An anonymous writer is getting extremely real about a major feature of parenthood today: the group chats. “It begins with a question about over-the-counter children’s medicine and then weaves its way into a husband rant,” she writes. “Then each woman shares the latest with their husband’s latest annoying antics. Then comes one mom’s recap of some drama her kid dealt with at the bus stop; some moms give the ‘thumbs down’ reply while others offer validation and advice. And finally, there’s a suggestion to get a #ladiesnight on the books with some chatter about cheese plates and everyone’s favorite wine. After twenty or so texts, I finally silence the chat and throw my phone to the other side of the couch.”

And she’s explaining just why all those pings and dings from her phone trigger that reaction. Give it a read.

Kelly Faircloth, Executive Editor

Sometimes the internet truly delivers. Meet LNCHbot: The first AI-powered sandwich developed to make lunchtime decision fatigue a thing of the past. To try it, click through to open LNCHbot in your browser, start chatting as you normally would with any 3D rendered sandwich, then enjoy the hilariously weird journey toward getting a delicious Hillshire Farm recipe that’ll take your midday meal from “meh” to “Oh, Hill Yeah.” Pretty awesome, huh?

“They say nothing can fully prepare you for the joys (and yes, sometimes terrors) of parenthood,” writes Kelly Schremph in this fun piece for our Nostalgia issue. “Yet that doesn't mean I went into the role of motherhood completely empty-handed. Sure, I took a few online classes and read up on as many pregnancy and parenting books as possible. But looking back on my journey as a mother thus far, I've come to realize that my greatest teacher in the ways of parenting came from an unexpected source: my favorite childhood movie and a beloved '90s classic, Hook.” You should definitely read this one.