Happy Friday,

We’ve made it through another week, which has pushed us one step closer to daylight saving time. While it might be great to ‘fall back’ this weekend and get an extra hour of sleep (especially for all of my friends competing in the NYC Marathon on Sunday), I’m not looking forward to it getting dark even earlier. This is also our first time falling back as parents, so having them wake up earlier is an added struggle. Thankfully, my wife and I are both morning people, so the worst part is simply that come 6p, the sun will be setting.

Anyone have tips for combating some light seasonal depression and making the most of the daylight during the winter?

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One Big Idea

The Building Blocks of a Prosocial Child

University of Cambridge researchers have uncovered a striking truth: the simple, everyday interactions between you and your child can deeply influence their capacity for empathy and kindness. This new study brings into sharp focus just how much these moments matter. Tracking over 10,000 children from toddlerhood to their teenage years, this research highlights how warmth and caring in the early stages of parenting are instrumental in nurturing these positive behaviors well into adolescence. The study highlights a significant finding: the quality of the emotional bond forged between you and your child at a young age can be a predictor of their ability to act with generosity and consideration toward others throughout their formative years.

The contrast is stark. Children raised in strained or abusive environments showed lower tendencies towards prosocial habits and faced higher risks of depression and anxiety. This underscores a critical message for parents: your time, attention, and responsiveness to your child’s emotional needs are not just beneficial but essential. "How much [parents] can spend time with their children and respond to their needs and emotions early in life matters enormously," says Ioannis Katsantonis, one of the Cambridge researchers in a press release.

Takeaway: Transforming this knowledge into action, here are three practical steps to foster a prosocial environment:

• Prioritize Connection: Simple actions like dedicating phone-free time to let your child lead play can significantly enhance your bond.

• Embrace Imperfection: Acknowledge your mistakes and apologize to your child. This not only shows humility but also teaches them about accountability and forgiveness.

• Infuse Happiness into Routine: Find moments for laughter and silliness. These instances of shared joy can be the foundation for a lifelong positive relationship.

Trending Stories & Insights

• As if the cost of childcare wasn’t enough, parents of children under 2 are paying tutors thousands of dollars a month to get a jump on the competition when it comes to learning their ABCs and 123s

• Decades of evidence reveals a disheartening truth: social media poses real risks to children's mental health, as seen in rising rates of depression and suicide. This urgent issue demands a legislative response, yet despite bipartisan consensus and public outcry, Congress remains paralyzed—explore the reasons behind their inaction and why they fail to act

• Beyfortus is a new drug that was approved by the FDA over the summer to help infants and toddlers fight off RSV. Pediatricians are now saying that due to a shortage of the monoclonal antibody that the CDC has advised them to prioritize infants six months and younger and infants with underlying health conditions above other patients receiving the drug

Tip of the Day

• Here are seven strategies for balancing parenthood and your professional life

Here’s a dad joke

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