Families and Family Life

April 29, 2026

Can I Skip My Niece’s Graduation to Avoid the Politics?

A reader wants to be a supportive aunt at the Naval Academy commencement, but the prospect of political speeches has her gritting her teeth. My beloved […]
April 23, 2026

My Adult Twins Fight Constantly. How Do I Stay Out of It?

Our Ask the Therapist columnist, Lori Gottlieb, advises a reader who wants to stop playing referee. I have three daughters: a set of twins and their […]
August 27, 2025

Tiny Love Stories: ‘He Insisted on Keeping Things Casual ’

Modern Love in miniature, featuring reader-submitted stories of no more than 100 words. Brian Rea A Lifeline During Wartime Multiple civilian deaths from Russian airstrikes. I […]
May 28, 2025

I Am Struggling With Infertility. Can I Skip My Sister-in-Law’s Baby Shower?

A reader worries that a celebration for her pregnant sister-in-law, with whom she once commiserated about fertility woes, may be too much to handle. I have […]
March 27, 2025

My Daughter Doesn’t Want Me to Walk Her Down The Aisle

I’m heartbroken that she chose him over me. My 37-year-old daughter is getting married for a second time. It’s a church wedding and traditions are in […]
March 13, 2025

Grandparent Doesn’t Agree With ‘Gentle Parenting’

Her mother’s lack of discipline is turning the 10-year-old into a brat, and I’m worried about her future. My stepdaughter has been a single mother for […]
February 26, 2025

‘Modern Love’ Podcast: Carrie Coon on What Being Worthy of Love Really Means

Listen to and follow Modern LoveApple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube |iHeartRadio ‘It’s our inability to be willing to see the person who’s […]
February 21, 2025

Do Elon Musk and His Father Get Along?

Errol Musk questioned his son’s parenting ability on a podcast, but said that his comments had been taken out of context and that they were on […]
January 4, 2025

Harper Steele of the documentary “Will and Harper” and Her Matriarchal Jewelry

Everyone asks Harper Steele about “the Will Ferrell diamonds.” This is what she called a pair of diamond earrings that Mr. Ferrell gave her during one […]
November 12, 2024

Longing for Grandchildren When Your Child Doesn’t Want Kids

A growing number of Americans are choosing not to have children. Their parents are grappling with what that means for them. Lydia Birk, 56, has held […]