Parents and caregivers: How to stop feeling like a Grinch and be more present with your kids this holiday season

Future-oriented thinking, rather than careening from moment to moment, can help parents have more meaningful moments with their children.

Crystal Cederna, Clinical Psychologist & Associate Professor of Public Health, Michigan State University • conversation
Dec. 19, 2024 • ~9 min

The case for lying to kids about Santa – from a philosopher

A philosopher argues that children benefit both from the Santa fiction and from the eventual realisation that it’s not true.

Tom Whyman, Lecturer in Philosophy, University of Liverpool • conversation
Dec. 6, 2024 • ~6 min

Why you shouldn’t lie to your children about Father Christmas, according to philosophers

I reviewed philosophers’ views on the ethics of deception and applied them to parental lies.

Joseph Millum, Senior Lecturer, Philosophy, University of St Andrews • conversation
Dec. 4, 2024 • ~8 min

Do Mom and Dad really know what’s best? A psychologist explains why kids see their parents as bossier than they are

The brain science behind the power struggle between parents and their children.

Annie Pezalla, Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology, Macalester College • conversation
Dec. 2, 2024 • ~5 min

Gen Z heads home: How to navigate the evolving parent-child relationship as kids become adults

Parenting’s ultimate goal is raising healthy, happy, successful children. Figuring out how to keep parenting once the kids are adults is just another transition.

Amy Root, Professor of Applied Human Sciences, West Virginia University • conversation
Nov. 25, 2024 • ~9 min

‘Difficult’ children are only slightly more likely to have insecure attachments with parents

The quality of a child’s attachments to caregivers influences healthy development. And most kids with difficult temperaments do form secure attachments with their parents.

Carlo Schuengel, Professor of Clinical Child and Family Studies, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam • conversation
Sept. 11, 2024 • ~6 min

Guilt over kids’ screen time is common, uncomfortable and can stress family relationships − but it can have a silver lining

Screen use has a PR problem, and many parents feel guilty about how much time they and their children spend on it. Examining that guilt could help you make changes and improve your family dynamics.

Robin Nabi, Professor of Communication, University of California, Santa Barbara • conversation
Sept. 5, 2024 • ~8 min

Stricter monitoring of tween and teen internet use may not always be better

Sharply restricting kids’ use of digital media is linked with problematic internet use — but it is still unclear why.

J. Maya Hernandez, Research Scientist in Adolescent Development, University of California, Irvine • conversation
July 10, 2024 • ~11 min

What fathers in the animal kingdom can tell us about humans

Some of the most caring animal fathers are insects.

Judith Lock, Principal Teaching Fellow in Ecology and Evolution, University of Southampton • conversation
July 3, 2024 • ~7 min

Synced brains: why being constantly tuned in to your child’s every need isn’t always ideal

Sometimes when the brains of parent and child are too synced it can be a sign of relationship difficulties.

Pascal Vrticka, Associate Professor / Senior Lecturer in Psychology, University of Essex • conversation
May 21, 2024 • ~9 min

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