Plus: Eating through The Big E + Jayson Tatum's new tat
Why am I getting this? Because you receive the Globe's Today's Headlines newsletter, and this new offering, Starting Point, is the perfect complement. It features reporter insights, interesting stories, things to do and read, and more. Give it a try or opt out.
But first, we’re looking at some ideas for relieving parental stress.
TODAY'S STARTING POINT
Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy rubs his temples as he transitions from work to family life, during a visit to his parents' home near Miami. He recently released an advisory on parental mental health. REBECCA BLACKWELL/ASSOCIATED PRESS
There was a collective “no kidding” eye-roll among US parents last week when the surgeon general released a report discussing stress faced by parents, whether they are raising kids alone or with a partner.
But the advisory from Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, and a related column he wrote in The New York Times, contained more than just stats about struggling mothers and fathers. His main goal is to shine a light on how the stress of child-rearing can harm parents’ mental health. These challenges take an enormous toll, he argues, and constitute a serious public health issue that should concern all Americans.
He suggested more financial support for families, affordable child care, safe community gathering spots, reliable mental health care for parents as well as their children, and paid time off for parents to spend time with a new or sick child.
Times readers weighed in, some pointing to helpful policies in European countries such as universal health care, pre-K, and post-birth maternal care. Others argued that stress is an economic issue, and that things like cheaper higher education and mandatory six-week vacations take a lot of pressure off families.
Meanwhile, my colleague Kara Baskin checked in with perinatal psychotherapist Divya Kumar, who told her that changes can be made on an individual level, too.
For example, companies can grant extra time off and not penalize workers who are struggling because of exhaustion. And if you know someone with a baby, Kumar challenged us to ask the hard questions: “Are you feeling alright? How are you really doing?”
Join us at Globe Summit 2024, The Boston Globe's fourth-annual ideas festival happening on Wednesday and Thursday. Review the schedule of speakers and topics, and attend virtually — for free — by registering here.
End of message
POINTS OF INTEREST
Jayson Tatum called the Celtics' championship parade "the best two hours of my life.” KAYLA BARTKOWSKI FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE
BANGKOK A python squeezed the torso of a 64-year-old Thai woman for two hours in her home before a neighbor heard her cries for help and called police, who saved her. It was captured on video. (Associated Press)
STUDENT LOANS The grace period for missing or late federal student loan payments is ending this month. Now late or missing payments will be penalized or reported to credit bureaus. (Axios)
MASSACHUSETTS Archery games. Midnight runs. Roller skating. These high-intensity activities will get your heart racing on a date. (The Boston Globe)
NEW YORK CITY Federal charges of racketeering and sex trafficking aren’t the only allegations that music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing: Eight women and two men have sued Combs, accusing him of a wide range of abusive behavior. Here are all of the allegations. (The Cut)
NAIROBI The number of rhinos worldwide has increased slightly — but poaching is also up. That’s because there’s a massive demand for rhino horns. (Associated Press)
SAN FRANCISCO The number of people sleeping outdoors in the city dropped to its lowest level in a decade. Yet the homelessness problem grew during that same time period, raising the question: Where have people gone? (Associated Press)
LOS ANGELES Olympic gymnast and Worcester native Stephen Nedoroscik, “the pommel horse guy,” impressed the “Dancing with the Stars” judges last week with a jive dance and effortless leap over his professional dance partner Rylee Arnold. He’s back in action Tuesday night. (Worcester Telegram)
ELECTION INSIGHTS | 42 days until the presidential election
Four top officials on the campaign staff of North Carolina gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson, including his campaign manager, have quit, leaving the candidacy of the controversial Republican more in doubt than ever.
The resignations are believed to be related to a CNN report that alleges Robinson posted dozens of lewd and disturbing comments on a porn forum, where he called himself a “black NAZI!” and indicated support for reinstating slavery.
He said that abortion “is not about protecting the lives of mothers. It is about convenience …”
On LGBTQ+ rights, he said, “There’s no reason anybody, anywhere in America should be telling any child about transgenderism, homosexuality, any of that filth.”
And, “[DEI] agendas need to be removed from our schools.”
US Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said if the porn forum posts end up being Robinson’s, then “he’s unfit to serve for office,” but he did not call for Robinson to resign. Donald Trump, after endorsing Robinson as “Martin Luther King on steroids,” did not invite him to his campaign rally in NC Saturday and did not mention him.
Robinson’s continued presence in the race has Democrats pushing to flip North Carolina, once considered a lost cause. A leaked memo revealed that associating Robinson with Trump is part of the Harris campaign strategy in the state.
POLAROID DIARIES
Where we share our adventures around New England and rate them for Starting Point readers.
Every dish from this vegetarian Indian street-food restaurant is phenomenal: samosa chaat, bahubali sandwich (pictured), dosa, chili paneer, and everything in between. The food comes out fast, and this global chain — which started in Ahmedabad, India — also has locations in Lowell and Norwood.
This is one of my favorite places to go thrifting, especially for artwork and decorations. Dealers can buy spaces in the five-floor market, so there’s a variety of goods: furniture, collectibles, artwork, clothing, books, silverware, and more. It has items for a range of budgets and is the perfect place to spend a rainy or cold day.
Rating: Bagged 8/10 (💰)
HEADLINES IN THE CLOUDS
Guess the headline from three choices based on the words that appear in the story.
The Boston Globe
1 Exchange Pl
Boston, MA 02109-2803
You’re receiving this email because you signed up for the Starting Point newsletter, submitted your email address to read stories on Globe.com, have engaged with related content on Globe.com, subscribed to a related Boston Globe newsletter, and/or are a Boston Globe digital access subscriber.
