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.
The Nuclear Family Wasn’t Built to Last
David Brooks breaks down the enduring myth of the virtuous all-American family.
Dear Therapist: I’m Considering Leaving My Wife for My Co-worker
Should I work on my marriage or leave to make myself happy?
The Nuclear Family Was a Mistake
The family structure we’ve held up as the cultural ideal for the past half century has been a catastrophe for many. It’s time to figure out better ways to live together.
Why People Get the ‘Sunday Scaries’
The end of a weekend has always been unpleasant, but there is something distinctly modern about the anxiety many people feel on the eve of a workweek.
Why Grocery Stores Have Tiny Kid-Size Carts
Giving children their own cart teaches them about courtesy and commerce while building families’ loyalty to the store.
The Loneliness of Early Parenthood
It’s common to feel socially isolated after having a baby, but estrangement from friends doesn’t have to last forever.
Do People Crave Foods Their Moms Ate During Pregnancy?
The diets of expectant mothers—from the mundane to the unusual—can become imbued with deep symbolic meaning for their children.
The Ominous Rise of Toddler Milk
Baby-formula sales are slumping, so the companies that make it have turned to supplements for 3-year-olds.
Dear Therapist: My Mom Ruined My Finances and Won’t Apologize
Over the years, she opened several credit cards in my name and now owes more than $10,000. Whenever I ask her to pay it back, she gets defensive and blames me.
Toy Commercials Are Being Replaced by Something More Nefarious
Kids are getting less exposure to traditional TV ads, but marketers have found sneaky ways to reach them anyway.