teens

My Teens’ Social Lives Are Thriving, but My Wallet Isn’t

I have four kids. My youngest son and daughter, 12 and 14, respectively, are in middle school. They’ve both formed important friendships during this time — no small feat for kids this age — and being able to maintain these bonds is important to them and to me. That often…

I Quit Drinking and Enjoyed Italy More With My Teens and a Clear Head

I’ve been to Italy twice, each trip exactly two years to the day apart. While iconic spots like Rome’s Colosseum or Florence’s Piazza Santa Croce haven’t changed at all, there’s a lot about me that’s unrecognizable since my first visit.In recent years, I’ve started therapy, abandoned toxic friendships, and embraced…

Teens Invent Packaging to Replace Plastic, to Pitch to Amazon, FedEx

Three teenage boys in New York City have invented a clever packaging material that they hope will replace toxic plastics and make plastic-free shipping a reality.Zhi Han (Anthony) Yao, Flint Mueller, and James Clare are planning to pursue a patent and eventually pitch their product to Home Depot, as well…