In Praise of ‘Difficult’ Kids
Feisty children can be exhausting. They also possess a moral fire that deserves cultivating.
Family
The Endless Goodbye
More than a decade before my dad died, I lost him to dementia.
Everyone Thinks They Need a NeeDoh
But no one can find one.
The Sneaky-Saver Generation
Gen Z may have a Peter Pan reputation—but it’s also saving a lot of money.
There’s Exactly One Good Reason to Buy a House
Owning a home won’t make you happy. Filling it with love will.
The Catch-22 for Working Parents
The U.S. requires parents to work in order to receive aid but does very little to enable parents to work—or workers to parent.
Dear Therapist: We Set a Deadline to Decide About Marriage, and We Still Don’t Know
It’s been almost two years; am I wasting my time?
Marriage Isn’t Hard Work; It’s Serious Play
Yes, love requires some labor. But that shouldn’t define the relationship.
How Smart People Can Stop Being Miserable
Intelligence can make you happier, but only if you see it as more than a tool to get ahead.
Make a To-Don’t List
When you’re feeling stuck, focusing on the things you hate can help.
How Please Stopped Being Polite
The phrase if it please you has been shortened and shortened over time—until it’s become more brusque than courteous.
The Surprising Truth About Seasonal Depression
That we’re all sad in winter is a common refrain, but some researchers are questioning the season’s psychological effects.
Live Closer to Your Friends
They make your life better. So why not turn them into your neighbors?
Nostalgia Is a Shield Against Unhappiness
Happy memories have a uniquely protective power against a sad present.