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The first 1,000 days of life shape every day that follows.
We need to know more about them.
A beat by Irene Caselli
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Populism meets parenting
Childhood is political. The decisions about who has a child, when, and how go far beyond personal choices. Authoritarian and populist politicians the world over are despairing over falling birth rates. They are trying (and often succeeding) to set strict rules about conception and birth
Forever in the archive
This is not the tragic death of a black boy. It is structural racism
I keep playing the scenes over in my head. First scene: a black boy is inside a lift and a white woman stands outside, talking to the boy before seemingly pressing a button. The doors close, the boy presses more buttons and remains alone, with
Meet the parenting expert who thinks parenting is a terrible invention
There’s no shortage of books, magazines and websites offering parenting advice. But the idea that parents can turn children into better and more successful adults if only they use the right methods is completely misguided, says developmental psychologist and philosopher Alison Gopnik. Children behave in mysterious
Welcome to the magical land of home
Last week the peace and quiet of my parents’ well-curated rooftop terrace, which includes a collection of cacti they picked up all over the Americas and repotted here in Naples, was disturbed by workers refurbishing the building next door. My parents were horrified as the
Understanding this will help you fight less with your kids at home
Now that we spend more time than ever under the same roof as our children, understanding how they play will help you look at your home differently – and maybe fight a little less too.
I’m still breastfeeding – and it shouldn’t be your business. But if you make it your business, these are the things you should know about it
A premise: I know that breastfeeding is a divisive issue. Even though I’m a big fan and I write about early childhood, I haven’t written much about it because I don’t like conflict (Eirene was the Greek goddess of peace – and I’m named after her),
Why should young people be involved in politics? Kids, the floor is yours …
In last week’s newsletter, I told you about the international chat we had organised about why politicians should listen to kids. This came off the back of my latest article, in which I wrote about how important it is for politicians to involve children in politics.
Young people are reckless and question everything. Which is exactly why they deserve a place in politics
The teenagers of Naples are making out on the rocks by the sea, as the afternoon sun sparkles on the water. They hug and kiss hello and make jokes about having to wash their hands or else they may die. Many don’t wear face masks
Jacinda Ardern was mocked for telling kids the Tooth Fairy is an essential worker. But here’s why that’s politics done right
Once upon a time, there lived people who thought politics was just for grownups. But young people have a clear worldview of their own – and their moral clarity could be just what we need to shake up stagnant political systems.
Calling on grandparents
As I type this, construction workers are hammering outside my window, standing on a mobile scaffolding. The noise of traffic joins in, rising all the way up to the second floor. Then comes the smell of freshly-baked pizza from the joint just below. Such mundane
On the other side of fog
Since I published my piece about play last week, a very interesting conversation has been unfolding below it. In the article, I focused on how necessary unstructured play is for us as a species in order to learn. But some great contributions from members and invited experts pushed
Forever in the archive:
On love, care, and the role of family
I’m back at work today after the Easter weekend, when I had a couple of days off. It meant extra family time at a time when family time seems to be all I get. But since reading developmental psychologist Alison Gopnik, an inspiring thinker when it
Stop judging parents by how their children fare
Being a mother comes with a lot of conflicted feelings. I go from wanting to literally bite into my son’s chubby thighs and cheeks to wanting to scream at him when it’s midnight and he doesn’t feel like sleeping. It’s a rollercoaster. Adoration mixed in
On tooth fairies and dreamy swims in lockdown
I’ve been in lockdown in Naples, Italy, for three weeks now. The rules are strict here; we can only go out with a self-certification showing that we’re doing groceries or going to the pharmacy. Since I’m staying with my parents, I’m being extra careful for
Let’s get our v-words right! And other lessons you have taught me
Last week I published a story about things I wished I knew about sex when I was younger, inspired by Sex Education, a Netflix series that I really enjoy. When it was posted, I could hear part of myself screaming inside my head: How can you
12 things I wish I knew about sex before I started having it
The Netflix series Sex Education got me thinking about those early awkward moments of confusion when I became sexually active. So, inspired by the series, here’s a list of some of the things that I wish I had known back then.
Lessons on entertaining ourselves indoors from the masters of simple play
I’ve been in lockdown for a week now. I’m in Naples, Italy, and the coronavirus containment measures caught me, my husband and my child at my parents’ place, during a visit. Since we have a nomadic lifestyle, and no home, we simply had to stay
How do we raise a feminist?
Every person who believes men are superior to women was once a child. People who see women as possessions passed on from their fathers to their husbands; as child bearers and kitchen cleaners; as worthless on the sports field or in the boardroom; as leaders
Women! Women everywhere (even on the walls)
Powerful marches and strikes were led by women in Latin America to mark International Women’s Day this year – something I’ve missed since I’m in Italy, where public gatherings are to be kept to a minimum because of coronavirus containment strategies. Women in Latin America marched
I was writing about male and female brains, but I decided to kill my story. This is why
In early January, I published a piece about raising a son while trying to avoid gender stereotypes. The piece stirred up much debate and discussion. Some readers questioned the science behind the piece and why I had decided to refer to neuroscientists who question just how important the
Do you have questions about raising a child you were always too afraid to ask? Now is your chance!
Since starting my job as the First 1,000 Days correspondent, I began getting emails and messages from friends asking me for parenting advice. Which children’s books do I suggest? How soon could someone stop breastfeeding? Any tips for flying with a small child? To be
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