first person

If you have young kids, COVID hasn't gone away—we're still very much in it

If you have young kids, COVID hasn't gone away—we're still very much in it

It feels like everyone we know is starting to move on from the stress of COVID times, but for us, life has actually gotten harder.

Allison McDonald Ace

My sister was our surrogate and it was the greatest gift

My sister was our surrogate and it was the greatest gift

Emily and Tyler

A toast to the COVID-weary families out there still doing this

A toast to the COVID-weary families out there still doing this

"The last part of a good wait is the hardest. You’re almost there. You’re going to make it."

Dara Douma

I’m so sick of hearing “just you wait” from veteran parents

Baby development

I’m so sick of hearing “just you wait” from veteran parents

Maybe I’m being too earnest, but as a new mom, there are so many stages I'm truly excited about. Please don’t rain on my parade with a "just you wait."

Amberly McAteer

One day, he'll be two: Words of wisdom from a nurse to a NICU mom

One day, he'll be two: Words of wisdom from a nurse to a NICU mom

It’s the kind of thing you can’t fully appreciate in the moment, but our nurse's words have played over in my mind countless times since the NICU.

Alicia McAuley

I gave up teaching to be a SAHM and I still grapple with my decision

I gave up teaching to be a SAHM and I still grapple with my decision

For the six years that I’ve been home, I’ve battled a voice in my head telling me that I’m less of a woman because I don’t have a career.

Andrea Ewer

7 mistakes I made when decorating the nursery

7 mistakes I made when decorating the nursery

Turns out it isn't just a place for baby to sleep. It needs the utility of a laundry room and the fortitude of a mudroom, and I'd made some silly nursery decor mistakes.

J.C. Villamere

I was so smug when my first kid ate everything—but my second had other plans

I was so smug when my first kid ate everything—but my second had other plans

I thought I knew it all, but feeding my picky second-born child has been humbling, to say the least. Here's what I've learned

Danielle Braff

I left my kids and husband to find myself

I left my kids and husband to find myself

https://www.todaysparent.com/family/parenting/ways-i-helped-my-daughter-through-my-divorce/

Chatelaine, as told to Danielle Groen

My son's autism diagnosis made me realize just how ableist I had been

My son's autism diagnosis made me realize just how ableist I had been

Putting a label on my child’s glorious, sometimes confusing personality traits was harder than I expected. But my hesitation was really ignorance.

Natalie Stechyson

I just cried in front of my kids for the first time

I just cried in front of my kids for the first time

I wish I'd done it sooner, but it took time for me to realize that it’s essential to teach our kids what emotions are and how they feel.

Shannon Talbot

I wish I hadn’t waited so long to get meds for my PPD

I wish I hadn’t waited so long to get meds for my PPD

The EPDS painted an image of a sad, powerless, woman crying in her room—not me. But my irritation with life and tendency toward anger was actually PPD.

Saphina Waters

I have two toddlers… and stage four breast cancer

I have two toddlers… and stage four breast cancer

You know you’re a mother when you’re still trying to micromanage a childhood you might not be around for.

Crysta Balis

I never told my daughter she was adopted—then she discovered it on her own

I never told my daughter she was adopted—then she discovered it on her own

It was the worst thing I could have done and almost destroyed our relationship permanently.

Paula Guida

This federal election, I’m voting for child care—here’s why you should, too

This federal election, I’m voting for child care—here’s why you should, too

A tax credit wouldn't have helped when I was stuck on 12 waitlists. It won't help moms struggling to pay monthly fees or parents whose daycare closes overnight.

Carolyn Ferns

I was convinced my baby was switched at birth

Postpartum care

I was convinced my baby was switched at birth

I was sure that my second son couldn't possibly be mine. I had no idea it was a symptom of postpartum depression, lurking beneath the new-mom exhaustion.

Natalie Stechyson

How Intuitive Eating Made Me A Better Mom and Spouse

How Intuitive Eating Made Me A Better Mom and Spouse

Dieting had turned me into a cranky food-obsessed bore, but I didn’t realize how much it affected my family life until I switched over to intuitive eating.

Helen Racanelli

I’m a kindergarten teacher and the way I've been teaching reading is wrong

I’m a kindergarten teacher and the way I've been teaching reading is wrong

Kate Winn

I thought moving in with the grandparents during the pandemic would be easy

I thought moving in with the grandparents during the pandemic would be easy

Somehow my pandemic anxiety morphed into an intense panic over preserving the Korean culture my kids haven't grown up with.

Youngna Park

I can’t believe back-to-school is even scarier and more stressful than last year

I can’t believe back-to-school is even scarier and more stressful than last year

Erin Pepler