u/theatlantic

Hi, r/raisingkids! As writers who cover families and parenting, we’re thinking about what it means to raise kids in today’s world.

I (Russell Shaw) am a contributing writer at The Atlantic and the former head of Georgetown Day School. This month, I launched a new eight-week newsletter guide with The Atlantic, where I’m writing about how to parent with more happiness and less worry. I’ve previously written about my observations as both an educator and a parent, including stories about how parents can unplug from their children during summer camp, why many kids who are labeled “difficult” possess the very qualities that will help them succeed later in life, and why parents who follow their kids to college risk limiting their child’s chance for growth.

As for me (Olga Khazan), I’m a staff writer at The Atlantic and the author of Me, But Better: The Science and Promise of Personality Change. I’ve written about what happened when I tried baby-led weaning, why telling moms that “it takes a village” is unhelpful advice, and why avoiding ultra-processed foods while raising kids is an unrealistic expectation for parents.

And I (Stephanie Murray) am a contributing writer at The Atlantic and a former public-policy researcher. I’ve recently reported on subjects such as the problem with child-led potty training, a growing body of research that suggests commuting is particularly harmful to moms, and the pros and cons of communal kid discipline.

We’re here to answer your questions about the nuances of parenting. Ask us anything!

— Russell, Olga, and Stephanie