In Praise of ‘Difficult’ Kids
Feisty children can be exhausting. They also possess a moral fire that deserves cultivating.
Family
The Endless Goodbye
More than a decade before my dad died, I lost him to dementia.
Everyone Thinks They Need a NeeDoh
But no one can find one.
The Sneaky-Saver Generation
Gen Z may have a Peter Pan reputation—but it’s also saving a lot of money.
Is It Wrong to Tell Kids to Apologize?
Some parents argue that forcing children to say they’re sorry is useless or even harmful. The reality is more nuanced.
Dear Therapist: I Flipped Out at My Brother, and I Regret It
How can I apologize to him, but also explain that he makes me feel small?
The New Quarter-Life Crisis
Running a marathon has become a milestone for a growing number of young adults.
What Can Having Pets Teach You About Parenting?
A dog isn’t a “starter kid,” but with the right amount of self-awareness, raising one does have things to teach future parents of humans.
‘Nostalgia for a Dating Experience They’ve Never Had’
Young people are tired of swiping. Now they want serendipity.
Welcome to Kidulthood
Why adults are suddenly into stuffed animals
Our Last Great Adventure
My husband, Richard Goodwin, drafted landmark speeches for JFK and LBJ. Late in life, we dived into his archives, searching for vivid traces of our hopeful youth.
What the Suburb Haters Don’t Understand
The homogeneity of the suburbs has an upside: If strip malls and subdivisions remind you of home, you can feel nostalgic almost anywhere.
What Would Society Look Like if Extreme Wealth Were Impossible?
Limitarianism questions the idea that individual wealth is ever individual.
Middle Names Reveal More Than You Think
They’re our most benign yet unexpectedly intimate secrets.