Aug 10, 2026 · 4 min listen · Last updated August 10, 2026
From storyflo. This is your daily audio brief. Chloe, August 10th. The morning read — ten things in health worth the eight minutes. Let's get into it. First, from MOM BRAIN. The Real Cost of Kids | Volume 38. It takes a village...
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Daily Parenting Brief · August 10th
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The Real Cost of Kids | Volume 38
It takes a village... and a whole lot more. We asked real parents to share a peek behind the curtain, from daycare that costs more than their mortgage to the surprising economics of buying berries in bulk. A family of 3, 1 child who is 3 months old, living in Hainesville, IL What is your annual household income? (total annual HHI before taxes) What has surprised you as the most expensive part of having kids? The equipment! Strollers and car seats especially.
Hey, so I was reading this post from a psychologist named Jacqueline Nesi, and she was talking about her recent vacation to Kennebunkport, Maine. She and her husband went without their kids for a few days, and she joked that every day felt like at least seven – basically, they were feeling like they'd been gone for a month. They also found out that Kennebunkport is really into the lobster theme, with lobster everything from food to merchandise.
Anyway, Jacqueline talked about how much she loved reading on the beach, and she recommended two books: David Sedaris' essay collection "The Land and Its People" and "Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better". She said she enjoyed learning new facts from the second book and excitedly sharing them with her husband.
If you're looking for some beach reading, Jacqueline suggested checking out some popular posts from her blog, Techno Sapiens. She mentioned a few articles, including one about a short essay that covers a lot of topics, including abstract thought and AI consciousness, and another about the benefits of using a "dumbphone" instead of a smartphone. She also talked about a recent study from Common Sense Media that found that 86% of kids are using AI in some capacity, and nearly a quarter of them are using it daily.
Lastly, she recommended her most popular post of the summer, which is about whether our attention spans are shrinking and what that means for us. It's a pretty interesting read, and I think you might enjoy it.
My kids have four more weeks of summer break and I’m bouncing between savor every moment! let’s go to the pool! what remains on our summer bucket list? oh my gosh our house desperately needs to be decluttered. being back on routine will be nice. a crisp fall day sounds delightful. I’m not wishing time away but one of my favorite simple joys is anticipating the goodness ahead. We’re in a sweet spot of being able to hold on to summer while starting to open our minds and hearts to back to school season.
60 Expensive-Looking Things That Make You Look Hotter & Are So Cheap
So I found this article about affordable products that can make you look hotter. They've got a list of 60 things, but I'll give you the highlights. First up, there's this bubble dress made from lightweight chiffon that's great for warmer weather. It's a loose-fitting silhouette, so it's perfect for a casual day out.
Next, they've got this lariat necklace that's made from 14-karat gold-plated metal. It's delicate and layered, and it drops down below the collarbone to accentuate plunging necklines. Plus, it's lightweight and won't tarnish over time.
For your lips, they recommend this tinted lip oil that's nourishing and adds a natural pop of color. It's got ingredients like avocado and jojoba oil for hydration, and it's non-sticky so it won't feel heavy on your lips.
They also have this lace demi bra that's meant to be seen. It's got floral-embroidered mesh cups and supportive underwire, and the adjustable straps allow for a customizable fit. The pretty details will pop when layered under sheer blouses and low-cut tank tops.
Another great find is this halter neckline mini dress that's made from airy chiffon material. It's got ruching at the waist and a fully-lined skirt, and it's very light and comfortable to wear. You can tighten or loosen the ties as needed.
They've also got this lace maxi skirt that's made in a floor-sweeping design. It's see-through with intricate floral embroidery, and it can be dressed up or down depending on what you style it with. Try wearing it by itself with nude underwear or layered over jeans for added dimension.
If you're looking to put a more elevated spin on a tried-and-true classic, they recommend this keyhole t-shirt made from soft slub-jersey material. It's got an O-ring embellishment at the neckline, and you can wear it with jeans and heels or boots for a casual but cute ensemble.
Lastly, they've got this shimmery body oil that's made from pure cocoa butter. It's got ultra-hydrating lipids that nourish and melt into the skin, and it's not greasy or sticky after application. The warm vanilla scent is a bonus.