What's the Hardest Part of Parenting in 2025? We Want to Hear From You.
Yes, there's the quotidian struggle of prepping meals and shuttling to summer activities. But now, according to Dr. Vivek Murthy, the former surgeon general of the United States, there are 'new stressors that previous generations didn't have to consider.' A recent study published in a JAMA medical journal found a steep drop in the mental health of mothers across the country from 2016 to 2023.
As parents, we live and wrestle with some of those stressors ourselves. And as reporters, we've both covered the difficulties of parenting and motherhood in our work. That's why we want to hear your personal experiences about raising children right now.
We will read every response to this questionnaire and reach out if we plan to include you in any upcoming stories. We won't publish any part of your response without hearing back from you first, and we won't share your contact information outside the Times newsroom or use it for any reason other than to get in touch with you.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Burning eyes, scratchy throats: Canadian wildfire smoke is making Americans miserable
Peggy Goodwin typically likes to spend as much time outside as possible in the too-short Michigan summers, riding her bike or taking a walk. But Goodwin, and the residents of the assisted living facility where she works, have been spending more time indoors lately as smoke from hundreds of wildfires burning in Canada drifts across the border. Goodwin said the skies have turned hazy, the smell of barbecue lingers in the air, and her eyes burn and water if she's outside too long. "It's just not pleasant," she said. Canadian wildfire smoke has worsened air quality in many parts of the United States, putting a damper on Americans' summer plans and raising health concerns, particularly for vulnerable groups like children, older adults and those with respiratory conditions. The smoke can irritate the eyes, nose and throat and contain particulate matter small enough to be inhaled. The National Weather Service has issued air quality alerts in states including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. See map: Smoke from Canada wildfires prompt air quality alerts in US "Once inhaled, these particles can affect the lungs and heart and cause serious health effects,' the Environmental Protection Agency has said. 'It almost makes me gasp' Carol Schuchart has been eagerly checking the weather reports to see when she and her two dogs might be able to venture outside again in Hanover, Pennsylvania, where she runs a wedding planning and coordination business. Schuchart, who has fibromyalgia, said she's been having trouble breathing since the haze has settled in. "It's hard to go outside and enjoy when that air quality is bad and you have trouble breathing, you know," she said. "So I tend to stay in when it's like this." Meanwhile, Dorothy Curran said she was shocked to see the Minneapolis skyline obscured by wildfire smoke during a recent commute to work. When she stepped outside, Curran said she felt a tightness in her chest. "I was just feeling very scratchy, having a lot of coughs," she said. "And I think a lot of people were feeling that, even without respiratory conditions." For those who do have health issues, the smoke can cause even more concern. As of Aug. 6, the EPA labeled air quality throughout the Plains, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions "unhealthy for sensitive groups." Wildfire smoke safety tips: How to keep you, your family and beloved pets safe Curran, a pediatric pulmonologist and a professor at the University of Minnesota, said she's been getting more and more calls from parents seeking refills on medication for their children with asthma or other underlying health conditions. "Things that I've been hearing about are shortness of breath with activity, cough, especially a dry cough," she said. "Very rarely, we've been seeing that trigger more airway reactivity or narrow airways leading to wheezing and presenting to the emergency department." Breathing in wildfire smoke can be dangerous because it can contain hazardous chemicals and particulate matter, which is comprised of small particles of solids or liquids suspended in the air, USA TODAY has reported. While larger particles can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, particles as small as 2.5 micrometers, PM 2.5, can "penetrate deep into the lungs, where they can impair lung function, cause illnesses, such as bronchitis, and increase asthma attacks," according to Yale Medicine. For Joel Williams, the smoke prompted an asthma flare up that landed him in the hospital for more than three weeks. Williams, a retired police officer who lives in Bloomington, Minnesota, said he started wheezing earlier this summer as the sky turned orange and the air began to smell like a fireplace. He said he tried the usual remedies ‒ breathing treatments, extra prednisone and even antibiotics ‒ but the wheezing persisted. Williams said he was eventually admitted to the hospital where he stayed for 23 days. "I am a very active person," he said. "To miss a whole month just sitting in a hospital bed was uncool." Since his release, Williams said he's been staying indoors more, wearing masks and using an air purifier as he waits for conditions to improve. He urged others affected by the smoke to take similar precautions. "I can almost tell as soon as I step out the house, it almost makes me gasp, even with a mask on," he said. "So that tells you how bad this stuff is." Contributing: Michael Loria, Christopher Cann This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Canadian wildfire smoke blamed for burning eyes, scratchy throats
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
A New Mexico Law Just Opened the Door to Psychedelic Medicine. Now What?
ROSWELL, N.M., Aug. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Addiction recovery specialist Trent Carter today praised New Mexico's new medical psilocybin law, calling it "a major step forward in modern mental health and addiction care." Carter, a board-certified nurse practitioner and founder of Renew Health, supports the supervised use of psilocybin to treat trauma, depression, and substance use disorders. "I've worked with thousands of patients battling addiction and PTSD," said Carter. "For many, traditional treatments aren't enough. Psilocybin-assisted therapy offers a new path grounded in research and results." Over the past decade, Carter has treated thousands of individuals struggling with opioid and substance use disorders, many of whom lacked access to consistent care or responded poorly to conventional treatment methods. New Mexico's Medical Psilocybin Act, signed into law in April, creates a licensed program for therapeutic psilocybin use under medical oversight. The law includes provisions for patients with treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, and opioid addiction. Carter believes the legislation reflects growing evidence that psilocybin can help people who haven't responded to standard care. But he warns that the program's success depends on who can actually access it. "We can't make this another solution reserved for the wealthy," he said. "The benefits of psilocybin therapy must reach veterans, working-class families, and rural communities. Otherwise, it will fail the people who need it most." Carter has long supported expanding Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and trauma-informed approaches. He sees psilocybin not as a replacement, but as an addition to a broader treatment strategy. "This isn't about picking favorites," he said. "Recovery looks different for everyone. Psilocybin should be one more option when the science supports it." Trent Carter is available for interviews and expert commentary on: Psilocybin's role in trauma and addiction care Psychedelic treatment and clinical standards Medicaid coverage and public health access On-the-ground realities in recovery clinics For interviews or press inquiries, please contact BrightRay Publishing at publicist@ Contact: BrightRay PublishingEmail: publicist@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE BrightRay Publishing Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Audien Hearing Enters Walgreens Stores Nationwide, Signaling Major Retail Expansion
Walgreens will carry top-selling Audien hearing aids in thousands of locations SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Aug. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Audien Hearing, the No. 1-selling over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid brand, today announced that its flagship Atom One and Atom Pro 2 hearing aids will be available in Walgreens stores, as well as on and in the Walgreens app, this month. The rollout marks Audien's entry into retail pharmacy, advancing its mission to make hearing support more affordable and accessible for everyone. Audien products will be available in nearly 2,000 Walgreens stores in August, expanding to more than 4,400 stores by mid-November. The rollout reflects Audien's broader shift into omnichannel distribution to tackle the global challenge of hearing loss - which affects over 1 billion people - by making highly functional, discreet hearing solutions widely available starting at only $98. "Launching in Walgreens is more than expanding our distribution, it's about making hearing care easier to access for everyone," said Ishan Patel, CEO of Audien Hearing. "With Walgreens' deep commitment to care, trust, and accessibility, we're proud to collaborate with them to bring effective hearing solutions to customers without prescriptions, appointments, or high costs." "At Walgreens, we're committed to meeting people where they are in their health journey and that includes making hearing support easier to access," said Tracey Koller, chief merchandising officer, Walgreens. "Collaborating with Audien allows us to bring more affordable, effective hearing solutions to our customers and helps them live healthier and happier lives. Audien's launch into Walgreens will help reach more individuals experiencing hearing changes who are looking for convenient, effective solutions. With over 1 million people already served through its OTC offering, this expansion helps fulfill Audien's vision of Hearing for Everyone® by increasing its physical retail footprint to match its impact. To learn more or find a participating store, visit About Audien HearingAudien Hearing is the No. 1-selling OTC hearing aid brand in the world, serving over 1 million online customers and carried by thousands of major retail stores across the US. Founded by three grandsons inspired by their grandparents' hearing struggles, Audien is on a mission to tear down the barriers between people and better health - giving everyone the power to hear clearly, connect deeply, and live freely. With a growing product line, a values-driven team, and a commitment to impact, the company is redefining what hearing health can and should look like. Learn more at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Audien Hearing Sign in to access your portfolio
