'm a Stay-At-Home-Mom With an Older Child, What's Next for Me?

This is a submission in our monthly contest. December’s theme is Growth. Growing up I always knew I was "going to be somebody and make something of myself." An obsessive overachiever, I was confide...

Parenthood Fire Alram

Five Workplace Strategies That Totally Work on Your Kids

Having spent years dealing with angry customers and clients, I've seen how some of the same tactics that put out fires in the workplace can help me at home.

Parenthood Crying Baby

I'm Going to Need You to Stop Screaming Now Please

Hi Baby! It's your Papa. How you doing? Not good? Yeah, I can tell. As for me, I’m… well, I’m frustrated. I have a simple request for you: Stop screaming.

Wellbeing Phone hanging

Yes, You Can Grieve the Living

Over the years my mother and I have fallen apart and come back together plenty, but this time was different. I could feel it.

Why the Grandparents Can Exercise Their Spoiling-Rights This Christmas

Grandparents love to spoil. It is as part of the job description – especially around the holidays.

Wellbeing Family journey with a kid sitting on top of shoulder

Can an Introvert Change Her Stripes?

The question of whether introverts can really become extroverts is up for debate. Famous psychologists have argued that personality is immutable.

Parenthood Parenthood happiness

Growing into Parenthood

This is a submission in our monthly contest. December’s theme is Growth. Change can be hard, especially for parents. A former neighbor (and at the time, soon-to-be mother of five) once explained th...

Parenthood A lady is watching mirror inside metro train

All Grown Up

This is a submission in our monthly contest. December’s theme is Growth. When daughter A was a little I used to read her a book titled "Leo the Late Bloomer" by Robert Kraus. In the book, there is ...

Wellbeing A girl is holding books by covering her face

The Problem with Teens No Longer Working Part-Time Jobs

The reluctance of teens holding part-time or summer jobs is now a national trend that has caused a fair amount of concern from experts in the marketplace.

Learning Cartoon zebra painting

7 Books to Help Kids Understand Life with Autism

It's estimated that one in every 68 children in the United States has experience with some form of autism. These books can help them relate.

Wellbeing Sugar cubes placed on floor

This Is What Happened When My Teenage Son Gave up Sugar

After doing some research a few months ago, my teenage son decided to give up sugar. We're both noticing a big difference.

Parenthood Two kids sitting back wards while one kid is seeing angrily

Why I'm Teaching My Kids That "I'm Sorry" Is Not Enough

I now put it upon them to demonstrate, through actions rather than words, that they are regretful.

Parenthood A girl holding thread covering her face with cloud

When Raising Kids Collides With the U-Curve

Knowing about the U-curve can help us let go of the shame and guilt we have for experiencing this dive in contentedness.

Parenthood family's feet showing under covers

Take Back the Night: a Sleep Training Guide for Parents Who Failed the First Time Around

It’s moving day around here, and these kids are moving out of my bed come hell or high water. Here is how I plan to take back the night.

Parenthood Childre playing with a ballon

6 Unexpected Skills I Gained Because of Motherhood

This is a submission in our monthly contest. December’s theme is Growth. Some people think that when parents choose to stay at home with their kids, they automatically sacrifice their careers and t...

Parenthood Baby sleeping on floor

What Are You Scared Of?

I want to give her the information she needs. Even if it is painful. Even if it is scary.

Inspiration rear view of a stressed lady

The Difficulty in Facing What's Right in Front of Us

It is true that some parents refuse to see what is right in front of them. They gloss over the signs, they deny the truth.

Inspiration A Person writing something in a book and a laptop opened

Growth

When we think of growth, we often think of the most difficult challenge we have recently overcome. Sometimes, the challenge comes from the family (children, spouse, parents) sometimes the challenge...

Learning Father seeing letters while his kid is watching tab

Money: There's No Magic Number When Kids Enter the Picture

Before my children came along, money wasn't a major source of stress. But things are different now.

Parenthood Parenthood with new born baby

Could Eye Contact With Your Baby Increase Communication Later On?

According to a new study gazing into our infant’s eyes can have a powerful effect on synchronizing our brain activity with theirs.

Parenthood Girl listening to music lying on sofa

I Want My Children to Be Selfish

I believe in order for children to become truly unselfish and empathize with healthy boundaries, they have to do the work of tending to their own needs.