Adult Children

The Wall Street Journal reports on a growing number of adult children choosing to cut off contact with their parents, often described as estrangement. The piece examines the reasons behind these family rifts, including differing values, boundaries and family conflict, and explores how the phenomenon is being discussed by therapists and families themselves.

Tens of thousands of children have arrived in the United States alone seeking safety, and many who entered as minors are now adults because immigration cases can take years or even decades to resolve. The discussion highlights the scale of unaccompanied youth migration and the length of court backlogs in the US immigration system.

A new installment of the comic strip Adult Children, dated September 30, 2026, has been posted on GoComics, the syndication platform for newspaper-style comics. The strip, tagged under retail themes, was shared with a small comics fan community. No further details about the strip's content or wider reaction are available.

Searches around millennials are rising again in the US and UK, with commentary focusing on housing. One widely shared discussion point asks how much US housing demand is still tied to adult children living at home with their parents. The debate feeds into a broader argument about whether millennials will ever match previous generations' homeownership rates, and what that means for the housing market.

A fresh reading of the famous marshmallow test argues the classic experiment never measured self-control at all. Instead, whether a child waited for a second marshmallow reportedly reflected how much they trusted the adults around them to keep promises. The claim is circulating widely in parenting and child development discussions, challenging a long-standing assumption that willpower alone explained which children held out, and reviving debate over how the study's findings should be understood.

New research reported by Newswise suggests that children who are physically fit face a lower risk of developing depression as adults. The findings add to growing evidence that early-life exercise has lasting mental health benefits, prompting discussion among parents, educators and health professionals about the importance of physical activity programmes for children.

Johns Hopkins Medicine has made its eczema specialists available to journalists for interviews about atopic dermatitis, a common inflammatory skin condition affecting millions worldwide. The announcement, distributed via Newswise, comes as interest grows in new treatment options and management strategies for the condition, which can significantly affect quality of life for both children and adults.

Parenting commentary making the rounds argues that children should not be made to carry their parents' emotional weight, a lesson many adults only recognise later in life. The piece warns that using children as emotional confidants can affect their development, and it is prompting readers to reflect on boundaries between parent and child.

Grovetown police in Georgia have arrested several suspected child predators following an undercover internet operation. Authorities posed online to identify adults seeking to exploit children, leading to multiple arrests. The department says the operation reflects an ongoing effort to protect minors, and local outlets are covering the arrests as details emerge.

An animated adventure film is being highlighted as a work that should not be mistaken for a children's movie, despite its format. The note suggests the film carries themes and storytelling aimed at wider, adult audiences. No further details about the title or its reception were provided.

An advice column in The Telegraph addresses a parent whose daughter wants to travel around south-east Asia instead of returning to university. The dilemma touches on a familiar tension for families: whether to support a young adult's desire for a gap year and travel experience, or encourage her to stay on the traditional academic path. Readers of such columns often weigh in on the balance between parental concern and letting children make their own choices.

Commentary circulating in Malaysia asks whether 'pet-parenting' — treating pets as children — could one day displace raising actual children. The discussion taps into a broader debate about declining birth rates, rising costs of raising kids, and the growing trend of young adults who prefer caring for animals instead of starting families.

Psychologists warn that children often stop opening up when conversations with adults feel like interrogations. Parenting commentary suggests that constant questioning and immediate advice can erode emotional safety, making children reluctant to share problems. Experts recommend patient listening, fewer lectures and open-ended conversations so children feel heard rather than judged. The advice is resonating with parents seeking better communication at home.

A commentary argues youth sports have drifted away from their real purpose, urging adults to let children simply play rather than face pressure to specialize, win, or perform. The piece reflects a growing debate among parents, coaches and educators about burnout, over-competition and whether childhood athletics should prioritize fun, character and development over results.

A parenting essay asks whether friendships between mothers can endure once their children are no longer close. The piece explores the awkwardness of maintaining adult bonds when playdates and school connections fade, and suggests that mom friendships built on genuine compatibility can outlast the circumstances that created them. It is resonating with parents navigating shifting social circles as their children grow.

Former NFL star and TV host Michael Strahan says parenting adult children comes with a new set of challenges, admitting that "sometimes I don't wanna know" what his grown kids are up to. His candid comments about stepping back and giving his children independence are drawing attention and resonating with other parents of adult children.

A Washington Post advice column takes on a parent's dilemma: three adult children are still living at home, and the parent is asking for help. Carolyn Hax turns the question over to her readers, who offer their own advice on setting boundaries, contributing financially, and when to encourage independence. The multigenerational living debate continues to resonate with families navigating the same situation.

Author Ann McCallum Staats sits down for a question-and-answer interview with Deborah Kalb, discussing her writing and recent work. The conversation is part of an ongoing series of book Q&As featuring children's and adult authors. Little other detail is available, and there is no sign yet of wider public reaction.

A profile of Steven Spielberg's family is drawing attention, detailing his seven children from his marriages to Amy Irving and Kate Capshaw. Among them is daughter Mikaela Spielberg, who has publicly said she works in adult entertainment. The piece outlines each child's life and career, with interest focused on the filmmaker's less-public family side.

A 66-year-old widow has decided to move in with her new partner rather than marry him, a choice framed as a way to keep her late husband's pension, her home, and her children's inheritance intact. Remarriage can affect survivor benefits and estate planning, so many older couples now opt to cohabit instead. The story highlights a growing practical debate among older adults about love, money, and family obligations.

A parenting article argues that children whose parents never played games with them or had fun together grow up carrying five distinct habits into adulthood. The piece claims a play-deprived childhood shapes how people relate to others, handle emotions and approach daily life as grown-ups, framing play as essential rather than optional for healthy development.

A new interview with author Ashley Franklin has been published as part of Deborah Kalb's ongoing book Q&A series, in which writers discuss their latest works and creative process. Franklin is known for children's and young adult books. Little other detail about the interview's content is available, but it is being shared among readers following the author's work.