“All three of my teenagers have been pretty vocal about not wanting kids,” writes Diana Park. “My oldest was about 14 when he first started telling me the reasons: kids seem expensive, they are a lot of work, crying babies really bother him, and he didn’t think the world needed any more people. Of course, I thought he’d change his mind as he got older. Six years later and he still feels the same way — and his siblings agree with him.”

And now, she’s trying to make peace with it. Maybe you’re in the same place? It’s worth a read.

Kelly Faircloth, Executive Editor

Kick off your 2024 with a bang by booking a family trip to Washington, D.C.’s Dupont Circle Hotel. The luxury spot offers spacious rooms and 5-star amenities in America’s capital for a getaway that’s an ideal blend of history, culture, and comfort. Each room includes homey touches like Nespresso machines, heated bathroom floors, and 300 thread-count imported linens, perfect for getting geared up for a day spent adventuring. And after you’ve explored enough historic landmarks with your crew, you can sit down to a family meal without leaving the property at in-house restaurant The Pembroke.

Even if you’re super diligent about eating every last bite of everything you cook, “once you get into the holidays, leftovers reach new levels,” writes Deirdre Kaye. I bet your fridge is absolutely crammed full right now, in fact. So how long do you actually have to eat all that stuff? She’s got the details.