I'm thrilled to be quoted in the Good Housekeeping Organize Your Life book, which just came out on April 2. I give lots of tips for how to deal with kid clutter, including toys, paper, and artwork, but this is my favorite.
There's lots of great advice from other Good Housekeeping experts, too. Pick it up if you're looking for some cleanspo.
Today, I was so happy to be a guest on Morning Rush on the Scripps News Networks, talking about the parenting trends of 2024. Take a look!
And of more on that first trend and how to "Share the Load," check out the story on Good Housekeeping!
When We Split Household Duties, Everyone Wins. Why Won’t We Do It?
I am so thrilled and honored that I was one of 16 journalists selected by the National Press Foundation to attend their Future of the American Child Fellowship program! I can't wait to meet everyone and talk about policies affecting children and families.
"NPF Names 16 Journalists for Third Future of the American Child Fellowship"
Anybody have any Charlotte recommendations?
]]>As we've just come THROUGH IT with the holidays and are looking towards making changes in 2024, Good Housekeeping is taking a deep look into how families share household duties. As Equal Partners author Kate Mangino says in our opening essay, one of the most common household dynamics is one where both partners work, but one does 2/3 of the housework. Are we making any progress? Read for how the pandemic changed things, whose changes stuck (and why), and where we go from here, with an eye towards dividing financial, childcare and household work. Check it out,
"When We Split Household Duties, Everyone Wins. Why Won’t We Do It?"
I also have to share my own contribution to the Good Housekeeping "Sharing the Load" package, inspired by my biggest parenting pet peeve — the sign-up sheet with room for only ONE parent contact. My husband and I try to be equal caregivers. Why do we keep being pushed to name a default?
"Why Won’t the Myth of the 'Primary' Parent Just Disappear Already?"
But there's so much more in there, from chore-splitting secrets from families with 5+ kids to different ways to approach family finances. (Plus, I love the board-game motif that art came up with!)
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Amy Paturel, a writer I'm so lucky to work with, and I are going to get together to talk about doing reported essays at the 2023 American Society of Journalists and Authors Virtual Annual Conference! I hope to help writers figure out how to position their personal narratives in a way that will make editors want to buy them.
The details:
The conference takes place June 13-15
My session is 4 pm ET to 5 pm ET on Tuesday, June 13 in the journalism track.
You can register here.
Oh, and they gave me a discount code! Use the discount code IKNOWASPEAKER to save 10% on your registration.
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At GH, we spend a lot of time testing toys, so I was thrilled to talk to Maisonette about the best toys for 5-year-old boys. "“We started to see during the pandemic a big resurgence in toys that fostered learning … especially in the STEM area.” See what else I recommended to them!
The Best Toys for 5-Year-Old Boys
I would be remiss if I didn't mention Good Housekeepings lists of the best gifts for kids (scroll down to the bottom for an age-by-age guide, from 1 to 14), including our own Good Housekeeping Best Toy Awards 2022.
Last time, I moderated a panel about play. This time, I get to be on one! If you're in the toy biz, I'll be on the "Traditional Media" panel at this year's People of Play media event! Come check it out.
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The 2022 Good Housekeeping We Are Family Parenting Summit has come to a close, and I was so lucky to have such a great conversation about "The Power of Play" with experts who all came to the table with something to share.
If you weren't able to make it, you can see a recap of my panel and all of the other panels/chats/discussions up at the Good Housekeeping website!
For the Good Housekeeping Parenting Summit, I'm moderating a panel on a very serious topic: play! I'll be asking a panel of distinguished guests what play is, why it's so important, and — the million-dollar question — how to encourage kids to play independently. I'll be joined by Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart, Dr. Rebecca Schrag Hershberg, Melissa Bernstein (of Melissa & Doug and Lifelines) and Jessica Rolph (of Lovevery). Come watch!
Register for free here: http://ghkp.us/BIDi4Fq
So sad to hear that Working Mother magazine will be no longer. That publication was truly groundbreaking when it comes to navigating work-life balance (or work-life integration), flexible work (which, despite a two-plus-year pandemic as proof of concept, employers are still fighting), and about women standing up and asking for what they deserve.
This was my favorite story I wrote for them, about the barriers to building a better breast pump. It's funny, because in the years since I wrote this in 2016, there have been others on the same topic, writing about the same MIT hackathon. (I truly believe that if everyone had to use a breast pump, they'd be silent, efficient and the size of a credit card. And we'd have paid leave.) It's sad how little progress has been made. Still more work to do!
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I have never jumped at a chance to be included in a story faster than when Patrick Ryan over at USA Today asked me if I had thoughts about the song "We Don't Talk About Bruno" from Encanto. Considering the song has been in my head since November, yes, I did have thoughts! See what I think about surprise, bonafide hit.
I had so much fun moderating a panel at "Good Housekeeping x American Cleaning Institute Discover Cleaning 2021: Cleaning Is Caring Summit." If you missed it, you can see a recording of the event on the GH website. There are lots of good tips in there about how to get the whole family involved in cleaning up! (I actually use the idea of "chunking" now in my own house.)
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I'm going to moderate a panel on one of my favorite topics: How to get the whole family into cleaning together! I can't stop talking about it, because I learn new tips every time — along with interesting info about the benefits of giving kids chores. Come listen to my panel!
Hey, look! It's me in Writer's Digest. Here, I'm giving Estelle Erasmus tips on the best way to pitch me parenting and relationship stories at Good Housekeeping, and her story includes pitches that worked and were ultimately published. I can't wait to see what Estelle's readers send me! This is just a sneak peek — if you want the full thing, it's only in print.
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Had so much fun chatting with WPIX 11 about virtual school field trips! You may not be traveling as much this spring, and schools probably aren't doing their normal field trips, but you can still get a little bit of that kind of experience from home. Hear me talk about some of my favorites!
I was using this website to keep track of all my clips, but considering the last time I did an update on that was October 2019 — and, who could blame me, considering *gestures at everything all around* — I think it' safe to say that it wan't happening. But then I found Authory, which will automatically find and post all my articles. I'm saved! I'll still use this for updates and news, but check out my Authory page if you want to stay up-to-date on my most recent stories.
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I spoke with Newsday about little touches you can add to wrapped gifts to make them extra special. (It's pegged to Christmas, but the tips work just as well for birthday gifts!) And bonus: You don't really need to be good at crafts to do these.
Easy holiday gift-wrapping tips from style experts ]]>
Sometimes when you're doing an interview, either conducting one or giving one, you can tell that you can skip the chit-chat and just go straight to being real. That's how it was being interviewed by Danusia Malina-Derben on the School for Mothers podcast. I loved having this conversation — especially because she told me up front that she wanted to start by talking about Star Wars. Give a listen!
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PARENTING
How to Keep Your Cool Around Your Kids When You're Ready to Blow
The Best Empty Nest Advice for Parents Whose Kids Are Leaving the Coop
Why Do Children Have Imaginary Friends, and How Far Do You Have to Play Along?
Gossip Is the Best Toddler Parenting Hack (if You Do It Within Earshot)
What Is TikTok? A Full Guide for Parents
Justin Baldoni, Star of 'Jane the Virgin,' on Raising His Kids Free of Gender Stereotypes
Tamron Hall Reveals Her Toughest Parenting Moment, and It's so Relatable
What Are Standard Babysitting Rates? It Depends on Your Location, Family, and Priorities
30 Fun Things to Do at a Sleepover to Keep Them Busy All Night Long
These Will Be the Most Popular Baby Names of 2020
The Most Popular Baby Girl Names for 2020 Will Be Inspired by Nature
The Most Popular Baby Boy Names for 2020 Are Inspired by Travel
ENTERTAINMENT
20+ Best Kids' Movies 2020 Has in Store for Families
Here Is Every Confirmed Original Movie Coming to the Disney+ Streaming Service
A Full List of Every New Disney Show Available on the Disney+ Streaming Service
A Full List of Every Disney Live-Action Remake Coming Soon
A Complete List of Every Upcoming Superhero Movie, Including Ones From Marvel and DC
How to Watch All 23 Marvel Movies in the Correct Order
10 'Game of Thrones' Locations You Can Actually Visit in Real Life
20 Best End-of-the-World Movies for When You're in the Mood for an Existential Panic
Blippi's National Tour Won't Include the Guy Who Plays Blippi, and Parents Are Pissed
Build-a-Bear's 'Frozen II' Bears Will Melt Any Frozen Heart
Everything You Need to Know About LEGOLAND New York, LEGO's Biggest Theme Park Yet
Mattel Makes History by Launching a Gender-Inclusive Line of Dolls
HOLIDAY
65 Kids' Halloween Costume Ideas for Easy, Creative, and Unique Trick-or-Treating
20 Unique Toddler Halloween Costumes That Are Too Stinkin' Cute
What Is Trunk-or-Treat? Halloween Tailgating Is Genius When You Really Think About It
40 Trunk-or-Treat Ideas for the Spookiest Car Ever
40 Best Halloween Movies on Netflix That Will Give You the Chills
20 Coolest Halloween Gender Reveal Ideas That Celebrate Your Little Pumpkin
10 'The Purge' Costumes for People Who Are Dead Serious About Looking Scary
20 Cute Baby Thanksgiving Outfits for Their First Turkey Day
60 Christmas Crafts to Bring a Handmade Holiday to Every Room in the House
The Best Types of Christmas Trees for People Who Want the Real-Tree Smell in Their House
20 Christmas Gift Tags for the Perfect Finishing Touch
How to Tell Your Kids About Santa Without Breaking Their Hearts
20 Baby's First Christmas Ornaments That Celebrate Your Growing Famil
30+ Best Christmas Books for Readers of All Ages That Aren't "The Night Before Christmas"
20 Classic Christmas Cards to Delight Your Friends and Relatives
16 Creative Christmas Card Photo Ideas for Your Best Holiday Greeting Ever
GIFT GUIDES
20+ Magical Unicorn Gifts for People Who Love Rainbows, Glitter, and Sparkles
20 Toy Advent Calendars for Kids to Get Them Excited About the Run-Up to Christmas
These Cool Advent Calendars Make the Countdown to Christmas Extra Exciting
Chocolate Advent Calendars for People Who Want a Sugar-Filled Christmas Countdown
The Best Advent Calendars for Men Who Love Beer, Comics, Meat, and More
Stocking Stuffers for Teens That They'll *Actually* Want
Target Says These Toys Will Be the Most Wished-for Christmas Gifts
Walmart Says These Will Be the Hottest Holiday Toys for 2019
20+ Best Baby Gifts to Delight Brand-New Parents
10 of the Coolest Baby Boy Gifts to Buy in 2019, According to Parents
10 Fun Gender-Neutral Gifts for Babies Whose Parents Want to Be Surprised
SHOPPING/STORES
15 of the Coolest Kids’ Clothing Stores to Shop Online
The Best Baby Stores Online for Parents to Bookmark Right Now
Hasbro Promises to Remove Nearly All Plastic From Its Packaging By 2022
Disney Stores Are Setting up Shop Inside 25 Target Locations, and We Want to Live in Them
Walmart's Car Seat Recycling Program Means Savings for Parents — Here's How to Get Some Money Back
STORIES I EDITED FROM OTHER WRITERS
Do Girls Really Prefer Pink? There's No Hard-Wired Reason for Girls to Choose Pink Over Blue
13 Things Nobody Tells You About Postpartum Recovery (But Really Should)
Who Are My Kids Talking to Online? Internet Safety Facts for Parenting in a Digital Age
How to Spot and Treat Anxiety in Kids, According to Child Psychologists
Child Therapists Explain How to Stop Your Kids' After-School Meltdowns for Good
The Sunday Scaries Are Tough, but Here's How to Beat Them
The Best Ways to Handle Teen Anger, According to Psychologists
Long-Distance Relationship Tips for Couples Who Are Separated by Miles
Are There Foods That Induce Labor? Why Overdue Moms Can Skip the Eggplant Pizza
Do Kids Actually Need Playdates?
20+
Pretty Christmas Living Room Décor Ideas for the Coziest Room in the House
20+ Christmas Mantel Ideas for a Holly, Jolly House
ESSAYS I EDTED FROM OTHER WRITERS
I Happily Changed My Last Name After I Got Married, but I Didn't Realize What I'd Lose
I Won't Let My Son Play 'Fortnite,' and This Is How His Friends Reacted
My Husband and I Plan Our Whole Lives Around My Chronic Paranoid Schizophrenia
Breast Cancer Made Me a Better Mom
I Wasn't Ready to Talk to My 3-Year-Old About Death. Then Nana's Cat Died.
Parents, Why Do We Belittle Each Other's Problems?
My Daughters are Ditching Their Big Dreams for Their Cell Phones
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I know I still have to post about what's been going on since July (oops!), but in the meantime I wanted to show off the bouncy hair I wore to go on Yahoo Finance's morning program, YFiAMl. I talked about the chldren's content offered on new streaming platforms as part of their "Streaming Wars" series. It combines my two favorite things: parenting and being a couch potato. Take a look.
Yahoo also did a good text recap of the segment:
Dark Crystal forever!
The beginning of the year brought a little of everything, from quick news and service to holidays to first-person essays — even my old hat as a weddings editor popped back on. And, of course, Baby Shark never goes away. But my two favorite pieces for January and February were these:
The Best Royal Movies to Help You Truly Understand the Monarchy
Kind of related to the Oscars — and movies like The Favourite and Mary, Queen of Scots — and kind of to satisfy my own curiosity, I challenged myself to see if I could trace the royal lineage from Elizabeth II to Elizabeth I just through movies. I was able to do it, though some were obscure. But now I know that Colin Firth from The King's Speech is the current Queen's father.
We're Officially Calling Blume Dolls the Hottest Toy of 2019
This was the first year I got to attend Toy Fair, and scout out all of the hot new toys for the year. And while I saw lots of great things, these cuties leapt out as an early favorite.
News
Parents, The Momo Challenge Isn't the Video You Need to Be Worrying About on YouTube
The Hatching Baby Toothless Is the Perfect Gift For Your Aspiring Hiccup
The Disney+ Streaming Service Sounds Like It's Going to Be Every Parent's BFF
Andy Cohen Was Just Dad-Shamed for Taking His Newborn on an Airplane
'Riverdale' Star Mark Consuelos Dishes on What It Was Really Like Working With Kelly Ripa
Kristen Bell Shut Down an Instagram Follower Who Said She's "Exploiting" a Kid for Her New Line
Kairi, the New Gerber Baby for 2019, Just Made History
The U.S. Divorce Rate Is Going Down, and We Have Millennials to Thank
Terminally Ill Girl in Wisconsin Just Wants Letters From Your Dog
Service
3 Tricks That Calm a Crying Baby, According to a Researcher Who Surveyed 800+ Parents
This Dad’s Trick for Getting Picky Kids to Eat Is Brilliant
My Daughter Wouldn't Sleep Away From Home Until We Got This Toddler Travel Bed
6 Apps That Make Potty Training Way Easier Than a DIY Sticker Chart
16 Lego Storage Ideas That'll Keep Every Small Piece Organized
15 Best Stargazing Apps for iPhones and Androids
The Best Books About Self-Love, Because We All Need to Pump Ourselves Up
Holidays
Watch This 'Peppa Pig' Chinese New Year Sneak Peek With Your Kids Tonight
15 Best Hallmark Movies to Watch Before Valentine's Day
14 Baby Valentine's Day Outfits for Your True Sweetheart
Easy Valentine's Day Games Any Kid Will Love
40 Quotes About Broken Hearts That Are Just Too Real
The 20 Best Irish Movies to Watch for St. Patrick's Day
The Best Irish Movies on Netflix to Stream on St. Patrick's Day
Milestones
14 Gold Wedding Dresses for the Bride Who Wants to Sparkle
15 Pink Wedding Dresses for the Most Romantic Brides Out There
Inspiring Backyard Wedding Ideas for Casual Brides and Grooms
Neon Wedding Signs That Will Give Your Reception Some Electricity
14 DIY Floral Garland Ideas for Spring Parties and Weddings
15 Grazing Tables Ideas That Will Make Any Party Stand Out
13 Creative and Thoughtful Ways to Ask: Will You Be a Godparent?
18 Mesmerizing Number Cakes We Wish We Could Eat Right Now
16 Cheap Neon Signs That Add Major Personality to Your Space
30 Quotes About Change, Because We Never Stop Evolving
Baby Shark
So, Where Did This "Baby Shark" Song Come From, Anyway?
Baby Shark Toys, Books, and Shirts Are Taking Over the Internet
A Baby Shark Play-Doh Set Is in the Works Because the Craze Will Never End
The New Baby Shark Toy Will Dance Circles Around You
Assigned Essays
Their Son Tested Positive for Strep Throat. Then Came the Severe OCD, Anxiety, and Hallucinations.
14 Reasons Parenting Teenagers Is Better Than You Think It Will Be
A brief interlude before I get to January content: FindingJoy.net reached out to a group of 75 women who think very deeply about motherhood the question posed above. My answer pretty much encapsulates what I've been trying to do with my professional life since 2015. (I think I'm the only respondent who mentions the need for better paid leave, an end to the wage gap, equal access to medical care, etc.)
If there's one benign scourge on parents, it's Pinkfong's "Baby Shark" song. It's beloved by toddlers, reviled by parents, and always stuck in someone's head. So, when I found out that Wowwee was making singing Baby Shark dolls, I wrote about it — and it's definitely the most viral piece I've ever written. When I retire, they're going to write "wrote the Baby Shark" piece on my plaque.
Other pieces I wrote for December:
Gift guides: 15+ Adorable Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers, 20+ Gifts Your Toddler Wants to Unbox This Christmas
And the anti-gift guide: Attention Grandmas: It's Better for Kids to Have Fewer Toys (grandmas on Facebook HATED this story)
Entertainment: The Best Movies for Toddlers, When You Just Need to Take a Shower, 'Sesame Street' Just Introduced a New Character Who Is Experiencing Homelessness, The 20 Best Romantic Movies on Netflix Right Now, 15 Movies to Watch on New Year's Eve, Because Going Out Is Overrated, See What Anne Geddes's First Baby Models Are Up to Now
Parenting-style explainers: What Is Permissive Parenting? Experts Say This Parenting Style Fails Kids, What Is Attachment Parenting? Parents and Children Share a Close Bond
More celebrations: 12 New Year's Traditions to Start With Your Family, 12 Awesome Things to Do on New Year's Day to Get 2019 Started Right, Genius 1st Birthday Party Ideas to Celebrate Your First Year of Parenthood
Misc. parenting: These Will Be the Most Popular Baby Names in 2019, 17 Parenting Memes That Make Moms and Dads Say, "It Me",
I also assigned some parenting essay from freelance writers that I particularly enjoyed:
I Raised Four Sons as a Single Mom. Now That They're Grown, I'm Off to Europe.
My Mother Died Before My Baby Was Born, But My Daughter Will Still Know Her
My Child Has a Severe Allergy, But I Secretly Ate Her Forbidden Food Anyway
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Just before heading into the big, December gift-giving season, I got to do a trio of kids-room interior design stories, and, man, kids today are lucky! I'd love to have any number of these rooms for myself. See the design trends for boys' rooms, girls' rooms, and nurseries below. (I tried to cover a range of aesthetics, but I just love all the geometric black-and-white rooms!
Other stories:
Gift guides started: See gifts for 1-year-olds, book lovers, grandparents, and teachers.Also, if you ever wanted a toy Dyson vacuum that looks just like the real thing, such a thing exists.
Entertainment: 15+ Best Christmas Movies for Kids on Netflix; 16 Best Family Thanksgiving Movies on Netflix, Hulu, and More; 24 Kids' Movies Coming Out in 2019 That Are Worth a Trip to the Theater; We Scoured Infinity and Beyond for these 'Toy Story 4' Details;
Parenting Explainers: What Is Authoritative Parenting?, What is Attachment Parenting?
Miscellaneous Parenting: These Are BabyCenter's Most Popular Baby Names of 2018 for Boys and Girls, Rookie Moms and Dads: These 15 Parenting Books Will Turn You Pro
Plus, a fun essay I didn't write, but got to assign and work on:
]]>As we head into November's midterms, I'm excited to share this piece:
I've been so inspired by all of the amazing women running for office this cycle — especially some of the groundbreaking mom candidates, who have done things like changed FEC regulations to allow campaign funds to be used for childcare costs or showed breastfeeding in campaign ads. I talked to 10 candidates, from both sides of the aisle, about why this election matters to mothers, and what it was like on the campaign trail with young kids.
Other than that, the holiday coverage is in full swing, so I got to do these pieces:
Halloween
QUIZ: Could You Eat Your Way Through All of Disney's Halloween Treats?
10 Halloween Movies and Shows on Netflix That Won't Terrify Kids
And then, I didn't write this, but I'm proud to have assigned it. A husband-and-wife team wrote it, and they don't 100% agree.
Parents: Maybe Don't Buy Your Kid That Black Panther Costume This Halloween
Christmas
20 Easy Christmas Traditions to Start With Your Family
15 Ornaments That Celebrate Baby’s First Christmas
15 Classic Christmas Card Ideas to Send This Year
15 Best Christmas Movies for Kids on Netflix
20 Christmas Books for Kids That Aren't "The Night Before Christmas"
20 Books to Give Your Mom This Christmas
25 Gifts Your Toddler Wants to Unbox This Christmas
20 Adorable Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers
The Best Baby Gifts to Stack Under the Tree This Holiday
Etc.
Flu Symptoms in Kids Come Suddenly, But You Can Act Fast If You Know What to Look For
20 Best Baby Books for the Ultimate Nursery Library
How Caroll Spinney Amassed a Large Net Worth and So Much More From 'Sesame Street'
The Best Lullaby Music For Toddlers That'll Have Them Sleeping Like Teenagers
10 Adorable Mommy & Me Shoes for You and Your Kid
And then one more thing that I wrote before I started this gig finally got published. I love the mission of this organization:
Girls with Impact: Setting Up Teens for Success