The Wolf of Preschool
According to recent numbers, the average price of preschool is around $10,000 annually. Of course, there are free options out there, but for those who are paying, $10,000 seems to be the average.

But there are some parents in New York City dropping $70,000 a year on their child's preschool tuition.

For reference, the average annual tuition for public, four-year colleges is $11,610 for state residents, and $30,780 for out-of-state residents.

So what makes these preschools so special?

The important bits
At Avenues: The World School, one of the most expensive preschools in the city, toddlers as young as one are fully immersed in Mandarin or Spanish from the moment they arrive.

Songs, games, and stories ensure fluency develops naturally. Suri Cruise, daughter of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, went there... if that means anything to you.

At Saint Ann’s, where preschool tuition starts at $55,300, grades and disciplinary actions are off the table. The school rejects rankings and comparisons, opting instead for narrative progress reports. From kindergarten on, teachers go by their first names, and there’s no dress code.

More insanity can be found here.

What's it all mean?
There's a 4-year-old named Charles walking around NYC speaking Mandarin. Beyond that? Undetermined. One thing we know for sure, your kid does not need to attend a $70,000 a year preschool to be successful. Here are the 10 skills they do need.

🍬 Cane sugar vs. high fructose corn syrup
Coca-Cola recently announced that they'll be releasing a cane sugar version of their product this fall. It's a move that's been applauded by many and seen almost as a victory for our nation's health, but is it really? Well, not really. Experts note that since cane sugar has a nearly identical composition to high-fructose corn syrup, it comes with many of the same health concerns. However, there is a chance high-fructose corn syrup might be harder on the liver.

🤑 Your kids are spending A LOT of money
Kids born between 2010 and 2024 are now generating $100 billion in direct spending power annually. That’s almost equivalent to Bulgaria’s entire gross domestic product. According to the report, Gen Alpha is spending an average of two hours each week online shopping. The most popular companies? Nike, Roblox, Amazon, TikTok and Temu. How are kids getting all this money to spend? Find out here.

🚘 The safest cars for your precious cargo
According to a recent Cars.com survey, 70% of parents say car seats influenced their car purchasing decision. So which cars are the safest/best fit for your baby's car seat? Well, seven vehicles made the honor roll, including the 2025 Genesis GV80, 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, and 2025 Subaru Crosstrek. Get the full report here.

🪄 DIY magic for your kid's childhood
A mom on TikTok asked her followers to share how their parents made childhood magical, without spending lots of money. Some of the ideas are super cute! One user shared how their dad would sneak into their room before work and hide their stuffed animals in silly spots so it looked like they had been partying. There are definitely some clever ideas to steal!

📍 Instagram has a new map feature
Here's why you should quickly turn it off.

Pizza? Yuck!
Reddit's #parenting thread had a lot to say over this topic: "My once 'good eater' now refuses even pizza. What am I supposed to do?!".

Picky eating peaks between ages 2 and 6. And even though it's completely normal, it's still stressful.

This week I'm sharing my take on the "what am I supposed to do?" question, with 8 specific actions you can take today.

Colombian singer Maluma made headlines this week after he stopped a sold-out concert to scold a mother who brought her baby to the show without ear protection.

"Do you think it’s a good idea to bring a one-year-old baby to a concert where the decibels are this … high? Where the sound is this loud?" he asked her in front of thousands.

Last week, we asked what your boy/girl ratio was, and around 60% of you said, "At least one boy and one girl," while 20% said, "Only girls," and 15% said, "One and done!"

If you’ve ever wondered why potty training can feel so much harder than it “should,” you’re not alone.

This week on the podcast, Kiyah is joined by Michelle Swaney, founder and CEO of The Potty School and author of The Complete Guide to Potty Training, for a refreshingly honest look at this milestone.

In this episode: They talk about why culture, motivation, and planning all matter — and how positive reinforcement (and sometimes expert guidance) can make the process less stressful for everyone. Michelle also shares important insights for parents of kids with special needs, reminding us there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.

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