Life Kit: Parenting

4.6 (630)
KIDS & FAMILY
UPDATED BIMONTHLY

Raising awesome kids takes help. NPR has science and experts to get you through the toughest parenting moments. Updated every time we have Life Kit episodes on parenting.Want another life hack? Try Life Kit+. Your subscription supports the show and unlocks an exclusive sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/lifekit

DEC 1

The key to a less frantic holiday season

There can be a lot of stress when it comes to the holidays: figuring out travel plans, preparing the perfect meal, spending time with the whole family for days on end. There can also be a lot pressure to do everything perfectly, but psychotherapist and author of All Is Calmish: How to Feel Less Frantic and More Festive During the Holidays, Niro Feliciano, says that letting go of the need for perfection can actually make your holiday less stressful. This episode, Feliciano shares tips for keeping your holiday season merry and bright. Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekitSign up for our newsletter here.Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at lifekit@npr.orgSupport the show and listen to it sponsor-free by signing up for Life Kit+ at plus.npr.org/lifekit Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

23 min
OCT 2

How to talk toddler

Toddlerhood is a big and beautiful period of self-discovery. Kids are picking up new cognitive and motor skills and learning language a mile a minute. But there are some behaviors in this age range that can be confusing, frustrating or spirit-breaking for parents, like tantrums, hitting, stealing toys and more. This episode, Life Kit reporter Andee Tagle helps you decode your toddler's behavior and address it more strategically. Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekitSign up for our newsletter here.Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at lifekit@npr.orgSupport the show and listen to it sponsor-free by signing up for Life Kit+ at plus.npr.org/lifekit Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

27 min
SEP 25

A smarter way to pick the right college

When deciding between colleges, it can be tempting to let prestige guide your choice. But so many factors go into finding the right fit: research opportunities, campus extracurriculars, social life, specific classes or programs, and of course, very real financial considerations. This episode, higher education journalist Jeffrey Selingo, author of Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You, outlines what students and parents should consider when choosing a school. Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekitSign up for our newsletter here.Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at lifekit@npr.orgSupport the show and listen to it sponsor-free by signing up for Life Kit+ at plus.npr.org/lifekit Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

20 min
SEP 2

Teens are using AI. Here’s how parents can talk about it.

High school and college students graduating in 2026 will have had access to artificial intelligence models like ChatGPT since their freshman year. Teens are using it in creative ways to help them study, but many have also received little to no guidance on responsible use. In this episode, we discuss how to talk to teens about AI, including its risks and potential benefits for young people. Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekitSign up for our newsletter here.Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at lifekit@npr.orgSupport the show and listen to it sponsor-free by signing up for Life Kit+ at plus.npr.org/lifekit Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

24 min
AUG 19

A better way to support your teens as they go back to school

Today's teens struggle with perfectionism and mood swings, and their parents struggle to have hard conversations with them, according to a 2024 Walton Family Foundation and Gallup poll. Teen psychologist Lisa Damour explains how parents can better support their kids as a new school year begins. This episode originally published Aug. 27, 2024. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

23 min
JUL 29

Hidden ways technology can influence your parenting decisions

From pregnancy tracking apps to smart baby monitors, technology is ingrained in parenthood at every turn. But at what cost? In this episode, Amanda Hess, author of Second Life: Having a Child in the Digital Age, shares how data, metrics and our relationship to technology can shape child-rearing — and create barriers between parents and their kids. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

26 min
JUL 24

How to embrace the mess and teach your kids to cook

If you have kids, cooking with them might sound like a daunting prospect. But David Nayfeld, the chef behind the new book, Dad, What's for Dinner?, says cooking with your kids can create positive memories and help your kids build useful skills. In this episode, Nayfeld shares easy weeknight recipes to try with your kids and cooking tasks children can help with at any age. Yes, it might get messy, but that's OK if you're connecting and spending time together. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

19 min
MAY 6

How to maintain your friendships after kids

It can be tough to navigate adult friendships when kids come into the picture. Parents assume their child-free buds don't want to hang out with them, and vice versa. To overcome this divide, reporter Emily Siner speaks with three experts about what makes friendships work across parenting stages. So whether you have kids, want kids, have friends with kids, or know anyone who could have kids someday, we've got you covered. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

20 min

See All (110)

Everyone needs a little help being a human. From sleep to saving money to parenting and more, host Marielle Segarra talks to experts to get the best advice out there. Life Kit is here to help you get it together. Want another life hack? Try Life Kit+. You'll support the show and unlock exclusive curated playlists and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org/lifekit

4.4 (4465)

SELF-IMPROVEMENT
Taking care of yourself shouldn't be complicated. We talk to the experts for practical advice to live a long and healthy life, based on science. Updated every time Life Kit posts an episode on health and wellness.Want another life hack? Try Life Kit+. Your subscription supports the show and unlocks an exclusive sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/lifekit

4.5 (411)

HEALTH & FITNESS
Being in control of your money leads to great things. From dealing with debt or student loans, to how to buy a house, NPR wants to help. Updated every time Life Kit posts an episode on personal finance or money.Want another life hack? Try Life Kit+. Your subscription supports the show and unlocks an exclusive sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/lifekit

4.1 (419)

BUSINESS
Chaos can happen everywhere in our lives. Whether it’s an out-of-control photo library or kitchen utensils that seem to multiply, the business of life is endless and often overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be! This playlist will help you reclaim your inner calm with tips for mastering your life admin. Subscribe to Life Kit Plus now to get exclusive access to this and other Life Kit playlists we’ll be adding over time, and get sponsor-free listening for new Life Kit episodes, too.

5.0 (4)

HOW TO
Been meaning to kickstart a new routine or looking for tips to maintain one that fits you? Whatever your fitness goals or challenges are, this playlist will help you get and keep your body moving. Subscribe to Life Kit Plus now to get exclusive access to this and other Life Kit playlists we’ll be adding over time, and get sponsor-free listening for new Life Kit episodes, too.

5.0 (1)

HEALTH & FITNESS
Why can it be so hard to do the things we know are good for us? Life Kit has some actionable tips on how to overcome that resistance. From drinking less alcohol to getting better sleep, these episodes from our archives walk through how to create healthy habits and get better at taking care of ourselves. Subscribe to Life Kit Plus now to get exclusive access to this and other Life Kit playlists we’ll be adding over time, and get sponsor-free listening for new Life Kit episodes, too.

3.8 (4)

SELF-IMPROVEMENT

View Subscription FAQs

4.6

out of 5

630 Ratings

Great info

10/22/2022

JayJay in LA

Love the Special Time episode! So much great info in this podcast
Lack of Diversity

02/09/2024

Unapologetically Independent

Only approaches parenting from one side of the political spectrum.
Admittedly Couldn’t Finish More Than One Episode

05/09/2023

Tresverte

Like all mothers, I love new information on how to raise good kids. And I adore most NPR podcasts. But after scrolling and scrolling through episode titles and previews trying to find one that didn’t sound like a learning capsule from “The School for Good Mothers” from the dystopian Jessamine Chan novel (read that instead), I tried one about getting kids to eat more vegetables. It started with a very young mother of one (the host, presumably?) explaining that her child hasn’t eaten vegetables in a year. WinTactualF? I promptly stopped the podcast and decided I’m doing fine. Find seasoned parents/humans to host and we might not all accidentally raise entitled fairy princess robots. The other episode I tried was just OK. Just savor every moment with your children and don’t beat yourself up if you didn’t squeeze special time in today. You’re doing great.
Quite interesting pers[ective

07/21/2021

Bkindle

What a broad type of perspectives

Raising awesome kids takes help. NPR has science and experts to get you through the toughest parenting moments. Updated every time we have Life Kit episodes on parenting.Want another life hack? Try Life Kit+. Your subscription supports the show and unlocks an exclusive sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/lifekit