first person

We caved and hired a babysitter and it’s been a lifesaver...for my kids

We caved and hired a babysitter and it’s been a lifesaver...for my kids

To protect my kids' mental health, we've started taking small, calculated risks. Until there's a vaccine for COVID-19, it's the only way forward.

Claire Gagne

6 jobs I didn’t expect to inherit when I became a mom

6 jobs I didn’t expect to inherit when I became a mom

From Lunch Lady to Nose Wiper to Hurt Kisser to Manners Teacher, it turns out there’s more to being a mom than just being mom.

Rachel Toalson

"You were an exceptional child that needed exceptional care"

"You were an exceptional child that needed exceptional care"

In this touching essay, one mom looks back at raising her daughter, who was born with developmental delays.

Susie Sokol, Maclean's

Dear irresponsible park-goers: Stop ruining this for the rest of us

Dear irresponsible park-goers: Stop ruining this for the rest of us

It feels like families with young children are making huge sacrifices as other groups of people are shamelessly defying the rules.

Lindsay Springer

I love staying home with my kids—is there something wrong with me?

I love staying home with my kids—is there something wrong with me?

When I tell people I actually enjoy being a stay-at-home mom, they don’t believe me.

Kristen Aspevig

I had three kids after 40

Pregnancy health

I had three kids after 40

I didn’t plan on being an “older” mom; it’s just how my life played out. So, why do people feel the need to make comments about it?

Anna Vlachos

As things start to open up again, I’m starting to panic

As things start to open up again, I’m starting to panic

Like everyone else, the reopening is what I've been waiting for. But now that it's here, I find myself with more anxiety than ever.

Rachel Cameron

8 kids' songs that I never ever want to hear again

8 kids' songs that I never ever want to hear again

I'm not sure when I became such a music curmudgeon, but I think it was right around when I heard "Let It Go" for the millionth time.

Alyssa Ashton

Here's why 50/50 parenting probably isn't going to happen

Here's why 50/50 parenting probably isn't going to happen

With stats showing that women still handle most child care in heterosexual couples, it seems we have a long way to go towards equality in parenting.

Hadiya Roderique, FLARE

I Donated My Eggs Because I Was Sure I Wouldn't Use Them

I Donated My Eggs Because I Was Sure I Wouldn't Use Them

But now I feel conflicted

Selina Johnson, FLARE

Moms are leaving the workforce to care for their kids and it's not OK

Moms are leaving the workforce to care for their kids and it's not OK

Instead of “leaning in,” women are being forced to lean out—and I’m worried about what that means for our careers long-term.

Jennifer Goldberg

What a rodent taught me about love—yes, love

What a rodent taught me about love—yes, love

I have a strong aversion to rodents. But my daughter wanted a pet hamster, and so Dolly joined our family.

Nicole C. Kear

It’s OK to have a total mom meltdown

It’s OK to have a total mom meltdown

There's no shame in having a mom meltdown—it happens to all of us at some point. (And yes, your kids will get over it, I promise.)

Katie Dupuis

I sent my kids away because of coronavirus, and I don't know when I'll see them again

I sent my kids away because of coronavirus, and I don't know when I'll see them again

As a doctor, having my family isolate away from me felt like the right thing to do at the time—but I never expected it to be this hard.

Nadine Gebara

I didn't want to socialize with school moms. Here's what happened when I did

I didn't want to socialize with school moms. Here's what happened when I did

"I love my kids’ school, but as a major introvert, I’d rather attend a funeral than a PTA meeting."

Sarah Garone

I pulled my kid from e-learning and have zero regrets

I pulled my kid from e-learning and have zero regrets

I decided something had to give—it was either my sanity, my son's ability to see me as a loving parent, or e-learning. Obviously, e-learning had to go.

Monica Belyea

Cooking has become my coronavirus therapy

Cooking has become my coronavirus therapy

Somehow the stress of feeding my family has become my solace during these uncertain times.

Simone Olivero

Why is no one talking about how unsustainable this is for working parents?

Why is no one talking about how unsustainable this is for working parents?

As this "temporary" situation threatens to drag on for months and parents are losing steam, I'm wondering why the government hasn't come up with a plan.

Claire Gagne

Quarantine has turned me into a mean mom with zero patience

Quarantine has turned me into a mean mom with zero patience

Being stuck at home with my kids indefinitely during this quarantine has brought out the worst in me as a mom: I'm yelling, irritable and distracted.

Erin Pepler

It took a pandemic for me to realize that SAHMs are superheroes

It took a pandemic for me to realize that SAHMs are superheroes

Over a month into sheltering-in-place with my three kids, now I truly know just how hard the job of stay at home mom has always been.

Alexandra Frost