Singletons

Free Will

Free Will May Not Be as Free as You Think

Susan Newman Ph.D. on February 11, 2025

What do you think it means to have free will? What does free will have to do with major life decisions?

What do you think it means to have free will? What does free will have to do with major life decisions?

Wisdom

Valuable “Old Lady” Lessons Children Need to Know

Susan Newman Ph.D. on January 20, 2025

Intergenerational bonds are developmentally enriching. Discover what you may be ignoring and why and how to share grandparents' and older adults’ hard-earned wisdom with children.

Intergenerational bonds are developmentally enriching. Discover what you may be ignoring and why and how to share grandparents' and older adults’ hard-earned wisdom with children.

Happiness

The Power of Family Traditions: Count the Ways

Susan Newman Ph.D. on November 18, 2024

Science shows traditions have a lasting impact—and not just a sentimental one. Here's why and how to create—or continue—family rituals.

Science shows traditions have a lasting impact—and not just a sentimental one. Here's why and how to create—or continue—family rituals.

Pregnancy

The Label Expectant Mothers Over 35 Don’t Want to Hear

Susan Newman Ph.D. on October 24, 2024

Over age 35 and expecting? Look beyond the unflattering "geriatric" label to the science supporting healthy “later” pregnancies.

Over age 35 and expecting? Look beyond the unflattering "geriatric" label to the science supporting healthy “later” pregnancies.

Family Dynamics

Is One Sibling Too Many?

Susan Newman Ph.D. on October 7, 2024

Whether by choice or circumstance, birth rates keep falling and the number of only children keeps rising. Read reasons why only children are at a measurable advantage.

Whether by choice or circumstance, birth rates keep falling and the number of only children keeps rising. Read reasons why only children are at a measurable advantage.

Gender

Where Have the Helpful Dads Gone?

Susan Newman Ph.D. on August 13, 2024

During the pandemic, men stepped up. Why are some men and women sliding back into the old gender roles of the 1920s?

During the pandemic, men stepped up. Why are some men and women sliding back into the old gender roles of the 1920s?

Career

Why Only Children Are Poised to Succeed at Work

Susan Newman Ph.D. on April 3, 2024

Only children have an edge in the work world. Here’s why.

Only children have an edge in the work world. Here’s why.

Parenting

Are You Being Held Hostage by the Parenting ShouldStorm?

Susan Newman Ph.D. on February 20, 2024

Being the “perfect parent” isn’t good for you or your child. Here’s why and how to adopt a new 3-step approach that will make you both happier.

Being the “perfect parent” isn’t good for you or your child. Here’s why and how to adopt a new 3-step approach that will make you both happier.

Parenting

Who Wants to Talk to a Kid About Sex and Death?

Susan Newman Ph.D. on January 17, 2024

Why and how you should have difficult and touchy conversations about sex and death with your children—starting at an early age.

Why and how you should have difficult and touchy conversations about sex and death with your children—starting at an early age.

Parenting

Should Parents Go Along With the Santa Myth?

Susan Newman Ph.D. on December 2, 2023

Will you promote the Santa myth in your house? Is that a good thing? Will you tell your children the truth if asked?

Will you promote the Santa myth in your house? Is that a good thing? Will you tell your children the truth if asked?

Pregnancy

The Well-Kept Secret About Only Children

Susan Newman Ph.D. on November 13, 2023

When I had my son a few decades ago, people asked, "When are you having another?" That is happening less and less and in most circles not at all. Here's why.

When I had my son a few decades ago, people asked, "When are you having another?" That is happening less and less and in most circles not at all. Here's why.

Family Dynamics

The Biggest Benefit, and Top Risk, of Being an Only Child

Susan Newman Ph.D. on September 20, 2023

"Sometimes I wonder, ‘Who am I separate from her?’"

"Sometimes I wonder, ‘Who am I separate from her?’"

Family Dynamics

Why So Many Only Children Excel in School

Susan Newman Ph.D. on August 11, 2023

Research points to a distinct academic advantage for only children. Certain parenting attitudes and approaches can help equalize outcomes for kids with siblings.

Research points to a distinct academic advantage for only children. Certain parenting attitudes and approaches can help equalize outcomes for kids with siblings.

Infertility

Good News for Couples Challenged by Infertility

Susan Newman Ph.D. on May 2, 2023

Since the first IVF birth of an American baby in 1981, the use and cost of fertility treatment has been rising. More insurance coverage and lower costs are on the horizon.

Since the first IVF birth of an American baby in 1981, the use and cost of fertility treatment has been rising. More insurance coverage and lower costs are on the horizon.

Family Dynamics

The Value of Sibling Surrogates for Only Children

Susan Newman Ph.D. on April 24, 2023

How only children acquire and celebrate their sibling substitutes.

How only children acquire and celebrate their sibling substitutes.

Confidence

Benefits of Roughhousing With Your Children

Susan Newman Ph.D. on April 4, 2023

What everyone misses when parents don’t engage in physical play with their kids.

What everyone misses when parents don’t engage in physical play with their kids.

Resilience

Have You Properly Prepared Your Kids for Defeat?

Susan Newman Ph.D. on January 26, 2023

No one wins all the time, and the sooner kids learn to handle not being number one, the better.

No one wins all the time, and the sooner kids learn to handle not being number one, the better.

Parenting

Avoiding the Perfect Mother Trap

Susan Newman Ph.D. on January 4, 2023

Mothers remain targets, scrutinized and made to feel inadequate in their childrearing decisions. Here's how to break free from unrealistic expectations.

Mothers remain targets, scrutinized and made to feel inadequate in their childrearing decisions. Here's how to break free from unrealistic expectations.

Career

Best Age for Kids to Start Doing Chores

Susan Newman Ph.D. on November 1, 2022

Kids need to do household work, and not just to make things easier on you. Here’s why this is a developmental imperative.

Kids need to do household work, and not just to make things easier on you. Here’s why this is a developmental imperative.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

More Babies After COVID? Some Answers

Susan Newman Ph.D. on October 6, 2022

There was a lot of speculation during lockdowns about what might happen to couples and if we’d have a mini baby boom. Now we know.

There was a lot of speculation during lockdowns about what might happen to couples and if we’d have a mini baby boom. Now we know.