#Family

A growing body of research and a compelling new book suggest that the secret to raising ultra-successful children isn’t micromanaging their lives but rather stepping back—supporting, guiding, and letting them try, fail, and try again. In a recent CNN feature drawing on journalist Susan Dominus’s book “The Family Dynamic: A Journey Into the Mystery of Sibling Success,” rare insights are offered from families who have raised Olympic athletes, high-powered entrepreneurs, renowned writers, and accomplished professionals. The key, it seems, is not hovering over every homework assignment or soccer practice but providing a warm, supportive home environment while nurturing independence and resilience (CNN).

A growing body of research suggests that raising ultra-successful children isn’t about micromanagement. Instead, a warm, supportive home that invites independence and resilience may matter most. A recent feature draws on journalist Susan Dominus’s work in The Family Dynamic: A Journey Into the Mystery of Sibling Success, sharing stories from families with Olympic athletes, tech innovators, and renowned writers. The lesson is clear: trust professionals, back kids from the sidelines, and let them try, fail, and try again.

A recent nationwide US survey reveals a remarkable finding: 90% of teenagers report that exercise makes them feel happy, yet half admit their fitness levels decline during school holidays—a trend with clear relevance for Thai families as the summer heat and academic break threaten to sap teens’ motivation to move. The study, conducted by Planet Fitness and summarized in a recent Parents.com article, asked 1,000 teens aged 14-19 and their parents about physical activity and well-being, surfacing fresh insight into how exercise fuels adolescent happiness—and practical approaches families can adopt to keep teens active despite seasonal slumps.

A recent nationwide study in the United States found that 90% of teenagers say exercise makes them feel happier, but about half report their fitness declines during school holidays. The findings resonate with Thai families as intense heat and a long break from school can dampen teens’ motivation to move. The survey, conducted by Planet Fitness and summarized for parents, polled 1,000 teens aged 14-19 and their parents about activity and well-being, offering practical ideas for families to keep teens active during seasonal changes.

A leading child psychologist who has observed over 200 parent-child relationships claims that creating emotional safety at home is the most effective approach for raising well-adjusted children. The findings, recently shared by a clinical expert who wrote for CNBC Make It, offer new guidance for Thai parents navigating an ever-changing family landscape—and challenge assumptions about being “strict” or “permissive” as the only available options.

The concept, called “emotionally safe parenting,” prioritises a deep attunement to a child’s emotional needs over harsh discipline or unlimited permissiveness. Instead, it balances firm boundaries with acceptance and open communication. This parenting methodology, developed after years of research and observation, is gaining traction worldwide and may hold special resonance in Thailand, where traditional values and modern influences are in continual negotiation.

A senior child psychologist who has studied more than 200 parent-child relationships says that emotional safety at home is the most effective approach to raising well-adjusted children. The findings, shared by a clinical expert for CNBC Make It, offer new guidance for Thai families navigating rapid social change and challenge the assumption that being strictly strict or permissive is the only option.

Emotionally safe parenting centers on tuning in to a child’s emotional needs rather than relying on harsh discipline or limitless freedom. It balances firm boundaries with acceptance and open conversation. After years of research, this approach is gaining global traction and resonates in Thailand, where tradition meets modern influences.

What does it take to raise confident, adaptable, and happy children in today’s fast-changing world? According to renowned entrepreneur and investor Mark Cuban, the answer is surprisingly simple: “Let them be themselves.” Cuban’s approach, recently spotlighted in a viral social media story about a family’s hands-off support for their son’s camping experiment, resonates not only with parents but also with a growing body of research suggesting that autonomy and supportive parenting are key ingredients for healthy child development. As Thai families continue to navigate the challenges of modern education and parenting, these insights offer valuable lessons on nurturing the next generation for success and well-being.

In the latest findings spotlighted by CNN and corroborated by leading psychological research, the emotion of ‘awe’ could be a potent but under-utilised tool for improving teen mental health. As mental health issues and stress reach concerning levels among Thai adolescents, experts are urging families, schools, and communities to reimagine opportunities for young people to experience wonder—offering not only moments of joy but shielding effects for their psychological resilience.

The backdrop to this call for action is stark: Thailand, like many nations across Asia, faces a youth mental health crisis. Recent studies show a worrying increase in depression, anxiety, and suicide rates among the young (as reported by the Bangkok Post’s coverage of a ThaiHealth study). According to data, youths 15 years and older are suffering from depression at a rate of 2,200 per 100,000, and up to 17% of adolescents aged 13–17 are vulnerable to suicide attempts (Pacific Prime Thailand). Experts agree: new, creative approaches are urgently required.

In a time when mental health challenges loom large for the youngest generation of adults, emerging research—and the experiences of a select group of American “Zoomers”—suggests that saying “yes” to religion and family, while putting limits on social media, may be the keys to a happier life. According to the 2025 World Happiness Report, young Americans aged 18 to 29 ranked just 62nd in overall wellbeing out of 140 countries surveyed for self-reported life satisfaction—significantly lower than the broader U.S. adult population, which placed 24th. However, interviews with young adults who defy this downward trend highlight a set of unexpectedly traditional solutions: nurturing spiritual ties, investing in close familial relationships, and unplugging from the social media treadmill (NY Post).

In the world of relationships, heated arguments and shocking betrayals often get the blame for breaking couples apart. However, recent research highlighted by relationship experts reveals that subtle, toxic behaviors are often the true culprits behind relationship breakdowns. These patterns, often overlooked or dismissed as harmless quirks, can slowly erode trust, intimacy, and connection—sometimes before individuals even realize there is a problem. Awareness of these patterns, experts say, may be the key to healthier and more resilient relationships.

A growing body of relationship research shows that small, hidden behaviors often erode trust and closeness more than dramatic arguments or betrayals. These subtle toxic patterns can creep into daily interactions, slowly weakening connection before couples notice. Understanding and reframing these habits may lead to healthier, more resilient partnerships.

Thai families and couples value harmony and interdependence, and the topic resonates deeply in Thai culture. As mental health awareness expands in Thailand, recognizing these invisible stressors becomes essential for sustaining both romantic and family bonds. Recent expert insights highlight a range of behaviors that, if left unchecked, quietly undermine even strong relationships.

New research and real-life stories from young adults suggest a simple path to well-being: lean on faith and family, while placing finite limits on social media. The 2025 World Happiness Report shows U.S. 18–29-year-olds ranking 62nd in life satisfaction, far behind the national adult average at 24th. Yet a subset of Gen Z individuals report higher happiness by embracing traditional supports and unplugging from constant online content.

This matters for Thai readers. Youth in Thailand are among Southeast Asia’s most active social media users, spending hours daily on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. At the same time, worries about anxiety, depression, and meaninglessness are rising, mirroring global trends. With Buddhism, strong family values, and a dynamic youth culture, Thailand has both the resources and the need to explore practical, culturally resonant solutions.

New research by Harvard Business School finds that working mothers are not only setting strong examples for their children but are also shaping them into highly successful and happier adults, challenging long-held cultural assumptions about parenting and professional life. This evidence-based insight offers fresh comfort to many Thai families where increasing numbers of women are joining the workforce and grappling with societal expectations and personal guilt over their choices.

For decades, the debate over whether mothers should stay home or pursue careers has been fraught with anxiety, particularly in countries like Thailand, where traditional attitudes about gender and family roles persist alongside rapid socioeconomic changes. This research directly addresses prevailing concerns by demonstrating measurable long-term benefits stemming from mothers’ employment.

A comprehensive study from Harvard Business School shows that working mothers not only model professional achievement but also contribute to higher education attainment, better job outcomes, and greater happiness in their children. For Thai families facing growing workforce participation and evolving social expectations, the findings offer timely reassurance and practical implications.

Across 29 nations, including Asia, researchers analyzed data from more than 100,000 adults. They found that daughters of working mothers are more likely to be employed, reach supervisory roles, and earn higher wages. Globally, women with working mothers are 1.21 times more likely to be employed and 1.29 times more likely to supervise others. In the United States, daughters of working mothers earned about $1,880 more per year on average. These patterns suggest that a mother’s employment can positively shape children’s futures, regardless of the mother’s occupation level.

Thailand finds itself at a crossroads of rapid social change: modern families are now grappling with questions of how best to raise children, as Western influences blend with longstanding Thai cultural traditions. A recent opinion published in The Guardian, penned by a grandparent observing the stark contrasts between parenting in Spain and the UK, has ignited fresh debate about “child-centred” parenting, a model increasingly popular across Thailand’s middle class. The writer argues that the Spanish “family-centred” approach nurtures happier, more grounded children compared to English-style “child-centredness,” which may inadvertently fuel anxiety and dependency. This raises urgent questions for Thai families—should we reconsider where the family, rather than the child, stands at the heart of our values?

Therapists have identified a pervasive challenge particularly troubling for eldest daughters: an overwhelming sense of over-responsibility, which significantly affects their happiness and well-being. Drawing on both recent research and extensive professional experience, mental health experts now describe “eldest daughter syndrome”—a set of expectations and pressures uniquely experienced by firstborn girls—as a major factor in their long-term mental health outcomes. The concept strikes a chord with many, resonating powerfully within Thai families, where cultural traditions often reinforce the burdens shouldered by eldest children.

Thailand stands at a pivotal moment as families navigate rapid social change. Western ideas about child-rearing have blended with enduring Thai traditions, prompting fresh questions about how to raise resilient children. A recent Guardian letter by a grandparent comparing Spain’s family-centred approach with the UK’s child-centred model has sparked renewed debate in Thai households about where the family’s priorities should lie.

The core message is simple: while kindness and respect toward children are essential, placing a child at the center of every decision can lead to anxiety and dependence. In Spain, the family unit takes precedence. From birth, children are expected to contribute to group harmony rather than assume they are the sole focus of attention. The author’s observations suggest Spanish children are generally more emotionally secure, with parents who feel less frustration. For Thai families, this raises a timely question: can we balance individual needs with the strength of a closely connected family?

Therapists warn of a quiet but widespread challenge for firstborn girls: an overwhelming sense of over-responsibility that erodes happiness and well-being. Known in some circles as “eldest daughter syndrome,” this collection of expectations uniquely affects firstborns and shapes long-term mental health. The idea resonates in Thai families, where traditions often place heavy duties on the eldest child.

In Thai society, family structure and filial duty are deeply valued. Eldest daughters often serve as the emotional backbone of the household. They are expected to care for younger siblings, coordinate family activities, and handle numerous unseen tasks that keep daily life running smoothly. When these roles start early, they can foster perfectionism, self-criticism, and burnout over time.

A wave of change is sweeping through parenting strategies worldwide, and Thailand is no exception. “Gentle parenting”—a term gaining popularity on social media platforms—has emerged as a favored approach among a growing segment of parents. Recent studies, as reported in a CNN health article, shed light on what gentle parenting actually means, debunk common misconceptions, and explore its potential benefits and challenges for families—especially those eager to nurture resilience and emotional intelligence in their children.

A global shift in parenting, including in Thailand, is moving away from harsh discipline toward gentler approaches. Gentle parenting has gained traction on social media as more parents seek emotional connection with their children. Recent coverage highlights what gentle parenting means, clears up common myths, and examines its potential benefits and challenges for families aiming to nurture resilience and emotional intelligence.

Around the world, many parents are rethinking traditional methods. A 2023 Pew Research Center survey showed that nearly half of parents want to raise their children differently from their own upbringing. The goal is to foster open dialogue and reduce shouting, while still maintaining clear expectations. But how does gentle parenting differ from familiar styles, and what does it look like in everyday life?

A new wave of relationship advice is making headlines for its simplicity and profound impact: the “30-second rule,” a guideline promoted by renowned couples therapist Terrence Real, is emerging as a game-changer in how we communicate and manage conflict in everyday conversations. According to recent interviews—and a viral article by Upworthy—the rule’s basic premise is that positive, attentive engagement for just half a minute can help anyone, even those who feel awkward or anxious, “win” conversations by creating greater understanding and connection (Upworthy).

A fresh wave of relationship guidance is making waves for its simplicity and impact: the “30-second rule.” Promoted by renowned couples therapist Terrence Real, this approach is gaining attention as a practical way to improve everyday conversations and conflict resolution. The idea is straightforward: give positive, attentive engagement for just 30 seconds. Even those who feel awkward or anxious can “win” the discussion by fostering understanding and connection.

This message resonates with Thai readers navigating workplace harmony, family bonds, and romantic partnerships. In Thailand, communication challenges are a major source of stress at home, where indirect speech and the preference to preserve face can leave issues unresolved. The concept of kreng jai—consideration for others’ feelings—often means small misunderstandings linger. Real’s framework offers a respectful, culturally aware path to move past stalemates without direct confrontation.

Stress is not just a private experience; it travels through families, workplaces, and communities. New expert commentary highlights how one person’s anxiety can affect the health and wellbeing of those around them. Research summarized by mental health specialists shows that stress can spread via social interactions, influencing both physical and psychological health.

In Thailand’s close-knit social culture, this phenomenon matters. Family bonds, team dynamics, and communal activities shape daily life, so stress can ripple quickly through homes, schools, and offices. Contemporary pressures—economic uncertainty, exam seasons, and public health concerns—amplify the need to understand how stress propagates and how to prevent its spread.

Recent research published in Social Psychological and Personality Science has shed new light on the emotional rewards of parenthood, revealing that moments of pride and awe experienced by parents can significantly enhance psychological well-being. The findings suggest that these intense yet positive parental emotions may make the everyday challenges of raising children more fulfilling, offering valuable insights for Thai families seeking mental balance and parental satisfaction (PsyPost).

While much existing research highlights the stress, fatigue, and burden often associated with caregiving, this new study stands out by focusing on the uplifting side of parenting—specifically, the personal impact of feeling proud or awestruck by one’s child. The research addresses a long-standing question: If daily parenting demands are so high, why do people almost universally continue to choose parenthood? In Thai society, where strong family bonds and respect for generational contributions are culturally embedded, this question resonates deeply.