Daily Parenting Brief · October 14th

Tonight’s event went well, with a good turnout and insightful questions from attendees. There was a mix-up with the link initially sent out, but a corrected link has been provided for access. If you haven’t registered yet, there’s still time to join tomorrow night’s Substack Live featuring Michelle Kuo and Albert Wu, who will discuss estrangement, cultural differences, and some common questions surrounding these topics. It sounds like a valuable conversation. For those interested in catching up on tonight’s session, there’s an option to get the recording of "My Child is Back: Now What?" so you won’t miss out.

We adore Julie Benko, the Broadway legend in the making who dazzled as Fanny Brice in “Funny Girl,” delights us with her renditions of Yiddish songs, brought a tear to our eyes with her mashup of “Tomorrow” and the Hanukkah blessings (alongside Cantor Azi Schwartz) and brought even more tears to my eyes with her cover of Brandi Carlile’s instant tearjerker “The Mother.” Last month, at a High Holiday concert celebrating the Jewish Broadway community, Benko appeared alongside other Jewish Broadway performers like Tovah Feldshuh and Ari’el Stachel to mark the new year.

Zibby Owens has made a career of boosting authors and digging into their stories and inspiration. As the host of “Totally Booked With Zibby” she’s released more than 2,000 podcast episodes interviewing authors from David Duchovny to Rachel Goldberg-Polin; Susan Lucci to Harlan Coben; and everyone in between. Her boutique publishing house, Zibby Publishing, has published more than 40 books since 2023. With her latest book, “Between Chapters,” which came out last month, Zibby turns the focus on herself, sharing insights from a time of huge personal upheaval (Middle age! Divorce! Weight loss!).

Navigating the shift from parenting kids to parenting adults can be really tough. It’s a big change when you’ve spent years making decisions for them, and then suddenly, you’re supposed to step back. The author shares five phrases they stopped using with their adult children to foster healthier relationships.

First, instead of offering unsolicited advice, they now ask, “Do you want my advice, or do you want me to just listen?” This simple question respects their independence. They also stopped keeping score of sacrifices, realizing that guilt isn’t a loving gesture.

Celebrating each child individually helps avoid harmful comparisons, and they emphasize the importance of embracing new family dynamics when a child marries. Instead of feeling like they’re losing a child, they focus on being a supportive in-law. Lastly, they learned to genuinely apologize for past mistakes without reopening old wounds during new disagreements.

This shift from being a manager to a consultant in their children’s lives has made a positive difference, encouraging more open communication. The takeaway? When you create a safe space rather than a controlling one, your adult kids are more likely to reach out.

You know how sometimes you find those little home upgrades that just make everything feel nicer? Well, there’s a list of 65 great finds, all under $20, that can really elevate your space without breaking the bank. For instance, there's this jumbo mug that looks fancy but is super practical, perfect for everything from appetizers to ice cream.

Then, there are these Nordic-style drawer organizers made from soft felt, which keep your things tidy and quiet. And if you want a touch of whimsy, a cute bathroom cup dispenser can turn those disposable cups into a stylish feature.

For tea lovers, a durable glass tea infuser mug lets you steep right in the cup, plus it’s easy to clean. If you’re looking to maximize kitchen space, magnetic refrigerator shelves are a clever solution, and they come with hooks for utensils too.

And if you need a little light in your reading nook, there’s a mini bookshelf lamp that adds a cozy glow. Plus, a wireless doorbell can be set up in seconds, which is super handy.

There are also some delightful touches like scented drawer liners and a charming pumpkin ramekin for fall recipes. So, if you’re in the mood to refresh your home, these budget-friendly upgrades might just do the trick!

The article dives into the financial struggles many millennials face, particularly the feeling of being "fine but not OK." It highlights how, despite hitting financial milestones like earning $100,000, many still experience low-grade dread about their financial security. Experts describe this state as living without a margin or being financially vulnerable, which is surprisingly common.

The piece emphasizes that it's not about frivolous spending like lattes; rather, it's the rising costs of essentials like housing and childcare that have outpaced wages. This creates a persistent sense of anxiety, which can take a toll on mental health and creativity.

Interestingly, many people feel isolated in their struggles, often believing others are doing better, which prevents open conversations about finances. Experts suggest reframing thoughts about money stress, planning for worst-case scenarios, and separating funds into different accounts to alleviate anxiety. They stress that financial pain is valid, regardless of one's income level, and encourage building a small financial cushion whenever possible.