Department · Parenting & Family

Parenting & Family

Articles and guides from the parenting & family desk, written and edited by women who've been there. 54 pieces published, more on the way.

54 articles in this department

A mother sits beside her daughter and helps with homework at home, the everyday costs a California support order is meant to share.

Parenting & Family

California Child Support: How the Formula Works (2026)

California child support runs on a formula: net incomes, timeshare and a $2,929 low-income line. How DCSS works, add-ons, pass-through and enforcement.

October 16, 202617 min read, SubhaRead more

A mother holds her daughter close with her eyes shut, the protective moment when a parent starts asking a court for help.

Parenting & Family

Emergency Custody Order: When You Can Get One

Emergency custody order rules by state: what counts as immediate danger, which forms to file, how fast judges rule and when a protective order fits better.

October 14, 202617 min read, SubhaRead more

A mother opens her arms as her young child runs to her across a mountain meadow, the kind of everyday care Colorado child support helps pay for.

Parenting & Family

Colorado Child Support (2026): How It Works Under New Rules

Colorado child support in 2026: the new schedule up to $40,000, a credit for every overnight, $10 minimums, free applications, 10% interest and when it ends.

October 13, 202613 min read, SubhaRead more

A mother and father sit across an office table from a mediator, talking through a parenting plan in a custody mediation session.

Parenting & Family

Custody Mediation: What to Expect and How to Prepare

Custody mediation, explained for moms: how long it takes, what to bring, what not to say, abuse protections and what happens if you cannot agree.

October 8, 202615 min read, SubhaRead more

A single mother lies on the bed beside her young daughter, reading a picture book together before bedtime

Parenting & Family

Single Mother Parenting: What Research Says Helps Kids

Single mother parenting is not what holds kids back. Research points to warmth, a calm home, steady routines and a mom whose own health is cared for.

October 7, 202614 min read, SubhaRead more

A smiling single mother sits on the couch at home next to her young son, both looking at the camera

Parenting & Family

How Child Support Works in Texas (2026): Rates, Cap, Rules

Texas child support is 20% of the paying parent's net resources for one child, up to an $11,700 cap. How to open a case, get paid and enforce an order.

October 6, 202613 min read, SubhaRead more

A mother says goodbye to her son outside school, backpack on, the everyday handover a shared schedule creates

Parenting & Family

50/50 Custody Schedules: Which One Fits, and Why

Four rotations cover almost every 50/50 custody schedule. Age and handover count decide which one works. Census data on who custodial parents really are.

August 17, 202612 min read, SubhaRead more

A mother and her young son sit facing each other on the couch, talking before a new partner moves in

Parenting & Family

Step Parenting as a Single Mom: Why Most Advice Misses You

A mother plus a stepparent is the most common blended family at 33%. What step parenting really looks like when you are the single mom bringing him in.

August 17, 202612 min read, SubhaRead more

A daughter stands and gestures at her seated mother across a glass table, the kind of sudden hostility alienated mothers describe

Parenting & Family

Parental Alienation Against Mothers: What Courts Get Wrong

Mothers and fathers are equally likely to be targets of parental alienation. When a mother alleges abuse and a father cross-claims, her custody loss doubles.

August 10, 202612 min read, SubhaRead more

Parenting & Family

California Child Support: How the Formula Works (2026)

Emergency Custody Order: When You Can Get One

Colorado Child Support (2026): How It Works Under New Rules

Custody Mediation: What to Expect and How to Prepare

Single Mother Parenting: What Research Says Helps Kids

How Child Support Works in Texas (2026): Rates, Cap, Rules

50/50 Custody Schedules: Which One Fits, and Why

Step Parenting as a Single Mom: Why Most Advice Misses You

Parental Alienation Against Mothers: What Courts Get Wrong

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One short read,
every Sunday at 6am.