The Stories of Our Lives

How the stories we tell about ourselves and others shape who we are

Robyn Fivush Ph.D.

Why I Am Optimistic This Graduation Season

I don’t know what the future will bring. But this I do know: If the world is in the hands of today’s students, I am optimistic.

How Family Stories Help Us Cope

What do family stories have to do with keeping safe today and tomorrow? You might be surprised.

Family Storytelling for the Holidays

Storytelling is an important and meaningful family tradition, especially around the holidays. How do we tell stories that matter?

What Stories Will You Leave as Your Family Legacy?

If your children only knew one or two stories about your life, what stories would you want those to be and why?

Sharenting, or Sharing Stories

When parents post about their children on social media, they create a narrative identity for their child. But whose identity is it?

The Story of a Book

Exploring how identities are created and understood through family storytelling.

Graduation Season Again: Time to Tell Stories

As we each mark transitions, both academic and personal, the power of stories to create communities and empower students is more important than ever

Finding Solace Through Stories

Remembering our loved ones through stories helps us heal and bonds our families and friends together in times of grief.

Parents Ought to Share Their Challenging Experiences

Adolescents who know stories about their parents’ teenage difficulties and challenges show higher self-esteem and resilience.

Family Disputes About Memories

Open and validating conversations about disputed family experiences can be an important part of the healing process.

Celebrate Graduation! Booster Shots Advised!

A "booster shot" of self-affirmation at the start of the academic year can have amazing effects on student accomplishment.

The Best Mothers’ Day Gift

This Mother’s Day, honor all your mothers by asking for their stories. Asking for their stories is your gift to them; sharing their stories is their gift to you.

Cultural stories provide roots for growth

Marcus Garvey said “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.”

Why Do Only Famous People Have Biographies?

Family stories bind us together and define who we are as a family. Whether you are 7 or 70, it is never too early or too late to start sharing family stories.

President and Chief Story-teller

Through storytelling, we better understand the human experience, learn what is important and valuable in our lives

Collective Stories in Families Teach Us About Ourselves

Collective family storytelling helps parents and adolescents learn about each other and themselves

“I’ll be home for Christmas if only in my dreams”

Christmas can be a difficult time for those who have served. Sharing their stories is a way to honor their sacrifice.

Family Stories as a Way to Give Thanks

Family stories bring families together, and really, isn’t that what we all hope to be thankful for?

The “Do You Know?” 20 Questions About Family Stories

"Do You Know...?" questions are one way to tell family stories and begin a tradition of sharing more.

Are There Gender Differences in Telling Family Stories?

Everyone in the family shares in the telling, but mothers provide the glue that pieces what everyone else remembers into a coherent story that creates a shared history.

Family Stories at the Birth of Humanity

Our ancestors told stories around the evening fire. It was important then and it is still important now.

The Importance of Family Dinnertime: Part Two

Stories emerge naturally around the dinner table. Here are a few tips to maximize their impact on your children.

The Importance of Family Dinnertime: Part One

Families that eat dinner together have adolescents who do better, and family storytelling is part of the reason why.

Is our DNA our Identity?

Get your DNA tested for fun. But make sure you listen to the family stories that truly define your identity.

Talking About the Past With Your Child Builds Resilience

By inviting, validating, helping and supporting your child to construct coherent narratives, you teach skills for regulating emotions and building resilience.

Why We Love Watching the Olympics

The American women Olympic gymnasts are not simply amazing athletes; their stories are inspiring reminders of how struggling through challenge empowers us all.