Parenting

12 Things Kids Often Learn to Suppress in Emotionally Distant Households Growing up with emotionally immature parents creates unique challenges that shape how children interact with the world. These children often develop protective strategies to navigate their unpredictable home environments. They learn to mask parts of themselves to avoid criticism, rejection, or conflict, creating invisible […] More

13 Things That Seem Like Bad Parenting—But Aren’t Parenting comes with countless moments of self-doubt and judgment from others. What looks like a parenting fail to onlookers might actually be a thoughtful choice based on your child’s unique needs. Parents often face criticism for decisions that, while unconventional, may benefit their children in surprising ways. […] More

14 Mistakes Parents Make When Trying to “Fix” Bad Behavior Addressing and correcting undesirable behaviors in children presents challenges for many parents. While aiming to improve behavior, certain approaches may inadvertently reinforce the undesired actions. This article highlights fourteen common mistakes parents make while attempting to manage bad behavior, along with strategies to overcome them. […] More

10 Subtle Forms of Control Parents Use Without Realizing It Many parents work hard to raise happy, healthy children, but sometimes our best intentions can lead to controlling behaviors. These subtle forms of control often slip under the radar because they masquerade as protection or guidance. Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward building […] More

10 Ways Today’s Parenting Style Is Backfiring, According to Experts Parenting today looks vastly different from even a generation ago—gentler, more emotionally aware, and often fueled by an earnest desire to do better. But in our quest to raise happy, well-adjusted kids, many modern strategies may be missing the mark. From overprotective habits to boundary-blurring […] More

12 Things Not to Say When Your Adult Child Is Struggling When your adult child is struggling—emotionally, financially, or otherwise—it’s only natural to want to swoop in with advice or tough love. But words, even well-intended ones, can either build a bridge or widen the gap. In these pivotal moments, the wrong phrase can sting, […] More

13 Emotionally Neglectful Habits Parents Don’t Realize They’re Doing Parents generally want the best for their children, but sometimes their actions can unintentionally cause emotional harm. Even loving parents might engage in behaviors that leave lasting impacts on their children’s emotional development. Understanding these common patterns of emotional neglect is the first step toward creating […] More

10 Conversations Every Parent Needs to Have With Their Adult Child As children grow into adults, the parent-child dynamic shifts from instruction to connection—and that shift can feel like navigating unfamiliar terrain. Gone are the days of curfews and packed lunches; now it’s about mutual respect, honest dialogue, and knowing when to speak and when […] More

10 Things Kids Say That Signal They Need Emotional Support Children don’t always cry out for help with words we recognize—sometimes, their most urgent needs are hidden in the everyday things they say. A simple “I don’t want to go to school” or “I’m so dumb” might seem harmless, but these phrases can be quiet […] More

13 Old-School Parenting Habits That Quietly Built Resilience in Kids Remember when kids climbed trees without safety gear and walked to school alone? Today’s helicopter parenting has replaced many practices that once helped children develop inner strength. Past generations raised resilient kids through methods that might seem old-fashioned now. Looking back at these approaches reveals […] More

Therapists Say These 15 Everyday Phrases Could Be Sending the Wrong Message to Kids Words carry weight—especially when spoken by a parent. In the heat of daily chaos, it’s easy to fall back on familiar phrases that seem harmless but can quietly chip away at a child’s confidence, curiosity, or emotional resilience. What we say […] More

10 Reasons ’80s Kids Were Raised With More Independence Growing up in the 1980s was a unique experience that modern kids might find hard to believe. Without smartphones, helicopter parenting, or constant digital supervision, children of the ’80s roamed neighborhoods freely and solved problems on their own. The stark contrast between then and now reveals […] More