Stacker-Parenting & Family

  Welcoming a child into the world is a joyous occasion, filled with excitement and a packed to-do list. In between the diaper changes, feedings and trying to get a few precious hours of shut-eye, don’t forget one important task: considering life insurance. Why do new parents need life insurance? As a new parent, you’re

  Family researchers have spent decades taking a look at how far parents end up living from their adult children, yet very little research focuses on the relationship between siblings. Even though they are the ones typically splitting holiday hosting, dividing up a parent’s care as they age, and making calls when things go wrong,

  Common expenses tied to raising a child — including child care, food, medical care, housing and other necessities — can total tens of thousands of dollars annually. While costs are high across major metro areas, the burden varies sharply by location, with families in some places facing annual expenses more than twice as high

  As the summer season comes to a close, families with school-aged children start to think about upcoming back-to-school expenses: laptops, notebooks, clothing and shoes, water bottles, backpacks, and all of the other classics. While most families consider initial purchases, many fail to include the various other costs that usually begin a few months into

  It can be stressful when kids flat-out refuse to go to school. Your child might be complaining about stomachaches every day, begging to stay home. Or they may become increasingly emotional as the school day approaches. You may find yourself wondering: Why is this happening? What if they’re never willing to go back to

  Every May, the Social Security Administration drops one of the most entertaining website updates of all: the names that gained the most in popularity out of over 1,000 common names. The 2025 top baby names, unveiled in May 2026, were full of surprises. A name meaning “fire” jumped more than 1,100 spots, another received

  Prioritizing play offers a variety of benefits for children, from helping them grow their vocabulary to managing their big feelings with fewer behavioral problems. Play also benefits children’s cognitive and social and emotional development. But play isn’t always a focus in classrooms, even when it comes to very young children. Kelley Mayer White, professor

  If the Sunday scaries were a month, it would have to be August: the start of back-to-school season. Saying goodbye to summer in preparation for a new school year can trigger a flood of difficult emotions, whether that’s anxiety, sadness, excitement, or even fear. You might feel a sense of dread about adjusting to

  It’s almost time for parents to send their kids off to college, and this transition can bring with it a blend of excitement and concern. It’s an important time where financial lessons can have a long-lasting impact on children’s lives today and beyond their degrees. Warren Buffett once said, “The more you learn, the

  Because breastfeeding offers well-established health benefits for both babies and moms, organizations including the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, followed by continued breastfeeding alongside complementary foods for two years or more. Moms are hearing these recommendations, alongside a common message that breastfeeding

  Parents spend years styling their children, picking out just the right outfits for special occasions, choosing a haircut that suits their sweet little faces, and doing their best to keep up with how quickly they outgrow their shoes. Just as parents begin to master all the moving parts, a new variable gets thrown into

  Your child often comes home from school and bursts into tears. Or starts yelling and slamming doors for no reason. As far as you know, nothing bad is happening at school. So where is this explosion of emotion coming from? It could be after-school restraint collapse. Andrea Loewen Nair, a counselor and parenting educator,

  Divorce and family court filings do not spread evenly across the calendar. A University of Washington study that reviewed 14 years of filing data found that family-related court actions consistently peak twice a year, in March and in August, a pattern researchers linked to the end of major family holidays and summer vacations. The

  For many families, it starts with a familiar bargain, “Do this, and then you can have screen time.” Child development experts say that approach can work in the moment. But over time, using screens as a reward can change the role screens play in a child’s day. If screens become the payoff, then homework,

  If you’re a parent of a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you’ve probably thought a lot about how to help them navigate daily life. Medication may be one of the first things that comes to mind, but it’s not the only option experts recommend. Behavior therapy helps children build skills like attention

  As the school year begins, your family is likely getting supplies ready and adjusting to a new routine after summer break. Whether your child attends elementary, middle, or high school, it’s natural for them to feel both excited and nervous at the same time. And keeping them happy, healthy, and safe is likely your

  Back-to-school shopping is about more than notebooks, backpacks, lunch boxes and traditional school supplies. Sending your kids to school with personal care items can help make the transition easier, whether they are stocking a locker, packing a gym bag or moving into a dorm with a shared bathroom. Use this back-to-school checklist from Dove

  Alison Lee still remembers the conversation that helped her understand why young people turn to the safety of artificial intelligence for companionship and belonging. She was talking to a high school student and the girl told her, “Nobody dances at prom anymore.” A researcher at The Rithm Project, a nonprofit focused on human connection

  A new school year, for many families, means new expenses. Beyond school supplies, there are technology fees, lunches, club expenses, and the daily temptations of vending machines and in-app purchases for kids with access to mobile devices. Only 25% of U.S. parents who live with children say they talk with their kids about finances,

  Family disagreements about an aging parent’s care are more common than many caregivers realize. One sibling may see growing safety concerns, while another sees a parent determined to remain independent. These conflicts often involve more than care decisions alone — they can reflect different experiences, responsibilities, fears, and family dynamics. Experts say that while