Just Ask Your Mom

The science of caregiving--yes, there's research behind it!--is beginning to shed light on what it means to give and receive care (to children, parents, others), and how it changes us. Despite the prominent narrative in our culture that caregiving is a burden and detracts from higher aims, the evidence tells a different story.

The Unexpected Magic of Caring for Others

by Elissa Straus

We're answering a listener's question about what to do when your parents (the grandparents) dismiss or disagree with how you're raising your children. Looking at both sides of the coin, we reveal some of what could lie behind this behavior and ways to help the situation.

A familiar childhood complaint --that's not fair!--actually holds more nuance than we might think. What's the difference between fairness, justice, equality and equity? How do you handle it when your kid complains that something's not fair?

If Santa is a part of your Christmas traditions, there's a good chance your kids will visit him & Mrs. Claus at some point. Maybe that's for pictures or perhaps it's just to let Santa know their fondest wish. We've got some best practices and pro tips for visits to the jolly guy in red.

Is Santa just a magical given at your house, or does the whole Santa story give you pause? Are childhood "characters" lying to your children? Join us for a jolly conversation about St. Nick and some options for his place in the holidays.

Before the comprehensive book of baby names, how did parents choose names for their children? What's in a name anyway? What goes into choosing a name today? This episode might make you think twice before filling out that birth certificate!

All parents will face situations where our children need correction. The parenting interwebs offer a wide range of opinion on just how to do that. What IS discipline anyway and what does it look like? How does it differ from punishment, and what does it look like when we model our parenting after God's heart for us?

We move pretty fast in American society. There's so much to do and so much to take in. What's the real pace of childhood and can it teach us something as harried (and hurried) parents? How much down time should you (can you) actually have?

The Hurried Child by David Elkind has its 25th anniversary this year.

Earlier this year, the term kinkeeping exploded. What is it and who tends to do it? We're talking about the emotional and organizational labor involved in keeping family connections strong, from being active in the group text to orchestrating the annual holiday family reunion. Is this a gendered role or one that anyone can do?

Sometimes it's helpful to step back from our day-to-day as parents and see what sort of role we're taking on with our kids. If we have a broader perspective, a view from 30,000 feet, say, we might learn a bit about our approach and whether it's serving us or our kids the way we want it to. Is your approach one of "ownership" or "ambassadorship"?