week 3 of living in nyc (!!!) & yesterday a tourist asked me for subway directions and I knew the answer 😎 loving it here so far. if you’re in the caregiving space in nyc, drop me a line! also hoping to connect with more creatives/playwrights/theatre artists here. dms open!

The U.S. birth rate is declining - but fertility among women 40+ is on the rise. "I feel like I'm more stable financially, mentally, physically in my 40s than I was in my younger years," said Sherita Coardes, a 44-year-old mom of 2. www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

"It was really hard and scary to find the help we need," said Stephanie Bohn, founder of TrulyCare and mom to a teen with a rare disorder. "My daughter cannot do anything for herself. She relies on us for everything. It is always on my mind." www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

The Brewers are a "one and done family, not by choice." Kailah Brewer, 32, wants a second baby. But even with $100k/year, her family can't afford it. When she sees pronatalism news, she said it "feels like a slap in the face." www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

President Donald Trump has made it no secret he wants a baby boom. Is it here? Certainly within his administration, it seems to be. More widely, however, that question is complicated, experts say. www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

Actress Yvette Nicole Brown on caring for her father, who has Alzheimer's disease: "I was one of those people that had vowed that my dad would never be outside of my home. But to keep him in my home right now would have been a detriment to him." www.usatoday.com/story/entert... via @usatoday.com

Most states don't guarantee paid parental leave for teachers, leaving many needing to choose between their students and their own kids. "I put my heart and soul into teaching... But, I mean, I'm a mom first, and so I had to choose them." www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

Tiffany Barrera, 31, is a recently widowed mother of five. Her partner, who was the primary breadwinner for their family, died while trying to cross the Rio Grande after he was deported in November. "He did everything for us," Barrera said. www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

People talk about finding "the one" romantically. But what happens when "the one" becomes your caregiver? Is love enough to get you through? "Love is not a plan. That's not a plan for long-term care," said author and sociologist Laura Mauldin. www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... @usatoday.com

When Jennifer Taylor found out she had cancer, she didn't want her husband to come with her to chemo. She wanted her best friend. "It's girl time," her BFF, Adrien Finkel, said. "There's something about the gathering of women that is so healing." www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

In many ways, Savannah Guthrie's story reads like a Hollywood script -- it's unfathomable to the average American. But anyone who's experienced the struggles of caring for an aging parent from afar can relate, on some level. www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

Hi, friends. I'm writing about aging adults and screen time -- particularly sandwich generation folks worried their parents are getting sucked into online conspiracies. If you have a personal story to tell about this, I'm listening. Message me here or email me at [email protected].

"He was in the NICU longer than he was at our house, by the time I started work. He probably knew the nurses better than he knew me, you know?" Colorado and Illinois recently passed protections for working NICU parents. Read more about it here: www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

Having grandchildren is good for you, experts say. New research has even found being an active grandparent may slow cognitive decline. Read more about how grandparenting is good for you, here: www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

You've heard of helicopter parents. But what about helicopter grandparents? Some grandparents "forget that there's a whole parent world that they need to respect," said psychologist Dale Atkins. "They're not your children." www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

Her kids were in Seattle. Her parents were in India. She cared for them all. "I feel now that maybe I didn't give my full attention to my two girls, because I feel like I was worried for my parents," said Tej Pillai, 55. www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

The summer camp signup frenzy is in full swing. Registration for Anne Moore's daughter starts at 8 a.m. "By 8:10, they're full." "If I happen to be in a meeting for work, then I miss that opportunity," she said. Read more in my latest for @usatoday.com: www.usatoday.com/story/life/h...

Ashley Tisdale left her "toxic" mom group. Should you? "There is just an enormous amount of pressure on mothers to get everything right," said parent group researcher Maia Cucchiara. "And I think it makes parenting really hard for people." www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

After a story we published in @usatoday.com last month about Johnika Jamison and her family battling homelessness, her GoFundMe raised $60K. Other readers told me they're struggling, too. Here are some of their stories: www.usatoday.com/story/life/h...

I'm 28. Recently an AI tool told me I'll need long term care help when I turn 86, and it'll cost $10 million. Is it too early to start saving? If there's one thing I've learned covering caregiving for @usatoday.com, it's that planning is essential. www.usatoday.com/story/life/h...

She was a school counselor for a decade. Now, her family of 5 is homeless. "Things are really the worst that they've ever been," Johnika Jamison, 38, says. "And it's really linked to me having to care for everybody else." www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

More than 1 in 5 child care workers are immigrants. New data from @NewAmerica shows increased ICE activity has led to 39,000 fewer foreign-born child care workers and, in turn, 77,000 fewer working moms. "It's absolutely chilling." www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

Ed Bambas is 88 and still working. A viral TikTok is helping him retire. www.usatoday.com/story/money/... via @usatoday.com

We asked readers what would make caregiving easier. Hundreds of you responded, dreaming of free mental health counseling, universal respite care and more. Are those things possible? I spoke with care and policy experts to find out. www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

Great culture can save lives. Literally. Amazing letter in today’s @thetimes.com about Tom Stoppard

She cared for her dad while going through her own chemo. He's 34, afraid no employers will want him once he's done caring for his mom. She's a sandwich generation mom, and the weight of care sent her to the hospital. This is caregiving in America: www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... @usatoday.com

Hi there! I'm looking to talk with parents of adult children who still pay for their adult kids' big-ticket extra expenses (birthday parties, vacations, etc.). If you're interested in talking with me for this story, message me at [email protected].

Not everyone can recreate their childhood home like Chris Hemsworth did in his new film. But families can easily use reminiscence therapy with their loved ones who have dementia. Here's how: www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

Zohran Mamdani promised New Yorkers free child care. Is that even possible? It won't be easy, and it won't happen overnight. But "it seems, for the first time, that the political stars are almost in alignment," said Alyson Silkowski of @newamerica.org. www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... @usatoday.com

It's World Kindness Day. I spoke with kindness experts (yes, those exist!) about how being kind and caring is good for you -- reducing stress, increasing happiness and collaboration and even leading to physical health benefits like better immunity. www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

A documentary following Chris Hemsworth on a road trip with his dad comes out Nov. 23. His dad has Alzheimer's disease. "I just find myself wanting to spend more time with him," Hemsworth said. www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

"My father waited until 10 days before he died to tell me how he wanted to handle his end of life." The sandwich generation is feeling financial & emotional strain as families have difficult conversations about care for aging parents. www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

Caregivers are in crisis. How bad it is depends on where you live. "When financial strain hits 59% of family caregivers in Georgia compared to just 34% in Minnesota... it's clear that patchwork state solutions aren't enough." -Jason Resendez www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

Kevin Tang is a 13-year-old scientist from California. When his grandmother fell 5 years ago, he got an idea. His fall detection invention landed him $25,000 and the title of "America's Top Young Scientist." Read about Kevin and his invention: www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

Frankie Acevedo's 5-year-old wants to be near him all the time, whether he's in the kitchen, backyard or even in the bathroom. Does that make his son a Velcro kid? Or is Frankie a Velcro parent? And what if Frankie wants a moment to himself? Read about it here: www.usatoday.com/story/life/h...

SAHMs and empty nesters are at a disadvantage in the job market. "One of the biggest barriers is creating a resume. If you haven't been in the workforce for 20 years... it's like, 'Oh my God, how do I even get started on that?'" -Business strategist Scott Siff www.usatoday.com/story/money/...

Emily Hausman was laid off while pregnant. She moved from NYC to her parents' place in Utah and had her son, Zeke. Two months later, she found out she had cancer. At first, she felt alone. But kind strangers restored her faith in humanity. www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

Breast cancer is rising in younger women, leaving mothers juggling parenting and treatment. Here's what that looks like, and what doctors are worried about with younger cancer patients: www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

Some fans are upset that Taylor Swift is singing and talking about wanting to settle down. But since when did wanting to get married and have kids get so political? @nicolefallert.bsky.social and I get into it, here: www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

It's me, hi. I'm writing about Taylor Swift again, it's me. I thought "Eldest Daughter" would wreck me. Instead, it made me grateful for the love in my life. www.usatoday.com/story/entert... via @usatoday.com

Julian Furman, 43, said he sometimes wishes he didn't have autism "because then I wouldn't have a bunch of anxiety." But he thinks autism "can be a good thing." People with autism have special abilities, he said. "They can be smart." www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

Jennifer Cortes is in the sandwich generation, caring for her 82-year-old father with vascular dementia. Even when respite care comes, Cortes said she can't relax but has to translate between Spanish and English for the home health aide. www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

New Mexico is the first state to offer free universal child care. The state's child care assistance program will extend to all families on Nov. 1. How does it work? Who's paying for it? These questions and more, answered, in my latest for @usatoday.com: www.usatoday.com/story/money/...

Caregiving doesn't have to end your career. Problem solving. Time management. Negotiation. Adaptability. Empathy. Compassion. Communication. These are all skills caregivers have, and employers value, experts say. www.usatoday.com/story/money/... via @usatoday.com

"It's good that men are gaining; we want to see those wages go up. We know families need it. But we also can't be in the situation where we're seeing women being left further and further behind." Was glad to chat with @maddiemitch.bsky.social about today's new #wagegap data. Read the whole piece!

Some #breaking #genderwagegap news: It's getting wider. New Census data shows the gender wage gap widened for the second year in a row. For every dollar a man makes in America, a woman made 84 cents in 2022, 83 cents in 2023 and 81 cents in 2024. www.usatoday.com/story/money/... via @usatoday.com

America's moms love their jobs. Why are so many leaving them? I teamed up with @baileyschulz.bsky.social & @jguynn.bsky.social on this story about mothers with young children leaving the workforce. Here's why it's happening and why it matters: www.usatoday.com/story/money/... via @usatoday.com

Parents are spending more than they expected on their kids. New data shows 77% of parents said that they felt pressure to keep up with other families by spending more than they should. www.usatoday.com/story/money/... via @usatoday.com

“I do love parenting," @elissastrauss.bsky.social said. "But I feel like the second I say that out loud, I’m a trad wife.” The "girl boss" and "trad wife" trends online can be damaging for moms, experts say. You can read all about it in my latest for @usatoday.com: www.usatoday.com/story/money/...

Paying out of pocket. Amazon wish lists. Kristen Bell? How teachers buy school supplies www.usatoday.com/story/money/... via @usatoday.com