parenting | The Walrus

Illustration of a woman walking across a tightrope against a royal blue background. Swirling in the air around her are various objects showing the collision of work and parenting life––paperwork, children's alphabetical building blocks, a cup of coffee, a bottle, and envelopes.

COVID-19 / Society

My Son Peed Onscreen in a Zoom Call, and Other Tales of a Working Parent

July 7, 2020July 16, 2020 - by Mihira Lakshman

In a pandemic, our economy is sending a clear message: you can either work or parent

Overhead view of a man working at table in a living room beside his young daughter doing homework, while his second daughter lies behind him on a sofa and looks at a tablet.

Education / First Person

Why Home-Schooling Was Right for Me

May 12, 2020 - by Elizabeth Howell

When school stifled my creativity, my parents turned to independent learning

A family silhouetted in orange against a dark purple background. A woman stands at the far left of the frame, and a man at the far right. In between them are three young children standing in close proximity.

Society

Divorce Can Make Flattening the Curve Even Harder

April 1, 2020May 1, 2020 - by Elisabeth de Mariaffi

The challenge of social distancing when staying home involves two different places

A row of children sit in front of a bookcase and read books studiously.

Society

The Biased Ways We Praise “Smart Kids”

March 10, 2020 - by Anne Thériault

When we prioritize certain interests as being “better” or “smarter,” we’re failing children whose talents lie in other areas

A portrait of two men and four children smiling and sitting on a couch

Society

Growing Up Mulroney

November 7, 2019June 13, 2020 - by Tessa Lloyd

Their father was prime minister for nearly a decade. What was it like to be his sons?

Baby crying in arms of father as wife paints chair

December 2018 / Technology

The Secret to the Perfect Lullaby

December 25, 2018March 31, 2020 - by David Sax

One of the world’s biggest toy makers races to engineer music that will put all babies to sleep

Technology

Why I Stopped Posting Pictures of My Kid on Facebook

May 13, 2018May 7, 2020 - by Alex Mlynek

Parents love sharing photos of their children on social media. But it’s time to start thinking about their online privacy rights

First Person

Are You Ever Ready to Be a Mother?

May 13, 2018November 12, 2019 - by Emma Knight

I found having a child isolating—but profoundly connecting as well

Man holding up anti-racism sign at protest in Toronto

Society

How Do I Talk to My Five-Year-Old about White Supremacy?

August 25, 2017August 27, 2020 - by Kalli Anderson

We’re supposed to explain the world to our children—but lately that’s been harder than ever

Society

How a White Mom Teaches Her Black Son To Stay Alive in America

August 16, 2017April 5, 2020 - by Stormy Stipe

Educating my son about hatred has taught us both painful lessons about racism