Happy Wednesday,

Today, we're exploring a woman's love of being an aunt despite her uncertainty about motherhood, lessons 11 men wish they had from their dads, and the case for early parenthood journaling. Dive into a single tip that's transformed how one mom raises her kid, a study on the evolving involvement of dads, essential financial planning tips for new parents, and key insights on how not to raise a bully.

Let’s get into it!

Parenting Pulse: Trending Stories & Insights

• “I’m not sure about being a mom. But I love being an aunt”

• 11 men detail what they wish their dads taught them when they were young

• The case for writing things down early in parenthood

• The tip that has changed how one mother raises her toddler

• Recently resurfaced study shows dads are 3x more likely to spend time with their kids than their counterparts did in the 60s

Tip of the Day

• 6 Financial planning tips for new parents

Read of the Day

• How not to raise a bully

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When they were little, my kids were more capable than I gave them credit for

-Jannelle Sanchez’s Mom

Parenting Perspectives: Your Stories Shared

As any parent can attest, the first few months postpartum are nothing short of a wild rollercoaster ride. Whether you’re a mom or a dad, you quickly learn that communication is essential (and that anything said between the hours of midnight and 6 am should probably come with a 'do-over' button).

Let me take you back to when our baby boy was five months old. Every night, my husband would change him, keeping the lights dimmed to a soothing glow. But what confused me was his new habit: leaving the used diaper on the changing table, instead of tossing it in the bin. For an entire week, my confusion morphed into simmering frustration.

Then, one night, I couldn’t hold back and asked him about it. His response disarmed me completely. He’d been leaving the diaper there to avoid brightening the lights and risk waking our son further, all to spare a trip to the diaper bin.

In that moment, amidst the lingering haze of postpartum hormones, a tear welled in my eye. I was reminded of just how thoughtful my husband is, and I felt a twinge of regret for not simply asking him sooner. It was a small, tender reminder that we're both learning — and that asking, rather than assuming, can be a game changer.

Time(out) for Memes

Question of the Day

Have you ever let a small misunderstanding with your partner spiral into frustration, only to discover there was a sweet or logical reason behind their actions? Share your story with us by replying to this email. It’s a safe space, and we could all use the reminder to communicate with one another.

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