On Losing a Daughter
The people we were died at the exact moment our child did.
Family
The Most Tortured Relationship in America
Monogamy is one of the last bipartisan ideals—even if people struggle to live up to it.
In Praise of ‘Difficult’ Kids
Feisty children can be exhausting. They also possess a moral fire that deserves cultivating.
The Endless Goodbye
More than a decade before my dad died, I lost him to dementia.
When Does a Boyfriend or Girlfriend Become Part of the Family?
The social changes of the past few generations have made the question of when (or whether) to include a significant other in a holiday celebration a particularly fraught one—for everyone involved.
The Case for Buying a House With Friends
“Looking around our culture, I think a lot of people are starting to experience the limits of individualism.”
A Couples Therapist Analyzes the Marriage in Marriage Story
“I’d love to get them into my office.”
How the Loss of the Landline Is Changing Family Life
The shared phone was a space of spontaneous connection for the entire household.
The Ripple Effects of Taking SNAP Benefits From One Person
A new Trump-administration rule will cut food assistance for nearly 700,000 Americans, also affecting many of their relatives and housemates.
Dear Therapist: My Son Is Angry About the Way He Was Treated Last Christmas
He returned home a year ago feeling sad and anxious. We tried to be supportive, but he felt slighted and he’s not over it.
Why Your Kid Loves the Garbage Truck So Much
For some kids, the weekly trash pickup is a must-see spectacle. Parents, children, waste-management professionals, and experts on childhood all offer theories as to why.
Mister Rogers and the Art of Paying Attention
The beloved children’s-show host knew what was at the heart of human relationships.
Dear Therapist: My Girlfriend and I Are at a Crossroads in Our Relationship
She wants to start a family now, but I don’t want to make a decision based on her biological timeline.
These Friends’ Collaborative Playlist Has Strict, Elaborate Rules
“Technology nowadays allows people to have music that’s personalized to them … but it also allows people to collaborate in ways that we weren’t able to before.”