The hottest Parenting Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

School is Not Enough

The Map is Mostly Water • 2214 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🚌 Education Learning Child development Parenting Teaching Methods Skill acquisition
  1. Learning happens best when you actually do things, not just sit in school. Kids should have chances to explore and work on real tasks to gain skills.
  2. School can trap kids in a routine that doesn’t prepare them for the real world. It’s important to let children explore opportunities that help them learn outside the classroom.
  3. Parents play a big role in helping kids find meaningful activities. Encouraging children to dive into projects they are passionate about can build confidence and lead to mastery.

5 Actions to Reduce Smartphones in School

The Analog Family • 319 implied HN points • 30 Aug 24
🚌 Education School Policy Parenting Student Engagement Technology Use
  1. Schools should encourage families to delay giving their kids smartphones until high school. This helps kids focus better on their education.
  2. Parents can help by communicating through school offices instead of texting their kids during class. This keeps kids from being distracted by their phones.
  3. Activities and teams should not require smartphones for participation. Schools can find other ways to share information that includes all students.

Komedy Klass: "Buy-In" Earns You 20 Valuable Seconds

I Might Be Wrong • 5 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
😂 Humor Comedy Parenting Social Interaction
  1. Connecting with your audience is key to successful comedy. When you talk about things they care about, they will enjoy your performance more.
  2. Using relatable topics, like parenting, can help you gain audience interest more easily. Everyone has their own experiences that can be funny or touching.
  3. Once you have the audience's attention, keep your material fresh and original to maintain their interest. It's important to strike a balance between being relatable and unique.

'The Anxious Generation': Things Are Worse Than We Realized

The Analog Family • 2977 implied HN points • 10 Apr 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Child development Digital Media Parenting Social Issues
  1. Smartphones and digital media have greatly increased anxiety and depression in kids. The period between 2010 and 2015 saw a sharp rise in these mental health issues coinciding with the rise of smartphone use.
  2. Kids need real-life play to develop important social skills and physical abilities. Too much screen time replaces active play, leading to developmental challenges.
  3. Parents play a crucial role in managing their children's digital exposure. Limiting smartphone use before high school, avoiding social media until 16, and encouraging outdoor play can improve children's well-being.
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Two ordinary Kiwis go toe-to-toe with their local school over inappropriate gender-identity and sexuality content in the curriculum.

A B’Old Woman • 479 implied HN points • 02 Aug 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Gender Curriculum Parenting Activism
  1. Parents are concerned about certain gender and sexuality topics in their kids' school curriculum. They feel the content is inappropriate for children.
  2. Two parents, Blair and Karen, are actively fighting against this content and have formed a support group called PAGE NZ. This group helps others share their concerns and experiences.
  3. Not all schools use the same content from the guidelines, but those that do face strong pushback from parents trying to protect their kids.

Girl Storm (2023) by Peg Kerswell

Tao Lin • 599 implied HN points • 22 Jul 24
📚 Literature Memoir Autism Health Parenting Self-help
  1. Raising a profoundly autistic child can be incredibly challenging and heartbreaking. The author shares true stories of frustration and helplessness while caring for her daughter Ellie.
  2. There is a growing concern about the rising cases of profound autism, with the author questioning the commonly held belief that autism is purely genetic. The book highlights the potential roles of diet and environmental factors.
  3. Despite the struggles, the memoir offers a perspective that can cultivate gratitude in readers. It serves as a reminder of the importance of support and love in difficult circumstances.

Preemies, Genes, Meritocracy, and the Left

Freddie deBoer • 8694 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Meritocracy Parenting
  1. Premature birth and low birth weight can lead to significant academic challenges, affecting cognitive and academic outcomes.
  2. Acknowledging genetic influences on academic performance is controversial, but it's important to consider alongside environmental factors.
  3. Our focus on academic success and meritocracy may need to shift to value a broader range of human qualities and contributions.

Hiking The Pacific Crest Trail With a Baby?! | Guest Post by Jack McClure

Boundless by Paul Millerd • 72 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🏝 Travel Outdoor Adventure Family Lifestyle Parenting
  1. Hiking with a baby can be an amazing adventure. It showed that families can enjoy nature and travel together despite challenges.
  2. Many people may doubt unconventional plans like this, but supportive friends and family can help boost confidence. It’s important to follow what feels right for your family.
  3. Living true to your values can lead to meaningful experiences. The journey taught a lot about parenting and the joy of exploring the outdoors as a family.

Holiday practice

Austin Kleon • 5275 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Art Creativity Parenting Self-care Holidays
  1. Artists need to create to feel their best. Taking breaks is okay, but too long without art can make life harder.
  2. Finding small ways to practice art during busy times, like the holidays, helps keep us feeling whole. Even a little time for creativity matters.
  3. Making space and time for creativity is key. You can get creative with when and where you practice, like being active when others are asleep or using portable materials.

My child was perfect

Letters of Note • 4265 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Parenting
  1. A mother's unconditional love for her child shines through despite challenging circumstances.
  2. Every child is perfect and brings immense joy and purpose to their family.
  3. Doctors should provide support and encouragement to expectant mothers regardless of any medical condition.

The nervous system

Austin Kleon • 5195 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Literature Art Music Film Parenting
  1. Starting a 31-day challenge now can help you get ahead instead of waiting for the new year. Making commitments regularly can lead to personal growth.
  2. Children are companions in life, not just projects. It's important to share experiences and life with them rather than just focusing on goals.
  3. It's frustrating to wait for new episodes of your favorite shows. Waiting can feel especially hard when you're looking forward to something exciting.

The sins of our fathers

Becoming Noble • 3468 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Rituals Parenting Cultural Traditions
  1. Rituals play a significant role in transcending individuals into archetypes, enhancing communion and cultural continuity.
  2. Honoring parents and ancestors is deeply rooted in civilization and breaking away from this tradition can lead to societal collapse.
  3. Interfering with key rituals can result in discordance, oikophobia, and a crisis of self-consciousness, ultimately leading to alienation and narcissism.

We do Math because it's hard

Kids Who Love Math • 335 implied HN points • 21 Dec 24
🚌 Education Math Learning Parenting Skills Development
  1. Math can be really hard to learn for everyone, at any age. It's normal for students to find math difficult as they progress in their education.
  2. Choosing challenges like math for kids can help them build perseverance. It's often easier to support their learning in a comfortable environment like home.
  3. It's important for kids to enjoy the challenge they're taking on. If they like math, they're more likely to stick with it and succeed.

Liana Finck, Cartoonist/Philosopher/Genius

Ladyparts • 838 implied HN points • 11 Jun 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Cartoons Books Parenting Creators Illustrations
  1. Liana Finck's book 'HOW TO BABY' cleverly reflects on the challenges and contradictions of parenting.
  2. Finck's cartoons humorously navigate the complexities of relationships, parenthood, and life in a relatable and profound way.
  3. The power of art lies in its ability to simplify and bring joy and understanding to complex emotions and experiences.

Family was never the problem

Disaffected Newsletter • 3836 implied HN points • 28 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Family Identity Social Issues Mental health Parenting
  1. Not all families are the same, and many people come from backgrounds that are abusive and damaging. It's important to recognize that these experiences can shape how we view family.
  2. A loving and stable family is necessary for healthy child development. When children experience abuse, it not only affects them but also society as a whole.
  3. It's possible to change our views and support good family values, even if we had difficult pasts. Focusing on building positive family structures can lead to a better future.

It finally broke me

Parents with Inconvenient Truths about Trans (PITT) • 3105 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Parenting Support
  1. The parent shared the challenges of raising a child with special needs, including struggles with school, relationships, and support from others.
  2. Despite exhausting efforts to seek help through various professionals and services, the parent faced setbacks and found limited solutions.
  3. The parent's world was further shaken when their child decided to transition, causing deep emotional turmoil and financial strain.

honesty is a craft issue: lyz lenz in conversation with jeanna kadlec

astrology for writers • 2515 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Relationships Self-Improvement Parenting Personal Growth
  1. Honesty in writing is crucial for crafting a compelling narrative and connecting with readers.
  2. Sharing personal stories and experiences can empower others to make positive changes in their lives.
  3. Being honest with oneself can lead to self-awareness, growth, and the ability to make necessary changes.

My Communist Vision

In My Tribe • 1078 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Family Communism Lifestyle Parenting Community
  1. Young families benefit from living close to each other, creating a supportive community where kids can play together and parents can help one another.
  2. Having children early in life can lead to more grandchildren and a fulfilling family life, so society should encourage early marriage and parenting.
  3. Communal living arrangements for young families can help ease the challenges of parenting, but they should maintain individual households instead of being collective.

ROGD, AGP, Mothers, and Sons—Common Sense Thoughts by Not a Psychologist

Parents with Inconvenient Truths about Trans (PITT) • 2476 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Gender Parenting Psychology Identity Children
  1. Mothers should not label children as AGP without solid data to support it.
  2. Educating boys on challenges of adolescence can help them navigate gender dysphoria without medicalization.
  3. Resistance to rising ideologies about AGP in boys is important to protect vulnerable children.

I sent some texts on the good life

Soaring Twenties • 69 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Lifestyle Parenting Philosophy Community Identity
  1. Having good friends shapes our kids' lives in ways we might not see. It’s important to have a supportive community.
  2. We need to keep growing and changing as people. Life is about discovering who we are and evolving.
  3. It’s crucial to appreciate what we have right now. Instead of wishing for a perfect future, we should focus on enjoying the present.

Gen X: Marriage Failures

The Reclamation Era • 239 implied HN points • 29 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Marriage Generations Relationships Parenting Self-awareness
  1. Getting married young can lead to problems because people often carry unresolved issues from their childhood into relationships. It's important to know yourself before tying the knot.
  2. Sometimes, societal pressure pushes people to marry quickly, without fully understanding their own needs and patterns. Taking time to figure things out can lead to healthier relationships.
  3. Middle-aged people, especially from Gen X, often face a tough choice: stay in a troubled marriage or leave for a chance at happiness. It's crucial to listen to one's gut and seek authenticity.

Focus!

Austin Kleon • 4316 implied HN points • 22 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Arts Music Literature Comedy Parenting Interviews
  1. Music memoirs can be a great way to relax and unwind, especially if you've read something heavy. They're often fun and refreshing.
  2. It's really important to focus on the learner in the education process, as they're the ones truly driving their learning journey.
  3. Getting creative and organizing your space can help spark new ideas and inspiration, like the concept of 'knolling'.

Breaking Free from Perfectionism

Perspectives • 5 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Self-Improvement Parenting Psychology Life lessons
  1. Perfectionism can cause a lot of anxiety and stress. It's not about doing things perfectly but about finding faults and feeling never good enough.
  2. To overcome perfectionism, it's important to embrace failure. Learning from mistakes helps you grow and builds resilience.
  3. Recovering from perfectionism means accepting that it's okay to be imperfect. It's about forgiving yourself and finding balance in life, rather than rigidly following rules.

From Latchkey Kids to Helicopter Parents

Polymathic Being • 92 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Generations Parenting Social Issues Nostalgia Identity
  1. Gen X was raised as independent latchkey kids but has become overly protective helicopter parents. They want to shield their kids from dangers they faced but may be hindering their growth.
  2. The world is safer now than in the past, but Gen X unintentionally creates a fragile generation by trying to prevent all risks and trauma for their children.
  3. Gen X still holds onto their tough, rebellious image, but this can blind them to their parenting shortcomings and lead to contradictions in their beliefs and actions.

Bringing the science of learning to parent night

The Bell Ringer • 79 implied HN points • 23 Aug 24
🚌 Education Parenting Teaching Learning Literacy Child development
  1. Many teachers believe that parents are not involved enough in their children's education. They feel that more engagement from families could lead to better support for students.
  2. Parents want to learn how to help their kids succeed in school, especially through understanding learning science. This can strengthen the partnership between parents and teachers.
  3. Schools are starting to share effective learning strategies with parents, like metacognition and retrieval practices, which can help kids study better and improve their overall learning experience.

Be Present

The Analog Family • 559 implied HN points • 25 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Attention Communication Parenting Technology Social Behavior
  1. Being fully present in the moment is important, so try to put your phone away. When you focus on what's happening right in front of you, you really connect with others.
  2. Attention is a valuable gift. When someone gives you their full attention, it feels special and strengthens your bond with them.
  3. Kids notice when you're distracted by your phone. Make an effort to be present with them to encourage open conversations and foster stronger relationships.

Why I'm Increasingly Worried About Boys, Too

After Babel • 3310 implied HN points • 06 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Technology Gender differences Parenting
  1. Boys have been increasingly withdrawn from the real world into the virtual world since the 1970s.
  2. Boys are experiencing a mental health crisis driven by factors different from girls, including retreat from real-world pursuits.
  3. The rise of technology and entertainment has played a significant role in pulling boys away from real-world activities and into the virtual world.

Fertility Links

In My Tribe • 470 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Fertility Marriage Parenting Demographics Aging
  1. Women are most fertile in their late teens, and the decline in fertility happens steadily between ages 20 and 40. It's important to understand this to make informed choices about family planning.
  2. Many countries are experiencing lower birth rates, and this trend is not just linked to economic factors. It's happening in places where we might not expect it, showing that fertility is a complex issue.
  3. Marriage is changing, becoming less common and often entered into later in life. This shift affects when couples start having children, which can contribute to declining birth rates.