Life Kit: Parenting

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What's Life Kit: Parenting about?

Raising awesome kids takes help. NPR has science and experts to get you through the toughest parenting moments. Subscribe to get episodes from Life Kit on parenting.

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Life Kit: Parenting episodes:

04.09.2024
How to talk to teens about vaping
About 1 in 5 high school seniors say they have vaped nicotine in the past year. Even though smoking cigarettes is less popular than it used to be among teens, e-cigarettes are common, highly addictive and harmful to lung health....
04.04.2024
How to introduce solid food to your baby: A nervous parent's guide
Chewing, choking hazards, high chairs – oh my! Starting solid foods with your little one can be as stressful as it is special. A pediatric dietitian and a pediatrician discuss menu choices, allergens, safety and schedules to help you and...
03.04.2024
Enjoying travel with a baby
Looking to travel this spring with your little one? These tips and tricks can make the journey not just manageable, but enjoyable. Travel experts explain how to navigate packing, air travel and tourism with a kid under age 2. Learn more...
02.05.2024
How to talk to kids about sex, bodies and consent
It's tricky to talk to younger kids about sex. This episode helps parents get past the confusion and embarrassment around sex education so they can raise healthy, responsible kids. This episode originally aired December 17, 2019. Learn more about sponsor message...
01.23.2024
The emotional rollercoaster of being a new mom
Becoming a mother is a complicated life transition. That postpartum feeling of being on an emotional rollercoaster, not recognizing your body in the mirror and thinking that you've lost yourself is all part of the process. This episode offers guidance...
12.19.2023
How to talk to teens about drugs
Overdose deaths among teenagers have skyrocketed in the last few years due to opioids like fentanyl. Experts say drug education that focuses on harm reduction, an approach that focuses on safety rather than abstinence, could help save lives. Here's how...
11.30.2023
Kids and firearm safety
Firearms are the number one cause of death for children and teens in the U.S. Parents can take life-saving precautions to protect children — whether or not you own a gun. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
10.12.2023
How to talk to kids about the violence in Israel and Gaza
Last weekend, militants from the terrorist group Hamas killed more than a thousand people, including children, in an attack on Israel while also taking hostages. Israel has ordered a full siege of Gaza, where nearly half of residents are under...
09.18.2023
The consequences of overindulging your kids
Overindulging kids when they're young can lead to negative effects in their adulthoods. But it's hard for parents to put their foot down when they want to avoid a conflict at all costs. Child psychologist Lauren Silvers has tips for...
08.14.2023
The 5-minute playtime ritual that can help your kids listen
Children's health professionals widely recommend a strategy known as 'special time' to help reduce behavioral issues in young children. This episode explains how to do it and why this simple and free tool is so powerful. Learn more about sponsor message...
07.18.2023
How to be a supportive adult in a kid's life
While there's endless advice for parents, there's little guidance on supporting kids for non-parents. Whether you're an aunt, uncle, godparent, or a family friend, here's how to have healthy, fulfilling relationships with kids that are not yours. We'll cover how...
06.05.2023
Why you should play video games with your kid
Video games get a bad reputation that's often unwarranted. But kids do need guidance in using them wisely. Here's how to help them, starting with spending some time with the games your kids can't put down. Learn more about sponsor message...
05.11.2023
Pregnant? Here's how to deal with the new you
Pregnancy is hard work – for the body, mind and soul. There are seemingly endless resources for all the physical and logistical aspects of pregnancy but far fewer for renegotiating your sense of self in every part of your life....
05.01.2023
Build a stronger connection with your kids
It may sound counterintuitive, but if you want to take charge as a parent, stop trying to control your child, says psychologist and author Shefali Tsabary. Her new book, "The Parenting Map," lays out a step-by-step guide for creating conscious...
03.30.2023
How to show up for teens when big emotions arise
Being a teenager is hard. There are emotional highs and lows every day. Clinical psychologist Lisa Damour says instead of jumping into problem-solving mode, parents can learn to ride the wave of emotional management with their teens. NPR's Rachel Martin...
02.07.2023
Creative way to get kids to eat their veggies
Veggies help kids grow and develop, but it can be hard to convince them to eat their broccoli. These research-backed tips can help you encourage your kids to eat more veggies — or at least try them. Learn more about sponsor...
01.21.2023
'Terrestrials,' a new kid's show from Radiolab, uncovers the strangeness on Earth
This is the story of one particularly devious octopus who lost a limb, was captured by humans — then managed to make an escape from its aquarium tank back into the ocean. This episode comes from our friends at 'Terrestrials,'...
10.17.2022
The 5-minute daily playtime ritual that can get your kids to listen better
Called 'special time,' the strategy is widely recommended by children's health professionals to help reduce behavioral issues in young children. Here's a guide on how to do it with your kids at home. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy...
09.26.2022
Why you should connect with your kid, not correct them
Psychologist Becky Kennedy, author of the new book "Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be," urges parents to spend more time raising thoughtful humans instead of fixing their behavior. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR...
07.26.2022
How to financially prepare for having a baby
Having a baby is one of the biggest - and most expensive - life changes a person can experience. Here's what you need to know about financially planning for a baby, according to Farnoosh Torabi, Editor at Large CNET Money....
07.21.2022
How to talk to kids about abortion
Talking about abortion can be complicated, even with adults. How do you talk about the medical procedure and the politics around it with kids? NPR's Ailsa Chang gets tips from Dr. Elise Berlan and parenting expert Reena Patel. Learn more about...
06.27.2022
How to raise a good citizen
Talking to kids about civics is kind of like talking to kids about sex - avoiding the conversation can have some really negative consequences. Here's how to talk to kids about civic participation, from discussing our hard history to taking...
05.28.2022
What to say to kids when the news is scary
The news can be devastating, and tragic events can be incomprehensible for adults — so how do we talk about them with kids? Child development experts offer advice on what parents, teachers and other caregivers can say to help kids...
05.10.2022
How to give mothering the value it deserves
Raising kids is among the most essential work humans do, and yet it's rarely valued as labor. Angela Garbes, author of Essential Labor: Mothering as Social Change, guides us through a shift in mindset to help give mothering the value...
03.24.2022
How working parents can win back some time
Calling all working parents and caregivers! We see you, and we know you don't have much time. Career coach Daisy Dowling shares time management tips to help working parents find sanity and joy. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy...
01.08.2022
A pediatrician's advice on omicron, daycare and travel for kids under 5
Amid the omicron surge, there is understandable anxiety among parents, particularly those with kids under 5. In this episode, infectious disease doctor Ibukun Kalu answers listeners' questions on the latest COVID variant, daycare and travel for unvaccinated children. Learn more about...
11.11.2021
5 Tips For Transferring Colleges
Most students who want to transfer colleges, don't. The process can be complicated and confusing and differ from state to state and institution to institution. Despite these hurdles, transferring is a common route to college. So how do you make...
11.08.2021
How To Build A Sleep Routine For You And Your Children
Getting enough sleep helps you focus, retain information and helps to fortify your immune system. But when it comes to children, they aren't always thinking about these benefits. For parents and caretakers struggling to get their little ones to bed...
10.19.2021
Finding Agency With A Birth Plan
For expectant parents, navigating pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum can raise a range of emotions. There are so many things to think about and prepare for, and knowing where to start can feel daunting. But a birth plan can help! In this...
09.30.2021
It's FAFSA Time! Here's How To Apply For College Financial Aid
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid opens to potential college students to fill out on Oct. 1 for the 2022-2023 school year. Here's how to fill out the form to get money for college — and why you should...
09.28.2021
How You Can Help Someone At Risk Of Suicide
Research shows that suicide is preventable. And while surveys have shown that Americans know this, they might not know how to help someone who may be at risk. It's National Suicide Prevention Month, and we're looking at ways you can help...
09.27.2021
How Reading Aloud Can Help You Bond With Your Kids
Reading at school is one thing, but reading at home is important too. Though with busy schedules filled with after school activities, homework and lots of tech at kids' fingertips, it's not always easy to convince kids that reading isn't...
09.20.2021
In 'We're Not Broken,' Author Eric Garcia Takes On Myths About Autism
Whether you know it or not, you know somebody who is autistic. So if you think autism doesn't affect you, you're wrong, says Eric Garcia. In this episode, Garcia, author of We're Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation, talks about myths...
08.30.2021
How To Keep Your Kids Safe From The Delta Variant
Returning to in-person schooling is both a relief — and a source of great anxiety — for a lot of parents this year. The pandemic is still happening. The Delta variant is surging. And millions of children are too young...
08.19.2021
5 Tips For Becoming A Stepparent
Becoming a parent is challenging and the same is true for those becoming stepparents. In this episode, we talk to experts — some of whom are stepparents themselves — about how you can navigate the process. They share their do's:...
08.16.2021
Do's And Don'ts For Parents Whose Kids Have Gained Weight In The Pandemic
If you've noticed that your kid put on some weight during the pandemic and you're not sure what — if anything — to do about it, you're not alone. Weight is an incredibly fraught topic — and an imperfect indicator of...
08.09.2021
A Business-Minded Way To Make Tough Family Decisions
Having elementary-aged kids at home can mean a maze of tough decisions about how to run your family and what's right for your small children. Economist Emily Oster offers ways to streamline decision-making with strategies — and data — that...
08.05.2021
The Process Of Becoming A Mother Has A Name: Matrescence
Becoming a mother is a huge, complicated life transition that can rock every fiber of a person's being. The process even has its own name: matrescence. That postpartum feeling of being on an emotional rollercoaster, not recognizing your body in the...
08.03.2021
Money Talks: How To Teach Kids About Finance
Money can feel like a taboo topic in a lot of households, but talking about it regularly can take the awkwardness out of it. Kids see and do everything that we do, and that's true when it comes to money, says...
07.26.2021
How To Talk About Divorce With Your Children
Even the most amicable split is world-changing for young children. Here are a few key tips for grown-ups trying to help their kids navigate this big transition. (This episode originally published April 26, 2019.) Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy...
05.06.2021
Finding The Perfect Name For Your Baby
Picking a name for a baby can be overwhelming. With all the possibilities out in the world, it can be hard to even begin to choose. On this episode of Life Kit, host Diana Opong speaks with baby naming experts...
04.12.2021
Navigating Life After Pregnancy Loss
Despite how common pregnancy loss is, families often suffer in silence. In honor of Black Maternal Health Week, Life Kit teamed up with the hosts of the podcast docuseries NATAL to share stories from parents who have experienced loss, and...
04.10.2021
Raising Boys To Be Feminists
Author Sonora Jha shares insights from her memoir, How To Raise A Feminist Son, which includes practical to-do lists about how to handle some of the hardest conversations with sons. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
04.01.2021
Raising Kids Who Help With Chores
Raising kids who pitch in around your home doesn't require bribes or a chore chart. Kids want to help – and parents can nurture that desire by including them in age-appropriate ways. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
03.27.2021
Talking With Kids About Anti-Asian Racism
Navigating conversations with kids around race and racism can be tricky. Here's what to think about while talking to kids about the rise in anti-Asian attacks and the shootings in Atlanta earlier this month. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR...
03.25.2021
Helping Teens Cope With Mental Health Struggles
Over a year into the pandemic, many teens are missing milestones and struggling with their mental health. Here's how to spot red flags and when to get help. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
03.01.2021
Deciding When To Have A Baby
Whether you've always wanted to be a parent or not, starting a family is a big decision. The pandemic makes it even tougher. In this episode, experts talk through what to consider. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
01.07.2021
What To Tell Kids When The News Is Scary
When the headlines are terrifying, how can parents make sure kids get the facts without traumatizing them? Whether it's a school shooting, a global pandemic or an insurrection on the U.S. Capitol, child development experts have some advice. (This episode...
12.10.2020
Helping Kids (And Parents) Cope During COVID-19
Kids and teens have had their lives upended by COVID-19. Here's what parents can do to help them stay positive and feel supported. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
11.16.2020
Transforming Kids' Worries Into Superpowers
Kids have anxiety — but it's not always a bad thing. Renee Jain and Dr. Shefali Tsabary have some ideas about how to help children use those feelings to their advantage. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

What's Life Kit: Parenting about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Life Kit: Parenting episodes:

How to talk to teens about vaping

How to introduce solid food to your baby: A nervous parent's guide

Enjoying travel with a baby

How to talk to kids about sex, bodies and consent

The emotional rollercoaster of being a new mom

How to talk to teens about drugs

Kids and firearm safety

How to talk to kids about the violence in Israel and Gaza

The consequences of overindulging your kids

The 5-minute playtime ritual that can help your kids listen

How to be a supportive adult in a kid's life

Why you should play video games with your kid

Pregnant? Here's how to deal with the new you

Build a stronger connection with your kids

How to show up for teens when big emotions arise

Creative way to get kids to eat their veggies

'Terrestrials,' a new kid's show from Radiolab, uncovers the strangeness on Earth

The 5-minute daily playtime ritual that can get your kids to listen better

Why you should connect with your kid, not correct them

How to financially prepare for having a baby

How to talk to kids about abortion

How to raise a good citizen

What to say to kids when the news is scary

How to give mothering the value it deserves

How working parents can win back some time

A pediatrician's advice on omicron, daycare and travel for kids under 5

5 Tips For Transferring Colleges

How To Build A Sleep Routine For You And Your Children

Finding Agency With A Birth Plan

It's FAFSA Time! Here's How To Apply For College Financial Aid

How You Can Help Someone At Risk Of Suicide

How Reading Aloud Can Help You Bond With Your Kids

In 'We're Not Broken,' Author Eric Garcia Takes On Myths About Autism

How To Keep Your Kids Safe From The Delta Variant

5 Tips For Becoming A Stepparent

Do's And Don'ts For Parents Whose Kids Have Gained Weight In The Pandemic

A Business-Minded Way To Make Tough Family Decisions

The Process Of Becoming A Mother Has A Name: Matrescence

Money Talks: How To Teach Kids About Finance

How To Talk About Divorce With Your Children

Finding The Perfect Name For Your Baby

Navigating Life After Pregnancy Loss

Raising Boys To Be Feminists

Raising Kids Who Help With Chores

Talking With Kids About Anti-Asian Racism

Helping Teens Cope With Mental Health Struggles

Deciding When To Have A Baby

What To Tell Kids When The News Is Scary

Helping Kids (And Parents) Cope During COVID-19

Transforming Kids' Worries Into Superpowers