Struggling with the pressures of parenting? The experts share why parenting is so hard right now and their tips on how to cope

A growing debate questions whether encouraging children to believe in Santa Claus is harmless fun or a form of manipulation. New research suggests the “Santa lie” may breach trust, yet many parents – and experts – say it’s a cherished part of childhood. While some children feel betrayed upon learning the truth, studies show most look back fondly and plan to continue the tradition. The real concern, researchers argue, is missing the moment when kids begin to question the myth.

Adoptive parents from West Yorkshire share how adoption changed their lives, despite the challenges. With a nationwide shortage of adopters, families like Mike and Lisa urge others to explore adoption, highlighting the strong support networks now available. The need is growing, and the impact can last a lifetime.

New motherhood can be a deeply isolating experience, even in the most supported environments. In this reflective piece, Lucy Jones explores how societal structures, cultural expectations, and the pressures of “intensive mothering” contribute to widespread loneliness among new mothers—and why redefining care, connection, and community is urgently needed.

For 15 years, Christine Carrig has worked with hundreds of preschool and kindergarten children at the Montessori school she founded in Brooklyn. She has celebrated milestones with their families, and she has supported them as they navigate big transitions and big feelings. Over that time, the typical developmental hurdles her students face haven’t really changed.

As strict parenting takes a backseat, a gentler, more flexible approach—jellyfish parenting—is making waves. But is softness the answer, or just a new label?

According to a recent survey, more than three-quarters of parents with children aged one to three worry about whether their child is getting all the nutrition they need from their meals.