Parenting

My son is in 5th grade and the only one of his friends without a phone. I'm still holding off on getting him one.

4 min read

A child holds a stack of colorfully wrapped presents at an outdoor birthday party.

I never buy birthday presents for kids' parties. They often miss the mark and unwrapping them is chaos, so I give money instead.

4 min read

Alexandra R. Kelly in a black leather jacket smiling for the camera

I commuted 5 hours a day, 3 days a week for a year. I quit and pivoted my career to spend more time with my daughter.

Alexandra Kelly was commuting five hours, three days a week to a half-empty office where she barely spoke to anyone. Something had to change.

5 min read

I had my daughter at 19 and needed to go on welfare. Now, we run a million-dollar business together.

Traci Szemkus had her daughter when she was 19. She went on welfare, including food stamps. In 2024 her business with her daughter broke $1 million.

4 min read

A composite image of Denise Richards and Charlie Sheen.

Denise Richards says there was no co-parenting with her ex Charlie Sheen: 'I parent my way. He parents his way'

Denise Richards shares two daughters — Sami and Lola, both grown up now — with Charlie Sheen, whom she was married to from 2002 to 2006.

3 min read

A group of friends sitting in a cafe chatting, one of them is sitting with a child.

Becoming a parent has changed how I approach friendships. I've stopped people-pleasing and let go of relationships that don't serve me.

My approach to friendships changed when I became a parent. I learned about healthy boundaries, stopped people-pleasing, and am more discerning.

4 min read

When my newborn was in the NICU, people showed up to support us. I've made a point to pay it forward.

My 2-day-old was hospitalized with bacterial sepsis. Our family and friends supported us, and their generosity moved me. I try to pay it forward.

3 min read

Rear view of mother and daughter embracing sitting on bed

I have 4 kids and my best friend is childless. She supports me in ways my mom friends can't.

We've known each other for 25 years and despite being child free, she shows up for my family. She allows me to step out of my role as a mom.

5 min read

Woman wearing a hat and sunglasses, pointing to her sweatshirt that says "Canadian Built" with trees in the background.

I'm a single mom with 4 sons. For my 50th birthday, I took a solo road trip to rediscover who I was before them.

She became a mom at 21, and her adult life has been focused on raising four sons. Her goal for the road trip was to enjoy some "me time."

5 min read

A young man stands at a doorway holding a box of groceries as a older woman holds the door open for him.

I have a revolving door of college students and young adults staying at my home. Instead of paying rent, they take care of some chores for me.

After my husband died, my house felt empty. Now, I have a revolving door of young adults staying with me. Instead of paying rent, they do chores.

4 min read

Two boys playing street hockey on a residential street in the fall

I'm giving my kids the 90s childhood I grew up in: unstructured play outside and supervised screen time

My kids and our neighbors' kids play outside without adults in the afternoon. It reminds me of the childhood I had with unstructured play.

4 min read

A woman sat at a kitchen table calculating her bills

I'm a single mom who lives paycheck to paycheck. I once made my son do food deliveries with me to pay for his dinner.

As a single mother of three kids, I'm struggling to make ends meet. I'm constantly thinking about money and the budget, making me feel like a bad mom.

4 min read

Sonaya Williams in a green blazer smiling for the camera

I had become the distracted, workaholic mom I never wanted to be. Moving to Qatar helped me be a more present parent and now my daughters are thriving.

When Sonaya Williams couldn't promise her daughter she'd make the school play, she knew something had to change. She found that something in Qatar.

4 min read

A mother and daughter stand in a grassy area while embracing.

I've adjusted how I parent my college-age daughter. I need to trust that I've taught her to do the right thing.

Now that my daughter is in college, our relationship is evolving. I've made 5 major adjustments to how I parent her.

4 min read

I created an AI version of my mom. What it told me freaked me out.

Artificial intelligence may not replace my job. But could it replace my mom?

23 min read

Three women posing for a selfie together

I debated not going back to work and staying home with my kids. I'm glad I didn't because day care gave me my group of friends.

I almost didn't send my kids to day care, but I'm glad I did. Through it I met my core group of friends who are like family now.

4 min read

I'm a father who never gave much thought to toxic masculinity. I'm still figuring out how to address the topic with my sons.

Toxic masculinity is a problem I can't ignore when raising my two sons. I'm trying to teach them that they can openly express their emotions.

4 min read

I take my teen daughter out on monthly dates with me. It saved our relationship.

As a mom of three, I realized I was often overwhelmed at home. Taking my teen out for time alone together has helped us have a better relationship.

3 min read

My baby screamed during a flight, and I broke all my parenting rules trying to soothe her. A stranger still told me I was a good mom.

I broke all my parenting rules while trying to soothe my screaming baby during a cross-country flight. A stranger said what I needed to hear.

5 min read

Black woman reading problematic news over cell phone in the kitchen.

I live in the UK and my parents are in Australia. It's hard to care for them as they age, but I'm not uprooting my family.

It's difficult having aging parents who live on the other side of the world. But I love the life I've built and I'm not uprooting my family.

5 min read

A man and woman lean over a kitchen island while looking at a laptop.

Every Saturday, my husband and I meet over coffee to plan meals for the week. It's great for our relationship and budget.

My husband and I meet every weekend over coffee to plan our meals and schedule for the next week. It feels like more of a date than a chore.

3 min read

Shiraine and Barrett McLeod hold their young son, Lejend.

A millennial couple who used IVF explain how they navigated the $18,000 bill and skepticism from family

Barrett and Shiraine McLeod told BI about their experience with IVF, how they covered the cost, and tips on navigating insurance.

5 min read

Rachel Santana and the Dior bag she purchased during her gender reveal.

A woman saw couples doing gender reveals with Build-A-Bears. She took things up a notch by doing the same at Dior.

Rachel Santana Krtausch could have used balloons, cake, or fireworks for her gender reveal. Instead, she bought a blue Dior purse to celebrate.

4 min read

selfie of Candy Mickels Mejia and her daughter wearing a university of texas shirt

My daughter rejected an offer from her dream college because of the costs. I was shocked when she chose a state school instead.

My daughter was ecstatic when accepted into the prestigious University of Chicago. Once she saw how much it cost, she chose a cheaper state school.

4 min read

A woman carrying her infant son outside. Both are wearing sunglasses, and the mom is holding a small US flag.

I'm happy we waited until our 40s to have kids. When we were younger, my husband was gone half the year for the Navy.

Kristina Wright waited until she was in her 40s to have her first child. Her husband was in the Navy, and life was hard enough just by herself.

4 min read

A woman wearing a pink shirt and black shorts stands in a restaurant holding an iced coffee.

As a busy mom, I started an online T-shirt business expecting to make passive income. I lasted only 3 months.

Making passive income selling T-shirts online wasn't as simple as social media posts said it would be. Instead, I was constantly stressed out.

4 min read

A boy dressed in a suit sits with his hands folded at a dining table while a turkey dinner is on display.

I sent my 9-year-old son to an etiquette camp. It might sound old-fashioned, but it taught him confidence and kindness.

I sent my son to a three-day etiquette camp. The goal wasn't to turn him into a miniature aristocrat but to help him learn confidence and protocol.

5 min read

a teenage boy looking at his phone while sitting in front of a laptop

I'm struggling to control my teen's screen time. I'm worried about who he'll become if he spends all his time on his phone.

As my teenage son gets older, he spends most of his time in front of a screen. His screen time is becoming difficult to control, and I'm worried.

4 min read

African American girl holding smartphone in front of her face

My 12-year-old accidentally committed credit card fraud. I realized she wasn't ready to have a phone.

My then 12-year-old saw a video of a man sharing credit card numbers. Without thinking much, she used one to buy herself a gift.

4 min read

Close-up of mother and daughter holding hands.

I had my daughter at 42. I'm more patient than when I was younger and I'm grateful I got to live my 20s child-free.

I had my daughter in my 40s. Being an older parent is the best of both worlds — I got to be independent in my 20s and now, I have her.

4 min read

Female ballet students (4-6) watching from backstage, rear view

I forgot about my daughter's ballet performance. We both learned a lesson that day.

I forgot to attend my daughter's ballet performance. She was angry and I had so much guilt. We both learned about forgiveness that day.

3 min read

three sets of feet wearing cozy socks and a hand holding the remote

I started watching a show on Netflix with my teen. It helped us connect like never before.

I thought I'd hate watching Netflix's "Arcane," but I binged it with my daughter quickly. We had deep conversations about morality and parenting.

4 min read

I had my son when I was 38. My only regret about being an older mom is not having grandparents around.

I thought I'd have lots of kids and be a younger mom. I had my only child at age 38, and even though I love it, I wish his grandparents were around.

4 min read

A woman rides in a multi-axis trainer while attending family space camp at the US Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

I took my 7-year-old to space camp. I got to live out my own childhood dream and bond with my son.

As a kid, I dreamed about going to space camp. As a adult, I made it happen and got a chance to bond with my son over the out-of-this-world experience.

5 min read

Demi Drew and her mom when she was a baby, outside sitting on some rocks on a sunny day.

Being an only child was lonely. I want my kids to have siblings to grow up with.

I grew up as the only child to a single mom. I want my kids to have siblings to bond with so they won't be lonely.

4 min read

A mom sitting in a chair holding triplets, who are dressed in matching Christmas pyjamas.

I'm 41 and a mom to triplets. I did the math and would need 6 figures just to cover the day care fees.

Leila Green's triplets are 2 years old. She started feeling mom guilt since her kids were in separate NICUs. She had to leave her career.

6 min read

I often walked away to process my feelings when my son and I fought. I felt guilty for it, but it taught him a valuable lesson.

Whenever my son and I fought, I walked away and gave myself space. I felt guilty for abandoning him, but he says it was my best parenting technique.

3 min read

A woman and young boy sitting on a couch talking with eachother.

My parents never had hard conversations with me. I'm talking to my 6-year-old about periods, adoption, and death.

My parents avoided talks about hard topics. I'm doing things differently, answering my 6-year old's questions about periods, adoption, and death.

5 min read

Mother and daughter sitting on couch near window with tablet.

I let my 1st grader stay home sometimes when she's not sick. I don't want her to feel like she has to push through feeling 'off.'

Sometimes, I let my first grader stay home from school for a mental health day when she isn't sick. I want her to know her feelings are important.

4 min read

My college-age kids wouldn't respond to my texts. I figured out a game to get them engaged.

I accidentally started the game over text after failed attempts at asking them questions about their lives. We have fun and I get to talk to them.

4 min read

A mother in an orange sweater comforts her sad teenage daughter.

I was thrilled when my daughter was accepted to her dream school. I was crushed when weeks later I had to tell her we couldn't afford it.

My daughter got into her dream college. When her aid package arrived and we found out how expensive it was, I had to tell her she couldn't go.

4 min read

I won't allow my daughter to become a 'Sephora kid' because I don't want her self-worth tied to the beauty industry

I've worked in the beauty industry for years, but I don't want my daughter to wear makeup. Products can damage her skin and warp her self-esteem.

4 min read

The author's sons standing on the steps of UVA.

My 15-year-old son just got his first college mail, and I'm not quite ready for what it means

My 15-year-old son just a college brochure in the mail. Neither of us is quite ready, but when he is, I want to help him through the process.

4 min read

Caroline Chirichella sitting on a bench wearing a new york sweatshirt

I'm an American mom in Italy. When I couldn't help my daughter with her homework, I realized how isolated I felt.

Caroline Chirichella moved to Italy 10 years ago. One day, her 6-year-old needed help with homework. Chirichella couldn't help and broke down crying.

3 min read

A mother seemingly arguing with her son as he sits on a couch, rolling his eyes.

Yelling became the default form of communication between me and my kids. Change was hard, but we're in a much better place now.

My kids only paid attention when I yelled, but I didn't like that version of me. It took some work, but now I've found my calm and got them to listen.

4 min read

My family and I moved from California to Italy. Living here has made me a better mom.

Clara Hogan was living with her husband and two daughters in the Bay Area before moving to Italy. The first few months were a struggle but worth it.

6 min read

Michelle Obama has no interest in running for president — here's why

The former first lady made it very clear on a recent podcast episode that she has no intention of getting involved in politics "in that way."

3 min read

Two women sit in a park bench with their kids.

Making new mom friends is just like dating. For every great catch, there are several duds you need to weed through first.

Making friends as an adult felt terrifyingly different than meeting someone at school or work. As a new mom, I was determined to put myself out there.

4 min read

I was nervous for my daughter to start middle school. I then realized I was projecting my past trauma onto her.

I didn't know how to protect my daughter from the bullying I experienced as a middle schooler. I eventually realized those fears were mine alone.

4 min read

Unrecognizable stressed young woman in counseling with unseen mother

I'm a clinical psychologist and parent of teens. My younger patients gave me perspective on what my kids are going through.

Seeing my patients struggle with similar things as my kids gave me perspective. It also reminded me of how I felt growing up.

4 min read