Building a village isn't easy — especially when you're parenting in the US
10 min read
I'm an American mom raising my son in Denmark. I want him to belong here, even when I still feel in between 2 cultures.
Living in Denmark has many benefits for families, but raising a child here has made me confront what it means to belong.
5 min read
I stopped giving my kids big birthday gifts. Now, I take them on one-on-one trips instead.
Taking my kids on solo getaways makes their birthday feel extra special, and the sibling-free time gives us a chance to connect without distractions.
3 min read
Tory Burch says she would 'never trade off' being a good mom while building her company — but something had to give
Tory Burch said her sons were like little "torturers" who used to "bully" her, though she was a "tough mom."
3 min read
I traveled the world as a flight attendant. I wanted a quieter life — now I run a bakery in rural Japan.
Rei Onoda bought a $50,000 abandoned home in rural Japan while pregnant — she and her husband quit their jobs.
5 min read
My twins are already TV celebrities. They played 'Baby Jane Doe' on 'The Pitt' at 4 months old.
Desanka Pinder says she signed her newborn twins with an agent and quickly booked roles on "Grey's Anatomy" and "The Pitt."
4 min read
My family moved to Paris 3 years ago and gave up our cars. My teen has gained independence and I'm less stressed and more active.
My commute used to drain me. Now that I'm car-free, it's the best part of my day.
4 min read
The Chinese government is warning teens that 'lying flat' is a psyop. I say, let the teens be lazy!
China's intelligence agency is warning that foreign anti-China forces are telling its teens to be lazy. I totally understand the "lying flat" trend.
4 min read
I ran a life skills camp for middle school kids. They learned to do laundry, cook dinner, and navigate Chicago without phones.
Kristin Howard started a camp for middle schoolers to learn important life skills together, including laundry, cooking, and budgeting money.
6 min read
My 3 teens text me throughout the day and check my location. I could be frustrated by this digital tethering, but I'm grateful.
I know that there are dangers to teens having cellphones, but I'm glad my teens use them regularly. We're able to stay connected as they get older.
4 min read
We thought homeschool was best for our kids. They proved us wrong.
We were committed to homeschooling, but as our son grew and our work changed, we realized he needed something different.
5 min read
I'm a busy working mom and desperately needed help with clutter. A professional organizer gave me 3 crucial tips.
I'm a mom of three with a full-time job. A professional organizer taught me decluttering tips that changed how I clean.
4 min read
My kids wanted a dog, but I didn't. In the last 18 months, we've adopted 4 and I couldn't be happier about it.
I can admit I was wrong to deny my family a dog for so long. In just 18 months, our four new additions have enriched our lives in four major ways.
4 min read
I let my 5-year-old make a game with AI. He picked up coding skills — but needed clear guardrails.
She let her 5-year-old vibe code a game. Her son had no technical vocabulary, but he managed to prompt the AI and pick up key skills.
4 min read
I bought disposable cameras for an anniversary trip with my husband. Using them brought us closer together.
A $30 pack of disposable cameras turned our recent anniversary trip into something way more meaningful.
5 min read
I wanted better maternity wear, so I made my own. Now I run a successful company that has grown along with my family.
Ingrid Carney turned a pregnancy wardrobe problem into Ingrid & Isabel, a successful company she chose to grow without VC funding.
4 min read
I was on the first-ever Disney cruise; this summer, I'll take my 100th. Now I get to enjoy them with my adult children and grandkids.
Faith Colletti and her husband have been on no fewer than 98 Disney cruises since 1998. These days, they are often joined by their kids and grandkids.
4 min read
My tween enjoys shows intended for more mature viewers. Watching them together has sparked many meaningful conversations.
There's a huge to upside to letting my tween watch my favorite not-for-kids shows like "Good Omens," "Lost," and even clips from "Heated Rivalry."
4 min read
I moved from the US to Korea, where I planned to stay forever — then I had kids
American dad Derek Laan says that in Korea, he makes less money in exchange for a more interesting life.
5 min read
I didn't like that my son was spending his allowance on gaming purchases. Turns out, he was learning financial responsibility.
I resisted my son's gaming purchases, but they ended up teaching him budgeting, planning, and financial responsibility.
4 min read
I've traveled to 30 countries with my kids. I always do these 4 things before leaving home.
After a close call abroad, I always travel with my kids' birth certificates and a notarized letter from their father. Here's why.
5 min read
My 30s look nothing like I once imagined: no marriage, no homeownership, no children. I've learned to make peace with that.
Growing up, I thought life was built on milestones. You get a job, get married, buy a house, and have kids. By 30, I had none of those things.
4 min read
I go on spring break with 5 of my mom friends and our 16 kids. It's more fun than it may sound.
I went on spring break with 5 of my mom friends and our 16 kids. It's fun to see our kids of all ages play together.
4 min read
I caved in and got my son a Nintendo Switch so he wouldn't feel left out. I immediately regretted it.
I resisted buying my son a Switch, then gave in. Watching his behavior change made me rethink it — and he eventually gave it up himself.
4 min read
I went bathing suit shopping with my 18-month-old daughter. I realized I shouldn't talk negatively about my body around her.
In a dressing room, I realized my negative self-talk was being heard by my daughter— and I decided to change it.
5 min read
My partner and I lived in a camper van for 3 years before I had an unexpected pregnancy. It changed everything for us.
We set out in our camper van in hopes of finding a place in the country to settle down long-term. Our timeline was sped up when I got pregnant.
4 min read
My parents pay my rent in New York City because I can't find a full-time job after college. I feel like I failed.
As a recent college graduate, I'm struggling to find a job because most companies ghost me. I feel guilty that I'm relying on my parents for support.
4 min read
I'm self-employed, and family planning as a freelancer is scary. I don't have parental leave, and I don't know how much money to save.
Planning to have kids when you're self-employed is scary. As a freelancer, I don't have parental leave, and I don't know how much money to save.
4 min read
I went to a kids' Pokémon event. I expected child's play, but got a trading floor.
I went to a Pokémon trading event, and the preteen collectors aren't playing around: They view cards as investments and a tool to build value.
3 min read
Adopting the slang of my Gen Alpha kids took me from being an outsider to someone who is in on the joke
I'm a millennial mom who started using slang with my Gen Alpha kids. After the initial shock, it brought us closer together.
4 min read
Sometimes my adult kids don't get along. I'm their mother, but it's not my job to fix their problems.
I lost touch with my brother years ago, and I worry my children could repeat that pattern if they don't work through conflicts.
4 min read
My family of 5 moved in with my parents. We pitch in with household bills and cooking, and we give each other space.
Multigenerational living works for us. When my family of five moved in with my parents, we created rules from the beginning, and it's helped.
4 min read
I quit fast-paced journalism to care for my sick mom. My experience in both led me to become a celebrant at funerals.
Mandy Appleyard harnessed her skills as a journalist and experience caring for her ailing mom to become a celebrant, specializing in funerals.
4 min read
A CEO and busy mom of 7 said sprint workouts helped her get fitter than ever with less time in the gym
A software company CEO and mom of 7 said she got fitter by exercising less thanks to sprint workouts, which help boost longevity too.
4 min read
My grandparents took me to The Little Gym when I was a kid. Years later, they helped me buy it.
Sarah Cantera grew up attending The Little Gym and is now a co-owner, after years working there and getting help to buy in.
4 min read
As my mom aged, I had to care for her more and more. I regret the time I missed with my youngest daughter.
I was glad I could show up for my mom when she needed me, but I still regret how often I wasn't there for my daughter.
3 min read
As a parenting coach, I knew I had to give my daughter permission to be sad — even at Disney World
A recent family trip to Disney World included a few meltdowns. It gave me an opportunity to teach my kids some valuable lessons.
4 min read
I had to sell my mom's home to cover assisted living costs. Downsizing her belongings brought us together.
I helped my mom with Alzheimer's sell her home, using patience and creative strategies to make the process less overwhelming.
5 min read
Playskool Sit 'n Spin review: a classic toy for kids
Even with so many things competing for my toddler's attention, she's drawn to the Sit 'n Spin. It's a classic toy for kids that truly entertains.
3 min read
I gave up my athletic scholarship in college. Over 20 years later, I still wonder if that was the right choice.
Growing up, running was my life, and I worked hard to earn a college scholarship. But when I started school, my passion for the sport disappeared.
4 min read
With a family of 6, I have to keep an eye on our budget. Thrift shopping has helped me furnish our home and buy luxury clothes.
Thrift shopping helps my family keep an eye on our budget. I've decorated my home with thrift store finds and found expensive clothes for less.
4 min read
My family will celebrate our 40th annual reunion this year. Now that my kids are attending, I'm seeing the tradition's full impact.
My family has annual reunions, and we celebrate our 40th this year. Now that my kids are going, I see how they've shaped my life.
5 min read
I'm a mom of 4 and can't keep up with rising costs. We are using our retirement savings to cover expenses.
My family of six can't keep up with rising costs, so we've borrowed from our 401(k) and retirement savings just to pay bills.
4 min read
I found boxes of my dad's McDonald's memorabilia from the '70s and '80s. I decided to sell them all.
Sarah Israel found boxes of her dad's McDonald's memorabilia from the '70s and '80s and is now selling most of the collection.
4 min read
I spent years taking my twins on exhausting trips. Now that they're adults, we're all having a great time.
I spent years traveling with my kids through tantrums and chaos. Then one trip changed everything—and made it worth it.
4 min read
My family of 5 traveled to Vermont every summer for 8 years. The low-cost trip brought us closer together.
For 8 summers, my family traveled to the same vacation spot in Vermont. The low cost made me feel less pressured to plan the perfect vacation.
4 min read
Our family of 7 took a multigenerational trip to Paris. We got some things right, but still made a few first-timer mistakes.
My family of 7 took a multigenerational trip to Paris. We made a few mistakes and realized that paying for convenience was almost always worth it.
5 min read
I grew up vacationing at the Jersey Shore. Now, as a parent, I'm not afraid of more adventurous trips.
I'm determined to take my kids to the end of the earth. A once-in-a-lifetime expedition to Antarctica exceeded all of our expectations.
6 min read
I was tired of my kids having all the fun on sleepovers. I started planning all-nighters for us at home.
When my daughter's sleepover was canceled, I stepped in. Now I host sleepovers with my kids — and we love it.
4 min read
