Raising awesome kids takes help. NPR has science and experts to get you through the toughest parenting moments. Subscribe to get episodes from Life Kit on parenting.

Math anxiety is real for kids and adults. But parents can help. The solution goes beyond equations and textbooks.

A Simple Equation to Help Kids Love Math

This school year, families with children are in a serious bind. Whether you're looking for options for childcare or need resources to keep your kid entertained, this episode will walk through some ideas to think about.

How To Make Sure Your Child Learns This School Year

Some parents think the best way to manage a child's screen time is to set hard limits. But those rules are particularly difficult to keep during a pandemic, when screens are a lifeline for all of us. So what should the rules be? Sonia Livingstone and Alicia Blum-Ross, coauthors of Parenting For A Digital Future, explain why being too strict about screen time might not be the best strategy for your kids — or the whole family.

How To Work With — Not Against — Screen Time

American parents often feel like event planners for their kids. There's a pressure to make sure kids are entertained and content every minute of the day. NPR's Michaeleen Doucleff says kids can be trained to occupy themselves.

Kids Know How To Occupy Themselves. We Need To Let Them Do It

It's Been A Minute host Sam Sanders talks with his colleague Kenya Young, executive producer of Morning Edition and mother of three boys about "the talk" — The series of conversations black parents have with their kids, particularly their sons, about how to deal with police encounters.

Discussing 'The Talk'

NPR's Michel Martin talks with Jennifer Harvey, author of Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in a Racially Unjust America, about how to talk with white kids about racially charged events — and how to keep the conversation going. If you're a white (or nonblack) parent, don't wait for your kids to bring up the topic of race to start the discussion, says Harvey.

How White Parents Can Talk To Their Kids About Race

Whether it's a family pet or a loved one, every child will experience a death at some point — and their parents will likely struggle to explain it. This episode, we revisit the Mr. Hooper episode of Sesame Street, which provides a master class in talking about death and grief with young children.

Be Honest And Concrete: Tips For Talking To Kids About Death

While it's hard to know what college will look like this fall, college decision day is almost here. So what can students do to make a sound choice during this uncertain time? Education reporter Elissa Nadworny gives an update on what incoming college students need to know about appealing financial aid, changing plans and thinking through a gap year.

Decision Day Is Almost Here. Here's How To Decide For An Unknown Future

Many parents are struggling right now — juggling kids at home 24/7 and coping with their own losses. In this episode, Rosemarie Truglio, a developmental psychologist and senior vice president of curriculum and content at Sesame Workshop, offers helpful pandemic parenting tips.

When Will This Be Over? Sesame Workshop's Tips For Parenting During A Pandemic

Hey kids! Sesame Street's Grover is here and he's got some great ideas for making your days brighter during coronavirus. Grover explains how to make virtual play dates more fun, how to daydream and how to be a helper.

Sesame Street's Grover On Coping During Coronavirus: Just For Kids

Parenting during self-isolation can be challenging, and let's be honest — sometimes screen time helps you just get through the day. Our friends at Pop Culture Happy Hour offer TV recommendations for those with young kids at home.

Kid-Friendly TV Show Recommendations

The coronavirus pandemic is making college decisions more complicated. This episode answers the burning questions: How do I get a hold of final transcripts if my school is closed? How do I decide on a school I can't visit? What if I need more financial aid than I thought I did?

Here's How To Pick A College During The  Coronavirus Pandemic

Tens of millions of parents are homeschooling their kids during the coronavirus. Here's a realistic guide to keeping kids engaged and everyone sane. Hint: this is a good time for passion projects and sleeping in a bit.

6 Tips For Homeschooling During Coronavirus

Life Kit answers your questions about parenting and the coronavirus.

Coronavirus And Parenting: What You Need To Know Now

Life Kit talks to the Nick Kroll and Andrew Goldberg, the creator's of Netflix's 'Big Mouth' about sex education.

'Big Mouth' Creators On Embracing The Awkwardness Of Puberty

Consent, dating, masturbation, porn. It can be difficult talking with teens about sex and relationships. NPR's Life Kit has a few tips to help make those conversations with your kids a little easier.

What Your Teen Wishes You Knew About Sex Education

What can you do if you suspect a child is being impacted by a family member's addiction? Experts say you don't need to be an addiction expert, just a caring adult. This episode offers guidance to help a kid through a tumultuous time.

Helping A Child Whose Parent Is Struggling With Addiction

One in seven women experiences postpartum depression. But it's easy to feel alone — especially when you're told having a baby is supposed to be blissful. This episode helps both struggling moms and loved ones identify the symptoms and find treatment.

What Is Postpartum Depression? Recognizing The Signs And Getting Help

Sex, genitals, consent, self-touching — it's tricky to talk to younger kids about these topics. This episode helps parents get past the confusion and embarrassment around sex education so they can raise healthy, responsible kids.

The Birds And The Bees — How To Talk To Children About Sex

When is your kid just scared of the dark and when are they dealing with a larger anxiety disorder? This episode will teach you how to help a child with anxiety and reach them in stressful moments.

How To Help A Child Struggling With Anxiety

Today's kids are bombarded with the realities of climate change — whether through extreme weather or in the news. These tips will help you and your kids cope with the overwhelming feelings to move beyond helplessness and toward action.

How To Talk To Kids About Climate Change

We all want our kids to succeed, but that doesn't mean running math drills. Author Kathy Hirsh-Pasek explains the "6 C's" that kids need to thrive and why raising brilliant kids starts with redefining brilliant.

Rethinking Brilliance: Raising Caring, Collaborative Kids

NPR's Life Kit answers parents' questions about their kids' screen use. Education consultant Ana Homayoun says it's all about  empowering your kids to make good decisions when you're not around.

From First Phones To Online Porn: Answers To Your Screentime Questions

From distracted parenting to "sharenting," an honest look at our own use of electronic media can make us into more skillful parents and better role models. Here's what to remember: - Put your phone away whenever possible when you're with your kids. - If you want calmer children, be a more focused parent. - Before you post a picture or share a cute story about your kids on social media, think twice and get their permission if possible. - Don't use technology to stalk your children. - Work for healthier technology for your kids, and for all of us.

Parents, Check Your Own Screen Habits

Emotional outbursts. Lost sleep. These are signs that your kids are spending too much time with digital devices. Here's what you can do about it. Here's what to remember: - Pay attention to your children's emotional relationship with screens, not just how much time they are spending with them. - Don't just make technology rules based on time. - Do guard bedtimes and mealtimes. - Don't expect taking away the phone to solve all your family's problems. - Mentor your kids; don't just monitor them.