Summer Breaks & Fun News

May 2025, here we come!

Greetings from Austin! I’m here visiting my good friend Meredith (who writes her own awesome Substack!) while my kids are in their final week of overnight camp. I spent last week in Maine, visiting my parents and helping them get packed up before a move, and I fly back to New York in a few days to collect the kids.

Hello from Wimberley!

It’s been magical to get away and spend time with the people I love, especially after a very busy and stressful May and June. Though it also means I haven’t had time to do much work…. which I’m trying to be okay with. I know it’s so important to take breaks, but sometimes, it’s hard to give yourself the things you need.

Today I have several tidbits of exciting news to share. First, there are now 25,000 of you!!! still get an email every time I get a new subscriber (I just can’t bring myself to turn off those notifications, they are so fun!) and it’s been amazing to watch this community grow. I especially love what the comments section here has become… a no-judgment, supportive, safe space to ask for advice and air grievances. I learn so much from you and I am so often awed by your wisdom and kindness.  

Second, my book How to Raise Kids Who Aren’t Assholes just celebrated its third birthday on Saturday. I kind of can’t believe it. Where does the time go? Are there fewer assholes in the world because of it? Or at least… fewer assholes in training? I sure hope so, but if the past few months are any indication, we have a looooooooong way to go. So: Please keep recommending my book to friends! It makes a good baby shower gift! And you can even buy a personalized, signed copy from my local bookstore.

Happy third birthday!!

Also! My new book, Hello Cruel World: Science-based Strategies for Raising Terrific Kids in Terrifying Times, now has a PUBLICATION DATE: May 27, 2025. Just ten months to go. And so much to do before then, LOL. I’m awaiting my editor’s revisions and then I’ll turn those around in a few weeks and start hiring fact checkers.

A few of you have asked about preorders — they’re not available yet, but believe me, you will be the first to know. With everything going on around us, I know that many of you are desperate for simple, research-based strategies to help your kids develop the skills they will need to thrive in this uncertain world. I learned so much reporting my book that I’m using daily with my own kids. So as soon as I have preorder info, I’ll be sharing it here! (I also don’t have a cover image yet, or I’d be sharing it now too. Soon!)

I hope you’ve been able to take some time for yourself this summer — at the very least, I hope that you’re getting by and doing okay. I know summer can be an extremely tough time for parents. We are told in so many different ways that we should be making the most of the sunshine and long days, and yet we also often have less childcare and support — so it can be a very stressful, exhausting time. Sending all the hugs.