It's All About the Dads

Education

Higher Education Mergers Feel Personal, Because They Are

Jessica Troilo Ph.D. on April 13, 2026

College mergers aren’t just structural, they’re relational. Family theory explains why institutional change feels personal, emotional, and complex.

College mergers aren’t just structural, they’re relational. Family theory explains why institutional change feels personal, emotional, and complex.

Identity

Watching 'Stand by Me' at 40, Through My Child’s Eyes

Jessica Troilo Ph.D. on March 26, 2026

Watching "Stand by Me" with my teen revealed something striking: The fears, family pressures, and search for identity haven’t changed in 40 years.

Watching "Stand by Me" with my teen revealed something striking: The fears, family pressures, and search for identity haven’t changed in 40 years.

Education

What Do Families Have to Do With Higher Education Mergers?

Jessica Troilo Ph.D. on March 20, 2026

College mergers are often framed as strategic decisions, but they rarely feel that way. Family theories can help us understand why institutional change feels personal and complex.

College mergers are often framed as strategic decisions, but they rarely feel that way. Family theories can help us understand why institutional change feels personal and complex.

Career

Single? Why Self-Worth Matters More Than Finding “The One”

Jessica Troilo Ph.D. on December 16, 2025

What Hallmark’s "Single on the 25th" reveals why being secure and becoming your best self, instead of avoiding being alone, is the real key to healthy relationships.

What Hallmark’s "Single on the 25th" reveals why being secure and becoming your best self, instead of avoiding being alone, is the real key to healthy relationships.

Family Dynamics

Holiday Touchdown: The Science of Family Rituals and Love

Jessica Troilo Ph.D. on November 25, 2025

Family rituals, Buffalo pride, and the courage to love again—family science insights from the Hallmark movie "Holiday Touchdown."

Family rituals, Buffalo pride, and the courage to love again—family science insights from the Hallmark movie "Holiday Touchdown."

Family Dynamics

What Hallmark Can Teach Us About Big Family Decisions

Jessica Troilo Ph.D. on November 19, 2025

There is fear and courage behind major family transitions, but a leap of faith helps everyone grow.

There is fear and courage behind major family transitions, but a leap of faith helps everyone grow.

Family Dynamics

The ABC-X of Christmas: A Keller Christmas Vacation

Jessica Troilo Ph.D. on November 14, 2025

Explore family dynamics through the holidays—how secrets, stress, and relationships shape resilience and connection, inspired by A Keller Christmas Vacation.

Explore family dynamics through the holidays—how secrets, stress, and relationships shape resilience and connection, inspired by A Keller Christmas Vacation.

Relationships

How Breakups Can Help Us Grow and Find Love Again

Jessica Troilo Ph.D. on November 11, 2025

A Hallmark holiday movie reminds us that breakups aren’t all bad. They’re a chance to grow, heal, and maybe even rediscover love.

A Hallmark holiday movie reminds us that breakups aren’t all bad. They’re a chance to grow, heal, and maybe even rediscover love.

Family Dynamics

Why We Still Seek Our Parents’ Approval—Even at Christmas

Jessica Troilo Ph.D. on November 3, 2025

Even during the holidays, family expectations can weigh heavily. Hallmark’s "Christmas on Duty" shows the power of vulnerability and connection.

Even during the holidays, family expectations can weigh heavily. Hallmark’s "Christmas on Duty" shows the power of vulnerability and connection.

Relationships

Snow, Romance, and Self-Sabotage: Hallmark’s Holiday Hits

Jessica Troilo Ph.D. on October 27, 2025

Hallmark’s new Christmas movies reveal real struggles—balancing family duty and independence, and overcoming fear, self-sabotage, and people-pleasing in love.

Hallmark’s new Christmas movies reveal real struggles—balancing family duty and independence, and overcoming fear, self-sabotage, and people-pleasing in love.

Family Dynamics

What Hallmark Movies Reveal About Real Family Dynamics

Jessica Troilo Ph.D. on October 19, 2025

They’re cozy and predictable—but holiday movies also capture family tensions beneath the tinsel. Here’s what they can teach us about communication, connection, and conflict.

They’re cozy and predictable—but holiday movies also capture family tensions beneath the tinsel. Here’s what they can teach us about communication, connection, and conflict.

Family Dynamics

Family, Food, and Friction: A Holiday Reality Check

Jessica Troilo Ph.D. on October 16, 2025

Thanksgiving joy can quickly turn into family drama. Discover the psychology behind holiday tension and how to keep your cool around the table.

Thanksgiving joy can quickly turn into family drama. Discover the psychology behind holiday tension and how to keep your cool around the table.

Grief

Father’s Day After Loss: Grieving and Remembering Dad

Jessica Troilo Ph.D. on June 12, 2025

Struggling with Father’s Day after losing your dad? This gentle guide offers ways to honor, remember, and find comfort amid grief.

Struggling with Father’s Day after losing your dad? This gentle guide offers ways to honor, remember, and find comfort amid grief.

Family Dynamics

Is "Suits LA" a Legal Drama or Family Drama?

Jessica Troilo Ph.D. on March 6, 2025

"Suits LA" takes a deep dive into unresolved father-son relationships, as characters’ ambitions and struggles are driven more by paternal wounds than courtroom strategies.

"Suits LA" takes a deep dive into unresolved father-son relationships, as characters’ ambitions and struggles are driven more by paternal wounds than courtroom strategies.

Relationships

"This Time Each Year": A Thoughtful Take on Marital Conflict

Jessica Troilo Ph.D. on November 4, 2024

Hallmark’s "This Time Each Year" breaks the mold by exploring marital conflict with emotional depth. This film captures the challenges of love and forgiveness.

Hallmark’s "This Time Each Year" breaks the mold by exploring marital conflict with emotional depth. This film captures the challenges of love and forgiveness.

Dementia

3 Ways Dementia Impacts the Parent–Child Relationship

Jessica Troilo Ph.D. on January 26, 2023

Is your parent one of the 7 million Americans who have dementia? Understanding the challenges can help you identify supports.

Is your parent one of the 7 million Americans who have dementia? Understanding the challenges can help you identify supports.

Education

How Does Father Involvement Impact Children's GPA?

Jessica Troilo Ph.D. on June 12, 2019

Can fathers help children succeed academically? Fathers can have a long-lasting impact on their kids.

Can fathers help children succeed academically? Fathers can have a long-lasting impact on their kids.

Divorce

Does Cooperative Divorced Coparenting Matter?

Jessica Troilo Ph.D. on February 6, 2019

Is cooperative cooparenting after divorce necessary for positive outcomes in kids? Maybe not.

Is cooperative cooparenting after divorce necessary for positive outcomes in kids? Maybe not.

Parenting

Making Divorced and Separated Co-Parenting Work

Jessica Troilo Ph.D. on November 26, 2018

Are you being told that you have to work with your former spouse or partner, but can't figure out how to do it? A few tips can get you in the right mindset.

Are you being told that you have to work with your former spouse or partner, but can't figure out how to do it? A few tips can get you in the right mindset.

Grief

All I Want for Christmas Is You

Jessica Troilo Ph.D. on November 22, 2018

Is the cheerfulness of the holidays bringing you down? A few tips can help you cope.

Is the cheerfulness of the holidays bringing you down? A few tips can help you cope.