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3 days ago
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EXCLUSIVE: Michelle Obama Explains Why Embracing Life's 'Messy' Parts Makes You a Better Parent
The former first lady and Parents Next Gen winner has always been a staunch advocate for children's health and wellness. As a podcast host, she's laying it all on the table, helping us to raise healthier, happier kids. Many of us were first introduced to Michelle Obama on the national stage, as a successful attorney who'd worked in higher education and health care and the mother of two elementary school-aged daughters. Her husband Barack Obama's meteoric rise to the presidency proved her family was capable of living in the spotlight. Still, some questioned if she'd be able to weather the inevitable scrutiny that would come with raising the very first Black children to live in the White House and the youngest since the Kennedys. Spoiler: She and Malia Obama have grown to be responsible, resilient, independent adults, and it's become incredibly clear that Michelle Obama was up to the task of motherhood under a microscope—and many other initiatives in service of children. From her health care and education advocacy to children's television production and a new podcast that further sharpens the picture of her own family, Michelle Obama is a caregiving powerhouse. That commitment to helping us grow our own healthy, happy kids is what makes Michelle Obama a clear choice for the Parents 2025 Next Gen Awards.'Barack and I did everything we could to give our girls as normal of a life as possible. When we were at the White House, we made sure they were doing things like making their beds every morning and as they got older, getting summer jobs,' Michelle Obama said in an exclusive interview with Parents. She says her parenting style has been a mix of supporting her daughters and holding them accountable. She wanted to raise children who knew how to think for themselves, even in the most extraordinary circumstances.'Once we left the White House, their lives slowly began to inch a little closer toward normalcy,' she says. 'But the truth is, their circumstances have been extraordinary in so many ways—and that forced them to learn critical skills like discipline, flexibility, and determination to go after what they really wanted.'Michelle Obama was laser-focused on instilling the value of hard work and accountability in her daughters. She was intent on making their lives as normal and authentic as possible. An Authentic Voice Since leaving the White House, Michelle Obama seems to have rejected the narrow expectations of the old guard in favor of her own values; she's been creative and has opened up about family life—parenting, marriage, family values, and even her own childhood—in a way few former First Ladies have before. On IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson, a podcast she hosts with her older brother Craig Robinson, Michelle Obama is candid about navigating relationships, raising kids, and a number of other hard topics.'It's so easy for us to curl up into this protective instinct and not talk about the messy or more complicated bits of our lives. It can feel dangerous to expose those imperfect parts of ourselves. But over the years, I have learned that it's really the opposite,' Michelle Obama says that authentically telling her own story helps to highlight the commonalities that make life simpler for all of us. On IMO, she's shared memories of how her mother favored Craig and learning to stand up for herself growing up in Chicago. 'When we realize that and learn each other's stories, it makes living life, as well as raising kids, so much easier,' says Michelle Obama. 'As parents, we're all going through similar things. And some of us have questions that others have the answers to. But we're not going to get those answers without having the courage to put ourselves out there.' She says modern parents are often overwhelmed by anxiety around 'getting it right,' and the kind of competition social media sparks only exacerbates that. 'Every time we pick up our phones, we see images of families that just look too perfect. It makes you think everyone is doing better than you. And that's just not reflective of reality,' she to someone who has 'done it all' talk about the challenges in her own journey helps struggling parents untangle some of that anxiety.'Each of us has our own style when it comes to raising kids. So if you're doing something different than your friends and neighbors, that's OK,' says Michelle Obama. 'Just like our kids, we're going to have times where we succeed and times when we fail. That's a part of the journey. We have to recognize that, and give ourselves—and each other—a little grace along the way.' Making Life Easier for Parents The truth is, Michelle Obama has always been dedicated to our wellness. During her time in the White House, she championed the Let's Move! Initiative, a public health campaign designed to combat childhood obesity through government partnerships with businesses and philanthropic organizationsSince then, she's co-executive produced Waffles & Mochi, a show that demystifies healthy food and cooking for children, and founded PLEZi Nutrition, a drink company that makes beverages without added sugar. She says children's health should be a community effort.'Children's health is about so much more than our kids. It's about all of us,' she says. 'What's available in our stores, what's on the menu in schools, whether or not our kids can play safely at the playground, it all ladders up to the well-being of our families and communities.' Michelle Obama believes a healthier nation starts with the littlest members of our families.'We've simply got to make it easier for families to raise healthier kids. We need to make the healthy option the easy option. We've got to make it easy for parents to afford—and cook with—fresh ingredients. We've got to make it easy for kids to get some exercise during the school day,' she says. 'We've got to make it easy for everybody to hydrate themselves without loading up on sugar. It's a challenge I've tackled from a variety of ways for more than a decade and a half. And I'm not letting up any time soon.' An Empty Nester When most of us met Michelle Obama 20 years ago, she was a person parenting in the public eye. Now, she's a woman who's sharing the lessons she learned from facing the criticism of the political machine and coming out of the other side—with her principles, commitment to wellness, and her family intact.'And now here we are. My girls are both in their 20s. And while they know that even now, they are under more scrutiny than others their age, they've learned to roll with the punches,' says Michelle Obama. 'I'm always so impressed by how they handle it—with grace, resolve, and charm. These days, more than anything, I can't wait to see how they surprise us next.' Read the original article on Parents Solve the daily Crossword
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3 days ago
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EXCLUSIVE: Kylie Kelce Isn't Afraid to Tell the Truth About Motherhood
With four girls under 5, celebrity mom and "Not Gonna Lie" host Kylie Kelce says she's "not thriving, but surviving." Still, that doesn't stop her from advocating for children in need and making moms like herself feel seen. That's why she's a Parents Next Gen winner. Kylie Kelce's unapologetic candor has helped her gain a nod of approval from millions of parents around the country. Whether it's opening up about the realities of postpartum, supporting an unconventional parenting style, or her frustration with people asking if she's going to 'keep trying for a boy,' Kelce is all about keeping it real on her Wave Original series Not Gonna Lie. Her podcast, which features relatable conversations with high-profile guests, hit No.1 on the Spotify and Apple charts shortly after its release in 2024, for all the right reasons. 'I'm still not sure why I have a social media presence or following, but I have said a number of times that if people are going to talk about me, they might as well talk about something meaningful,' Kelce, who has more than 2.6 million followers on Instagram, tells Parents in an exclusive interview. Her frankness is something her husband, retired NFL Philadelphia Eagles player Jason Kelce, has praised, saying on the Conversation with Cam podcast that 'she's not afraid to be who she is and does not feel pressure to be something that she doesn't want to be.' It's one of the reasons why we love the mom of four and she's a Parents Next Gen winner. Another is her effort to push today's youth forward through her charity work and powerful messages. Helping Youth Thrive Kylie has been using her platform for good by partnering with organizations that are making positive change. In June 2025, the Kelces helped raise over $1 million during a fundraiser for the Eagles Autism Foundation, which they've been involved with since its 2019 inception. The foundation is dedicated to autism care and research, while offering safe spaces for autistic children. The famous mom is also actively involved in (Be)Philly, a nonprofit aiming to improve the lives of Philadelphia's youth, which her husband established in 2022. The organization raises money through fundraising and by selling its Underdog Apparel merchandise to provide resources and opportunities to youth in the city. But her impact spreads beyond her Philadelphia hometown. She's an advocate for body positivity and aims to help young girls everywhere build confidence, especially in sports, through her partnership with Dove. Kylie, who played field hockey throughout high school and college, knows firsthand the struggles many girls face to feel comfortable in their own skin. 'I was 5 foot 10 going into high school, which was taller than most of the boys I was in school with,' she previously told Parents. 'I stuck out like a sore thumb.' Now, she's all about promoting self-confidence. She also imparts these lessons as a varsity field hockey coach at Philadelphia's Lower Merion High School. Kylie's passion for creating opportunities for kids through sports and education stems from knowing what a difference they made in her own life. 'I had the privilege of those experiences when I was growing up and I want to encourage other young girls to have the positive life-shaping experience I did,' she explains. Her work is critical as half of teen girls drop out of sports because of low body confidence, according to Dove and Nike research. Another reason for losing interest in sports, according to the Women's Sports Foundation, is a lack of confident, strong female athletic role models. Kylie's ultimate goal would be 'equal opportunity for youth,' but in the meantime, she is pushing to touch as many lives as she can. 'Any positive impact is substantial,' she says. 'Even if a few girls end up sticking with a sport because they feel confident in their body enough to do so, or if a couple kids get involved in a sport that they had never tried before, that's a win.' Raising Four Little Changemakers Kylie's work continues at home with her and Jason's four girls—Wyatt Elizabeth, 5, Elliotte Ray, 4, Bennett Llewellyn, 2, and Finnley, 4 months. 'I want our kids to be loving, considerate, kind human beings so trying to model that, but doing it with firm boundaries,' she says. 'We try to give back to our community and stay involved in our community and hope that modeling back will show the kids to give back themselves.' She also hopes that she's setting an example for them to one day use their voices to make change in whatever causes they feel passionate about. Her method? 'By trying to instill confidence in them that allows them to speak up against things that they believe are wrong, or stand up for themselves and others,' she explains. Kylie previously told Parents that she helps build their confidence by paying attention to how she speaks about herself in front of them and always making sure to praise their abilities. Of course, it's not always easy. And Kylie doesn't shy away from being honest about the ups and downs of motherhood. 'We're not thriving, we're surviving,' she says. 'We have four kids under the age of 5.' It can be trickier when you're a parent in the public eye. But she and Jason, who famously met on Tinder and wed in 2018, make it a point to stay grounded despite their fame and busy schedules. 'We actually parent our kids,' she says. 'We keep a small circle of people that help us care for or interact with our kids. That provides us the opportunity to be in the thick of it and stay surrounded by family.' Another parenting tool she leans on is humor—as evidenced on her podcast. 'As parents, sometimes if you don't laugh, you'll cry,' she says. 'So, might as well get some laughs out of a crazy day.' Read the original article on Parents Solve the daily Crossword
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3 days ago
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The Parents 2025 Next Gen Awards
Raising kids is hard. Whether you're a new parent navigating your mental health while caring for a baby or having tough conversations with your teen about their digital life, one thing remains true: we could all use more support. That's why this year Parents is launching the first-ever Next Gen Awards, celebrating 40 changemakers helping families to get out of survival mode and thrive. From the local hero leading dads on stroller walks throughout Brooklyn to a podcast host uniting moms with her #realtalk—plus an iconic former first lady—this list honors the people doing the work and using their platforms to raise awareness about important issues affecting families today. We received 400 nominations from our editors, experts, and social community that included an impressive range of advocates, innovators, celebs, community leaders, and more. Members of our panel of judges reviewed, vetted, and voted to determine the inaugural class of Parents Next Gen winners making an impact on families and kids in 2025. Michelle Obama Child Health Advocate, Podcast Host, and Former First Lady Michelle Obama has a well-documented history of child health advocacy. Dedicated to her goal of curbing childhood obesity, she started a number of health initiatives. Her signature initiative was 2010's Let's Move!–a comprehensive program designed to empower parents and caregivers with resources to improve health for also championed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 and co-executive-produced a kids' show on Netflix called Waffles + Mochi, aimed at expanding knowledge of foods from around the world. Currently, Obama hosts a podcast with her older brother called IMO with Craig Robinson, sharing advice about raising kids and stories about her own family. Read More Kylie Kelce Podcast Host and Advocate Kylie Kelce has become a beloved voice to many parents around the country with her No. 1 podcast, Not Gonna Lie, which launched in 2024. The mom of four and wife of retired NFL Philadelphia Eagles player Jason Kelce is helping parents feel seen through the ups and downs of parenthood thanks to her relatable and unfiltered Philadelphia native has also been a strong advocate for advancing youth by working closely with (Be)Philly and the Eagles Autism Foundation. She additionally partnered with Dove to help girls build confidence and promote their participation in sports. Kylie is hoping that her four daughters will follow in her footsteps and one day give back, too. Read More Ayesha and Steph Curry Founders of the Foundation As co-founders of EAT. LEARN. PLAY. Foundation, NBA star Stephen Curry and his wife Ayesha Curry have put their passion for serving kids to work in their Oakland, CA community. Since launching in 2019, the foundation's mission has been to support the wellbeing of underprivileged children in the Bay Area through providing access to nutritious meals and quality reading resources in schools, as well as refurbished play areas where kids can be to four kids, themselves, the Currys understand how resources can help unlock children's full potential. The foundation's immediate impact has been great and support has steadily grown through their example to serve the whole child. Ai-jen Poo Award-Winning Organizer and Co-Founder of the National Domestic Workers Alliance Ai-jen Poo is an award-winning organizer, writer, and caregiving activist, advocating for the rights of those in our families who need dedicated care and those who provide it. She co-founded the National Domestic Workers Alliance, Supermajority, and Caring Across Generations, and works with Care in Action. Poo is also the author of the celebrated book, The Age of Dignity: Preparing for the Elder Boom in a Changing America, and co-host of the podcast Sunstorm with Alicia Garza. Read More Latham Thomas Award-Winning Black Maternal Health Advocate, Celebrity Doula, and Founder of Mama Glow Latham Thomas is an Anthem Award winner, Black maternal health advocate, and the founder of Mama Glow, a global maternal health and education platform that supports birthing people across the childbearing continuum. The organization partners with healthcare systems and insurance providers to improve maternal health Glow has also expanded to include professional training and education for birth workers around the world through its Mama Glow Doula Homeschool Professional Training Program and fosters community and advocacy through the Doula Expo and the Mama Glow Foundation. Read More Allyson Felix US Track and Field Star, Olympian, and Maternal Health Advocate Allyson Felix is the most decorated U.S. track and field athlete of all time and a powerful voice for maternal health advocacy. After facing life-threatening complications during childbirth, she became a leading voice for maternal health, testifying before Congress and calling out systemic gaps in care for Black advocacy doesn't end there. She famously challenged Nike, her former sponsor, for their proposed pay cuts for pregnant women and new mothers. She's teamed up with organizations like Pampers and the Women's Sports Foundation to create inclusive policies that support athletes who are also mothers. On the global stage, the mother of two also worked to improve childcare and support services for moms competing at the Olympics. Shannon Watts Founder of Moms Demand Action After the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012, Shannon Watts started a Facebook group with a critical message: that everyone can do more to reduce gun violence. That online conversation led the mother of five to start a grassroots movement known as Moms Demand organization now has 11 million supporters, a chapter in every state, and is a part of Everytown for Gun Safety, which is the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country. Moms Demand Action volunteers have been instrumental in passing more than 500 gun safety laws across the country. Brady Crandall Founder of Youth Crews Brady Crandall created the diaper brand Youth Crews in 2024 out of love and a need for his own daughter. But what he built has become so much more. Crandall's daughter was born with a brain injury. Now 5 years old, he realized that as she grew, diaper sizes did not grow with her. So Youth Crews fills the gap between baby diapers and adult is passionate about helping other families with children who have disabilities, building a product that's more than just a brand; it's a community. Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll Puberty Experts, Podcast Hosts, and Authors of This Is So Awkward Going through puberty can be tough and Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll are on a mission to make it as positive an experience as possible. In 2023, Natterson, a pediatrician, and Kroll, the founder of Dynamo Girl, launched Less Awkward, a multi-platform content company focused on all that comes with puberty. That same year, they released the best-selling book This Is So Awkward as a guide for adults, helping tweens and teens navigate the rollercoaster of also co-host the This Is So Awkward podcast and run OOMLA, a brand selling products tweens and teens need while going through those stages of puberty. Dr. Becky "Millenial Parenting Whisperer" and Founder of Good Inside Dr. Becky Kennedy is a clinical psychologist, bestselling author, mom of three, and the founder of Good Inside, an online parenting service. She has been named 'the millennial parenting whisperer' by TIME Magazine, is a New York Times bestselling author, and hosts Good Inside with Dr Becky, a chart-topping Becky is also a social media personality. Her Instagram account has garnered over 3.2 million followers due, in part, to the practical advice she shares. Joe Gonzales Founder of the Brooklyn Stroll Club Feeling isolated after the birth of his child, Joe Gonzales put up the 'Bat signal' for fellow dads in the Brooklyn, New York area to connect. What started as a meetup of 20 soon organically grew into the initiative known as the Brooklyn Stroll this gathering, New York fathers have been able to find solidarity, build community, and share their parenting journeys. Gonzales has also continued to build a robust following on social media, where he amplifies #dadlife by putting his on display. As a result, similar communities have begun popping up in other parts of the country, spotlighting the true benefits of community for fathers. Read More Dr. Jonathan Haidt Social Psychologist and Bestselling Author of The Anxious Generation Dr. Jonathan Haidt is a social psychologist at New York University's Stern School of Business and author of the New York Times #1 bestseller The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. Since 2018, he has been studying how social media has contributed to the decline of teen mental health and the rise of political Haidt is also the author of The Happiness Hypothesis and of the New York Times bestsellers The Righteous Mind and The Coddling of the American Mind. He has given four TED talks. Read More Dr. Nadine Burke Harris California's First Surgeon General Dr. Nadine Burke Harris is a pediatrician dedicated to serving marginalized communities and California's first Surgeon General. During her tenure, Dr. Burke Harris launched a statewide program that trained 40,000 doctors on how to screen for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), a cause she also championed during a successful career as a Burke Harris is also the author of The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Trauma and Adversity and Toxic Childhood Stress: The Legacy of Early Trauma and How to Heal. Christina Vittas The Social Media Voice of Elmo Christina Vittas is the social media voice of Elmo, the iconic Sesame Street star who has been impacting lives of all ages since the 1980s. Vittas speaks on behalf of Elmo daily, keeping her finger on the pulse of family-friendly audiences around the January 2024, Vittas went viral for a post on X that said, "Elmo is just checking in! How is everybody doing?" Followers responded to the forever-3 1/2-year-old muppet with honesty and vulnerability, highlighting the need for mental health conversations for children and adults alike. Emily Calandrelli Scientist, Author, and Host of Emily's Wonder Lab Known by many of our children as the host of Emily's Wonder Lab, Emily Calandrelli is a multi-hyphenate of incredible talents. On top of being a television star, Calandrelli is an author, engineer, science communicator, and spaceflight public speaking has taken her everywhere from K-12 schools across the United States to Google's headquarters, and she was invited to the White House to lead educational science experiments at the annual Easter Egg Roll event in both 2023 and 2024. She is famously the 100th woman in space, and continuously advocates for scientific literacy and gender equality in STEM. Eve Rodsky Bestselling Author of Fair Play Author Eve Rodsky came up with a new 21st-century solution to an age-old problem: women shouldering 2/3 or more of the unpaid domestic work and childcare for their homes and families. Her New York Times bestselling book, Fair Play, a gamified life-management system that helps partners rebalance their domestic workload and reimagine their relationship, has elevated the cultural conversation about the value of unpaid labor and her highly anticipated follow-up, Find Your Unicorn Space: Reclaim Your Creative Life in a Too-Busy World, Rodsky explores the cross-section between the science of creativity, productivity, and resilience. Described as the 'antidote to physical, mental, and emotional burnout,' Rodsky aims to inspire a new narrative around the equality of time and the individual right to personal time choice that influences sustainable and lasting change on a policy level. Read More Gabrielle and Dwyane Wade Advocates for LGBTQIA+ Kids Actress Gabrielle Union and NBA basketball player Dwyane Wade are one of Hollywood's most beloved celeb couples, not just because of their star status, but because of the way they use their platforms to continuously advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community. These issues are personal to Union and Wade, as their daughter, Zaya Wade, came out as transgender a few years ago. Since then, they've continued to speak out about supporting LGBTQIA+ youth, reminding the world of the importance of allowing all children to be their most authentic selves and providing a safe, inclusive environment for them to grow into happy, confident adults. Melanie Droubay Advocate for Children With Down's Syndrome Mom of five Melanie Droubay is a passionate advocate for individuals with Down Syndrome. Thanks to her son Hudson, nicknamed Huddy, Droubay demonstrates the joy and unconditional love that comes with raising a child with Down Syndrome. Droubay has dedicated her platform to challenging and changing misconceptions about the realities of raising differently-abled and neurodivergent of her work is also to raise awareness about organizations like Ruby's Rainbow, which offers academic scholarships to people with Down Syndrome. Isabel González Whitaker Advocate and Leader at Moms Clean Air Force Isabel González Whitaker is the Associate Vice President for Public Engagement at Moms Clean Air Force, the largest organization dedicated to protecting children from pollution and climate change, representing 1.6M members across the USA. An advocate and mother, Whitaker is also the director of Eco Madres, the Latino advocacy program of Moms Clean Air year, she spoke on panels including EarthX2025 and the World Health Organization's Second Annual Summit on Air Pollution and Health. She also led efforts for Moms Clean Air Force's first Maternal Health Forum. Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham Creators of Adolescence BAFTA-winning writer Jack Thorne and acclaimed actor Stephen Graham are shaping British drama and raising the stakes for families. Together, they co-created Adolescence, a Netflix series that dives headfirst into the dangers of online toxicity and the emotional lives of known for Wonder, Enola Holmes 2, and Graham, beloved for Boiling Point and The Irishman, bring heart and urgency to every frame, which, BTW, was shot in one continuous take with no cuts. Joe Brumm Creator of Bluey Joe Brumm is (in many ways) a cultural icon. He is an animator, writer, and director. He is also the creator of Bluey, a children's show that has helped shape the lives of today's youth. His work often focuses on themes like healthy relationships, family, and the importance of Brumm decided to take a break from the TV series in December 2024, a Bluey movie is in the works, with Brumm at the helm. The film is slated to debut in 2027. Jon Batiste Musician and Music Education Activist Multi-hyphenate, Grammy-winning artist Jon Batiste is no stranger to making an impact. Whether it's composing a film score, weaving together his own album, or leading a dynamic social activism campaign called We Are, music has been his tool for efforts in championing music education in underserved communities have inspired future musicians and influenced communal creativity as a form of therapy. But he's always sure to do his work within the existing cultural fabric of the community. Through pop-up jazz music performances on the streets of major cities, he calls 'Love Riots' and other forms of artistic expression, Jon Batiste is a true beacon for the next generation. Kelly Sawyer Patricof and Norah Weinstein Founders of Baby2Baby Kelly Sawyer Patricof and Norah Weinstein have made it their mission to help children and families in need through their non-profit Baby2Baby. The dynamic duo took over as co-CEOs in 2011. Since then, Baby2Baby has helped more than a million children throughout the diapers are the top item the organization distributes, Baby2Baby is also there for families during disasters, helping kids with backpacks and clothing, and stepping in to help fight the maternal health crisis. The Maternal Health & Newborn Supply kits are filled with critical needs for newborns and their mothers. Laura Modi Founder of Bobbie Laura Modi co-founded Bobbie, the first organic, FDA-approved, European-style baby formula in the U.S., after she searched for a safe, healthy formula to feed her daughter to no avail. Bobbie for Change supports the brand's progressive mission by advocating for parental leave, providing free formula to families in need, including parents affected by the California wildfires and moms who have had mastectomies, and introducing legislation to prevent formula shortages. Kier Gaines Therapist and Parenting Expert Keir Gaines is not just a husband and father; he's also a licensed therapist. He uses his platform of more than 1 million followers on Instagram to advocate for self-awareness, growth, and mindfulness as essential parenting has inspired his audience to take a proactive role in their mental health, and in speaking candidly about his own journey as a parent, he helps others feel connected to parents on a similar journey and more confident in their own skills as parents. Gaines has spoken both at the White House and NASA, and he was recently honored on OWN's Special "Honoring Our Kings: Celebrating Black Fatherhood." Kimberly Seals Allers Founder of Black Breastfeeding Week, Creator of Irth, and Host of Birthright Kimberly Seals Allers, a former senior editor at Essence and Fortune writer, is a leading voice for maternal health for parents of co-founded Black Breastfeeding Week, authored five books spotlighting motherhood's cultural complexities, and founded Irth, a 'Yelp-like' app that helps Black and brown families rate OB-GYNs and hospitals to confront bias in healthcare. On her podcast, Birthright, Allers amplifies positive Black birthing stories to rewrite the narrative on Black maternal health and fight for equality during childbirth. Kimmy Fasani Award-Winning Snowboarder, Advocate, and Documentarian Kimmy Fasani is an award-winning professional snowboarder who is a vocal advocate for women in action sports to maintain their position as athletes while starting a family. In November 2021, Kimmy was diagnosed with an aggressive stage 3 inflammatory Breast Cancer, just nine months after welcoming her second chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, and 30 rounds of radiation, she achieved a complete pathological response. In March 2025, Fasani released her documentary, Butterfly in Blizzard, which chronicles her unexpected cancer diagnosis and journey into motherhood. Laura Marquez-Garrett Senior Counsel at the Social Media Victims Law Center Laura Marquez-Garrett has continuously used their law background to advocate for families in the face of an ever-changing technological world. As the senior counsel at the Social Media Victims Law Center, an organization that aims to hold Big Tech accountable, Marquez-Garrett has filed over 1,000 complaints in both state and federal courts across the United States. Their work goes beyond the courtroom, too; Marquez-Garrett is in close communication with lawmakers, parents, educators, and journalists to keep these issues top of mind and to work toward making the online world a safer place for kids and young people. Len Forkas Founder of Hopecam At 65 years old, Len Forkas just completed summiting Mount Everest in order to raise a million dollars for the nonprofit he founded called Hopecam. The organization helps connect kids with cancer to their classrooms while they are receiving treatment.A tech entrepreneur by trade, Forkas started Hopecam in 2002 when his son was diagnosed with leukemia at 9 years old. He watched as his son struggled with missing school and his friends. So he took action and connected him with his classroom. Now, Hopecam is helping close to 1,000 children a year with the goal to help even more. Max Alexander Designer and Founder of Couture to the Max At just 7 years old, Max Alexander is already a fashion star on the rise. Four years ago, he told his family that he wanted to be a dressmaker and began designing and sewing soon after. It wasn't long until Alexander had his own label, aptly called Couture to the fast track to stardom has been decorated with accomplishments like his first runway show and a rapidly growing social media audience. It's clear that Alexander is headed for great things while inspiring other children to pursue their dreams, too. Lauren Smith Brody Founder of The Fifth Trimester Lauren Smith Brody is the founder of The Fifth Trimester, a movement that seeks to support working parents by creating more family-friendly workspaces. She is the author of The Fifth Trimester: The Working Mom's Guide to Style, Sanity, and Big Success After work has been featured in several publications, including Forbes, Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glamour, and Refinery29—to name a few. And before founding The Fifth Trimester, Brody was the executive editor of Glamour magazine. Mikey Latner Founder of Project: Camp Mikey Latner is a former camp director who founded Project: Camp after recognizing the restorative power of camp for children in crisis. Project: Camp pop-ups bring trauma-informed camp and childcare professionals to children affected by natural disasters, inspiring healing and making them feel safe. Project: Camp was committed to helping children through its holistic camp experience during the Altadena fires. Ms. Rachel Children's Advocate and Creator of Songs for Littles Ms. Rachel (aka Rachel Griffin Accurso) is the creator of the YouTube channel Songs for Littles, which has over 15 million followers. Blending her background in childhood education with her passion for music, she makes videos for babies and toddlers, developing their speech, language, and social-emotional Rachel has also dedicated herself to advocating for children globally, becoming a Save the Children Ambassador in 2023. Most recently, she's been raising awareness of children in conflict zones in Sudan, Ukraine, Gaza, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Neha Ruch Founder of Mother Untitled and Author of The Power Pause Neha Ruch is the author of The Power Pause: How to Plan a Career Break After Kids—and Come Back Stronger Than Ever. A mother of two whose own downshift inspired her mission, Neha is also the founder of Mother Untitled, the leading platform for ambitious women navigating a career pause to focus on family life.A thought leader on the intersection of women, work, and identity, Neha has built a movement amongst hundreds of thousands of women redefining modern motherhood. Through her platform, she is helping to reshape how society values stay-at-home mothers. Nicole Lynn Lewis Founder of Generation Hope A former teen mom, Nicole Lynn Lewis, has dedicated her professional life to helping teenage parents attend college and breaking generational cycles of poverty. She is the founder of Generation Hope, which helps student parents achieve academic success and build wealth while providing support for their children. The organization also works directly with universities to find ways to better serve students who are raising in the program are known as Generation Hope Scholars and 82% of them are employed or have enrolled in a graduate program within six months of graduating from college. Serena Williams Tennis Star, Maternal Health Advocate, and Founder of the Yetunde Price Resource Center One of the best athletes of all time, former tennis pro Serena Williams, is using her platform to advocate for change on and off the court. Williams brought attention to systemic inequalities that plague the country, particularly when it comes to Black maternal health care. In 2017, she experienced it herself—she suffered from a life-threatening complication after the birth of her first daughter, Olympia. Since then, she's been raising awareness and working with organizations, such as Baby2Baby, that help families in mom of two champions equal pay and gender equality in sports, as well as educational opportunities for youth around the world. She also uplifts women- and Black-funded businesses through her venture capital firm, Serena Ventures. And she helps victims of violence with the Yetunde Price Resource Center (YPRC), a nonprofit she launched in 2017 in honor of her older sister, Yetunde Price, who was killed in a shooting. Pooja Lakshmin Author of Real Self-Care and Founder of Gemma Dr. Pooja Lakshmin is a board-certified psychiatrist who is challenging what moms (and women) have been taught about self-care. Having gained national popularity by writing for the New York Times, Dr. Lakshmin has become a leading voice in mental health and has written about issues impacting parents around the released the best-selling book Real Self-Care in 2023, offering actionable strategies to help women set boundaries, move past guilt, and practice self-compassion. In 2020, Dr. Lakshmin also founded Gemma, the women's mental health digital education platform, which has educated thousands of women about perinatal psychiatry and mental health conditions. Reshma Saujani Founder of Girls Who Code, Author, and CEO of Moms First Reshma Saujani founded the nonprofit Girls Who Code with the goal of increasing the number of girls and women in the field of computer science. The organization teaches girls how to code through after-school and summer programming for young women from third grade through college. Saujani is also the founder and CEO of Moms First and the host of My So-Called Midlife with Lemonada she's turned her focus toward creating change for moms, advocating for affordable childcare, paid leave, and equitable pay. Saunjani is also the New York Times Bestselling author of PAY UP: The Future of Women and Work (And Why It's Different Than You Think), Brave, Not Perfect, and the Girls Who Code book series. Mia Cooley Founder of Parentxhood Mia Cooley is the founder of Parentxhood, an organization that supports Black queer parents from conception through child-rearing. Parentxhood supports LGBTQIA+ parents by finding affirming healthcare providers, securing adoption support, hosting virtual baby showers, and more. The organization also hosts events for community-building, like Family Weekend in the South. Peter Mutabazi "The Foster Dad Flipper" Peter Mutabazi, a single dad known on his social media platform as a "foster dad flipper," has fostered over 40 children and adopted three. His platform advocates for kids and shares the joys and challenges he encounters with his adopted children, Anthony, Ryder, and 10 years old, Peter ran away from an abusive home and lived on the street in Uganda for almost five years. He is deeply familiar with the hardships that kids can face without stable homes and created a foundation to provide support to vulnerable children. Peter is also the author of Love Does Not Conquer All—And Other Surprising Lessons I Learned as a Foster Dad to More Than 40 Kids. Read the original article on Parents Solve the daily Crossword
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3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dr. Jonathan Haidt Is Leading a Parenting Movement—Here's What He Wants You to Know About Technology and Kids' Mental Health
Parents Next Gen winner and author of 'The Anxious Generation,' Dr. Jonathan Haidt, says he's helping parents create stability for their children by reclaiming childhood. In an age dominated by screens, social media, and shrinking childhood freedoms, renowned psychologist and one of Parents' Next Gen winners, Jonathan Haidt, is leading a growing global movement to help parents reclaim their kids' mental health, independence, and joy. With the release of his bestselling 2024 book The Anxious Generation and his activism throughout 2025, Dr. Haidt has emerged as one of the most influential voices in parenting today. Dr. Haidt, a professor at NYU's Stern School of Business, has spent years researching the mental health crisis among young people. His conclusion? The dramatic rise in anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal is closely tied to the early and excessive use of smartphones and social media. Dr. Haidt is on a mission to help kids "break up" with their phones and reclaim mental health, which is why he's a Parents Next Gen winner. Not content with just influencing parents, Dr. Haidt turned to children themselves. He co-authored an interactive graphic novel called The Amazing Generation—a playful guide to help 5th to 8th graders 'break up with their phones' and rediscover the joys of real life, out in December 2025. Parents across the country have embraced it as a tool for opening conversations and creating family screen-time rules collaboratively. Dr. Haidt's influence reached even wider after recently appearing with Michelle Obama on her podcast. Together, they tackled one of today's thorniest parenting issues: how to set boundaries in a tech-driven world. 'Understand that your children are not your friends,' Obama emphasized, echoing Dr. Haidt's call for strong, deliberate parenting. The episode prompted an explosion of online dialogue and further fueled the movement of parents supporting each other in creating healthier home environments. Dr. Haidt spoke exclusively to Parents. What motivates you to do the work that you do? What motivates me? Gosh, so many different motivations. It started as just scientific curiosity about why the mental health stats suddenly got so horrible in 2012. What happened? Then it moved on to be, 'This is the biggest problem I have ever seen. This is actually changing an entire generation of human beings.' So now it's become really more of a Anxious Generation we are helping families and organizations around the world to make change. It's become so many different motivations, but it's been really thrilling because almost everyone wants to change this. How are you raising your children to be changemakers? I'm raising my kids, first, to be independent. I haven't really thought about making them changemakers per se. My daughter's 15, my son is 18, and we focused on just giving them more independence than we were ready for, like pushing ourselves to listen to Lenore Skenazy, who advocates for free-range we focused on just letting them out more in New York City, letting them navigate, letting them do errands. Now my kids, they go all over the city on city bikes. They're confident. So I've just been focusing on getting them to fly and then they'll find their way in the world. It seems like devices can be particularly threatening to boys' outlook and sense of self. How can we raise young boys to thrive and not just survive? Well, the most important thing for raising boys is that they have to have thousands or millions of real-world experiences, some of which involve risk and our kids, our boys, are having thousands or millions of video games. And it's not just the video games. It's the porn. It's the vaping. It's so many online activities. So, we've got to delay boys descending into video games and got to send them out into the world to play and have adventures, even though that's kind of scary for us. We have to overcome our own fears and give our boys the kind of childhoods that their fathers or grandfathers had, at least to the extent that we can. What would you say to parents who have an issue with delaying—they have a teen who is feeling excluded and wants social media? Let's say we're first on the smartphone. You can give your kid a non-smartphone. It's fine to have your kid be in contact with their friends. But just try to hold out on a smartphone because that's a gambling casino and pornography, and everything else in their pocket. On social media, it can be harder. If your kid has one other friend who isn't on social media, it's a lot easier than if every single friend is on social media. And finally, just educate yourself about social media. On my Substack we have posts giving quotations from employees at Snapchat and TikTok. And if you know what they know, you wouldn't let your kids on TikTok and Snapchat. So it's hard. My daughter is 15. I've not let her have any social media and I am imposing a cost on her in the short run. But in the long run, I think I have a happier daughter who is going to flourish and fly the nest. What would be your word of advice for parents? We all feel anxious about letting our kids out, letting them out of our control, letting them out of our view. But we have to do what's best for the kids, not what's best for our own feelings. And we have to overcome our anxiety if we want to give our kids a chance of overcoming their anxiety. We have to let them grow up, take small risks by themselves without us there, to discover that they can do it. It can be as simple as sending your kid into a grocery store. If you have a seven-year-old child who's been shopping with you 50 or 100 times, knows how to do it, you say, 'Here's some money, go get a quart of milk. I'll wait here in the parking lot,' or 'I'll wait at the front of the store.' Just start small, and you will be anxious that first time, but your kid is going to be jumping up and down with excitement that you gave them this chance to do something. We all need to feel useful, and our kids have to feel useful, so let them do useful things. That's how they'll grow up. One last question, because you gave so many hopeful ideas there. Do you have any specific advice for dads? So my advice to dads is that while moms have been sort of leading the movement to push back on smartphones, the other half of this is you have to give your kids an exciting, real-world childhood, which includes thrills and risk-taking and running around and wrestling. And this is where dads excel. Dad is the one who's going to pretend to be a predator stalking the child and pretending to be a big, scary monster. That sort of stuff is incredibly healthy for kids. Dad's the one who's going to be throwing them up in the air. That mix of fear and excitement with safety is the most powerful thing you can give your kids to overcome their own anxieties and become a force in the world. Dads are uniquely qualified, or I should just say on average, they enjoy it more, and they tend to gravitate to that role. So this is where I think dads are really really crucial. Read the original article on Parents Solve the daily Crossword
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3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Brooklyn Dad's Push for Support Transforms into a 1,500-Strong Fatherhood Community
When Parents Next Gen winner Joe Gonzales became a father, he noticed how isolating it could be. That's why he created Brooklyn Stroll, a community for dads that's taken the borough by storm. After the birth of his son, Joe Gonzales was struck by how isolating new parenthood could be. He searched for a community of dads, somewhere to share everything from teething tips to the more vulnerable sides of fatherhood, like mental health, but came up empty. So, he created one himself— the Brooklyn Stroll Club. Gonzales' dedication to improving his community by creating connection is why he's a Parents Next Gen winner. Gonzales introduced the idea on TikTok, and it quickly took flight. His post went viral, drawing thousands of views, likes, and comments from dads craving the same connection. What began as a simple idea has grown into a thriving community of more than 1,500 fathers, offering online and in-person connections. While many members are still deep in the trenches of sleepless nights and midnight feedings, the Brooklyn Stroll Club has become a space for dads in all stages of parenting. It's a place to share stories, get advice, and build meaningful relationships rooted in shared experience. We sat down with Gonzales to learn more about the future of the Brooklyn Stroll Club—and his vision for a more connected, compassionate generation of fathers. What inspired you? How did this start? I started the Brooklyn Stroll Club in 2024 when I became a dad, and my life changed completely. Really, we just started in the park as dads just wanting to meet up. And it quickly grew to over 1,500 dads who are on our online community who chat daily about their experiences, tips, and are really just looking for encouragement in fatherhood. And then we do monthly meetups to really help dads build confidence. For some dads, it's their first time outside with their child. I know your son is young. How are you raising him to be a changemaker? I'm raising my son to be a changemaker by showing him that his parents take risks, love deeply, and pursue things they're passionate about. And I want him to feel confident in everything he does, in everything he tries. Even though he is little, he is always watching. I'm modeling the behavior for him so he can implement it later. I'm raising my kid to be a changemaker by the way we live our lives. It's nice that you'll get to grow with these fathers because it sounds like you're all kind of in the same phase. Are there other dads at different stages of their journeys? It's been really cool being a dad with a one-year-old because we've seen dads in the community who have just learned they are expecting. Then some dads have newborns. Those guys are in the trenches of figuring out how to do it. Then we have dads who have older kids, so they can share knowledge from their experiences with us. There's a little bit of everything. We hope to encourage not only the dads who are coming in, but also ourselves as we grow together. The community changes every year, and it changes with every kid. Every person's journey of fatherhood is unique. And so you can find somebody who has at least something you can relate to in the community. And I think that's super important. With all of the people you've met and talked to, what's one thing you've heard that stuck with you? One sentiment that I hear from the community is that they didn't know how much they needed the community, and I think that's the most important thing: being able to be vulnerable and open. And when you can find that and truly understand that it's helping you and growing you, I believe we can shape the next generation of fathers. At some point, the strollers get retired. Do you see meet-ups where it's sometimes just dads without their kids? We want to create experiences not only for dads and their children, but also experiences to help dads with mental health, self-care, and everything that goes along with processing fatherhood. Once we did a boxing meetup, and in the future, we want to do meditation classes, things like that. It's like this: How do we serve ourselves better? How can we better serve our families? How can we better serve the community around us? Those are the questions that we hope to answer as we become better fathers. Fatherhood is complex. Our hope is to give dads the tools that they need to be better for their families and themselves. The conversations I've had with dads are that they put themselves last, and I think that's always tough to hear. I'm sure people hear 'Stroll Club' and think you're just having meetups with your children. But this is really about dads finding connection and that friendship. Yes, that's the most important thing. Dads in a group chat talking about what they're going to do for dinner, what they're going to do for bedtime, or how they're going to do it. To me, that's the most impactful part of it. When you're with your kid, it's always chaos, but there's beauty in that as well. Read the original article on Parents Solve the daily Crossword
