Author Archives: Jen Thorpe

About Jen Thorpe

I have a B.S. in Education and am a former teacher and day care worker. I started working as a freelance writer in 2010 and have written for many topics here at Families.com.

Reader’s Digest Suggests March Holidays

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Reader’s Digest posted a lot of popular and fun March holidays that you can share with your kids. In 2025, they recommended Women’s History Month, St. Patrick’s Day, Irish American Heritage Month, and Mardi Gras. Reader’s Digest included an extensive amount of March Holidays that you can celebrate. Irish American Heritage Day Expanding Girls’ Horizons in Science and Engineering Month National Cheerleading Safety Month National Kidney Month National Deaf History Month National Music In Our Schools Month National Women’s History Month Weekly March Holidays Sea Week (March 2-10) Chocolate Chip Cookie Week (March 3-9) Women in Construction Week (March 3-9) … Continue reading →

4 Out of Ten LGBTQ+ Youth Are Considering Moving Out Of Their Home State

LGBTQ+ youth are incredibly concerned and aware of the political landscape. As state policies continue to endanger laws around access to gender-affirming healthcare, a new Trevor Project Survey shows that these young people are far more likely to considering moving from state to state, Parents reported. The Trevor Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to suicide prevention and crisis intervention for LGBTQ+ young people. The report analyzed data showing the overlap between LGBTQ+ youth’s perceived safety and mental well-being, and state policies. It then used information from the Movement Advancement Project to assess the social and political landscapes that led … Continue reading →

Parents Favoritism Isn’t A Myth

If you’ve ever wondered whether your parents secretly had a favorite child, they might have. Parents may be more inclined to confer the “favorite child award” to daughters and children who are agreeable and conscientious, according to research published by the American Psychological Association. “For decades, researchers have known that differential treatment from parents can have lasting consequences for children,” said lead author Alexander Jensen, PhD, an associate professor at Brigham Young University. “This study helps us understand which children are more likely to be on the receiving end of favoritism, which can be both positive and negative.” The study … Continue reading →

What Is Your Parenting Style?

Parents.com wrote: From authorities to authoritative, permissive to neglectful, we’re breaking down different types of parenting styles. Which one do you practice? Your parenting style can affect everything from your child’s self-esteem to their academic success. It’s important to ensure your parenting style supports healthy growth and development because the way you interact with your child — and how you discipline them — will influence them for the rest of their life. Researchers have identified four main parenting styles that take a unique approach to raising children: Authoritarian, Authoritative, Permissive, and Uninvolved. People want to know which parenting style they’re … Continue reading →

Most Infuriating Challenges to Free-Range Parenting

Reason reported stories from 2024 that drove free-range parents crazy. Child Reported Walking: As Reason was the very first to report, authorities charged Georgia mom Brittany Patterson with “reckless conduct” after her son, age 10, walked to town — population 370 — without. telling her. The cops came to her home, handcuffed her in front of her kids, and threw her in jail. Child services then tried to require Patterson to track her child at all times. Child Reported Bicycling: “The police were called because my 8-year-old was riding her bike on our street,” Kentucky mom Kay Eskridge told Reason. … Continue reading →

Famous Quotes To Use As New Year Wishes

Happy New Year! Good Housekeeping provided some famous quotes to use as New Year’s wishes.  “A New Year’s resolution is something that goes in one ear and other the other.” — Unknown “Let our New Year’s resolution be this: We will be there for one another as fellow members of humanity, in the finest sense of the word.” —Göran Persson “This is a new year. A new beginning. And things will change.” – Taylor Swift “One thing with gazing too frequently into the past is that we may turn around to ind the future has run out on us.” — … Continue reading →

Best Things To Do On New Year’s Eve To Celebrate 2025

Each and every year has its own story but by the 365th day (or 366th day, in 2024’s case), its almost always the same song and dance: a day of reflection followed by an evening of celebration, Woman’s Day reported. While glitzy and glamorous parties and late-night glamorous parties and late-night dinner reservations are popular choices for closing out one year and entering another, in reality, there are so many things to do on New Year’s Eve, many of which can be accomplished without even leaving your home. If you pride yourself on living mindfully and in the moment, you … Continue reading →

Christmas Facts

Christmas is celebrated on December 25 and is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. For two millennia, people around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature, history.com reported. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis if their religion. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends, and, of course, waiting for Santa Clause to arrive.  December 25 – Christmas Day … Continue reading →

How To Avoid Conflicts During Holiday Gatherings

Thanksgiving might be a time for gratitude and spending time with loved ones, but visiting family during holidays can often be stressful for many people. While some might look forward to making more cherished memories with their close circle, those same gatherings may be a source of dread for others, Yahoo! Life reported. In fact, more than half of Canadians find holiday seasons to have a negative impact on their mental health, according to a Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) survey. Moreover, 52 percent of those reported they have increased feelings of anxiety and depression.  There are many factors that … Continue reading →

Target Releases Its Cheapest-Ever Thanksgiving Meal Deal

Target is lowering the price of its Thanksgiving meal bundle, adding to the roughly 8,000 products that have been discounted as it attempts to attract inflation-weary shoppers during the holiday season. Priced at $20, a $5 decrease from 2023, the Thanksgiving meal feeds four people and includes all the usual holiday fixings: a frozen turkey (up to 10 pounds), potatoes, canned green beans, cream of mushroom soup, a boxed stuffing mix and jarred gravy. The deal is a mix of name brands and the Target-owned Good & Gather label. “One of the themes we consistently hear is the need for … Continue reading →