Stacy Gooden-Crandle would have never guessed when her son was born at 2 lbs, 9 oz that he'd grow up to be Super Bowl champion Derick Hall. "We never talk about what a NICU parent goes through," she said. She's trying to change that. www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

Her son was born at 2.5 pounds. Now he’s a Super Bowl champion.

Stacy Gooden-Crandle was terrified when her son was born at 23 weeks weighing 2 pounds, 9 ounces. Now, he's a star in the NFL.

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Modern parenting is hell. The birthday parties are outrageous. The screentime debate is almost as hot as the co-sleeping debate. Oh, and there’s the mental load. "We’ve made it impossible on purpose," said Reshma Saujani, CEO of Moms First. www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... @usatoday.com

Last year, while in the throes of homelessness, Johnika Jamison said she "didn't even feel like a mom." This Mother's Day, thanks to generous readers who raised $65K in a GoFundMe, she and her family have a place to call home. www.usatoday.com/story/life/h...

What's it like when hundreds of mom influencers get together for a weekend? I found out. Read about the world of momfluencing in my latest for @usatoday.com www.usatoday.com/story/life/h...

Dr. Becky, an influencer summit and how some moms are making big bucks

What happens when hundreds of mom influencers get together for a weekend? USA TODAY got an inside look.

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Bernice is dying of cancer. Her daughter Teresa helped her get the paperwork she needed for medical aid in dying. “For me, there's always hope, right?" Teresa said. Now, her priority is to give her mom “the best life while she's here." www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

She insisted on medical aid in dying. Her daughter had to tell the rest of the family.

Teresa Rodriguez's mother is dying of cancer. Like other caregivers to those who insist on medical aid in dying, Rodriguez is facing grief and guilt.

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Between taking in her mother-in-law and having her first child, Deanna Adkins accumulated thousands of dollars in debt. "It's hard to have any hope that I will get out of this trap," she said. Other sandwich generation caregivers understand. www.usatoday.com/story/money/... via @usatoday.com

Camilla Luddington, who plays Dr. Jo on "Grey's Anatomy," says her own life has mirrored her character's in some ways. "There were episodes where I was up all night with my son and breastfeeding, and (Jo) was up all night," she said. www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

How 'Grey's Anatomy' star juggles work and motherhood, just like Dr. Jo

Camilla Luddington, best known for her role as Dr. Jo Wilson on "Grey's Anatomy," shares how she juggles work and parenthood in real life.

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I interviewed actress and comedian Alyssa Limperis this week about grief, humor and what she's learned since her dad died 10 years ago. Grief and heartache can live in you, she said. "So if you're not getting it out, you're carrying it." www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via

Her dad died, and she can't stop laughing about it. Other caregivers know why.

Like so many caregivers, comedian Alyssa Limperis finds humor in her grief. She's using that humor to raise funds for a grief and hospice nonprofit.

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In 2018, pregnant with her third child, Kate Ames was exhausted. Already the mom of a 5-year-old and a 2-year-old, her friends and family told her fatigue was just part of motherhood. She actually had mold illness. www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

Doctors blamed her symptoms on motherhood. She actually had mold illness.

Kate Ames spent years battling chronic symptoms like fatigue and joint pain. She later learned there was mold in her home that was making her sick.

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Their kids hated school. So these moms became homeschool teachers. "The world is just not set up for working parents, especially mothers," said Andrea Granieri, mother of a 10-year-old with autism. www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

Their kids hated school. So these moms became homeschool teachers.

Lindsay Poveromo-Joly said her daughter would cry under her desk avoiding schoolwork. Her pediatrician was the first person who took it seriously.

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Anita LeBrun, a senior living resident, is going viral for her "Grandparents' Happy Hour" bill testimony. "My friends and I love happy hour, just like many of you do," she said. www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

Testimony for Minnesota's 'Grandparents' Happy Hour' bill is going viral

Minnesota's proposed “Grandparents’ Happy Hour” bill would allow group homes to serve alcohol to residents and their guests.

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I interviewed Katie Couric last week! We talked about her late husband, Jay, who died when her girls were still little, and the joys of aging and being a grandparent that she wishes he was around to experience, too. www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

Katie Couric on aging, being a grandmother and the importance of early cancer screenings

Katie Couric tells USA TODAY about the joys of aging, being a grandmother and why early cancer screening is important – so others can age well, too.

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week 3 of living in nyc (!!!) & yesterday a tourist asked me for subway directions and I knew the answer 😎 loving it here so far. if you’re in the caregiving space in nyc, drop me a line! also hoping to connect with more creatives/playwrights/theatre artists here. dms open!

The U.S. birth rate is declining - but fertility among women 40+ is on the rise. "I feel like I'm more stable financially, mentally, physically in my 40s than I was in my younger years," said Sherita Coardes, a 44-year-old mom of 2. www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

IVF, 'God's timing' and why more women over 40 are becoming first-time moms

While birth rates are down in the United States and across the globe, fertility rates have risen among American women 40 and older.

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"It was really hard and scary to find the help we need," said Stephanie Bohn, founder of TrulyCare and mom to a teen with a rare disorder. "My daughter cannot do anything for herself. She relies on us for everything. It is always on my mind." www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

She’s doing everything she can to seem OK. But this mom’s 13-year-old is slowly dying.

Tasha Faruqui, 44, is a working mom in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her daughter, 13-year-old Soraya, is dying of a rare disease.

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The Brewers are a "one and done family, not by choice." Kailah Brewer, 32, wants a second baby. But even with $100k/year, her family can't afford it. When she sees pronatalism news, she said it "feels like a slap in the face." www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

They want a second baby. But even with $100K, they can't afford it.

Some women who want to grow their families are choosing not to because of affordability, lack of access to maternal health care and other fears.

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President Donald Trump has made it no secret he wants a baby boom. Is it here? Certainly within his administration, it seems to be. More widely, however, that question is complicated, experts say. www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

President Donald Trump wanted a baby boom. Is it here?

Trump has said he wants a baby boom. Is it here? Within his administration, it seems to be. More widely, however, the answer is complicated.

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Actress Yvette Nicole Brown on caring for her father, who has Alzheimer's disease: "I was one of those people that had vowed that my dad would never be outside of my home. But to keep him in my home right now would have been a detriment to him." www.usatoday.com/story/entert... via @usatoday.com

The emotional choice Yvette Nicole Brown made while caring for her dad

Yvette Nicole Brown is sharing her caregiving story so other family caregivers feel less alone. Her dad has Alzheimer's disease.

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Most states don't guarantee paid parental leave for teachers, leaving many needing to choose between their students and their own kids. "I put my heart and soul into teaching... But, I mean, I'm a mom first, and so I had to choose them." www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

When they became moms, these teachers were left with few options. Some quit.

Teachers aren't guaranteed paid parental leave in most states. For some, it's enough to leave the profession altogether.

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Tiffany Barrera, 31, is a recently widowed mother of five. Her partner, who was the primary breadwinner for their family, died while trying to cross the Rio Grande after he was deported in November. "He did everything for us," Barrera said. www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

He was deported, then he died. Now his family of 6 is reeling.

Jose Sanchez died trying to cross the Rio Grande after he was deported in November. Now his partner is adjusting to life as a single mom of five.

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People talk about finding "the one" romantically. But what happens when "the one" becomes your caregiver? Is love enough to get you through? "Love is not a plan. That's not a plan for long-term care," said author and sociologist Laura Mauldin. www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... @usatoday.com

She loved her partner. But was that enough to stay through cancer care?

Laura Mauldin cared for her sick partner in the early 2000s. In her new book, she talks about the intersection of love, care and the need for support.

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When Jennifer Taylor found out she had cancer, she didn't want her husband to come with her to chemo. She wanted her best friend. "It's girl time," her BFF, Adrien Finkel, said. "There's something about the gathering of women that is so healing." www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

She brought her bestie with her to chemo, not her husband. Why female friendships matter.

Jennifer Taylor was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2025. Her best friend, Adrien Finkel, has been with her through everything.

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In many ways, Savannah Guthrie's story reads like a Hollywood script -- it's unfathomable to the average American. But anyone who's experienced the struggles of caring for an aging parent from afar can relate, on some level. www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

Savannah Guthrie, her missing mom and why so many feel her pain

Savannah Guthrie lives in New York. Her mom lives in Arizona. Other long-distance caregivers feel her pain, guilt and worry.

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Hi, friends. I'm writing about aging adults and screen time -- particularly sandwich generation folks worried their parents are getting sucked into online conspiracies. If you have a personal story to tell about this, I'm listening. Message me here or email me at memitchell@usatoday.com.

"He was in the NICU longer than he was at our house, by the time I started work. He probably knew the nurses better than he knew me, you know?" Colorado and Illinois recently passed protections for working NICU parents. Read more about it here: www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

Having grandchildren is good for you, experts say. New research has even found being an active grandparent may slow cognitive decline. Read more about how grandparenting is good for you, here: www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

You've heard of helicopter parents. But what about helicopter grandparents? Some grandparents "forget that there's a whole parent world that they need to respect," said psychologist Dale Atkins. "They're not your children." www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

Her kids were in Seattle. Her parents were in India. She cared for them all. "I feel now that maybe I didn't give my full attention to my two girls, because I feel like I was worried for my parents," said Tej Pillai, 55. www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com

The summer camp signup frenzy is in full swing. Registration for Anne Moore's daughter starts at 8 a.m. "By 8:10, they're full." "If I happen to be in a meeting for work, then I miss that opportunity," she said. Read more in my latest for @usatoday.com: www.usatoday.com/story/life/h...

Ashley Tisdale left her "toxic" mom group. Should you? "There is just an enormous amount of pressure on mothers to get everything right," said parent group researcher Maia Cucchiara. "And I think it makes parenting really hard for people." www.usatoday.com/story/life/h... via @usatoday.com