Healthy Habits - Vacation Without the Setbacks: How to Stay Healthy, Active, and Energized During Summer Travel

Summer is a popular time for travel, with children out of school and warm weather inviting families to hit the road. In the months leading up to a vacation, many people work hard to build healthy habits and pursue wellness goals, only to see those routines disappear during their trip. Too often, they return home feeling discouraged, as though they have to start over. Fortunately, with a little planning and consistency, those setbacks can be avoided.

"A vacation shouldn't be a time away from your health, because your health matters all the time," said Jennifer Scherer, registered dietitian nutritionist, medical exercise specialist, certified personal trainer, master-level Pilates instructor, and owner of Fredericksburg Fitness Studio. "What you do during your summer trip can have a significant impact on how you feel both during the vacation and when you return home."

When people abandon all of their health and wellness routines on vacation, they often gain weight and begin adopting habits that leave them feeling worse. They may stop exercising, eat poorly, neglect sleep, and overindulge in ways that take a toll on both physical and mental well-being. Some people find it difficult to return to their healthy routines once they get back home.

Vacation exhaustion is another common issue. Many people come home feeling like they need a vacation from their vacation. Lack of sleep, busy schedules, excessive indulgence, and poor food choices can leave travelers depleted and struggling to regain their energy. These setbacks can take a serious toll, making it important to minimize them whenever possible.

Vacation should be enjoyable, but that doesn't mean giving up on self-care. Travel days, heat exposure, alcohol, poor sleep, and restaurant-heavy meals can leave people feeling sluggish and unwell. Scherer recommends these simple strategies to stay healthier and feel better while traveling:

• Stay hydrated. Heat, travel, and increased activity place additional demands on the body. People often mistake dehydration for hunger, fatigue, or cravings.

• Walk more. Whenever possible, explore destinations on foot. Increased movement can help offset some of the extra calories vacations are often known for while helping maintain energy and mobility.

• Snack wisely. Pack convenient, protein-rich snacks for road trips, airports, and long travel days. Nuts, jerky, trail mix, and string cheese are all easy options.

• Don't skip meals. Skipping meals often leads to overeating later. Even if meals are smaller than usual, maintaining regular eating patterns helps people stay on track.

• Keep workouts simple. Vacation is a great time to simplify exercise. Bodyweight movements, resistance bands, walking, and stretching can help maintain fitness without requiring a gym.

• Prioritize recovery. Quality sleep and recovery help support energy levels, stress management, and immune health.

• Forget perfection. Rather than striving for perfection, focus on consistency. Mindful choices and healthy habits can still be maintained while enjoying vacation.

"Avoid throwing all structure out the window while you're away," added Scherer. "Trust me, you'll be happier and feel better if you keep a few simple health habits in mind. You'll feel better both during your vacation and after you return home. Maintaining some structure helps people stay balanced, energized, and more mindful of their choices."

Taking vacations can benefit mental well-being. A 2025 article published in the journal Cureus concluded that vacations help mitigate the psychological impacts of modern work and provide psychological, physiological, and cognitive benefits.

At Fredericksburg Fitness Studio, clients work with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and experienced movement professionals to develop personalized, realistic plans. Services are offered both in person and virtually and include comprehensive assessments of medical history, nutrition habits, movement patterns, and lifestyle factors. The studio provides virtual nutrition therapy, medical nutrition therapy, and tailored meal planning through Eat Love Pro, delivering scalable support with built-in accountability.

The boutique studio also offers semi-private and private training focused on Pilates, strength training, mobility, fall prevention, and medical exercise. With two Fredericksburg locations, the studio provides a highly personalized environment, luxury amenities, and expert instruction across reformer, chair, tower, CoreAlign, and master-level Pilates equipment. Fredericksburg Fitness Studio is proud to be a Medicare provider.

In addition, Jennifer Scherer and her husband, Jeff Smith, co-host the Fitness & Finance Radio podcast, which explores the intersection of physical wellness and financial planning for retirement, highlighting how long-term health impacts long-term financial security.

To learn more about Fredericksburg Fitness Studio, visit www.fburgfitness.com. To listen to Fitness & Finance Radio, visit www.fitnessfinancepro.com.

About Fredericksburg Fitness Studio

Founded in 2008, Fredericksburg Fitness Studio offers private, customized health and fitness programs designed to meet each client's unique needs. By appointment only, the studio provides medical exercise, personal training, Pilates, nutrition coaching with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, and recovery services including acupressure, massage, and assisted stretching. With an integrated, client-centered approach, Fredericksburg Fitness Studio helps individuals improve strength, balance, mobility, and overall well-being at every stage of life. The studio proudly accepts Medicare.

Learn more at www.fburgfitness.com.

Source:

Cureus. "Maximizing Recovery: The Superiority of Frequent Vacations for Well-Being and Performance." July 2025.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12334972/

House & Home - DIY Project Survey

While renovation and remodeling projects can be exciting, they aren’t cheap– and some homeowners are cutting costs with their own two hands.

A new survey by 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty found that among the 94% of homeowners planning some sort of DIY project this year, 61% are going DIY because they can’t afford professionals.

62% say the saved money is the best part:

• 87% are planning cosmetic projects, while 39% are doing major remodels
• The Kitchen is the #1 target room for a DIY project
• 19% delayed or modified their plans due to increased costs from tariffs

Another benefit for 87% is the confidence built from doing something yourself. 

Book Nook - Dear Deer

Renowned psychologist and author Dr. Dale Atkins shares her new children’s book: Dear Deer (Mascot Books; June 2, 2026), a heartfelt story and timely call to action that encourages families to help children step away from screens and rediscover the profound benefits of time spent in nature.

 

Eager and self-assured, two children wander into the woods, where they come face to face with a graceful doe and her timid fawn. All parties are instantly curious: their connection echoes as the children journey past ponds and through dewy grass, and the deer family bounces nearby. The children come across the fawn in distress, prompting them to find a way to help without causing harm. Through their efforts, the children learn valuable lessons about compassion, patience, collaboration, and empathy, tuning into their senses, and the delicate balance of nature.

 

The inspiration for Dear Deer comes from Dale’s own time in nature, where a gentle, enduring connection to the natural world quietly unfolded. Through Dear Deer, she aims to share this love and respect for nature with young readers, laying the foundation to encourage them to develop a lifelong appreciation for the environment and its inhabitants by asking questions, making observations, seeking solutions, and drawing conclusions.

 

As screen use continues to dominate children’s daily routines, Dear Deer offers a compelling alternative: inspiring kids to “wonder, ponder, and wait.” In nature, there is no rush—only discovery. Whether observing wildlife, building something from found materials, or simply sitting quietly, children develop patience, curiosity, and a deeper connection to the world.

 

At a moment when children are more digitally connected than ever, Dear Deer reminds readers of something essential: kids need the natural world—not just for recreation, but for healthy development across every dimension of their lives.

 

“Children thrive when they have the freedom to explore, wonder, and engage with the world around them,” says Dale. “Nature invites them to slow down, to notice, to be curious—and in doing so, they grow stronger emotionally, physically, and spiritually.”

 

A Powerful Case for Nature-Based Childhood

Drawing on psychological insight and real-world observation, Dr. Dale Atkins’ Dear Deer highlights how time outdoors nurtures the whole child:

 

·         Emotional resilience: Nature helps children regulate emotions, cope with stress, and build inner strength.

·         Cognitive growth: Unstructured outdoor play enhances problem-solving skills and encourages independent thinking.

·         Creativity and imagination: Without rigid rules or screens, children invent, design, and interact with their surroundings in uniquely personal ways.

·         Sensory development: Nature activates all five senses—sight, sound, touch, smell, and even taste—broadening children’s awareness and perception.

·         Focus and attention: Time outdoors promotes a more relaxed, open form of attention that feels effortless and deeply rewarding.

 

Beyond its developmental benefits, Dear Deer invites children to see themselves as caretakers of the natural world. In connecting with their environment, they learn a simple but powerful truth: their actions matter, and they can help protect what is fragile and alive around them, whether that is a vast forest or the flowers between city blocks.

 

Importantly, the book underscores that less structured play builds confidence. Outdoors, there are no predefined outcomes—only endless possibilities. Children take risks and learn to trust themselves, take initiative, and engage with their environment in meaningful, self-directed ways.

 

A Timely Resource for Parents, Educators, and Caregivers

Dear Deer is more than a book—it is an invitation to rethink how children spend their time and where true growth happens. For parents, teachers, and caregivers seeking to support healthier, more balanced childhoods, Dale provides both inspiration and practical perspective.

 

About Dr. Dale Atkins
Dr. Dale Atkins is a licensed psychologist, educator, storyteller and nature enthusiast with more than forty years of experience focusing on families, wellness, managing stress, and living a balanced, meaningful life. Author of nine books and many chapters, articles, and journals for popular and professional audiences, Dale is a featured speaker who lectures and leads seminars worldwide. Dale has appeared regularly on NBC’s TODAY and CNN. She has a private psychology practice in New York City and has been a member of, and advisor to several nonprofit boards, including Jumpstart for Young Children. She holds a B.S. in Social Studies from NYU, an M.A. in Special Education (Deafness) from Columbia University’s Teachers College, and a Ph.D. from UCLA in Educational Psychology. She and her husband have two children and six grandchildren and live in Connecticut. Early in 2026, Dr. Dale Atkins published her debut children’s book, The Turquoise Butterfly—a tender, award-winning story that celebrates the deep bond between a grandmother and granddaughter. Through its gentle narrative, the book helps children and families navigate anxiety, grief, and change with reassurance and hope. Dr. Atkins’ work reflects her enduring belief in the healing power of story, the wisdom of nature, and the lasting strength of intergenerational connection.

Travel Tidbits - SwampButt Underwear Identifies Its Top Fourteen Beach Hazards to Avoid at Destination Weddings

Summer is a great time to get married, especially if the plan is an exotic destination wedding. But not if the destination is the beach. Not if the beach is in Hawaii, Bali, or Galveston — especially if it’s Galveston.

Warm breezes, salt air, and toes in the sand on the happiest day ever are all a cruel illusion. Your family and friends hold cold drinks that get warm sooner than later. Ice sculptures melt into puddles. Seagulls, random surfers, and other people previously unknown to anyone in the wedding party may enjoy a variety of hot and cold seafood hors d’oeuvres, all served by white-gloved staff members dodging winged hazards that include flies, mosquitoes, gnats, wind-blown sand, and the previously mentioned seagulls.

Add the heat of summer, and it is the perfect combination of misery, socially awkward conditions, and a trip to divorce court.

“Beach weddings look romantic in photographs because photographs do not show sweat, thigh chafe, sand in regrettable places, or the exact moment a seagull steals the shrimp,” said Heraldson, spokesperson for SwampButt Underwear. “That is why we believe people should think very carefully before exchanging vows in a location that also serves as a public restroom for birds.”

SwampButt Underwear has identified fourteen potential hazards that couples should consider before planning a beach wedding.

1. Heat and Sweat

Beach weddings look breezy in photos, but guests may be sitting in direct sun, dressed in linen, lace, suits, shapewear, and formal underwear. That creates the perfect setup for swamp butt, thigh chafe, damp waistbands, and general undercarriage regret.

“What’s worse than walking around with a butt crack full of beach sand?” asked Heraldson. “Nothing.”

2. Sand Everywhere

Sand gets in shoes, hems, chairs, veils, food, flowers, and places no wedding guest wants to publicly discuss. It also clings to sweaty skin, which makes the discomfort even worse.

“You will have sand in places you did not know existed,” Heraldson warned. “And where there is sand, there may be sand fleas.”

3. Humidity

Even when it is not blazing hot, coastal humidity makes everyone feel sticky. Hair falls, makeup slides, shirts cling, and the inside of underwear becomes a silent battlefield.

“No one feels refreshed, especially anyone in the bridal party wearing an expensive dress that traps heat and sweat and will only be worn once,” Heraldson said.

4. Wind Problems

A beach breeze sounds romantic until it attacks the bride’s veil, flips programs into the ocean, knocks over decorations, blows over centerpieces, and sends musicians’ sheet music across the sand. It can also create accidental Marilyn Monroe moments for guests in dresses.

“A gentle ocean breeze is delightful until it becomes a fabric-based hostage situation,” Heraldson said.

5. Unpredictable Weather

Beach weddings are vulnerable to sudden rain, storms, fog, extreme heat, and cold evening wind. A perfect seaside ceremony can quickly become a weather evacuation with centerpieces.

“Nothing tests a marriage faster than moving 150 chairs, a cake, and Aunt Linda away from a thunderstorm,” Heraldson said.

6. Noise

Waves, wind, seagulls, boats, kids, beachgoers, and someone’s Bluetooth speaker can make it hard to hear the vows. The couple may be promising eternal love, but guests may only hear gulls screaming over the officiant.

“Beach weddings are one of the few ceremonies where the phrase ‘I do’ may be drowned out by a jet ski,” Heraldson said.

7. Lack of Privacy

Unless the ceremony is held on a private beach, strangers in swimsuits may wander through the background of the wedding photos. There is always a chance that a shirtless guy, a dog, or a toddler with a shovel will become part of the wedding party.

“Beach weddings create memories,” Heraldson said. “Unfortunately, some of those memories may involve people no one invited.”

8. Accessibility Issues

Sand can be difficult for elderly guests, people with mobility challenges, wheelchairs, walkers, dress shoes, and anyone trying to carry a chair, cooler, baby, bouquet, or emotional baggage.

“Love may conquer all,” Heraldson said, “but it does not make walking through deep sand in formal shoes any easier.”

9. Restroom Logistics

Beach restrooms may be far away, crowded, unpleasant, or nonexistent. That is not ideal when guests are drinking, sweating, wearing formal clothes, and eating shrimp cocktail.

“If the nearest bathroom requires a hike, a map, and a willingness to abandon dignity, you may want to rethink the venue,” Heraldson said.

10. Food and Drink Problems

Heat can wilt salads, melt cakes, warm champagne, attract bugs, and make seafood risky if it sits out too long. Beach buffets can also become an open invitation to birds, insects, and opportunistic strangers.

“No wedding guest wants to play ‘Is this crab cake still safe?’ during cocktail hour,” Heraldson said.

11. Sunburn and Glare

Guests may squint through the ceremony, burn before the reception, or spend the wedding hiding under programs like raccoons in formalwear. The wedding photos may be beautiful, but half the guests may look like they are staring directly into an eclipse.

“Nothing says elegance like 200 people shielding their eyes and slowly turning pink,” Heraldson said.

12. Dress Code Confusion

Beach weddings create immediate fashion confusion. Guests do not know whether to wear sandals, heels, linen suits, cocktail attire, beach casual, or “I gave up and wore flip-flops.”

“Once you put the words ‘beach’ and ‘formal’ together, no one knows what you mean anymore,” Heraldson said.

13. Chafing

Walking through sand in heat and humidity is a perfect recipe for inner-thigh friction. Add formal clothes, dancing, sweat, and a long walk back to the parking lot, and the reception can become a medical event.

“This is where SwampButt Underwear earns its invitation,” Heraldson said. “It will not stop the seagulls, but it can help protect the parts of the wedding party that never make it into the photo album.”

14. Seagulls

Seagulls are nature’s wedding crashers: loud, aggressive, shameless, and dangerously confident around seafood. They can steal food, dive-bomb guests, shriek during the vows, photobomb portraits, and create unfortunate digestive surprises from above.

“A beach wedding sounds romantic until a seagull steals the shrimp, dive-bombs the flower girl, and 200 guests discover the difference between ‘ocean breeze’ and ‘formalwear swamp butt,’” Heraldson said.

Final Warning

SwampButt Underwear does not oppose love, marriage, beaches, seafood, or destination weddings. The company simply believes that couples should understand the risks before asking friends and family to sit in the sun, sweat through formalwear, walk through sand, dodge birds, and pretend everything is magical.

“A beach wedding may look perfect on Pinterest,” Heraldson said. “But Pinterest does not show what happens when humidity, seagulls, sand, and rented tuxedos collide.”

For couples determined to get married at the beach anyway, SwampButt Underwear recommends shade, hydration, bug spray, sunscreen, a backup venue, private restrooms, secure food coverings, a realistic shoe policy, and underwear designed for extreme ceremonial conditions.

Because marriage is hard enough without swamp butt.

About SwampButt Underwear
SwampButt Underwear is designed for people who sweat, move, work, travel, celebrate, dance, and occasionally attend questionable outdoor weddings. Built for comfort in hot, humid, and socially dangerous conditions, SwampButt Underwear helps protect wearers from the discomfort that polite society refuses to discuss. To buy SwampButt Underwear please visit: https://swampbutt.com/store/.

 

Enriching Education - Principles of Reggio Emilia: Documentation as Communication

 Original post here

By Stephanie Rino, Director of Curriculum and Learning

Walk into a Reggio Emilia preschool and look at the walls.

You will not find generic posters or decorative borders. You will find photographs of children at work, their words printed carefully beneath them. You will find sketches, questions, and traces of investigations still in progress. You will find evidence of thinking preserved and displayed with intention.

This is documentation. And in the Reggio Emilia philosophy, it is far more than record-keeping. It is one of the most powerful tools educators have, and one of the most meaningful gifts they can give to children, families, and the learning community as a whole.

As Director of Curriculum and Learning at Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, documentation is something I think about constantly. It is the principle that perhaps most visibly sets our preschool programs apart from more traditional early childhood settings. And when families truly understand what they are looking at when they see our walls, something shifts in how they understand what is happening for their child every single day.

What Documentation Actually Is

The word documentation can sound clinical. It is anything but.

In the Reggio Emilia philosophy, documentation is the practice of carefully observing, recording, and sharing the process of children’s learning. It might take the form of photographs taken during an investigation. It might be a transcription of a conversation between two children working through a problem together. It might be a sequence of sketches showing how a child’s understanding of something evolved over several days.

Documentation is not about capturing finished products. A painting on display without any context around how it came to be tells only part of the story. True documentation in a Reggio Emilia preschool captures the process.

 

Documentation as Communication With Children

One of the most powerful things documentation does is communicate directly to children about who they are and what they are capable of.

When a child walks into the classroom in the morning and sees their own words printed on the wall alongside a photograph of themselves deep in thought, they receive a message that no lesson plan can deliver as powerfully: your ideas were worth preserving. What you thought about yesterday was important enough to remember. You are a thinker, and the adults around you take your thinking seriously.

This matters enormously for how children see themselves as learners. Research on self-efficacy in early childhood consistently shows that children who believe their contributions are valued engage more deeply, take more risks, and demonstrate greater persistence in the face of challenge.

Documentation also invites children to revisit and extend their own thinking. When children can look back at an earlier sketch, a previous idea, or a recorded conversation, they are able to reflect in ways that young children rarely get the opportunity to do. They can see how their thinking has changed. They can build on what they discovered before. The documentation becomes a scaffold for deeper inquiry rather than simply an endpoint.

 

Documentation as Communication With Families

For families, documentation is a window into a world they otherwise cannot see.

Most parents drop their child off and pick them up later with only a vague sense of what happened in between. They might hear a fragment of a story in the car on the way home, or see a drawing they cannot quite interpret. The inner life of their child’s day at school is largely invisible to them.

Documentation changes that. When parents can read a transcription of their child’s conversation with a peer, or see a sequence of photographs showing their child working through a problem over the course of an afternoon, they are given something remarkable: genuine insight into how their child thinks.

At Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, we hear again and again from families that documentation is one of the things that makes them feel most connected to what is happening inside our classrooms. It is not just a report of what their child did. It is a portrait of who their child is becoming. It is one of the reasons families who are searching for preschool programs that treat children as capable, curious thinkers find their way to us, because our walls tell a story that speaks for itself.

 

Documentation as Communication Among Educators

Documentation does not only serve children and families. It is also one of the most important professional tools educators have.

When teachers document carefully, they are forced to slow down and truly look at what children are doing. The act of documentation is itself a form of deep observation. It asks educators to notice not just what happened, but what it might mean. What is this child working to understand? What question is alive for them? What does this moment reveal about where their thinking is?

These questions are at the heart of reflective teaching practice. And documentation gives educators the material they need to have meaningful conversations with one another about children’s learning, to plan responsively, to identify what provocations might open new territory, and to support one another’s growth as practitioners.

At Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, documentation is woven into our professional development and our ongoing collaborative reflection. It is not something teachers do in addition to their real work. It is a core part of how our educators understand and continuously improve what they do, and it is one of the reasons our preschool programs attract educators who are deeply committed to this kind of intentional practice.

 

What Documentation Looks Like in Practice

For families who are new to Reggio Emilia preschool environments, it can be helpful to understand the many forms documentation can take. It is not one thing. It is a practice that looks different depending on what is being captured and why.

Some common forms of documentation in a Reggio Emilia preschool include:

• Photographs paired with written observations, displayed at children’s eye level
• Transcriptions of children’s conversations and questions, often printed alongside images
• Sequences of sketches or artwork showing how an idea or investigation evolved
• Digital documentation shared with families through platforms like our LuvNotes app
• Classroom portfolios, in which educators and students collaborate to document the child’s work throughout the year (typically documented in the form of a binder or folder)

What all of these share is intentionality. Nothing appears on a Reggio Emilia preschool wall by accident. Every piece of documentation is there because an educator made a deliberate choice to preserve and share a particular moment of learning.

 

The Deeper Purpose of Documentation in a Reggio Emilia Preschool

There is something worth saying about what documentation ultimately communicates, beyond the specific content of any individual panel or photograph.

When a classroom is rich with documentation, it tells everyone who enters something important about what is valued here. It says that learning is a process, not just a product. It says that children’s thinking is worthy of serious attention. It says that what happens in this room is worth remembering.

In a world that often reduces early childhood education to readiness checklists and developmental milestones, documentation is a quiet but powerful act of resistance. It insists that what children think, wonder, discover, and create in these early years is not preparation for something more important later. It is important now. It is worth capturing. It is worth sharing. It is worth celebrating.

This is what separates truly intentional preschool programs from those that simply keep children occupied until kindergarten. At Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, every document, photograph, and transcription on our walls exists because we genuinely believe that every child’s learning story deserves to be told.

 

If this article sparked your interest, there’s so much more to explore. Our About page dives deeper into how exceptional early education can nurture a child’s natural curiosity, confidence, and love of learning. You can even experience this approach for yourself at one of our Reggio Emilia preschools and daycares near you. We’re glad you’re here. Let’s keep learning together.

Parenting Pointers - Best & Worst States for Working Dads

With Father’s Day approaching, and 94.4% of married fathers working last year compared to 72.1% of married mothers, the personal-finance company WalletHub has released its report on 2026’s Best & Worst States for Working Dads, along with expert commentary.

To help fathers manage the demands of both parenting and providing, WalletHub evaluated all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia across 22 key indicators of how supportive each place is for working dads. The analysis includes factors such as average workday length for men, childcare costs, and the percentage of men in good or better health.
 

Best States for Working Dads	Worst States for Working Dads
1. Massachusetts	42. South Carolina
2. Connecticut	43. Arkansas
3. District of Columbia	44. Arizona
4. New Jersey	45. Oklahoma
5. Rhode Island	46. West Virginia
6. Minnesota	47. Alabama
7. New Hampshire	48. Mississippi
8. Virginia	49. Nevada
9. Vermont	50. Louisiana
10. Washington	51. New Mexico

 
Best vs. Worst

• Nebraska has the lowest unemployment rate for dads with kids aged 0 to 17 which is 3.4 times lower than in West Virginia, the highest.
   
• Massachusetts has the lowest male uninsured rate which is 5.7 times lower than in Texas, the highest.
   
• Mississippi has the lowest average annual early child-care costs (adjusted for median family income) which is two times lower than in New Mexico, the highest.
   
• Hawaii has the lowest share of men who couldn’t afford to see a doctor in the past year because of costs which is 2.5 times lower than in Tennessee, the highest.

 
To view the full report and your state or the District’s rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/best-and-worst-states-for-working-dads/13458

 

“Working dads have to worry about much more than just how much income they’re bringing home to support their kids. They also have to make sure that their children’s childcare and education are adequate, their health is properly looked after, and they get enough quality time with their father. The best states for working dads provide the conditions for all these needs to be met, while also helping dads maintain their own physical and mental health.”
–
“Massachusetts is the best state for working dads, boasting the sixth-highest median household income for families with children under 18 and a father present, along with the third-lowest poverty rate for kids, at 5.1%. In addition, Massachusetts has the best parental leave policies of any state, the best school systems in the country and a relatively high number of child care workers per capita.”

- Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst  

What are the biggest issues facing working dads today?
“The single biggest hurdle facing working dads today is the intense mental stress of navigating a modern culture that demands deep emotional presence at home while maintaining traditional expectations of full-time corporate performance. Pew Research Center data shows that 50 percent of working fathers find it difficult to balance their job and family responsibilities. As standard work schedules collide with soccer practices and bedtime routines, a pervasive time deficit fuels a sense of parenting guilt, as highlighted by a Pew study revealing that 46 percent of working dads openly admit they do not spend enough time with their children.”
Andrew Burnstine, Ph.D. – Associate Professor, Lynn University
 
 
What impact does working from home have on fathers’ role in caring for children and housework?
“Working from home acts as a powerful catalyst for parental equity by placing fathers directly inside the domestic sphere during active childcare hours and eliminating long commutes. Remote arrangements allow dads to take on a larger share of routine household chores and spontaneous child needs that historically fell entirely on mothers. Former New York Times reporter Brigid Schulte, author of Overwhelmed: Work, Love, and Play When No One Has the Time, captures this shift perfectly, stating, ‘When men work from home, they see the invisible labor that keeps a family afloat, and they are much more likely to naturally step in and share that burden.’”
Andrew Burnstine, Ph.D. – Associate Professor, Lynn University
 

Almost 1 in 5 stay-at-home parents are dads. What are the main reasons why dads choose to stay at home?
“While stay-at-home dads now account for 18 percent of all at-home parents, a deeper look at the data reveals that the primary drivers are a complex mix of personal choice, health circumstances, and macroeconomics. According to Pew Research Center studies, only 23 percent of stay-at-home fathers cite family caregiving as their primary reason for being home, which contrasts sharply with stay-at-home mothers. The largest single factor driving fathers to stay home is actually illness or disability at 34 percent, followed by 13 percent who are actively looking for work but cannot find open positions, and 8 percent who are currently attending school.”
Andrew Burnstine, Ph.D. – Associate Professor, Lynn University


More From WalletHub

• Best & Worst States for Working Moms
• Best & Worst States to Raise a Family
• Best Places to Get Married
• Best & Worst States to Have a Baby
• Best & Worst States for Singles

Book Nook - Rebel: Following Jesus When the World Walks the Other Way

PLATINUM-certified, GRAMMY-nominated artist and songwriter Anne Wilson releases her new book, “Rebel: Following Jesus When the World Walks the Other Way,” available now via W Publishing, an imprint of Thomas Nelson. Following the success of her debut book, “My Jesus,” and her K-LOVE Fan Award-winning “Hey Girl” 40-Day Devotional, “Rebel” marks Wilson's third book and continues to expand the faith-forward storytelling that has resonated across her music, writing and live shows.   AVAILABLE NOW: “REBEL: FOLLOWING JESUS WHEN THE WORLD WALKS THE OTHER WAY”   "Jesus changed my life when He showed me that following Him isn't about fitting in, it's about standing out for His kingdom,” shares Wilson. “'Rebel' is an invitation to live with that kind of bold faith. My hope is that readers walk away inspired to trust God more deeply, love Him more fully and courageously follow Him wherever He leads."   “Rebel” explores what it means to live as a true follower of Jesus in a world that often pulls people in the opposite direction. Blending personal stories with biblical insight, Wilson offers a fresh perspective on living a life of purpose and conviction, even when it means looking like a rebel to the rest of the world. Inspired by Wilson's 16-track, genre blending album REBEL, the book further extends the message of the bold, uncompromising faith that has become central to her artistry. Providing practical applications and chapter-ending prayers, the book inspires a bold, countercultural commitment to Christ, appealing to both longtime believers and those exploring their faith.   The release arrives on the heels of Wilson recently taking home the Book Impact Award at the 2026 K-LOVE Fan Awards for her “Hey Girl” 40-Day Devotional. Created to help young women discover their true worth and unshakable identity in Christ, the devotional continues to make a meaningful impact with fans across the country.   Wilson recently extended her 2026 nationwide The STARS Tour into the fall with 24 additional dates across the U.S. The new leg adds to the previously announced 30 dates, bringing Wilson's live show to cities across the West Coast, Midwest, South and more. Special guests Peter Burton and Aodhán King are set to join on select dates. Tickets are available for purchase via annewilsonofficial.com.   With over 2 billion career streams, Wilson continues to cement herself as “one of contemporary Christian music's most dynamic trailblazers" (People). Building on the success of a GRAMMY nomination, multiple Dove Award wins and recognition from Spotify, CMT, Billboard and more, Wilson's next chapter promises to shine even brighter. Stay up to date at annewilsonofficial.com and keep up with her on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.   The STARS Tour fall 2026 dates: Sept. 10, 2026 in Portland, Ore. at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall * Sept. 11, 2026 in Spokane, Wash. at Fox Theater * Sept. 12, 2026 in Tacoma, Wash. at Pantages Theater * Sept. 15, 2026 in Colorado Springs, Colo. at Pikes Peak Center * Sept. 17, 2026 in Tulsa, Okla. at Mabee Center * Sept. 18, 2026 in Kansas City, Mo. at The Midland Theatre * Sept. 19, 2026 in Springfield, Mo. at Spence Chapel Auditorium at Evangel University * Sept. 23, 2026 in Roanoke, Va. at Berglund Performing Arts Theatre * Sept. 24, 2026 in Baltimore, Md. at Lyric Baltimore * Sept. 26, 2026 in Virginia Beach, Va. at The Dome by Rutter Mills * Sept. 30, 2026 in Houston, Texas at Bayou Music Center * Oct. 1, 2026 in Grand Prairie, Texas at Texas Trust CU Theatre at Grand Prairie * Oct. 2, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Okla. at The Criterion * Oct. 9, 2026 in Birmingham, Ala. at BJCC Concert Hall ~ Oct. 11, 2026 in Augusta, Ga. at Bell Auditorium ~ Oct. 22, 2026 in Omaha, Neb. at Peter Kiewit Concert Hall at The Holland Performing Arts Center ~ Oct. 23, 2026 in Peoria, Ill. at Prairie Home Alliance Theater ~ Oct. 24, 2026 in Davenport, Iowa at Capitol Theatre ~ Nov. 5, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nev. at The Smith Center ~ Nov. 6, 2026 in Riverside, Calif. at Fox Performing Arts Center ~ Nov. 7, 2026 in Tucson, Ariz. at Linda Ronstadt Music Hall ~ Nov. 9, 2026 in San Diego, Calif. at San Diego Civic Theatre ~ Nov. 12, 2026 in Bakersfield, Calif. at Dignity Health Theater ~ Nov. 13, 2026 in Sacramento, Calif. at SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center ~   * with Aodhán King ~ with Peter Burton

Photo credit: Sophia Mantinazad | Download here

PRESS FOLDER

ABOUT ANNE WILSON: Anne Wilson makes music where faith and country meet, a rare space where honesty, grief and hope live side by side. At just 24, she has already crossed the 2 billion streams milestone and emerged as one of the most distinctive new voices in both Christian and country music. Long before stepping onto a stage, Wilson dreamed of becoming an astronaut — a curiosity and sense of wonder that still shapes how she sees the world today.   Her third studio album, Stars, captures a young artist growing up on record. Shaped by the tragic loss of her brother Jacob, Wilson's faith could have been shattered — but instead it was strengthened. That tension, of wrestling with God yet still loving Jesus, defines her music and makes her profoundly relatable. “Faith isn't about never questioning,” she says. “It's about holding on in the middle of the storm.”   Stars threads together themes of grief, growth, maturity and wonder, carried by Wilson's soaring vocals and country-pop production. From the wide-eyed imagery of the title track to the raw prayer of “Carry Me” and the redemption arc of “Dead in the Water,” the album reflects both the hardship of loss and the joy of new perspective.   Alongside the album, Wilson will deliver her new music to fans in person on The STARS Tour throughout 2026. She also just released her third book, “Rebel: Following Jesus When the World Walks the Other Way,” available now, which serves as a rally cry for a generation to live an authentic, countercultural and rebellious faith.    Anne Wilson is still becoming, still wrestling and still rejoicing — but Stars proves she's shining brighter not in spite of the struggle, but because of it.