5SR - February 9, 2024

Today’s #5SmartReads contributor is Olivia Howell, the co-founder and CEO of Fresh Starts Registry. Fresh Starts Registry is the first and only platform for everything you need to begin again, including divorce or breakup, moving, career changes, stepping into your truth, or starting again after grief. Olivia lives on Long Island with her two sons.

I Hated Talking About Periods. I’m So Glad My Kids Are Different. (Scary Mommy)

I remember being in middle school and panicking about where I could hide the pad I needed for my period while having to sneak to the bathroom.

Back in the late 90s, and deep into the 2000s, we weren't talking about periods! I think I had the convo once with my mom, and that was it. And now, as a mother of boys, I'm 100% transparent about my period with them. They know it's simply a part of life and biology and something that happens to people with uteruses! We need to take the shame away from biology - it's just a body and it does certain things and that's okay!

I'm so proud to know my kids know about periods and what they are, and what people may need when they have them. Let's keep the conversation going. Period!

The enduring appeal of the ‘Sex and the City Tutu’ (NPR)

Has there ever been a tutu more famous than Sarah Jessica Parker's tutu worn in the show's opening credits of Sex and the City? Remember in the late 2000s when everyone wanted tulle skirts to mimic her style?

I loved reading this NPR piece on the famous tutu; apparently costume designer Patricia Field found the skirt in the $5 bin in a New York Garment District store - and check out the piece to find out how much it sold at auction for...you will gasp!

It's an interesting nuanced insight into why iconic character fashion pieces mean so much to fans, and why owning a piece of TV history sold for as much as it did!

The Impact of the Child Care Cliff is Real, as Parents Spend More and Wait Longer For Spots (Parents)

Do you know what the "child care cliff" is?

This Parents Mag piece delves into the significant impact of the child care cliff on families across the United States, and highlights fascinating findings from a recent report that underscores the challenges parents face due to the high cost of child care, which often exceeds what families can afford.

I appreciated how the article emphasized how the child care cliff affects parents' ability to work, pursue education, or even meet basic needs, leading to financial strain and limited options for...childcare. I can't emphasize enough why we need to discuss this issue because it sheds light on the systemic barriers many families encounter when accessing affordable and quality childcare.

Good for Parents Mag for raising awareness, so that we can continue to advocate for policies and solutions that support families and address the child care crisis in our communities.

‘Gray Divorce’ rates have doubled. But its a costly move, especially for women (USA Today)

Here's an interesting fact: The divorce rate has doubled since 1990 for Americans over 55. For couples over 65, the rate has tripled. Tripled.

I appreciated this piece taking a closer look at both why Gray Divorce is occurring at a higher rate and some of the issues that can arise in Gray Divorce. Do you know people over 65 who have recently transitioned to divorce.

One in 10 people getting divorced today is 65 or older! As someone who spends her day providing support and education around divorce, I want to make sure we're age inclusive with our support, as divorce can happen at any age!

I’m Struggling To Get Sober, And Working In Academia Only Makes It Harder (Huff Post)

I follow writer and professor Alicia Andrzejewski on Twitter, and I've been following her sober journey since she began. I'm so proud of her - and the community she has built around her has been amazing to witness.

In this piece, she writes about being an academic, and the challenges that arise in that career choice, and how it made sobriety harder for her (though, she's still sober as I type this!). Alicia shares so much of herself and her journey on Twitter, and I know she is inspiring and motivating so many people.

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