Life Kit: Parenting
NPR
122 episodes
Raising awesome kids takes help. NPR has science and experts to get you through the toughest parenting moments. Updated every time we have Life Kit episodes on parenting. Want another life hack? Try Life Kit+. Your subscription supports the show and unlocks an exclusive sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/lifekit
Episodes page 2 of 3
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'Terrestrials,' a new kid's show from Radiolab, uncovers the strangeness on Earth
This is the story of one particularly devious octopus who lost a limb, was captured by humans — then managed to make an escape from its aquarium tank back into the ocean. This episode comes from our friends at…
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The 5-minute daily playtime ritual that can get your kids to listen better
Called 'special time,' the strategy is widely recommended by children's health professionals to help reduce behavioral issues in young children. Here's a guide on how to do it with your kids at home. See…
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Why you should connect with your kid, not correct them
Psychologist Becky Kennedy, author of the new book "Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be," urges parents to spend more time raising thoughtful humans instead of fixing their behavior. See…
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How to financially prepare for having a baby
Having a baby is one of the biggest - and most expensive - life changes a person can experience. Here's what you need to know about financially planning for a baby, according to Farnoosh Torabi, Editor at Large CNET…
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How to talk to kids about abortion
Talking about abortion can be complicated, even with adults. How do you talk about the medical procedure and the politics around it with kids? NPR's Ailsa Chang gets tips from Dr. Elise Berlan and parenting expert…
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How to raise a good citizen
Talking to kids about civics is kind of like talking to kids about sex - avoiding the conversation can have some really negative consequences. Here's how to talk to kids about civic participation, from discussing our…
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What to say to kids when the news is scary
The news can be devastating, and tragic events can be incomprehensible for adults — so how do we talk about them with kids? Child development experts offer advice on what parents, teachers and other caregivers can say…
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How to give mothering the value it deserves
Raising kids is among the most essential work humans do, and yet it's rarely valued as labor. Angela Garbes, author of Essential Labor: Mothering as Social Change, guides us through a shift in mindset to help give…
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How working parents can win back some time
Calling all working parents and caregivers! We see you, and we know you don't have much time. Career coach Daisy Dowling shares time management tips to help working parents find sanity and joy. See pcm.adswizz.com for…
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A pediatrician's advice on omicron, daycare and travel for kids under 5
Amid the omicron surge, there is understandable anxiety among parents, particularly those with kids under 5. In this episode, infectious disease doctor Ibukun Kalu answers listeners' questions on the latest COVID…
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5 Tips For Transferring Colleges
Most students who want to transfer colleges, don't. The process can be complicated and confusing and differ from state to state and institution to institution. Despite these hurdles, transferring is a common route to…
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How To Build A Sleep Routine For You And Your Children
Getting enough sleep helps you focus, retain information and helps to fortify your immune system. But when it comes to children, they aren't always thinking about these benefits. For parents and caretakers struggling…
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Finding Agency With A Birth Plan
For expectant parents, navigating pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum can raise a range of emotions. There are so many things to think about and prepare for, and knowing where to start can feel daunting. But a birth…
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It's FAFSA Time! Here's How To Apply For College Financial Aid
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid opens to potential college students to fill out on Oct. 1 for the 2022-2023 school year. Here's how to fill out the form to get money for college — and why you should apply…
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How You Can Help Someone At Risk Of Suicide
Research shows that suicide is preventable. And while surveys have shown that Americans know this, they might not know how to help someone who may be at risk. It's National Suicide Prevention Month, and we're looking…
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How Reading Aloud Can Help You Bond With Your Kids
Reading at school is one thing, but reading at home is important too. Though with busy schedules filled with after school activities, homework and lots of tech at kids' fingertips, it's not always easy to convince kids…
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In 'We're Not Broken,' Author Eric Garcia Takes On Myths About Autism
Whether you know it or not, you know somebody who is autistic. So if you think autism doesn't affect you, you're wrong, says Eric Garcia. In this episode, Garcia, author of We're Not Broken: Changing the Autism…
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How To Keep Your Kids Safe From The Delta Variant
Returning to in-person schooling is both a relief — and a source of great anxiety — for a lot of parents this year. The pandemic is still happening. The Delta variant is surging. And millions of children are too young…
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5 Tips For Becoming A Stepparent
Becoming a parent is challenging and the same is true for those becoming stepparents. In this episode, we talk to experts — some of whom are stepparents themselves — about how you can navigate the process. They share…
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Do's And Don'ts For Parents Whose Kids Have Gained Weight In The Pandemic
If you've noticed that your kid put on some weight during the pandemic and you're not sure what — if anything — to do about it, you're not alone. Weight is an incredibly fraught topic — and an imperfect indicator of…
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A Business-Minded Way To Make Tough Family Decisions
Having elementary-aged kids at home can mean a maze of tough decisions about how to run your family and what's right for your small children. Economist Emily Oster offers ways to streamline decision-making with…
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The Process Of Becoming A Mother Has A Name: Matrescence
Becoming a mother is a huge, complicated life transition that can rock every fiber of a person's being. The process even has its own name: matrescence. That postpartum feeling of being on an emotional rollercoaster,…
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Money Talks: How To Teach Kids About Finance
Money can feel like a taboo topic in a lot of households, but talking about it regularly can take the awkwardness out of it. Kids see and do everything that we do, and that's true when it comes to money, says financial…
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How To Talk About Divorce With Your Children
Even the most amicable split is world-changing for young children. Here are a few key tips for grown-ups trying to help their kids navigate this big transition. (This episode originally published April 26, 2019.) See…
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Finding The Perfect Name For Your Baby
Picking a name for a baby can be overwhelming. With all the possibilities out in the world, it can be hard to even begin to choose. On this episode of Life Kit, host Diana Opong speaks with baby naming experts for a…
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Navigating Life After Pregnancy Loss
Despite how common pregnancy loss is, families often suffer in silence. In honor of Black Maternal Health Week, Life Kit teamed up with the hosts of the podcast docuseries NATAL to share stories from parents who have…
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Raising Boys To Be Feminists
Author Sonora Jha shares insights from her memoir, How To Raise A Feminist Son, which includes practical to-do lists about how to handle some of the hardest conversations with sons. See pcm.adswizz.com for information…
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Raising Kids Who Help With Chores
Raising kids who pitch in around your home doesn't require bribes or a chore chart. Kids want to help – and parents can nurture that desire by including them in age-appropriate ways. See pcm.adswizz.com for information…
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Talking With Kids About Anti-Asian Racism
Navigating conversations with kids around race and racism can be tricky. Here's what to think about while talking to kids about the rise in anti-Asian attacks and the shootings in Atlanta earlier this month. See…
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Helping Teens Cope With Mental Health Struggles
Over a year into the pandemic, many teens are missing milestones and struggling with their mental health. Here's how to spot red flags and when to get help. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and…
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Deciding When To Have A Baby
Whether you've always wanted to be a parent or not, starting a family is a big decision. The pandemic makes it even tougher. In this episode, experts talk through what to consider. See pcm.adswizz.com for information…
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What To Tell Kids When The News Is Scary
When the headlines are terrifying, how can parents make sure kids get the facts without traumatizing them? Whether it's a school shooting, a global pandemic or an insurrection on the U.S. Capitol, child development…
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Helping Kids (And Parents) Cope During COVID-19
Kids and teens have had their lives upended by COVID-19. Here's what parents can do to help them stay positive and feel supported. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for…
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Transforming Kids' Worries Into Superpowers
Kids have anxiety — but it's not always a bad thing. Renee Jain and Dr. Shefali Tsabary have some ideas about how to help children use those feelings to their advantage. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our…
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How To Raise Good Citizens
Now is a good time to talk to the kids in your life about how to engage in civics. Here's a primer from our Life Kit parenting team. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for…
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FAFSA 2020: Here's How To Apply For College Financial Aid
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is now open to potential college students to fill out. Here's how to fill out the form to get money for college — and why you should apply now instead of waiting. See…
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A Simple Equation to Help Kids Love Math
Math anxiety is real for kids and adults. But parents can help. The solution goes beyond equations and textbooks. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to…
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How To Make Sure Your Child Learns This School Year
This school year, families with children are in a serious bind. Whether you're looking for options for childcare or need resources to keep your kid entertained, this episode will walk through some ideas to think about.…
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How To Work With — Not Against — Screen Time
Some parents think the best way to manage a child's screen time is to set hard limits. But those rules are particularly difficult to keep during a pandemic, when screens are a lifeline for all of us. So what should the…
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Kids Know How To Occupy Themselves. We Need To Let Them Do It
American parents often feel like event planners for their kids. There's a pressure to make sure kids are entertained and content every minute of the day. NPR's Michaeleen Doucleff says kids can be trained to occupy…
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Discussing 'The Talk'
It's Been A Minute host Sam Sanders talks with his colleague Kenya Young, executive producer of Morning Edition and mother of three boys about "the talk" — The series of conversations black parents have with their…
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How White Parents Can Talk To Their Kids About Race
NPR's Michel Martin talks with Jennifer Harvey, author of Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in a Racially Unjust America, about how to talk with white kids about racially charged events — and how to keep the…
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Be Honest And Concrete: Tips For Talking To Kids About Death
Whether it's a family pet or a loved one, every child will experience a death at some point — and their parents will likely struggle to explain it. This episode, we revisit the Mr. Hooper episode of Sesame Street,…
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Decision Day Is Almost Here. Here's How To Decide For An Unknown Future
While it's hard to know what college will look like this fall, college decision day is almost here. So what can students do to make a sound choice during this uncertain time? Education reporter Elissa Nadworny gives an…
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When Will This Be Over? Sesame Workshop's Tips For Parenting During A Pandemic
Many parents are struggling right now — juggling kids at home 24/7 and coping with their own losses. In this episode, Rosemarie Truglio, a developmental psychologist and senior vice president of curriculum and content…
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Sesame Street's Grover On Coping During Coronavirus: Just For Kids
Hey kids! Sesame Street's Grover is here and he's got some great ideas for making your days brighter during coronavirus. Grover explains how to make virtual play dates more fun, how to daydream and how to be a helper.…
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Kid-Friendly TV Show Recommendations
Parenting during self-isolation can be challenging, and let's be honest — sometimes screen time helps you just get through the day. Our friends at Pop Culture Happy Hour offer TV recommendations for those with young…
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Here's How To Pick A College During The Coronavirus Pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic is making college decisions more complicated. This episode answers the burning questions: How do I get a hold of final transcripts if my school is closed? How do I decide on a school I can't…
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6 Tips For Homeschooling During Coronavirus
Tens of millions of parents are homeschooling their kids during the coronavirus. Here's a realistic guide to keeping kids engaged and everyone sane. Hint: this is a good time for passion projects and sleeping in a bit.…
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Coronavirus And Parenting: What You Need To Know Now
Coronavirus is raising a lot of questions for parents. From how to talk to children about coronavirus to weathering school closures, enforcing good hygiene and some screen time strategies when you're home with little…
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