The Problem With Child-Led Potty Training
Many Americans are waiting for their kid to be “ready” to use the toilet—and waiting, and waiting, and waiting.
Stephanie H. Murray
Stephanie H. Murray, a former public-policy researcher, is a contributing writer at The Atlantic. She writes Family Stuff on Substack.
Latest
Illustration by Matteo Giuseppe Pani / The Atlantic. Source: Buyenlarge / Getty. Americans Are in Denial About Elder Care
Many assume that if they can afford paid help in older age, they won’t need to rely on kin. They’re wrong.
Illustration by Hokyoung Kim ‘Commuting Is Bad’—Particularly for Women
A growing body of research shows how longer travel times affect moms’ ability to work.
Bradley Waller / Kintzing / Connected Archives The Parental-Happiness Fallacy
Where commentary on moms’ satisfaction goes wrong
Illustration by Akshita Chandra / The Atlantic Bring Back Communal Kid Discipline
Many American adults hesitate to correct strangers’ children in public. I wish it weren’t so.
Illustration by Matteo Giuseppe Pani / The Atlantic The New Marriage of Unequals
Women are now more likely to marry a less educated man than men are to marry a less educated woman.
Illustration by Anna Kliewer This Is No Way to Talk About Children
When people say they “don’t like” kids, they’re expressing way more than a preference.
Illustration by Ben Kothe / The Atlantic. Source: csa-archive / Getty. The Isolation of Intensive Parenting
You can micromanage your kid’s life or ask for community help with child care—but you can’t have both.
Illustration by Charlotte Ager Why Do Big Families Get Such a Bad Rap?
I have many siblings. And in so many ways, my life is richer for it.
Illustration by Pierre Buttin Cultural Shifts Alone Won’t Persuade People to Have Kids
You still need the economic winds at your back.
Illustration by Ben Wiseman
