Category Archives: parenting

Why Mariska Hargitay Jokingly Calls Her Kids “Losers”

**Watch: See Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann’s Rare Family Outing With 3 Kids on Red Carpet**

Mariska Hargitay isn’t pulling out the cuffs for her kids. The *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* star recently shared insight into how she playfully handles her and husband Peter Hermann’s sons, August, 18, and Andrew, 13, and daughter, Amaya, 14, when they misbehave.

“I would say humor and comedy has saved my life,” Mariska explained in the October 21 episode of the *Good Hang with Amy Poehler* podcast. “I’m so grateful for that. When my kids do bad things, I call them losers, and then they say, ‘Oh, it’s not that bad if she’s calling us a loser.’ And we laugh through it. We just rip on the kids.”

She added, “I just say, ‘Don’t do that ’cause if you do that, you’re a hack and a loser. Is that what you want to be?’”

Indeed, the 61-year-old revealed that their dynamic has kept her family stronger than ever, thanks to Peter, 58, whom she married in 2004.

“This is why I’m still married, because my husband, sometimes I’m so upset or something’s happened and I’m so scared,” she recalled. “I’m like, ‘No, Peter. Something’s wrong. I feel a tightness in my chest and I might need to go to the hospital.’ He immediately goes into the comedy,” she continued, “and then as soon as I laugh, I go, ‘Should I be scared or not?’”

For Mariska, finding love — let alone on the set of *SVU* — was something she never imagined.

“We didn’t get married ‘til I was 40 and we dated for two years and then once he asked me to marry him, we got married in four months,” she explained. “I don’t think I could have handled a marriage earlier. I don’t think I’d be married. I just had too much to learn.”

Since saying “I do,” the *My Mom Jayne* filmmaker has learned a lot about what it takes to keep a relationship stronger than ever.

“We listen to each other and root for each other,” she told *E! News* in October 2024, “and challenge each other and are committed and so invested. We want the same things, and we cherish our union — that comes first.”

Despite being married for over two decades, she and the *Younger* actor have continued to learn more and more about each other.

“Peter is such a deep and soulful human,” she shared with *E!* in January 2024. “I just love getting to know him on a deeper level. And so there’s always more.”

For more eyebrow-raising celebrity confessions, keep reading.
https://www.eonline.com/news/1424096/mariska-hargitay-jokingly-calls-her-kids-losers?cmpid=rss-syndicate-genericrss-us-top_stories

Parenting Through Every Stage: Trusted Advice from Pregnancy to Teens

**Parenthood: A Journey Through Ever-Changing Chapters**

*Published Oct. 2, 2025, 2:22 a.m. ET*

Parenthood is a journey that unfolds in chapters, each presenting its own challenges, joys, and learning curves. From the first moment of pregnancy to the teenage years filled with independence and discovery, every stage brings new questions.

The needs of a newborn differ vastly from those of a toddler, just as the worries of raising a grade-schooler don’t mirror those of navigating adolescence. What remains constant throughout is a parent’s desire for guidance that is both reliable and realistic.

### The Ever-Changing Role of Parents

Pregnancy sparks anticipation but also uncertainty. Expecting parents often wonder how to prepare their homes, their schedules, and even themselves for what’s to come.

Once babies arrive, the parenting role shifts to managing feeding schedules, sleepless nights, and building the early bonds of attachment. Fast forward a few years, and parenting becomes about supporting milestones like walking, talking, and the first day of school.

By the time children reach adolescence, parents step into the roles of mentor and boundary-setter, balancing freedom with structure.

Across these stages, the role of a parent continually evolves, requiring flexibility, patience, and trusted advice.

### Navigating Advice in a Noisy World

Parenting today comes with an endless stream of opinions—from blogs and podcasts to social media posts and advice from well-meaning friends or strangers.

The challenge isn’t in finding information but rather in knowing which voices to trust. Many parents seek resources that combine practicality with empathy—places where advice feels grounded in real experience rather than theory.

Online hubs such as *famousparenting momlife* reflect this balance, offering perspectives that acknowledge the messiness of parenting while still pointing toward constructive solutions.

With thoughtful support, parents can spend less energy sifting through noise and more on meaningful connections with their children.

### Early Years: Building Foundations

Infancy and toddlerhood focus on creating security and rhythm. Parents prioritize meeting basic needs while encouraging exploration.

Simple practices like consistent routines, responsive caregiving, and providing safe spaces for play nurture both trust and curiosity. These early foundations set the stage for lifelong learning and resilience.

### School Age: Encouraging Growth

As children enter school, parents often shift to supporting education and promoting independence.

Homework routines, extracurricular activities, and social dynamics bring new layers of responsibility.

During this stage, parents can boost self-confidence by celebrating effort as much as achievement. Listening closely to children’s stories about friends and challenges strengthens communication skills that become invaluable during adolescence.

### The Tween Years: Navigating Change

Tweens walk the fine line between childhood and teenhood, often testing boundaries while seeking autonomy.

Parents can support them by offering choices, listening without judgment, and keeping conversations open about changing bodies and emotions.

Establishing trust during this stage makes teens more likely to turn to parents when facing bigger challenges.

### Teenage Years: Balancing Freedom and Guidance

Teenagers crave independence, yet still need structure.

Parents of teens often face new challenges—social pressures, academics, and decisions about the future.

The goal is to strike a balance: providing boundaries that ensure safety while respecting a teen’s growing autonomy.

Honest, judgment-free communication fosters trust, helping teens feel supported as they navigate life’s complexities.

### Habits That Work Across All Stages

No matter the age, some parenting habits prove timeless:

– **Active listening:** Truly hearing your child builds trust at every stage.
– **Consistency with flexibility:** Boundaries provide security, but adaptability keeps them relevant.
– **Modeling behavior:** Children learn more from what parents do than what they say.
– **Self-care:** Parents who care for themselves are better equipped to care for their children.

These habits ensure parenting evolves without losing its grounding principles.

### Growing Together

Parenting isn’t about mastering one perfect method—it’s about growing alongside your children as they move from one stage to the next.

From pregnancy through teenage independence, each chapter offers lessons that shape not only the kids but the parents themselves.

By leaning on supportive communities, trusted resources, and their own instincts, moms and dads can feel empowered to face challenges with confidence.

The beauty of parenting is that it’s never static; it’s a shared journey of growth, love, and discovery.

Each stage builds on the last, and together they form the story of a family—unique, imperfect, and deeply meaningful.
https://radaronline.com/p/parenting-through-every-stage-trusted-advice-from-pregnancy-to-teens/