10 to 25 by David Yeager: Book Overview & Lessons

In a classroom, a teacher is mentoring a teenage student

How can adults better connect with and mentor young people? The key lies in abandoning conventional approaches that assume young people are impulsive and incompetent, and instead adopting what psychologist David Yeager calls the “mentor mindset.” In his book 10 to 25, Yeager argues that rather than viewing young people as neurobiologically incompetent, effective mentors recognize that teens and young adults are actually quite capable—they’re just wired to prioritize social standing and peer respect over abstract future goals. This article explores Yeager’s research-backed approach to mentorship, examining why conventional authoritarian and permissive methods fall short, and providing practical strategies for

Latent Content of Dreams: Freud’s Theory & Common Desires

A woman sleeping in gray pajamas and gray linens illustrates latent content of dreams

Why do people so often dream about sex? Have you ever wondered why certain images and scenarios appear in your dreams? In The Interpretation of Dreams, Sigmund Freud explains manifest and latent content of dreams. He contends that dreams aren’t random—they’re coded messages from our unconscious mind revealing our deepest desires and unresolved conflicts. Keep reading to learn how childhood experiences shape your dreams and why sexual symbolism appears so frequently.

How Your Role Models Shape Your Success (Ian Robertson)

A teenage boy and a father or father figure sitting on a couch and having a serious conversation illustrates your role models

What shapes your ability to achieve and maintain success? How do your early-life influences affect your response to challenges and opportunities? In his book The Winner Effect, Ian Robertson explores how your role models’ attitudes toward success influence your own approach. How you handle challenges, setbacks, and opportunities today comes, in part, from how your parents and teachers treated you and how they lived their own lives. Read more to understand the power of role models in your life.

How to Choose a Sport (Hint: Don’t Trust Your Gut)

A boy holding a baseball bat illustrates how to choose a sport for you or your child

What athletic path will give your child the greatest chance of success? Which sports rely more on genetics, and which ones reward consistent practice and hard work? Choosing the right sport for your child involves weighing natural abilities against dedication and opportunity. In Don’t Trust Your Gut, Seth Stephens-Davidowitz reveals that diving, weightlifting, and horseback riding reward effort over natural talent, while other sports favor specific genetic traits. Keep reading to discover how to choose a sport that could lead to athletic scholarships and open doors to college education.

When Parents’ Decision-Making Matters Most: 2 Pivotal Choices

A dad, mom, and two children walking on the sidewalk in a neighborhood illustrates parents' decision-making

What truly impacts your child’s development? Which parenting decisions matter most for long-term success? In his book Don’t Trust Your Gut, Seth Stephens-Davidowitz contends that most day-to-day parenting decisions have minimal impact. He identifies two decisions in particular that, according to research, can dramatically affect how your children’s lives play out. Keep reading to discover when parents’ decision-making really matters, according to the data.

3 Benefits of Music on the Brain, Neuroscientist Explains

A baby dancing to music, displaying the benefits of music on the brain

What role does music play in childhood development? How can playing music improve your mental processing? There are many benefits of music on the brain, and neuroscientist Daniel J. Levitin explains them in his book I Heard There Was a Secret Chord. From releasing oxytocin to generating empathy, music can have profound impacts on humans. Here’s a look at the top three benefits of music.

Far From the Tree by Andrew Solomon: Book Overview

A woman with gray hair and a sweater in a cozy setting reading a book

What does it mean when the apple falls far from the tree? How do families adapt when their children have identities that differ significantly from what they expected? In his book Far From the Tree, Andrew Solomon explores families raising children with horizontal identities—traits that make children fundamentally different from their parents. Through interviews with over 300 families, Solomon examines how parents navigate raising children who are different. Keep reading to discover how parents can move from confusion to acceptance and how both understanding and practical support help exceptional children thrive.

Parenting and Gender Identity: Put Expectations Aside

A father and teenage daughter having a serious conversation illustrates parenting and gender identity

What does it mean when your child’s gender identity differs from their sex at birth? How can parents best respond to a child expressing gender variance or identifying as transgender? In Far From the Tree, Andrew Solomon explores the complexities of parenting and gender identity. He contends that a child’s gender identity requires understanding and acceptance. Solomon emphasizes the importance of creating safe environments where children can express their authentic selves. Read on to dive deeper into how parents can navigate these important conversations.

Parenting a Child With a Disability: Illness vs. Identity

A sketch of a mother and a child wearing glasses illustrates parenting a child with a disability

What does it mean to value a life beyond its capabilities or perceived “normalcy”? How can parents navigate both accepting their child’s identity while seeking appropriate support for their disability? In Far From the Tree, Andrew Solomon explores the complex intersection between illness and identity when parenting a child with a disability. He presents a nuanced view that balances the medical model of disability with the social model that recognizes disability as both a natural variation and a socially constructed experience. Keep reading to discover how parents can embrace their child’s unique identity while advocating for a more inclusive world.

Horizontal Identities: What Sets Us Apart (Andrew Solomon)

A young man in a wheelchair in a park illustrates horizontal identities

How do certain traits become meaningful parts of our identity? Why do some differences from our parents shape how we see ourselves while others don’t? Andrew Solomon explores the distinction between traits we get from our parents (vertical identities) and those that set us apart from them (horizontal identities). This framework helps us understand how families navigate unexpected differences and how people develop a sense of self when they differ significantly from their parents. Keep reading to discover how horizontal identities affect both parents and children and how families can embrace differences rather than trying to “fix” them.