7 Things to Know This Week — #6

Parents Are Zeroing In On Underconsumption

There’s a less-is-more consumer shift happening—but it’s not about buying nothing. It’s about buying better.

Across every stage—from newborn gear to big-kid upgrades—more parents are focusing on essentials that are well-made, versatile and built to last. That includes choosing items that can grow with your child or be used again down the line. The idea is that fewer impulse buys and more thoughtful choices equal getting more mileage out of anything that comes into your home.

Part of it is practical (we’re living in an expensive time!), but it’s also just intentional shopping. After years of viral product cycles, families are getting savvier about what they truly need—and what just looks good in a cart.

👉 If you feel like your house is becoming one giant toy box and your kids only play with half of what they own, you’re gonna want to read this article: 8 ways to make old toys seem new again.

School Group Chats Are Getting…Complicated

If your kid is in a class group chat, you already know—it can go from harmless to chaotic in about a minute and a half. Homework questions turn into running commentary, which turns into inside jokes, which can easily become virtual playground drama.

More and more schools are starting to flag it, but because it’s generally happening outside of school hours, that leaves parents in a bit of a grey zone. These social dynamics used to stay at school, but now they follow kids home, pinging away well into the evening.

And unlike in-person conflicts, everything is written down, screenshot-able and easy to misinterpret.

“Bed Rotting” Has Entered the Parenting Realm

“Bed rotting”—a term that comes by way of of Gen Z and Gen Alpha—basically means lying in bed and doing absolutely nothing. No productivity, no plans. It’s all binge-watching something, scrolling or (maybe) reading a book.

And lately, parents are starting to embrace the concept, too.

Up against packed schedules and constant mental load, more families are recognizing that real rest isn’t lazy—it’s necessary. Not every moment needs to be optimized, filled or turned into something constructive (even if that instinct runs deep!).

👉 Rest doesn’t have to mean fully checking out. Just taking a minute or two to pause can shift your mood. Try this one-minute meditation to reset in the middle of the day to see for yourself. 

The Sephora Kids Aren’t Slowing Down

If you’ve been in a beauty store lately (pretty much any of them, but the trend focuses on Sephora), you’ve probably seen them—kids and tweens with product wish lists, comparing serums and building routines that are…ambitious.

Driven by TikTok and influencer culture, skincare is entering the chat earlier than ever. And while some of it is harmless curiosity, it’s also raising questions about what young skin actually needs (hint: it’s not hyaluronic acid)—and how to handle the “but everyone else has it” conversations.

Because in most cases? Less really is more.

👉 Looking for a less complicated way to let your kids explore cosmetics? Check out our unicorn hair chalk tutorial (it’s so cute and perfect for summer).

The 30-Minute Family Activity That Changes the Whole Week

There’s a reason things tend to unravel by Wednesday—it’s when plans collide, energy dips and no one is quite on the same page anymore.

If this sounds like your household, you might want to try what the internet is calling “family admin time:” a short, focused check-in where everyone gets aligned before the week even starts. What’s coming up? Who needs what? Where are the pressure points likely to be?

The real magic is in the second part of the equation—planning for when things don’t go smoothly. Think late practices, missed homework and overtired kids. Talking through those “what ifs” ahead of time makes the inevitable bumps feel a lot less chaotic in the moment.

👉 What if 30 minutes could change your whole week? Here’s how to make this simple Sunday reset work for your family. 

Car Rides Might Be Your Best Shot at a Real Conversation

You’ve probably already noticed this but if not, pay attention the next time you’re in the car with your kids: The best conversations don’t happen during the big, intentional sit-downs—they happen in the car. It’s the front seat and the back seat, or eventually side-by-side, with no eye contact, no pressure.

There’s a reason it works. Without the intensity of a face-to-face “talk,” kids tend to feel less put on the spot. And because the moment is contained, it feels easier to say something small…which sometimes turns into something bigger.

For families juggling multiple kids at very different ages, those in-between moments can be everything.

👉 Parenting kids at completely different stages? Here’s what it really looks like navigating teens and toddlers at the same time.

Tape Towns Are Taking Over Living Room Floors

All it takes is a roll of painter’s tape and a bit of imagination. Parents are mapping out roads, intersections and little neighbourhoods right on the floor—an activity perfect for toddlers and early school-aged kids who love to move, build and create worlds on repeat.

Cars zoom, blocks become buildings and LEGO people end up running errands in tape towns. And because there’s no finished version, kids keep coming back to it—adding, changing and expanding their universe over time.

It’s low effort, high engagement and completely screen-free.

👉 Want to try it tonight? We’ve got the basics for creating a tape town your kids will love.