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.
Parents Are Losing Their Minds Over Masks in Schools
Several states have low vaccination rates, rampant COVID-19 spread, and no mask mandates in schools. Parents are worried for their kids.
The Opposite of Toxic Positivity
“Tragic optimism” is the search for meaning during the inevitable tragedies of human existence, and is better for us than avoiding darkness and trying to “stay positive.”
The Link Between Happiness and a Sense of Humor
A little laugh goes a long way.
The Best Time-Management Advice Is Depressing But Liberating
You can make time for things that matter, or you can make time for more email.
They Met During Lockdown. They Realized Who They Were Dating Later.
All relationships have a private and a public side. Many couples who met during the pandemic are just starting to grapple with the public part.
When the Dream of Growing Old With Your Friends Comes True
“We all dreamt, We’ll grow old together. We’ll be old ladies together. And we did.”
Yes, the Pandemic Is Bad Again
Masks are reappearing and return-to-office plans have been postponed. Welcome to Delta’s whiplash.
Which Pet Will Make You Happiest?
A pandemic puppy can increase your well-being—if you choose one for the right reasons.
The Surprising Benefits of Talking to Strangers
So many of us have been raised to see strangers as dangerous and scary. What would happen if we instead saw them as potential sources of comfort and belonging?
How to Avoid the Worst Parenting Mistake
Emily Oster caters to a data-obsessed crowd of modern parents. But sometimes you just can’t optimize your kid.