If you're hyper and you know it, clap your hands!
Ever felt like your kid comes home a little "extra" on days they missed recess? If so, science finally has your back. The American Academy of Pediatrics just dropped its first new guidance in 13 years, and the message is loud and clear: Recess is non-negotiable.

Schools have been prioritizing higher test scores and focus in the classroom, which has led to a sharp decline in playtime, but doctors say playtime gives kids a much-needed brain break. Think of it like a save button for a computer, without those pauses, the brain can't properly store information from the last lesson. Beyond the books, recess is where crucial life skills happen, from navigating social cliques without a referee to building the confidence that comes with making new friends.

The biggest takeaway? Recess should never be used as a bargaining chip. Taking away playtime to punish disruptive behavior or finish extra schoolwork is actually counterproductive, as the kids struggling the most with focus are often those who need to blow off steam the most. You can dive into the full report to see how your school’s break schedule compares to the global gold standard.

🫩 Here's what's really keeping moms up at night
Moms are chronically exhausted, but kids aren't all to blame! A new report found that 70% of moms lose sleep due to "mental load" and racing thoughts. Many are also falling victim to "revenge bedtime procrastination," staying up late just to claim a few moments of peace. Sadly, this burnout leaves 20% feeling emotionally disconnected from their kids. Additionally, 29% of moms say they haven't had a good night's sleep in a week. Here are some tips on reclaiming your sleep, and here's why our ancestors got more sleep than we do.

👶 The most popular baby names of 2025 were...
... mostly the same. For the seventh consecutive year, Liam and Olivia are the most popular names for newborn American boys and girls. Noah remains in second place for boys, while Charlotte moved up to the number two spot for girls. Emma, which was second in 2024, moved down to the third spot. Across both the girls' and boys' top 10, there was only one new name: Eliana. Check out the full list here.

🧼 I'd like my baby to be great at washing dishes!
New "genetic optimization" companies are pushing embryo screening into controversial territory. Beyond testing for diseases like diabetes, these labs now help parents predict (and potentially select for) traits like height, IQ, eye color, and even hair color. While some families view this as a way to give their children a "head start," medical experts warn that the science is still unreliable and ethically murky. Check out the debate and learn more about the companies offering these services.

👿 No one wants to raise a bully
It's estimated that up to 20% of children will bully someone during their school years. Here's how to make sure your kid doesn't fall into that percentage.

🛀 The No. 1 parenting chore that's not worth the stress?
Bath time. Bestselling parenting author Emily Oster makes a very compelling case against it.

Alfredo Pesto Pasta
I’m not usually a fan of “hiding” foods from my family. I’d much rather my kids see ingredients, learn to recognize them, and understand that healthy meals don’t need to be complicated or perfect.

…except for this recipe.

Because if I told my family the sauce was made with cottage cheese, there is a very real chance someone would suddenly decide they “don’t like it.” Meanwhile, every single person happily devours this pasta when I keep that detail to myself.

I get it. Cottage cheese doesn’t exactly scream luxurious Alfredo sauce. But blended with basil, parmesan, garlic, and pasta water, it becomes incredibly creamy without feeling overly heavy or rich. This is a simple weeknight dinner that just might end up in heavy rotation.

👉 Try the recipe here.

And this is my absolute must have blender. It's worth every penny (and you can save a few right now becuase it's on sale!)

Last week, we asked if you encourage your kids to share their toys while playing with others, and a little over 70% of you said, "Of course!" while around 15% said, "No! It should be up to them if they want to share."