Kelsea Ballerini Reveals What Exactly Her ACM Awards Performance Will Entail

I'm about to have my 3rd kid. This is the advice I'm giving myself.

Yahoo

2 hours ago

Yahoo

I'm about to have my 3rd kid. This is the advice I'm giving myself.

"Your kid isn't just getting a new sibling — they're getting a total life shake-up." Welcoming a new baby when you already have other children comes with its own joys and challenges. There's the excitement of having another child to love, plus a lot more experience under your belt. But your attention as parents is pulled in multiple directions, and sibling rivalry may rear its head. As your home becomes busier and noisier, that adjustment can feel a bit overwhelming for everyone. With the right preparation, however, the initial chaos can become an opportunity to grow together as a family. In the ninth episode of their podcast, After Bedtime With Big Little Feelings, Big Little Feelings founders Deena Margolin, a child therapist specializing in interpersonal neurobiology, and Kristin Gallant, a parenting coach with a background in maternal and child education, talk about how having another child affects your family dynamic and how to get ready for this big change. In this edition of Yahoo's "" column, Margolin — who is herself expecting her third child — gives advice on how to prepare older kids for the arrival of a new sibling. She also shares the three key conversations to have with your partner, children and family ahead of time. When a new baby arrives, the entire family system reorganizes. Psychologists call this a normative crisis — a totally expected, but major disruption to family structure and roles. It's not just adding a baby. It's subtracting predictability, control and often sleep. Everyone's sense of place gets shaken up, and that can cause stress (and growth). Suddenly, the house that was running on a (semi) functional routine is now fueled by baby poop, two-hour sleep stretches and trying to figure out when you can shower again. The whole system tilts. And as it does, expect things like: your toddler starting to act like the baby (hello, potty regressions and demands to 'hold me!' 24/7); you and your partner playing 'Who's more tired?' like it's a competitive sport; and you questioning if you're 'doing enough' for everyone (newsflash: you are). But here's your empowering reframe: It's not a breakdown — it's a rebirth. For your family. For your identity. For your relationships. The dynamics will change, and they should. You're not going back to how things were. You're building something new. And that's not scary, that's powerful. How can parents prepare older siblings for the arrival of a new baby? Here's the deal: Your kid isn't just getting a new sibling — they're getting a total life shake-up. And without prep? That 'bundle of joy' shows up, and your toddler's like, 'Return to sender. Immediately.' So let's flip the script before the jealousy, tantrums or regressions hit. My No. 1 tip: Use books, shows and dolls to play it out. Pretend the doll is crying. Ask your kid what they think the baby needs. Let them 'help.' This isn't just cute — it's how little brains process big stuff. The more familiar this whole new 'baby life' feels, the less overwhelming and scary it'll feel once it's happening in real life. And that means fewer meltdowns, tantrums and unwanted behavior for you! Talking about the baby early and often also helps. Not in a 'you're gonna be a big brother, yay!' way, but in a 'this will feel exciting and really different' way. Be real and be repetitive. It means preparing them for what life with a new baby might look like. For example, try explaining that 'babies cry a lot because they don't know how to use words yet. We help them feel safe until they grow their words — just like we helped you.' Once the baby arrives, enlist older siblings as helpers by giving them a job to do. 'Alright! Baby needs a new outfit. Do you want to pick?' You're not replacing them — you're giving them a powerful new position and setting them up to feel really proud and special. It's about helping them feel safe, seen and still important in a totally new family dynamic. Although it's easy to 'blame' the baby for your not being as widely available to your other children as you used to be, that can create resentment. Here's what to do instead: Rather than saying things like, 'I can't play with you right now because I'm feeding the baby' or 'Shhh!!!! The baby is napping!' use words that don't make baby the reason we can't have any fun. For example: 'I would love to play with you — I just need five minutes. What do you want to play?' Or: 'It's quiet time in the house. What quiet game should we play together?' How can parents manage the guilt or anxiety that comes with dividing attention among multiple kids? Ah yes … the guilt. That sneaky voice whispering, 'You're not doing enough for your firstborn. You're failing. Everyone's going to need therapy.' Let's get this straight: Feeling guilty doesn't mean you're failing. It means you care. It means you're deeply invested in doing right by your kids, which, ironically, is proof that you already are. Here's the reframe: You're not supposed to split yourself into perfect thirds. You're meant to show up in little, consistent bursts of presence. Research shows that short moments of attuned attention, even just 10 minutes, create the secure attachment kids need. Not constant entertainment. Not equal time. Just enough 'I see you' to fill their cup. Let us shout this from the rooftops: You are not a bad parent because you can't give everyone 100% of you all the time. You are a human. It's not possible and shouldn't be your goal. Here's how to quiet the guilt spiral: Name the feelings. 'This feels hard because I care so much about both of them.' That's not failure — that's love. Shift your measurement. Don't measure your parenting in hours; measure it in tiny moments of connection. A 10-minute cuddle. A wink across the room. A whispered, 'I see you, and I love you so much, just as you are.' Trust the big picture. Your love doesn't shrink with another child — it stretches. And you're teaching your kids something priceless: how to make room for each other, how to wait, how to work as a team and navigate things together. Yes, it's messy and loud. It'll sometimes feel like someone's always crying (maybe it's you). But it's not a failure. It's a family in transition, and you're doing it. And lastly? The hard chapters don't last forever. You change, the dynamics change, your kids change — it's hard to remember that in the tough moments. But it's true. What conversations should families have before a new baby arrives to feel like a team? This isn't just about prepping your hospital bag. It's about prepping your people — your partner, your kids, your support system. Otherwise, you're the only one holding the weight of this massive transition. Ask yourself: What does support actually look like for me? It might be: your partner handling 100% of toddler snacks, school runs and bedtime. Your mom or a friend helping with dishes, or friends setting up a meal train (people want to help you — let them!). And if you're a friend reading this, go more concrete rather than vague, so stuff like 'What's your fav coffee order?' or 'I'm going to drop off food this afternoon,' instead of 'Let me know if you need anything.' In your family, the most important pre-baby conversations aren't about bassinets. They're about boundaries, expectations and who's doing what while you're recovering. Here are three key talks to have: With your partner: 'What does support look like for me and for us? I want you to lead, not ask. I need to be able to rest and recover, guilt-free. I need water and food before I'm a hungry, crying monster. You're on kid duty for the first two weeks. What do you need? How can we make a system that works for us both?' Figuring it all out ahead of time — before you're in the chaos — is a game changer. With your village: 'Want to help? Amazing. Here's how: meals, dishes, take the toddler to the park. No visitors unless invited.' Adapt it to exactly what you want. The more explicit, the more effective. And don't forget: Your people love you and want to help. Let them! You're not a burden. This is a unique, short amount of time in the grand scheme of life. Lean in. With your kids: 'Things will feel different for a while. The first week or two, we'll do lots of resting together — you can always snuggle with me. I just won't be able to walk a lot as my body gets better. So if you need snacks, help with going potty or anything else, Daddy will be the main helper. It won't be forever, just at first. And I always love you — that will never change!' You can adapt this to be what you want to express. Being flexible is also important. Set the expectation: 'If something's not working, we will pivot together.' You're modeling how to handle change and how to stay connected through it. Bottom line? Birth changes everything. But when you talk about it first, it doesn't break everything. It builds something deeper. More honest. More resilient. And that's a win for the whole family. Solve the daily Crossword

Yahoo

3 hours ago

Yahoo

I'm about to have my 3rd kid. This is the advice I'm giving myself.

"Your kid isn't just getting a new sibling — they're getting a total life shake-up." Welcoming a new baby when you already have other children comes with its own joys and challenges. There's the excitement of having another child to love, plus a lot more experience under your belt. But your attention as parents is pulled in multiple directions, and sibling rivalry may rear its head. As your home becomes busier and noisier, that adjustment can feel a bit overwhelming for everyone. With the right preparation, however, the initial chaos can become an opportunity to grow together as a family. In the ninth episode of their podcast, After Bedtime With Big Little Feelings, Big Little Feelings founders Deena Margolin, a child therapist specializing in interpersonal neurobiology, and Kristin Gallant, a parenting coach with a background in maternal and child education, talk about how having another child affects your family dynamic and how to get ready for this big change. In this edition of Yahoo's "" column, Margolin — who is herself expecting her third child — gives advice on how to prepare older kids for the arrival of a new sibling. She also shares the three key conversations to have with your partner, children and family ahead of time. When a new baby arrives, the entire family system reorganizes. Psychologists call this a normative crisis — a totally expected, but major disruption to family structure and roles. It's not just adding a baby. It's subtracting predictability, control and often sleep. Everyone's sense of place gets shaken up, and that can cause stress (and growth). Suddenly, the house that was running on a (semi) functional routine is now fueled by baby poop, two-hour sleep stretches and trying to figure out when you can shower again. The whole system tilts. And as it does, expect things like: your toddler starting to act like the baby (hello, potty regressions and demands to 'hold me!' 24/7); you and your partner playing 'Who's more tired?' like it's a competitive sport; and you questioning if you're 'doing enough' for everyone (newsflash: you are). But here's your empowering reframe: It's not a breakdown — it's a rebirth. For your family. For your identity. For your relationships. The dynamics will change, and they should. You're not going back to how things were. You're building something new. And that's not scary, that's powerful. How can parents prepare older siblings for the arrival of a new baby? Here's the deal: Your kid isn't just getting a new sibling — they're getting a total life shake-up. And without prep? That 'bundle of joy' shows up, and your toddler's like, 'Return to sender. Immediately.' So let's flip the script before the jealousy, tantrums or regressions hit. My No. 1 tip: Use books, shows and dolls to play it out. Pretend the doll is crying. Ask your kid what they think the baby needs. Let them 'help.' This isn't just cute — it's how little brains process big stuff. The more familiar this whole new 'baby life' feels, the less overwhelming and scary it'll feel once it's happening in real life. And that means fewer meltdowns, tantrums and unwanted behavior for you! Talking about the baby early and often also helps. Not in a 'you're gonna be a big brother, yay!' way, but in a 'this will feel exciting and really different' way. Be real and be repetitive. It means preparing them for what life with a new baby might look like. For example, try explaining that 'babies cry a lot because they don't know how to use words yet. We help them feel safe until they grow their words — just like we helped you.' Once the baby arrives, enlist older siblings as helpers by giving them a job to do. 'Alright! Baby needs a new outfit. Do you want to pick?' You're not replacing them — you're giving them a powerful new position and setting them up to feel really proud and special. It's about helping them feel safe, seen and still important in a totally new family dynamic. Although it's easy to 'blame' the baby for your not being as widely available to your other children as you used to be, that can create resentment. Here's what to do instead: Rather than saying things like, 'I can't play with you right now because I'm feeding the baby' or 'Shhh!!!! The baby is napping!' use words that don't make baby the reason we can't have any fun. For example: 'I would love to play with you — I just need five minutes. What do you want to play?' Or: 'It's quiet time in the house. What quiet game should we play together?' How can parents manage the guilt or anxiety that comes with dividing attention among multiple kids? Ah yes … the guilt. That sneaky voice whispering, 'You're not doing enough for your firstborn. You're failing. Everyone's going to need therapy.' Let's get this straight: Feeling guilty doesn't mean you're failing. It means you care. It means you're deeply invested in doing right by your kids, which, ironically, is proof that you already are. Here's the reframe: You're not supposed to split yourself into perfect thirds. You're meant to show up in little, consistent bursts of presence. Research shows that short moments of attuned attention, even just 10 minutes, create the secure attachment kids need. Not constant entertainment. Not equal time. Just enough 'I see you' to fill their cup. Let us shout this from the rooftops: You are not a bad parent because you can't give everyone 100% of you all the time. You are a human. It's not possible and shouldn't be your goal. Here's how to quiet the guilt spiral: Name the feelings. 'This feels hard because I care so much about both of them.' That's not failure — that's love. Shift your measurement. Don't measure your parenting in hours; measure it in tiny moments of connection. A 10-minute cuddle. A wink across the room. A whispered, 'I see you, and I love you so much, just as you are.' Trust the big picture. Your love doesn't shrink with another child — it stretches. And you're teaching your kids something priceless: how to make room for each other, how to wait, how to work as a team and navigate things together. Yes, it's messy and loud. It'll sometimes feel like someone's always crying (maybe it's you). But it's not a failure. It's a family in transition, and you're doing it. And lastly? The hard chapters don't last forever. You change, the dynamics change, your kids change — it's hard to remember that in the tough moments. But it's true. What conversations should families have before a new baby arrives to feel like a team? This isn't just about prepping your hospital bag. It's about prepping your people — your partner, your kids, your support system. Otherwise, you're the only one holding the weight of this massive transition. Ask yourself: What does support actually look like for me? It might be: your partner handling 100% of toddler snacks, school runs and bedtime. Your mom or a friend helping with dishes, or friends setting up a meal train (people want to help you — let them!). And if you're a friend reading this, go more concrete rather than vague, so stuff like 'What's your fav coffee order?' or 'I'm going to drop off food this afternoon,' instead of 'Let me know if you need anything.' In your family, the most important pre-baby conversations aren't about bassinets. They're about boundaries, expectations and who's doing what while you're recovering. Here are three key talks to have: With your partner: 'What does support look like for me and for us? I want you to lead, not ask. I need to be able to rest and recover, guilt-free. I need water and food before I'm a hungry, crying monster. You're on kid duty for the first two weeks. What do you need? How can we make a system that works for us both?' Figuring it all out ahead of time — before you're in the chaos — is a game changer. With your village: 'Want to help? Amazing. Here's how: meals, dishes, take the toddler to the park. No visitors unless invited.' Adapt it to exactly what you want. The more explicit, the more effective. And don't forget: Your people love you and want to help. Let them! You're not a burden. This is a unique, short amount of time in the grand scheme of life. Lean in. With your kids: 'Things will feel different for a while. The first week or two, we'll do lots of resting together — you can always snuggle with me. I just won't be able to walk a lot as my body gets better. So if you need snacks, help with going potty or anything else, Daddy will be the main helper. It won't be forever, just at first. And I always love you — that will never change!' You can adapt this to be what you want to express. Being flexible is also important. Set the expectation: 'If something's not working, we will pivot together.' You're modeling how to handle change and how to stay connected through it. Bottom line? Birth changes everything. But when you talk about it first, it doesn't break everything. It builds something deeper. More honest. More resilient. And that's a win for the whole family. Solve the daily Crossword

'Mom, stop talking': I watched 'Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires' with my tween critic. Here's our honest review.

Yahoo

18 hours ago

Yahoo

'Mom, stop talking': I watched 'Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires' with my tween critic. Here's our honest review.

Lesson learned: Interrupting your tween during this Disney movie could result in shushes and eye Yahoo readers, zombies, vampires and aliens. I'm Suzy Byrne, and I've been covering entertainment in this space for over a decade. I'll be the first to tell you I'm no hardcore cinema buff. Since I had a child, though, I've made it a point to see as many kid-friendly movies as possible. Maybe it's because I'm a big kid ✔ and love a cheerful ending ✔. But also, as a busy working parent, is there greater joy than getting two hours to turn off your phone and put up your feet while your child is fully entertained?! So that's what this is — one entertainment reporter + her 10-year-old child + friends seeing family-friendly fare, indulging in film-themed treats and replying all to you about the experience. Welcome to kids' movie club. Now playing: 'Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires' Sometimes the best movie dates are cozy ones at home with family — though my daughter, who was trying to watch Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires with zero interruptions, may disagree. Oh, to be a tween trying to get your Addison and Zed fix while your parents are asking annoying questions. I thought — but didn't dare say for fear of being shushed — 'Someday, someday,' you'll get to watch in silence, kiddo. There was a lot of tween anticipation over Zombies 4, the latest installment in the Disney Channel juggernaut that began in 2018, back when its stars Meg Donnelly and Milo Manheim were teens themselves. Now in their mid-20s and serving as executive producers on this movie, the duo, who play Addison and Zed, passes the torch to two new star-crossed vampires from rival factions: Nova (Freya Skye), the sharp, budding leader of the vampire/human hybrid daywalkers, and Victor (Malachi Barton), the charming nephew of the Vampire Eldress. The franchise's signature blend of singing, dancing, supernatural powers, romantic tension and heartfelt messaging continues. The plot 🎬 The story starts with Zed and Addison wrapping up their first year at Mountain College. They're still in a relationship but on different paths — he's chasing football glory while she's hoping to be cheer captain. Before going to their respective summer camps, they go on a road trip, along with friends Eliza (Kylee Russell) and Willa (Chandler Kinney). Their car flips — blame a force field — and when they strike out to find help, they find themselves caught between two feuding groups: the daywalkers of Sunnyside and vampires of Shadyside. Zed bonds with daywalker Nova, after she initially takes him to the ground with an aerobatic flip-kick. Addison wins over Victor — ('I'm not a daywalker… I'm a cheerleader!' the blonde tells him) — and he uses his powers to free her from the windstorm the vampires put her in. With Zed coaching one side and Addison the other, they work to unite the sworn enemies — and their 'lightstone' and 'darkstone' moonstones (aka crystals that connect all monsters). Our viewing party 🍿 It was a vacation house viewing party. My daughter and I commandeered the only TV, smack in the middle of the living room, to watch. Joining us on the couch was my mostly disinterested husband, who looked up from his phone from time to time, my brother–in-law passing through the room to laugh at us and two very disinterested cats. Our film recap in emojis 🧟‍♂️🧟‍♀️🐺👱🏻‍♀️/👽🎶🚗💥🏖️🌌🤺😑🎶➡️👱🏻‍♀️/🧛‍♀️➕🧛🏻🟰👎🏻❤️🥭😑➡️👱🏻‍♀️/🧛‍♀️🧛🏻👱🏻‍♀️/👽🧟‍♂️🤲🏻🎶🧩💎☀️➕💎🌙⚡️➡️🕊️🎶🥭💗 The familiar 🔁 The original Seabrook crew — zombies, an alien/human hybrid and a werewolf — who are loved by young audiences, are back to help transition the long-running story to the new, younger cast. Also returning is Zed's comedic flair, heroine Addison's optimism and her A+ hair game. The Zombies signature song and dance mix, ranging from rap to tap, including a sentimental reprise of franchise fave 'Someday,' comes at a pivotal moment. The messaging of the importance of two opposing groups uniting for the greater good is also a through line. Yes, it's a bit saccharine sweet and a little on the nose, but it's never a bad reminder. So is the reminder to prioritize the people you love most, which Zed and Addison took to heart. The new 🆕 The two new factions — led by the Romeo-and-Juliet-like Victor and Nova — are warring over blood fruit. Their well-choreographed dance sequences were transfixing to watch and the new songs fit the franchise vibe just right. .. One song, 'Possible,' is about passing the torch, and it's clear that Zombies 5 — which is likely to follow due to early ratings success, according to FlixPatrol — will see Donnelly and Manheim step back. Also notable: The film was shot in New Zealand, giving it a fresh backdrop and some distance from Seabrook. Mid-movie commentary from my daughter 🧒🏻 Addison and Zed: 'I love them.' Her hair, which is blue-tipped this go-round: 'So pretty.' The college ensemble dance number: 'They definitely worked more than one day on this.' Nova's fire wardrobe: 'I want a top like that.' Nova's fighting skills: 'She's taking out all those guys in a dress.' The room with puzzles that Nova and Victor go in: 'That's my favorite set. Next year, I want to have my birthday party at an escape room.' Nova's angry, overprotective dad: 'Typical movie girl dad.' Shrimpy having a cameo in a Mountain College shirt: 'SHRIMPY!' Mid-movie commentary from me 👩🏻 I felt some Grease vibes with Nova and Victor — à la Danny and Sandy, especially when they cut back and forth to them wistfully singing like in 'Summer Nights'. I also thought Nova looked like a young Hilary Duff. Number of times the adults got shushed 🤫 Five — mostly for 'asking too many questions.' I'll admit it: I was annoying at the start, only having seen snippets of previous Zombies movies, and trying to figure out who all the different dance troupes are. Just when you think you get it down, you realize you're still off the mark. ('So Addison's a human?' 'No, she's an alien/human.') My husband got more shushes than I did, including when he interrupted Nova and Victor's song and dance number duet to quip, 'This is exactly what your mom and I were like before you were born.' He got an extended shush. Note: Any story that includes 'before you were born...' is an automatic tween eye roll trigger. My brother-in-law got more of a pass for breaking out over-the-top dance moves each time he shimmied through the living room. My daughter tried to ignore him, though he would not be deterred from doing his best sprinkler and lawn mower. (Look those up, kids.) Appropriateness check 🎯 Totally Disney-friendly for a tween audience. Mild intensity (fangs, a few fight scenes and a car flips with no injuries) with some PG romance (kisses, hand-holding). Funniest line 🤣 'Save the marshmallows' — which was said during the middle of a car crash. Teaser at the end 🌊 Yes. Poor Nova and Victor couldn't have a moment of peace. They were sharing a post-drama hug when a tornado rose from the ocean. My daughter's theory? Mermaids (as teased in Zombies 3) or sirens will be added to the mix in film five. The internet has many other theories, including a Zombies and Descendants crossover, which would fit with the 'Worlds Collide' concert tour members of both movie casts are on this summer. Parent pain and suffering scale ⚖️ Had my husband not been able to scroll through his phone to look at sports scores, his suffering would have been HIGH. Zombies, werewolves, aliens, vampires: It's like the writers put every supernatural element in a script and hit blend, before sprinkling in teen angst and forbidden love and oh, let's make it a musical! It was too much and not enough at the same time, but when your kid is deliriously happy, does anything else matter? My daughter's parting thought 💬 As the credits rolled at 9 p.m., I got the old: 'Now can we watch them all in order, starting with the first one?' I replied, 'Not tonight.' But let's be honest — a full Zombies marathon is likely in our future. There are worse ways to spend a summer night, surrounded by people you love, even if they interrupt you … and definitely can't dance like Zed and Addison. Solve the daily Crossword

Kelsea Ballerini Reveals What Exactly Her ACM Awards Performance Will Entail

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I'm about to have my 3rd kid. This is the advice I'm giving myself.

I'm about to have my 3rd kid. This is the advice I'm giving myself.

'Mom, stop talking': I watched 'Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires' with my tween critic. Here's our honest review.

Kelsea Ballerini Reveals What Exactly Her ACM Awards Performance Will Entail

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Try Our AI Features

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I'm about to have my 3rd kid. This is the advice I'm giving myself.

I'm about to have my 3rd kid. This is the advice I'm giving myself.

'Mom, stop talking': I watched 'Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires' with my tween critic. Here's our honest review.

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