Happy Wednesday,

This should come as no surprise, but it’s no fun getting older. There’s a meme that occasionally makes the rounds, which pokes fun at how once you hit 30 a twisted ankle could become a lifelong injury that simply never goes away. Well, over the past few days, I’ve been involved in a serious bike crash (fortunately, my helmet did it’s job and I didn’t break any bones) and my wife threw her back out while doing a HIIT class. This all begs the question - when facing injuries, especially while older, how do we still manage to chase around a toddler?

For me, the answer has simply been push through some pain. My left wrist, hand and elbow have been severely bruised for the past few days and it has hurt to pick up a tooth brush, let alone my wiggly 1 year old. Yet, I’ve still managed to pick her up, bathe her and change diapers - it’s simply required a steady stream of Motrin and ice.

Have you ever faced an injury that has prevented you from caring for your kids? Let me know how you dealt with it!

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Tip of the Day

• Meal prep: The first few months after having a baby are marked by exhaustion, disrupted schedules, sleep deprivation, and the constant demand of a hungry little person. Typically, meal prep is an afterthought. Well, here’s a guide for postpartum meal prep built by a dietician that’s designed to help get you through the tough times without a growling stomach

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One Big Idea

Sibling Dynamics and Mental Health

As a parent, I’m often told that having a second child means providing your first with a built-in best friend. But is this wisdom always valid? Well, a recent study, published in the Journal of Family Issues, shed light on the relationship between sibling dynamics and mental health in adolescents. The study presented a somewhat counterintuitive finding (based on what we’ve always been told): teens with more siblings tended to have poorer mental health. This conclusion comes from an extensive analysis involving over 18,000 eighth graders across the United States and China. The study's scope and its cross-cultural perspective offer a unique insight into how family structure can influence the psychological well-being your kids.

The research, led by researchers from The Ohio State University, highlights a significant inverse relationship between the number of siblings and mental health. Particularly interesting are the findings that, in China, teens with no siblings showed the best mental health outcomes, while in the U.S., those with one or no siblings fared the best. This raises a critical question: what drives this phenomenon? The researchers suggests two potential explanations. First, the presence of multiple siblings might dilute parental resources and affect the overall quality of family interactions. Alternatively, a conclusion could be that families inclined to have more children might inherently possess characteristics less conducive to fostering strong mental health.

As young and new parents, this study serves as a reminder of the nuanced and often complex nature of sibling relationships and their impact on mental health. It makes us consider not just the quantity but the quality of the interactions we have with our kids. The findings should encourage us to cultivate positive and supportive sibling dynamics within our families, recognizing that each child has unique needs and personalities.

Here’s a dad joke

It's inappropriate to make a "dad joke" if you're not a dad

Scroll to the bottom of the newsletter for the answer!

Time(out) for Memes