Happy Friday,

As we wrap up Parenthood's first week, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to each of you for joining us on this adventure. We've been truly moved by your responses and are committed to featuring as many as possible in upcoming newsletters. We also extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who's introduced friends and family to our community.

Parenthood is a collective journey of ups and downs, and it's your shared experiences that enrich it. We're excited to roll out impactful products and features tailored for you. Always feel free to share suggestions that could enhance your experience!

Now, let’s get into it!

Parenting Pulse: Trending Stories & Insights

• Beyoncé may be a world famous star, but when it comes to motherhood, she has tough moments as well

• Comedian adopts parenting practices that value her child's choices and feelings

• Viral list of things people said they'd never, ever do as parents is relatable AF

• On average, mothers lose about $8,000 per year after giving birth to their first child

Tip of the Day

• Five tips to get your tech obsessed kids to love the outdoors

Read of the Day

• Highlighting the strength of mothers who decide to put their children up for adoption

❝

I think the most stressful thing for me is balancing work and life

-Beyoncé

Parenting Perspectives: Your Stories Shared

There’s an old saying: “When you're a parent, every day is a school day.” Little did I know that the most profound lesson in parenting would come from our feline family member, Evie.

When my son, Alex, turned eight, his wish was simple: a pet. We weren’t ready for a dog, and fish seemed a tad impersonal, so we settled on a cat. Enter Evie: a gray, furry ball of mischief with a personality ten times her size.

For weeks, our home was filled with joyous chaos. Evie proved to be an expert in knocking over vases, hiding in laundry baskets, and surprising us from dark corners. It wasn’t long before my patience was tested. One day, after finding my favorite book shredded, I sat Alex down for a chat.

“Remember, Alex, with a pet comes responsibility,” I began, my voice trembling with the strain of suppressed laughter at the sight of Evie, stuck in a curtain, dangling with feigned nonchalance.

Alex nodded solemnly. “I understand, Mom. But Evie is teaching us too.”

Curious, I asked, “What do you mean?”

He grinned, “She’s teaching you to be patient and me... to hide things better!”

Days turned into weeks, and the antics of Evie became legendary in our household. Yet, amid the laughter and occasional exasperation, a deeper realization emerged. Evie, in all her mischievous glory, was not just a pet, but a mirror reflecting our quirks, our patience, and our boundless ability to love unconditionally.

One evening, as Alex was tucking Evie into her small bed (a nightly ritual they’d established), he whispered something that melted my heart: “Thanks for teaching us, Evie. We’re better humans because of you.”

It struck me then, as I watched my son with his pet, that parenting isn't just about guiding our children. It’s about the surprising lessons that come from unexpected corners (or in our case, from the fluffiest family member). And while my curtains may never recover, and my vases will forever be in peril, the laughter and wisdom Evie brought into our lives are irreplaceable.

After all, isn’t that the magic of parenting? Embracing the unexpected, finding humor in chaos, and learning that the best teachers sometimes come with whiskers.

_{Got a parenting tale of your own? Share it with our community! Write to us, and you might see your story in an upcoming newsletter.}

Time(out) for Memes

Question of the Day

If Beyoncé has her 'just another mom' moments, we all do! What's your most hilariously relatable parenting mishap? Respond to this email and let us know.

Loving Parenthood? Hit share below and strengthen our community! Each referral enriches our collective journey.

Draf!