Family

Parenting

Developmental leaps happen well beyond the baby years—here’s what to expect

Developmental leaps happen well beyond the baby years—here’s what to expect

Some of the toughest phases kids go through result in developmental breakthroughs and new emotional regulation skills.

Claire Gagne

We babied our third kid—and now we're paying for it

We babied our third kid—and now we're paying for it

We even encouraged our older kids to cater to him, and they did so willingly to keep the peace. But now that our "baby" is five, something needs to change.

Rachel Cameron

5 Good Reasons to be a Bad Parent

5 Good Reasons to be a Bad Parent

I was parent-shamed at my kid’s playground. Then I realized, I wasn’t going to apologize for being what some might call a “bad parent”.

Mark Pupo

Why I’m raising my daughter on the rez—a portion of her traditional homelands

Why I’m raising my daughter on the rez—a portion of her traditional homelands

I'm raising my daughter on the reservation because I want her to grow up knowing that “rez life” is a beautiful life.

Andrea Landry

Eulogy to a marriage lost to parenthood

Eulogy to a marriage lost to parenthood

I gave everything I had advocating for my son. There was never enough time, space or energy for anything else.

Charlotte Dobo

Montessori vs. traditional preschool: How to choose

Montessori vs. traditional preschool: How to choose

What's the difference between Montessori and traditional preschool or daycare? Here's what you should know—and how to pick the best care for your kid.

Jaclyn Law

I lived in mom “survival mode” for so long, I forgot how to be normal

I lived in mom “survival mode” for so long, I forgot how to be normal

Now that I wasn’t managing the daily logistics of having three kids, and constantly tending to everyone else's needs, I didn't know what to do with myself.

Sarah Bradley

The one word you should never say when your kid is melting down

The one word you should never say when your kid is melting down

Teaching feelings by validating your kid's emotions works—but it's tough to do. Here's how to help them recognize what they're feeling and move on.

Claire Sibonney

Why mom guilt is the biggest lie of all

Why mom guilt is the biggest lie of all

If all moms feel guilty—and research shows that we pretty much all do—then there's no “better” mother to compare ourselves to. Mom guilt is a sham.

Lauren Smith Brody

How to raise a feminist

How to raise a feminist

Whether you have a boy or a girl, teaching your kids about gender equality feels more crucial than ever.

Reva Seth

This Might Be Why You're Getting So Mad At Your Kids

This Might Be Why You're Getting So Mad At Your Kids

Understanding your parenting triggers—and dealing with the emotions underneath—can help you problem-solve instead of losing it on your kid.

Claire Sibonney

*This* is the best stage of parenting. There, I said it.

This is the best stage of parenting. There, I said it.

There is an interlude between the slog of toddlers and the horror of teens known as the “golden years,” and I’m in it now.

Claire Lawrence

I took my Daughter on a Black History Road Trip

I took my Daughter on a Black History Road Trip

Knowledge is power, and sometimes it takes more than just love for a white mom to prepare her Black teen daughter for the world we live in.

Sylvia Kyle

11 simple ways to add some magic to your kid's day

11 simple ways to add some magic to your kid's day

Today's Parent

10 parenting catchphrases to diffuse frustrating situations

10 parenting catchphrases to diffuse frustrating situations

Rather than scold, nag or blow our tops, moms and dads can keep the peace with these handy one-liners sure to diffuse any sticky situation.

Kristy Woudstra

When the pandemic is over, my family won't go “back to normal”

When the pandemic is over, my family won't go “back to normal”

Missing trips to the movies and birthday parties is nothing new for some parents—pandemic parenting is actually a whole lot like disability parenting.

Kathy Heath

Is your kid faking sick? Here's what to do

Is your kid faking sick? Here's what to do

Pretending to be sick is nothing new, but during the pandemic, an exaggerated headache comes with a huge ripple effect. Here's how to deal with it.

Lisa Kadane

How to tell your kids you smoke weed

How to tell your kids you smoke weed

Whether you’ve used cannabis for years or you're thinking of trying it out, you would be smart to prepare for an eventual chat with the kids about it

Devon Scoble

Why telling kids to be grateful doesn't work—and what to try instead

Why telling kids to be grateful doesn't work—and what to try instead

The pandemic has been hard on all kids, but reminding yours that others have it even worse won't teach them gratitude. Here's what might actually work.

Gina Rich

How to Make the Hours Between 5 and 8 p.m. Suck Less

How to Make the Hours Between 5 and 8 p.m. Suck Less

Three hours shouldn't have to feel like three years. Here are ways to make your evening routine easier for you and your kids.

Amy Van Es