I moved in with my parents at 29, and it felt like an all-inclusive resort. I didn't pay rent, and my mom often cooked 3-course meals.
4 min read
My baby needed open heart surgery at 5 days old. A stranger gave me the words of encouragement I needed.
My son needed open heart surgery at 5 days old and I couldn't hold him for 55 days. A stranger's words gave me the hope I needed.
5 min read
My 17-year-old daughter got her dream summer job — with a little help from me
My teen is working as a camp counselor this summer. I'm glad she started the application process last December.
4 min read
When I became an empty nester, I didn't know how to be by myself. I had to learn how to be just me.
I was constantly busy with my kids' activities. When they moved out and I became an empty nester, I had to reinvent my life in my 50s.
4 min read
America's unhinged real estate market is driving down the birth rate
If America wants to increase its birth rate, then it needs to make housing more affordable. That requires building homes quickly and cheaply.
10 min read
My 17-year-old isn't excited about being able to drive. I get his hesitation.
Services like Uber make having a driver's license as a teen less of a necessity. My son doesn't have the same desire to drive that I did in the 90s.
3 min read
I became friendly with the mothers of my son's friends out of necessity. Now, they're some of my most meaningful relationships.
I didn't expect to have such meaningful connections with the mothers of my son's friends, but our bond has evolved over the years.
4 min read
I moved from New York City to Texas for my husband. Now, we're divorced, and I'm full of regret and far from home.
Isobella Jade moved to Texas from a life she loved in New York City for her husband. They divorced 5 years ago, but she's still in Texas for the kids.
4 min read
Living with my children's grandparents has taught me to stand my ground as a working mom
Generational differences have made living with my husband's family difficult at times. I'm glad I parent my own way.
5 min read
Parents of college kids are getting unhinged in their group chats
Gen X parents are terrified to let their Gen Z kids grow up, even as they head to college. Here are the group chats to prove it.
10 min read
YouTube's cofounder said he's wary of his kids spending too much time on short videos
YouTube's cofounder and former tech chief says he doesn't want his kids to watch only short videos on platforms like TikTok, Reels, and Shorts.
2 min read
My grandparents raised me and parented with fear. I tried to do things differently, but the result was the same.
My grandparents raised me to be afraid of everything. I wanted to parent differently, but my son told me the result was the same.
4 min read
I want my kids to get bored this summer. It's good for them.
I don't stress about filling every minute of my 6 kids' days with activities. I want them to get bored and use their creativity this summer.
4 min read
I quit my job as an attorney to follow my true passions. I now want my teens to chase their dreams — not the highest-paying career.
I didn't want to be a lawyer, but people told me it was the best career. I eventually had to quit. I want my kids to learn from my mistake.
4 min read
I'm a step-parenting coach and I see families make the same 5 mistakes. Here's how to avoid them.
Most new stepparents are optimistic about their future as a blended family, but strong relationships can take time and need extra care to develop.
4 min read
My parents sold their home of 40 years and retired to Colombia. I moved them back to the US when they both got sick.
My parents were enjoying their retirement in Colombia. When they were both diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, I had to move them back to Houston.
4 min read
My son and I celebrate Christmas in July. We exchange gifts, make Christmas cookies, and watch holiday movies.
My son and I celebrate Christmas in July. It's more relaxing than the real thing, and we love decorating and spending time together.
4 min read
My family changed our Friday night pizza and movie tradition to save money. It took some time for the kids to get on board.
For years, our family would go out for pizza and to watch a movie on Friday nights. The tradition was costing us hundreds of dollars a month.
3 min read
I'm planning every aspect of my son's college dorm room with the moms of his future roommates. I wonder if we've gone too far.
The group chat started when our sons chose to room together in college. I didn't expect us moms to plan their color scheme or buy fancy kitchen items.
4 min read
The millennial case against having baby number 3
Many millennial parents stop at two kids. Some would rather have fewer kids to have more resources and more time together.
8 min read
My family of 6 loves road trips. Here's how we keep them fun for everyone.
My family has traveled thousands of miles on road trips. I make sure we all have fun and keep our sanity by following seven essential strategies.
5 min read
I'm a twin raising 2 sets of twins. I know I need to encourage their individuality.
Kim Perell says it was hard growing up with a twin sister. She encourages her twins to be individuals and not compare themselves to their siblings.
4 min read
Despite our parenting differences, my in-laws are taking my kids in their RV this summer. It'll be good for everyone.
I want my kids to spend time with their grandparents despite our generational and parenting differences. They're going on an RV trip this summer.
5 min read
My 4-year old is starting school soon. It feels like a new chapter in her life that I'm not ready for.
My 4-year-old is transitioning to primary school in a few weeks. She's ready and excited. I'm not.
3 min read
I teach college students and their horror stories of dorm life make me thankful I lived at home when I was in school
I thought I was missing out by not living in a dorm. Since then, my college students have shared enough horror stories to change my mind.
3 min read
We moved from Chicago to Ohio after getting pregnant. We moved back a year later.
L'Oreal Thompson Payton and her husband moved to Northeast Ohio after getting pregnant to be closer to his family, but they weren't happy.
5 min read
I traveled with my teenage daughter, her boyfriend, and her best friend. I was nervous it would be awkward, but it was surprisingly fun.
My daughter wanted to travel across the country to do a college tour. We brought her boyfriend and best friend, and turned it into a vacation.
3 min read
My teen was making up to $30,000 a month from YouTube. I was so ignorant about the kid-influencer world.
Ashley Smith's daughter, Claire was part of Piper Rockelle's "The Squad." She wasn't a high earner and was still make five-figures a month.
4 min read
To stay on budget as a mom, I buy gifts for my family when they're on sale. Here are my wallet-friendly shopping tips.
Jodi Webb knows how to find a good deal. She takes advantage of offseason sales, store closings, consignment sales, and more to save for her family.
5 min read
My family of 4 moved from a big city to a quiet mountain town. We love it here but wish we lived closer to my kids' grandparents.
My family of four moved to a quiet mountain town, and it was a major lifestyle upgrade. But we gave up living close to my kids' grandparents.
4 min read
My Gen Z daughter has emotional tools that I didn't have at her age. I'm envious, but I'm learning a lot from her.
My Gen Z daughter is teaching me to set boundaries, advocate for myself, and to recognize that softness doesn't equal weakness.
3 min read
I only work 3 days a week during the summer. The rest of the week, I'm offline and enjoying time with my kids.
When I asked my boss if I could work only three days a week this summer, they needed no convincing. I now spend the other two work days with my kids.
3 min read
I'm a pro at getting free things for my kids, including bikes and a swing set. Here's how I found my best scores.
Raising kids is expensive, so my husband and I try to get as many second hand items as we can. Here's how we've scored clothes, a swing set, and more.
4 min read
When our twins went to camp for the first time, we went to Las Vegas. Taking time to reconnect was the best parenting decision.
Our 10-year-old twins went to summer camp and my husband and I went to Las Vegas. Taking time to ourselves makes us better parents.
4 min read
My 2-year-old grandson died at the peak of my career. His death made me realize all my business success meant nothing.
I was at the top of my career when I learned my grandson had died in a tragic accident. It forced me to confront my achievements and career.
4 min read
My daughter went on a cell-phone-free weekend trip. It was surprisingly harder on me than on her.
I didn't expect to be so anxious when my daughter was cell-phone free. I realized how addicted I am to the phone and how I need to change my habits.
4 min read
My kids stopped being appreciative of gifts. Now I make them write thank-you notes before they can use them.
My children began to resist writing thank-you notes as they got older. Now I make sure they show gratitude before enjoying their gifts.
4 min read
Katherine Schwarzenegger says she hired a coach to teach her how to step-parent Chris Pratt's son
Katherine Schwarzenegger said her coach was "essential" in helping her learn how to communicate with her stepchild and think of herself as a stepmom.
3 min read
Putting on my wedding ring made me look like an adult. Taking it off 12 years later made me finally feel like one.
At 27, I thought wearing my wedding ring would make me look like an adult. At 39, I finally felt like one, even without it.
4 min read
Jason Kelce shares the one thing he will 'never ever' tell his wife Kylie to do
But he doesn't mind if the roles are reversed. "I am pro-nagging. I think nagging is a great thing to do," Jason Kelce said.
3 min read
Yes, as a mom of 4, I'm tired. But I don't like when strangers point that out.
Strangers often feel the need to point out how big my family is and comment on how tired I must be. Now, I have a variety of responses ready for them.
3 min read
When my daughter and daughter-in-law both asked me to throw their baby showers, I was thrilled. I feel privileged to be a grandmother.
I hosted baby showers for both my daughter and daughter-in-law. As a grandmother-to-be, it was an honor.
4 min read
OpenAI's chief economist says he's teaching his kids these 4 skills to prepare for the AI world
Ronnie Chatterji is teaching his young children four skills — from critical thinking to math without calculators.
3 min read
Our family of 4 shares a 900-square-foot apartment. The benefits outweigh the negatives.
Apartment living was hard when the kids were babies, but now we enjoy having everything we need nearby and an almost car-free lifestyle.
3 min read
I have 2 kids in college, and our relationships have changed. I'm learning new parenting lessons all the time.
My two older kids are in college and our relationships have changed. We now have different boundaries, and are learning new lessons together.
4 min read
I worried having kids would trigger my eating disorder. It actually changed my relationship with my body for the better.
I worried about how pregnancy would affect me and thought it would trigger my eating disorder. Having kids helped me see my body as the miracle it is.
4 min read
I moved to a big city at 51 to be closer to my 2 sons. I almost instantly regretted it and left a year later.
Jennifer McGuire missed being a part of her sons' lives so when her lease was ending, she moved to the big city to be nearby. It didn't work out.
4 min read
I spent the day at Disneyland without my kids so I could do it my way. It was just what I needed.
My teens and I don't enjoy the same rides and attractions at Disneyland, so I went alone. Sometimes, I need to let myself be a kid.
4 min read
At 22, my daughter moved back home. She's used to having a roommate — I'm not.
My 22-year-old daughter moved home to save money after graduating from college. We've had to work together to find a routine that works for us.
3 min read