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With summer fast-approaching, refreshing your outdoor spaces with extra seating is likely at the top of your to-do list. If you have a small porch, balcony, deck, or patio, you don’t need massive furniture to make it inviting. A compact conversation set can give you a cozy spot to relax without overwhelming your space, and right now, Target has a fantastic trio with two chairs and a table on sale for just $104!

Normally priced at $240, the Costway 3-Piece Outdoor Conversation Set is marked down by up to 61%. This rattan patio set comes in your choice of five different cushion colors, but the best price is the black option at $104. Beige and gray are available for just a few dollars more at $104 and $105, respectively, while the sets with navy or red cushions are $130. No matter which cushion color you choose, you’re still saving at least 39%.

Costway 3-Piece Outdoor Conversation Set, From $104 (was $240) at Target

Courtesy of Target

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This charming rattan conversation set includes two armchairs and a matching side table. All pieces feature brown polyethylene rattan (PE), a synthetic material designed to mimic the look and texture of natural wicker, while being easier to maintain. Because it’s waterproof and UV-resistant, shoppers attested to how well this “durable” set has held up outdoors, even when fully exposed to the elements. 

Each chair features a sturdy metal frame that supports up to 400 pounds, topped with thick, padded foam cushions that make them extra comfy for lounging. The tempered glass-topped table is easy to clean and gives your patio a designated spot for drinks, snacks, books, or planters. A practical and useful addition to any outdoor space, all three pieces are relatively lightweight and easy to move around when you need to rearrange or clean underneath them.

Related: Walmart’s ‘Adorable’ $18 Pumpkin Glasses Are the Ultimate Summerween Kitchen Find

Shoppers praised this “beautiful” set for being “a relaxing place to sit and chat.” One reviewer called it “stylish and comfortable” patio furniture that’s “perfect for small spaces” like a porch or balcony. Many customers shared that the design is “sturdy,” calling it “easy to assemble and super cute.”

Offering fantastic value at just $104 for two patio chairs and a table, the Costway 3-Piece Outdoor Conversation Set is one of the easiest ways to update a small outdoor area this summer. Snag it at Target now before this deal is gone!

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The ‘kind of chic’ trend just keeps on going. And now it looks like country superstar and actress Reba McEntire is joining in on the viral social media fun.

The singer, who’s well known for chart-toppers including her rousing rendition of Bobbie Gentry’s 1969 recording ‘Fancy,’ just jumped on the ‘kind of chic’ bandwagon with an Instagram post that’s getting plenty of attention. 

Earlier this week, McEntire shared a series of snapshots on Instagram, with the caption, “About as chic as a country girl can get.” The first photo is a black-and-white throwback with the title, “Kinda chic to be releasing music for five decades.” Yes, it is, and yes, she certainly has.

Even though she hit her stride in 1990 with the Gentry cover, McEntire’s career started in 1977, with the release of her self-titled debut album. 

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As she celebrates her 50th anniversary in the industry, the CMA Award winner opened up to Billboard, sharing how social media has changed the musical landscape. “It would have been a quicker way of getting in touch with your fans,” said McEntire. She added, “We had a fan club, we had a quarterly newsletter that we put out, and we corresponded by mail. It would have been a totally different, faster way to get in contact with more fans.”

Based on McEntire’s recent Instagram post, it looks like she’s definitely using social media to her advantage now. Along with the first pic, the artist also shared eight more photos from her career. The ‘kinda chic’ titles include country-themed quips such as, “Kinda chic to wear a belt buckle with a dress”, nostalgic notes, “Kinda chic to cut off all your signature hair in the 90s”, a serious statement about her five-decades-long career, “Kinda chic to be a Trailblazer” (with a pic featuring McEntire, Lainey Wilson, and Miranda Lambert), and more!

Fans and a few famous friends flocked to the post to share their thoughts. Actress Cheri Oteri wrote, “Kinda absolutely incredible. You look like you’re in a Charlie perfume commercial here.”

One commenter responded with a play on McEntire’s 1990 hit, “You’re not kind chic, you’re pretty fancy.” 

Others added, “This is the best ‘kinda chic’ post I’ve ever seen”, “Kinda chic to be an icon Reba! Forever grateful I was raised on you”, “Kinda chic that you’re queen of country, Reba” and, “Kinda chic to be a legend.” After 50 years of music, movies, and television appearances, these glowing raves and online applause are well deserved.

We are somehow almost at the end of August already, which means fall is well on its way. Before we know it, we’ll be sipping pumpkin spice lattes, picking apples at the orchard and planning our Halloween costumes. Of course, another fun part of the changing seasons is swapping out your home decor to stay on-trend seasonally. Your kitchen mat is an easy change to make, and these upcoming options available at Aldi on Aug. 26 are stylish, functional and utterly perfect for fall. Even better, each one retails for just $6.99.

Kirkton House’s new collection of comfort mats features vibrant designs that capture the essence of autumn in the absolute cutest way. The mats come in four different styles, including a pretty pear and leaf design (pictured below), an adorable coffee print, a cutesy pumpkin gingham pattern and a trio of pumpkins style. Each one adds a pop of autumnal charm to your kitchen that you’re bound to love.

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Kirkton House 18×30 Comfort Mat Fall, $6.99 at Aldi

Aldi

Each of these comfort mats measures 18 inches by 30 inches, making it a generous size, perfect for the kitchen. These mats will help you stand longer, making them especially ideal for home cooks who spend lots of time on their feet whipping up delicious meals.

Related: Aldi Brought Back Its $5 Bacon Cooker Shoppers Say Is ‘Great for Small Batches’

These charming kitchen comfort mats will hit Aldi stores starting Aug. 26 as part of Aldi’s next selection of Aldi Finds, weekly products that come and go every Wednesday. These specials are limited and only stick around while supplies last. If you see one you love, make sure to get to your local store ASAP so you can grab it before it’s gone.

If you are interested in other Aldi Finds, be sure to check out this striking new autumnal wreath that adds bold style to your front door just in time for fall, this sleek couch table that is perfect for small spaces, this four-in-one kitchen tool that’s a game changer for busy mornings or this two-section basket that makes sorting a total breeze on laundry day.

Related: Target Is Selling a Spot-On Longchamp Lookalike for a Fraction of the Cost

Forty-four years ago this August, pop-synth duo Yazoo released their debut album, Upstairs at Eric’s. On it was “Only You,” an emotional ballad that would become one of the most recognizable synth-pop ballads of the era.

Written by Vince Clarke and sung by Alison Moyet, it reached No. 2 in the U.K. But waiting in the wings was another pop group about to take the song all the way to the top.

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In 1983, “Only You” got a complete makeover, courtesy of an a cappella vocal group called The Flying Pickets. Stripping the song of all its instrumental polish, they transformed the track into a rich wall of soulful harmonies, re-creating its signature arpeggios from raw human breath and vocal cords. It was a radical choice for a pop song in the ’80s, but it worked.

Released in November 1983, the song spent 12 weeks on the U.K.’s Official Singles Chart, with five weeks in the top spot, and became the country’s all-coveted Christmas No. 1. Entirely unprecedented, The Flying Pickets’ “Only You” not only became the group’s first chart-topper, but it eventually became the very first a cappella No. 1 in the U.K.

While the original Yazoo version of the song charted on the Billboard charts—peaking at No. 67 on the Hot 100 and No. 38 on the Adult Contemporary charts–The Flying Pickets’ version didn’t chart in the U.S. at all. Its massive success across the pond and legacy, however, have more than made up for the American slight.

Founded in the early 1980s, The Flying Pickets was formed by a group of professional actors including Welsh actor Brian Hibbard and his co-stars from John McGrath’s socialist 7:84 Theatre Group.

According to The Guardian, they developed their harmony style during a production of the 1981 play One Big Blow, about a miners’ brass band. With minimal props and no set, the production relied on the cast’s unaccompanied vocal talents to imitate the soundscape of a traditional British brass band.

“To amuse ourselves in the tour bus, we used to improvise a cappella harmonies around our favorite songs,” singer and arranger David Brett told the outlet. “When we did this in pubs between shows, the reaction seemed out of proportion to the effort we put into it. We thought we might be on to something.”

They loved performing together so much, they continued the gig outside the theater. Naming themselves The Flying Pickets to reflect their own activist backgrounds in the 1970 miners’ strikes, they launched their first single, “Only You,” followed by their debut studio album in 1984, Lost Boys, which peaked at No. 11 in the U.K.

“[‘Only You’] was our first serious studio recording, and it was certainly a challenge translating a synthesizer hit for voices,” Brett said. “It took ages to piece it all together. The single went nowhere at first, then suddenly it was at No 9. I was in the antenatal clinic awaiting my daughter’s birth when I heard we were No. 1.”

The band had fans across the political spectrum. In fact, Margaret Thatcher, the U.K.’s longest-serving prime minister of the 20th century and leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990, was reportedly an admirer, especially of “Only You.”

“I don’t think Radio 1 knew what a flying picket was, so the name never stopped us getting airplay,” singer Rick Lloyd said in the same Guardian piece. “Somebody told us that ‘Only You’ was Margaret Thatcher’s favorite record.”

He added, “The following year, the miners’ strike happened, and the media cottoned on to what flying pickets were [groups of people who travel from other workplaces to participate in industrial action]. It was funny and pretty subversive, really.”

A song that began as an electronic love tune became an a cappella Christmas anthem performed by socialist actors, and somehow it found a fan in the Conservative prime minister whose government was at odds with the movement they supported.

“I’d always wanted to be in the studio when someone made a No. 1 record,” Lloyd added. “I never imagined it would be us.”

Now, that’s a story.

Related: 19th-Century Nursery Rhyme, by Sarah Hale, Became Fuel for Some of Rock’s Greatest Guitar Solos 

Whether you’ve been with your partner for a few months or married to your spouse for decades, relationship dynamics can be complicated—especially during conflict.

When a couple disagrees on something, or if one person does something that upsets the other, emotions tend to run high, which can lead to saying things we regret. And if you’ve ever said something in the heat of the moment that you didn’t mean, you know how harmful that can be to the person its aimed at. It’s hard to unhear or forget certain things a significant other says to you, which can lead to resentment and a breakdown in the relationship.

In fact, there is one “toxic” phrase that relationship psychologists observe a lot of couples using with each other—and they are begging them to stop.

To learn more, we spoke with Dr. Noël Hunter, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist and the founder and director of MindClear Integrative Psychotherapy, and Dr. Noosha Niv, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist, the founder of Tools4Families and an associate research psychologist at the UCLA Department of Psychiatry.

Curious to find out the toxic phrase psychologists want couples to stop using, as well as the healthy phrases they think more people in relationships should use? Keep reading.

Related: We Asked 3 Psychologists What Couples Over 50 Fight About Most—It Wasn’t Money

The ‘Toxic’ 7-Word Phrase Couples Should Avoid, per Relationship Psychologists

The toxic phrase that Dr. Hunter and Dr. Niv agree couples should stop using is: “If you really loved me, you wouldn’t…”

A few examples of this phrase include:

• “If you really loved me, you wouldn’t spend so much time with your friends.”
• “If you really loved me, you wouldn’t tell me what to do.”
• “If you really loved me, you wouldn’t have been late.”

Why is “If you really loved me, you wouldn’t…” so toxic?

This phrase “is problematic in a relationship because it sets up your partner to fail,” Dr. Niv tells Parade.

“The expectation that someone can read your mind and know your wants and needs rarely goes well,” she explains. “This belief also assumes that your partner only shows love in the one ‘correct’ way you want to receive it, when in reality, they may love you deeply but have different ways of showing it, have forgotten to do it or never even knew it was important to you.”

Dr. Hunter adds that “setting up binary ultimatums like this may inadvertently create a dynamic where the partner is constantly having to prove their love,” which is not sustainable.

“Everyone is flawed, everyone makes mistakes and people are going to miss the mark from time totime,” she shares. “This doesn’t mean that the person has stopped loving or caring for you. It means they are human.”

Related: These 9 ‘Selfish’ Habits Actually Signal High Intelligence, Psychologist Says

Gorica Poturak / Getty Images

3 Other Toxic Phrases That Psychologists Want Couples To Stop Using

Experts warn against the following phrases as well.

1. “I shouldn’t have to tell you what I need, you should just know”

“Um, yes you should,” says Dr. Hunter. “No one can read another person’s mind, nor should they be expected to. Healthy relationships are all about communication and compromise. Testing someone to see if they can get it right, which is what this line of thinking inevitably is doing, just paves the way to the eventual ending of the relationship.”

2. “You always…” or “You never…”

“These phrases inevitably end with a criticism, which is a key predictor of relationships failing,” Dr. Niv states. “If your goal is to communicate and actually be heard, starting a conversation with a criticism isn’t going to get you there.”

3. “Why don’t you just get help?” or “You need to talk to someone”

“Those who have a partner struggling with mental health symptoms, such as depression, often beg, plead or even give ultimatums to get their partner to get help,” says Dr. Niv.

However, this approach often backfires.

“Decades of research on behavior change show that the more we try to convince someone to do something they’re ambivalent about, the less likely they are to do it,” she explains. “They actually become more resistant to it!”

Related: 13 Ways To Grow Stronger as a Couple—According to Relationship Expert Dr. John Gottman’s Advice

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4 Healthy Phrases That Psychologists Think Couples Should Use More, Especially While in Conflict

Whether you notice you use a lot more negative phrases than you’d like to admit, or you just want to show more appreciation for your partner, here are some healthy phrases to add to your rotation.

1. “I really appreciate…”

“What tends to foster growth within a relationship is to reinforce what you appreciate about your partner rather than constantly criticize what you don’t,” says Dr. Hunter. “People are motivated to do more of something when they receive positive feedback.”

2. “I feel…”

When your partner does something you have a problem with, instead of criticizing them, Dr. Niv says you should start the conversation with something like, “I feel X when you do Y. I’d really like Z.”

“If it’s important to you, communicate what you want and how it would make you feel. Focus on the specific behavior rather than their love for you to minimize defensiveness,” she advises, adding that this approach “is more likely to be heard and get you the result you’re hoping for.”

3. “Let me take some space before I respond to that”

“Taking space is not an affront to the other person,” says Dr. Hunter. “Rather, it is a wise strategy to be sure that you’ve had some time to think things through and regulate before engaging in conflict with another person.”

Instead of talking in circles for hours until a conflict is resolved, it can be worth pausing. Then, take some time to consider: “How much is this worth it? How much is this reaction about me rather than my partner? What do I really want to say and how can I avoid saying something I’ll regret tomorrow?”

4. “What do you need?”

“Our current culture promotes so much focus on self-care, individual boundaries, and ensuring that your emotions and needs are constantly attended to, but falls massively short on building empathy and caring for others,” says Dr. Hunter. “Relationships are about caring and trying to meet each other’s needs. In healthy partnerships, the more you care about the other, the more likely they are to care about you. No criticism or nagging necessary.”

Up Next:

Related: We Asked 3 Psychologists What Quietly Hurts Long-Term Marriages—They All Said the Same Thing

Sources:

• Dr. Noël Hunter, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and founder and Director of MindClear Integrative Psychotherapy.
• Dr. Noosha Niv, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist, founder of Tools4Families and associate research psychologist at the UCLA Department of Psychiatry.

Melania Trump has been noticeably absent from several recent high-profile political events, including the White House Correspondents’ Dinner take two. But now it seems like she’s back on track, making an appearance at the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C.

After joking, “I heard you missed me. Here I am,” during a White House Rose Garden speech for her Fostering the Future initiative, Melania has made a point of showing up in a very noticeable way. 

IndyCar driver Graham Rahal, first lady Melania Trump, and IndyCar driver Scott Dixon. (Photo by Finn Gomez/Getty Images)

On Sunday, she even gave a rare interview to Fox News during the Grand Prix, sharing, “It’s an incredible day, and I think everybody did an amazing job. D.C. and also IndyCar, Fox Corporation. And it is wonderful to have them here. Very exciting.”  

But her on-air appearance didn’t end there. The First Lady got personal, candidly opening up and revealing a very special pastime she enjoyed as a child, “When I was growing up, my father introduced me to the races and to the race cars.”

FLOTUS continued,  “And he owned some incredible cars from Maserati and Cougar and Mustang, Mercedes. So he introduced me to the design of cars and the mechanics and also the speed. And I loved every minute of it.” 

Melania’s father, Viktor Knavs, who was born and lived in Slovenia, has a long history working with cars. Before moving to the United States, he was a chauffeur and traveling car salesman. He came to the U.S. after his daughter married Donald Trump and became a citizen in 2018. 

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix weekend. (Photo by Doug Mills – Pool/Getty Images)

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix was a two-day event, held on the streets of Washington, D.C. from August 22 to 23. The first-ever IndyCar series on the National Mall is one of the celebratory activities for America’s 250th birthday. Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood won the event. 

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While the President’s wife was a noticeable political celeb at the event, she wasn’t the only member of Donald Trump’s family watching the race. Trump’s son, Eric Trump, posted an Instagram clip of his seven-year-old daughter Carolina watching the cars rush past. Eric’s wife, Lara Trump, also added a video of her own (on Instagram), featuring the couple and their two kiddos enjoying the Grand Prix. 

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According to his Instagram Stories, Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., was also at the Washington, D.C. event. He and his new bride, Bettina Trump, both shared a clip of the cars and a sweet selfie in the stands. 

When it comes to baking, pumpkin bread is a nice reminder that simplicity always goes a long way. Known as a “quick bread” because it doesn’t require yeast or time to rise, pumpkin bread has long been a reliable fall staple, backed by decades of delicious recreations worth trying at home.

To achieve its rich, nutty, earthy flavor, a simple pumpkin bread recipe needs only a handful of ingredients and a little over an hour of your time to come to life. And while there’s no shortage of modern versions of this age-old favorite to try out, sometimes all you need is the one home cooks have been using for decades to lead you down the right path. 

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Which brings us to Reddit and a nearly 50-year-old pumpkin bread recipe from the 1960s hidden among the other ancient dishes that make up r/Old_Recipes. Referred to as a “vintage pumpkin bread” that the author inherited from their mother-in-law and called the best they’ve “ever had,” I couldn’t help but be intrigued upon discovering it.

Already having plenty of experience making pumpkin bread under my belt, I had a pretty good idea of what I was getting into, but with a couple additions in the mix that I’ve never experimented with, I was excited to see if the recipe’s reputation would hold up.

Ingredients for 1960s Pumpkin Bread

Courtesy Nathan Hutsenpiller

If you’re following along at home, start by gathering a couple mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, along with the following ingredients: 3 eggs, 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree, 3/4 cup oil, 1/2 cup water or buttermilk, 2 1/2 cups flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon nutmeg, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (optional), 1 cup golden raisins, and 1 cup chopped nuts (I used pistachios).

How to Make 1960s Pumpkin Bread

Courtesy Nathan Hutsenpiller

Now for the fun part. Using a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs, pumpkin puree, oil and water until smooth and well combined. Try not to overmix, but also make sure there aren’t any remaining clumps of pumpkin puree before moving on. 

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and spices. When you’re ready, combine the sifted dry ingredients with the pumpkin mixture and fold together until everything is incorporated and no dry spots remain. Then, fold in the chopped nuts and raisins.

Courtesy Nathan Hutsenpiller

At this point, you’ll want to have your oven preheated to 350°F and two loaf pans fully greased and floured. Split the batter into two equal halves, and fill each loaf pan at least halfway. It’s OK to go a little over, but too much and your loaf might start spilling over the edges while baking. 

Bake for one hour on the middle rack, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once it’s ready, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool before transferring the loaf to a wire rack to cool further. From there, all that’s left to do is slice it up and serve it warm.

Related: I Tried Trisha Yearwood’s Lemon Squares—and They’re Everything a Summer Dessert Should Be

What I Thought of 1960s Pumpkin Bread

Courtesy Nathan Hutsenpiller

As a fan of pumpkin bread, I had a feeling this recipe would hit the spot, and boy was I right. I did take a couple of liberties to make it my own, however, but to me, that’s just part of the fun of baking anyways. Instead of the chopped pecans the Reddit recipe suggested using, I opted for pistachios, which gave the loaf mildly sweet, nutty notes and a visually appealing contrast with their green color against the orange batter.

Courtesy Nathan Hutsenpiller

And true to classic pumpkin bread form, this recipe turned out to be a big hit in my household, surviving no longer than the afternoon before my roommates made it disappear as if it never existed. Luckily for me, the recipe makes two loaves, so I can still indulge for a couple more days until that one is discovered as well.

Tips for Making 1960s Pumpkin Bread

Courtesy Nathan Hutsenpiller

Though the recipe and ingredients are simple, these tips can help make sure you have a great bake every time.

1. Take your time.

This recipe is easy, but don’t let that fool you into thinking you can blow right through it. As with anything, attention to detail makes all the difference, and the last thing you need is to get to the end of the process only to realize you forgot an important ingredient like baking soda or some key spices.

2. Fully mix the dry ingredients.

While this step flies by fairly quickly, it’s worth giving the dry ingredients a thorough stir before incorporating them into the wet ingredients. If you don’t, you may end up with clumps of spices forming as the two mixtures come together, requiring more stirring and potentially leading you down the path toward overmixing.

3. Get creative with the ingredients.

The chopped nuts and raisins are two of the standout additions in this old-school recipe, but they’re also super easy to play around with. If you’d prefer something a little less nut-heavy, I opted for a nutty crumble on top instead of throughout, giving the loaf a nice crunchy accent while keeping the inside moist and fluffy. I also used fewer raisins so they wouldn’t overpower the other flavors.

Final Thoughts

Now that you’ve unlocked a new sweet treat, take these tips and try to recreate this delicious loaf for yourself at home. With fall right around the corner and the holidays not far behind, it’s the perfect recipe to bust out when entertaining guests or to bring along as a party favor for someone else’s seasonal soirée.

Related: I Tried Ree Drummond’s Homemade Potato Chips — and They’re So Good, I’ll Never Go Store-Bought Again

By 1966, psychedelic rock was moving out of underground clubs and onto the national charts and a young New York band was poised to move with it.

The Blues Magoos scored their breakthrough with “(We Ain’t Got) Nothin’ Yet,” a propulsive rocker featuring 18-year-old frontman Peppy Castro. Powered by a hypnotic organ riff and the group’s raw energy, the song became a major hit and gave the band its defining moment during one of rock’s most rapidly changing eras.

The Blues Magoos had emerged from New York’s burgeoning rock scene earlier in the decade.

“It was such a special moment in time – how many people can tell you they were 17 years old with a hit record, you know?” Castro told Vanyaland. “I would have paid to do it when I was 17 years old! I love when I see new generations discover the ’60s. To me it was the most amazing time in history to be in music and to be in a band. It was such an explosive time in music; you had the British Invasion, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Manfred Mann, Dave Clark Five, the Animals, the Stones, and the Beatles.”

Originally known as The Trenchcoats, the group changed its name as its sound evolved, embracing the psychedelic experimentation that was beginning to sweep through popular music. Castro, born Emil Thielhelm in 1948, became the band’s singer and guitarist while still in his teens.

“(We Ain’t Got) Nothin’ Yet” captured that new direction.

Written by Castro with bandmates Ron Gilbert and Mike Esposito, the song combined garage-rock urgency with a prominent electric organ and a repetitive riff that gave the recording an immediately recognizable pulse. It appeared on the band’s debut album, Psychedelic Lollipop, whose title itself placed the Blues Magoos among the early groups openly identifying their music with psychedelia.

“Those were magical times,” Castro told Philly Burbs. “There were totally intense crowds in the West Village, and the streets were packed. I haven’t seen anything come down the pike as close to how potent the ’60s were — musically, politically, socially, psychologically.”

The record caught on quickly.

Released in 1966, “(We Ain’t Got) Nothin’ Yet” climbed to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1967, becoming the Blues Magoos’ biggest hit. Its success brought the group national exposure and helped establish it alongside the wave of American bands pushing garage rock toward stranger, more experimental territory.

“The first time I ever heard it [on the radio] was in the Midwest,” Castro told Psychedelic Scene. “The rush of hearing yourself on the radio as a little kid, teenager was beyond magical. It was not to be believed. It was a total high.”

The Blues Magoos continued recording after their breakthrough, but they never duplicated its chart performance. Castro, meanwhile, remained active in music for decades, later working with groups including Barnaby Bye and Balance and building a career that stretched well beyond his teenage success.

Six decades later, “(We Ain’t Got) Nothin’ Yet” still carries the restless energy of rock music on the verge of transformation. With an 18-year-old Peppy Castro out front, the Blues Magoos turned that excitement into a Top 5 hit and a recording that continues to define their place in ’60s rock.

Related: 1966 Folk Song, Covered by Rod Stewart, Is Still a Powerful Hit 60 Years Later

Iconic drummer Chris Slade, who has performed with some of the biggest names in rock and pop music, has announced that he’s putting down his drumsticks for a final time.

On Aug. 22, 2026, the Welsh musician took to Facebook to share the news, announcing “with a heavy heart” that he’s retiring from touring and recording due to his age and previous medical struggles.

“Hello, everybody. It’s with a heavy heart that I’m announcing my retirement from drumming,” the Reel video began. “I’m near enough 80 years old.”

Slade, who turns 80 on Oct. 30, 2026, has been playing the drums professionally since he was a teenager, first with the legendary Welsh singer Tom Jones in 1965 at just 16 years old.

Across the course of his career, he has played with a multitude of musicians across various genres, perhaps most notably with AC/DC, playing with the rock band for four studio albums. This included The Razors Edge, which was released in Sept. 1990 and featured the fan-favorite hit “Thunderstruck.”

The track reached No. 5 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart and, in July 2024, was certified Diamond for surpassing 10 million equivalent units in the U.S.

Slade also played with music greats such as Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, David Glamour and Gary Numan and, in 2012, he formed the Chris Slade Timeline to celebrate a drumming career that spanned over five decades.

“I’ve had a good innings, and you know, thank you all for coming to the shows. I’d like to thank the [Chris Slade Timeline] band also . . . and all you lot for coming to the shows and having a good time,” he continued in his statement. “We know you have ’cause you told us you have, which was – to get that feedback is great. So, please stay on The Chris Slade Timeline on Facebook ’cause I’ll be posting. We’ll be posting stuff from now and again to try to keep you interested.”

Related: 1974 Rock Hit, Paying Homage to Wolfman Jack, Still Stands the Test of Time

Gwen Stefani is having a hard time believing her middle child is old enough to vote. The singer marked son Zuma’s 18th birthday on Aug. 20 with an emotional tribute that doubled as a highlight reel of his growing musical talent.

“I cannot believe u are 18 today!!” Stefani wrote on Instagram, alongside a montage tracing Zuma’s life from toddlerhood to adulthood. “Watching u grow into the sweetest + most talented young man has been one of the greatest gifts of my life. we love u soooo much Zuma.” The video was set to Zuma himself playing guitar and singing Zach Bryan’s “Dawns,” before cutting to footage of him as a toddler belting out “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” on a kid-sized guitar, a full-circle moment Stefani clearly couldn’t resist including.

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Zuma, whom Stefani shares with ex-husband Gavin Rossdale, has increasingly stepped into the spotlight musically over the past few years, a development that owes a lot to his relationship with stepfather Blake Shelton. The montage included a shot of Zuma and Shelton together in matching cowboy hats, a nod to the bond the two have built since Shelton married Stefani in 2021. Rossdale marked the occasion in his own post, writing that his son has “always been so special” and is “taking that into adulthood.” Rossdale’s daughter Daisy Lowe, whom he shares with designer Pearl Lowe, added her own tribute, calling her half-brother “the coolest, kindest, super talented, hilarious & loving 18 year old.”

Related: Janet Jackson Turns Control’s 40th Anniversary Into a Concert Movie

The family has issued birthday tributes for each each of Stefani’s three sons, Kingston, 20, Zuma, now 18, and Apollo, 12, as they’ve hit milestone birthdays with similar video montages and heartfelt captions. Zuma’s musical bent in particular has become a recurring thread in those celebrations, including performances at Shelton’s Ole Red bars that have drawn public praise from his stepfather in years past.

As Zuma steps into adulthood, the video Stefani shared makes clear that the sentimental family tradition continues. Between the guitar, the cowboy hats and the childhood throwbacks, it’s a portrait of a birthday that was equal parts nostalgic and proud.

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Shelley Fabares, who is best known for her role as the daughter on The Donna Reed Show, died at the age of 82, her family announced.

The actresses died on Saturday, Aug. 22, in Los Angeles after a brief illness. She is survived by her husband, M*A*S*H actor Mike Farrell.

“To her family and friends, Shelley was a source of love, strength, laughter and comfort,” her family said in a statement, per the Hollywood Reporter. “She was a devoted wife, cherished stepmother, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, family member and loyal friend whose warmth, generosity, humor and grace made an enduring difference in the lives of everyone who knew her. She had a remarkable ability to make people feel welcomed, valued and cared for.”

The Donna Reed Show aired on ABC for eight seasons, where Fabares played high schooler Mary, with her mother portrayed by Donna Stone and her father by Carl Betz. Having debuted the song on the show, Fabares also recorded a version of “Johnny Angel,” which went to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1962.

Along with this, she appeared on the ABC comedy Coach for eight seasons, in which she played Christine Armstrong, a TV newscaster and the girlfriend of Nelson’s college football coach, Hayden Fox. Other shows include the ABC series Annette, The Brian Keith Show, The Practice, and Highcliffe Manor, as well as movies including Ride the Wild Surf (1964) with Fabian and Hold On! (1966).

Fabares starred in three shows with Elvis Presley, working with him on Girl Happy (1965), Spinout (1966), and Clambake (1967).

“The first day of shooting [Girl Happy], I’m on the set. Something was happening, and I didn’t know what it was,” she recalled in a past interview. “And I looked over, and it was Elvis. He was walking in. He wasn’t doing anything. He was just walking in. The presence that this man had … you couldn’t talk. Nobody did anything. You just sort of stopped. And I remember thinking, ‘Oh, my God. It’s Elvis Presley. I’m never going to be able to open my mouth around him.’ ”

River Phoenix would’ve been 56 years old today.

The actor and musician first appeared on screen at just 10 years old. He was known as a teen actor before moving on to more serious roles. Phoenix is remembered for projects such as Stand by Me, My Own Private Idaho, and Running on Empty.

He was born the first of four born on August 23, 1970, in Madras, Oregon. His siblings include Rain (born 1972), Joaquin (born 1974), Liberty (born 1976), and Summer (born 1978).

Phoenix tragically died at age 23 on October 31, 1993, at The Viper Room in West Hollywood, California. He died from a lethal combination of cocaine and opiates. He was filming Dark Blood at the time.

Gladiator star Joaquin Phoenix is notoriously private about the death of his older brother. He opened up about River Phoenix’s legacy and impact on his family in a 2025 appearance on Theo Von’s podcast, This Past Weekend.

“My brother was quite a force and was definitely, like, I don’t know if it was mythical or Shakespearean, or I don’t know, maybe it’s because he died or something,” he recalled. “You know, he was the first son, and he was incredible.”

“He was such a force within our family,” the Joker actor continued. “He was kind of like the guiding light in some ways. He was the one who acted first. We used to sing on the streets and he played guitar and kind of like oversaw everybody.”

During River Phoenix’s career, he earned an Academy Award nomination, a Best Actor win at the Venice Film Festival, and a Golden Globe Award nomination.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, help is available 24 hours a day through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Hotline at 1-800-662-4357.

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If you want to improve the ambiance of your space, upgrading your lighting is a great place to start. Of course, this means focusing on mood lighting. Think table lamps, twinkle lights and floor lamps. Right now, IKEA is selling the perfect option that you can place anywhere you want, and it creates the most calming energy in any room.

The KNÖLTÅNGLED Table Decoration at IKEA looks like a classic oil lamp, and it adds so much charming ambiance to any space. However, it features a modern cream-and-gold color scheme. It’s also battery-operated, so you can place it wherever you please, even if there isn’t an outlet nearby.

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KNÖLTÅNGLED Table Decoration, $9.99 at IKEA

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This light gives off a flickering glow, just like a real flame. You can also opt to use it on a steady light setting. You can even dim it to your liking by using the knob on the side. Another nifty feature is its built-in timer, which automatically turns the light on at the same time each day. From there, it will glow for six hours. When it shuts off, it won’t turn on again for 18 hours.

Related: Costco Is Selling Chic Strappy Sandals That Feel Like ‘Walking on a Cloud’

Shoppers are loving this new oil lamp-inspired light so far, giving it an average rating of 4.5 stars on IKEA.com. Reviewers on IKEA.com rate it highly for its appearance, product quality, value for the money and overall functionality.

“Perfect little light,” said one fan in a five-star review on IKEA.com. “I bought one, wanting to put it in a curio cabinet to highlight a sweet collection of Beatrix Potter figurines my mom collected. To help show them off. This little light is absolutely perfect for adding a little twinkle to your space. I love it so much I went back and bought five more! I use them inside and out, where ever I want a little light and magic. Brilliant design!”

You can find this vintage-style light on IKEA.com or in select IKEA stores. It retails for just $9.99. Do note that batteries are sold separately.

Related: This Sleek Accordion Hanger at IKEA Maximizes Space While Looking Stylish

In 1981, Foreigner released one of its most distinctive hits, complete with a scorching saxophone solo that became nearly as recognizable as Lou Gramm’s powerhouse vocals.

But Junior Walker’s unforgettable appearance on “Urgent” almost didn’t happen. In fact, according to Gramm, the Motown legend wound up on the song after a chance late-night discovery just two blocks from the studio.

In a new interview on The Jordan Edwards Show, Gramm recalled that “Urgent” was essentially finished when the band realized something was missing.

“The song was done, you know, vocals and everything was done,” Gramm explained. Guitarist Mick Jones tried adding a guitar solo to the open section. “It was a nice solo, but we all felt something was missing.”

That’s when Gramm and Foreigner drummer Dennis Elliott happened to start thumbing through The Village Voice.

“We saw that two blocks down the street from us, Junior Walker and his band was playing,” Gramm recalled.

And this wasn’t exactly prime business hours.

“This had to be about 12:30, quarter to one in the morning,” he said.

So Gramm and Elliott grabbed their coats, walked the two blocks and caught Walker’s final three songs. They introduced themselves to Walker’s son, who was playing drums in his father’s band, and asked whether the saxophonist might be interested in appearing on a Foreigner song.

Walker agreed, provided they could do it quickly.

Fortunately, Foreigner was ready for him.

After finishing his show, Walker and his son headed to the studio, where the saxophonist listened to “Urgent” and stepped into the booth.

There was just one problem: The Junior Walker they initially heard wasn’t quite the Junior Walker Foreigner wanted.

Walker began playing in the smoother soul style of songs like “What Does It Take (To Win Your Love),” but Gramm remembered the band stopping him.

“Junior, Junior, wrong attitude,” Gramm recalled telling him. “We don’t want the newer sweet soul. We want the stuff like ‘Shotgun.’ We want you to honk on that and blow the horn.”

That did the trick.

“He did three or four takes where he was just wailing,” Gramm said. “And we captured all of it.”

Related: 1970 ‘Timeless Classic’ Gets a ‘Beautiful’ New Version From Iconic Rock Band

The band then pieced together Walker’s performances to create the explosive sax solo heard on the finished record.

“We compiled it into one kick-ass solo,” Gramm said.

“Urgent” was released as the first single from Foreigner’s fourth studio album 4 in June 1981. It climbed to No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, while 4 became a blockbuster in its own right. The album ultimately spent 10 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and included fellow Foreigner staples “Waiting for a Girl Like You” and “Juke Box Hero.”

Walker, meanwhile, wasn’t finished with “Urgent.”

Gramm said Foreigner invited him to join the band onstage when they later played Los Angeles. Walker accepted and arrived dressed for the occasion.

“He was wearing a pink zoot suit with the hat cocked to one side,” Gramm remembered. “The people went crazy when he came out and started playing.”

For a solo that began with two rock stars flipping through a newspaper after midnight, it turned into one of the defining sounds of Foreigner’s biggest era.

Foreigner is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary with an extensive tour and a series of special releases and events. Gramm, who has announced plans to retire from performing after the anniversary celebrations, has also been rejoining his former band for select appearances, including the group’s 2025 Ellis Island performance.

Related: Foreigner Revives Controversial 1979 Song for First Time in Decades

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With cooler weather on the horizon, a comfortable lounge set that you can layer with can easily become one of the most reached-for pieces in your wardrobe. These coordinated outfits are easy to slip on and create an instant outfit without much effort. Whether you’re relaxing at home, logging on for a work-from-home day, or stepping out for a quick coffee run, a matching set helps you look intentional while still feeling comfortable.

While some lounge sets can easily cost over $100, there are still budget-friendly options that look just as stylish. One standout deal right now is the Sunbs Two-Piece Waffle Knit Lounge Set. It’s currently on sale for at Walmart, bringing the price down from $50 to as low as $14. Prices vary slightly by color, but most are under $30, so there are plenty of opportunities to save big on this popular lounging duo.

Sunbs Two-Piece Waffle Knit Lounge Set, From $14 (was $50) at Walmart 

Courtesy of Walmart

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The set is available in sizes small through 2XL and is made from a breathable blend of 96% polyester and 4% spandex. The fabric is designed to feel lightweight and skin-friendly, which makes it comfortable for long days at home or casual outings. It’s also machine-washable, so you won’t have to worry about complicated care instructions. You can choose from four easy-to-style colors: black, brown, khaki, and navy blue.

Design-wise, the waffle-knit texture adds a relaxed but elevated feel. The top features a slightly oversized, boxy silhouette with capped sleeves and extended shoulders, creating a flattering structure without feeling restrictive. The bottoms are high-waisted shorts with an elastic waistband and an adjustable drawstring, so you can customize the fit while staying comfortable.

Related: Walmart’s $3 Hoodie Is a ‘Soft’ and ‘Cozy’ Year-Round Staple Available in 24 ‘Rich’ Colors

The versatility of this set makes it a practical choice for everyday life. It’s comfortable enough for chores, relaxing at home, or working remotely, yet stylish enough for quick errands or a casual lunch with friends. Many people also choose sets like this for travel days because they’re soft and flexible while still looking polished at the airport. Another benefit is how easy it is to style — you can wear the pieces together for a coordinated look or mix them with other items in your wardrobe to create different outfits.

Shoppers seem to love it as well. One reviewer described the matching set as “light and comfortable.” Another shared that it’s “cute enough for brunch and sturdy enough for hiking,” highlighting its “strong material and functional pockets.”

If you want to get your transitional-weather wardrobe ready early, the Sunbs Two-Piece Waffle Knit Lounge Set is an easy pick. It’s comfortable, versatile, and stylish enough to wear well beyond the couch. With Walmart’s current discount, you can snag it for as low as $14 and save big on a set you’ll likely reach for all season long.

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Michelle Monaghan is living like she’s back on The White Lotus, because the brunette beauty is soaking up the sun in her bikini.

Monaghan, 50, is known for roles ranging from Gone Baby Gone and Made of Honor to TV series like True Detective and The Path. She had a huge hit on the latest edition of HBO’s The White Lotus, playing an actress on vacation with her friends, played by Leslie Bibb and Carrie Coon. But in real life, Monaghan is soaking up the sun in her bikini as she prepares for a major role in one of TV’s hottest series. (More on that below!) Just call it The White Lotus without all the dead bodies.

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Monaghan Is Headed to Your Friends and Neighbors

Back in April, Deadline announced that Monaghan is joining season 3 of Apple TV+’s hit series Your Friends and Neighbors. When character details haven’t been released, the site believes that Monaghan will play a potential new love interest for Jon Hamm’s character, suburban thief Andrew Cooper.

Loving Life After 50

Monaghan is the mother of two kids with her husband, Peter White. When she turned 50 earlier this year, the star made it clear she’s happier than ever.

“I’m living a life I’ve always dreamed of, with the dreamiest husband and the dreamiest children,” she added. “It’s not lost on me how blessed I am. Every year that I get to share these days with those I treasure – healthy and happy – is one I’ll never take for granted. 🙏 #glimmerseverywhere”

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The star expressed her gratitude to her loved ones on her special day.

“Thank you for all the messages, calls, cards (there’s nothing I love more 🥹) and kind words shared. My day was filled with a ton of laughter (the key to my heart!) and I felt so loved up!” Monaghan captioned her post . “☺️Celebrating my birthday serves as a reminder of all the love I have in my life – from family, to friends, to strangers 🙂 My hope is that I will always extend that love right back. 💗” 

Related: Heather Graham Just Shared New Bikini Photos From Italy—and Everyone Wants Her Vacation

Even Ina Garten didn’t expect this.

While looking through the first printed copy of her upcoming cookbook, Simply Ina, the Barefoot Contessa found herself stopping at recipes she’d made countless times — and suddenly wanting to cook them all over again.

“I was looking through the first copy the other day and I was surprised to think, ‘Oh! I have to make that this weekend!’ And ‘I forgot how good that recipe is!'” she shared in a candid Instagram post on August 22.

The bestselling cookbook author said the realization caught her off guard.

“It made me smile because of course, I’ve made every recipe so many times.”

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Garten shared the candid moment while announcing that Simply Ina is just two months away from publication.

“My new cookbook SIMPLY INA is coming out in two months and I can’t wait!” she wrote in an Instagram post.

To give fans a taste of what’s ahead, Garten included a colorful carousel of photographs from the book. The images featured everything from open-faced tomato sandwiches and frosty cocktails to juicy steaks topped with herb butter, bright blood oranges and cheerful seasonal blooms.

“Here’s a sneak-peek of some photographs from the book to whet your appetite,” she added.

According to her publisher, Simply Ina features 85 new recipes designed to make everyday cooking feel simpler without sacrificing flavor. The collection focuses on approachable dishes, make-ahead meals and Garten’s signature style of elegant but unfussy entertaining.
Fans quickly filled the comments with excitement, with many saying they’d already preordered the cookbook while others joked that the preview photos had instantly made them hungry.

“Do I spy heirloom tomato tartines?” queried one fan.

“I preordered it a month or so ago, can’t wait to add it to my Barefoot Contessa collection!!” wrote another.

Linda Hamilton will always be associated with her role as Sarah Connor in The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day, but the star is doing better than ever in 2026.

Hamilton, 69, became an action icon for her role in the Terminator films. She later landed spots on shows like Chuck and Resident Alien. But with a major comeback last year on Netflix’s Stranger Things, Hamilton is thriving. The star made a rare appearance on social media alongside actor John Glover, who is known for playing Lionel Luthor in Smallville. With a bright smile on her face, it seems like Hamilton has found peace in her sixties.

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Hamilton’s Mental Health Issues

Hamilton revealed in 2004 that she had both bipolar disorder and depression. But in a 2025 interview with PEOPLE, the beloved actress opened up about her mental health journey along the way.

“Nobody ever thinks that I’m going to struggle. They think I’ll be fine — ‘It’s Linda Hamilton,’” the star told the publication.

Luckily, after years of working through her difficulties, Hamilton has found a system that works for her.

“I have found just true balance and steadiness in my day and in my life,” she explained. “And I also can activate all of the safeguards that I learned from 20 years of therapy.”

Therapy was her best investment, Hamilton explained.

“I can apply the brakes because I spent years and years and hundreds of thousands of dollars to get better,” she noted.

When it comes to her advice for other people who are struggling, Hamilton has plenty of thoughts.

“People just can’t give up on themselves. That’s the thing. It’s just keep looking until you find your way through it. I’m living proof that it can be done,” she said, joking, “And I was a hot mess for the first 40 years.”

She also advised people to focus on doing things for others and building self-esteem by doing esteemable acts.

“I never think about myself. That was the first 40 years. And when I got the balance, I made a deal with myself that it would never be about me again. And it hardly ever is. It’s just not about me,” she noted.

Related: ‘Terminator 2’ Star Reunites With Movie Arch Nemesis 34 Years After the Iconic Film

Dirty Dancing nearly lost the songwriter behind its most famous moment before he ever wrote a note. When producer Jimmy Ienner called Franke Previte in late 1986, asking him to write a song for the film, Previte assumed from the title alone that he was being pitched something pornographic.

“I went, oh, jeez, Jimmy’s doing porn,” Previte later told WDHA.

At the time, Previte was the former lead singer of Franke and the Knockouts, known for the 1981 hit “Sweetheart,” but by 1986 he was without a record deal. He initially turned Ienner down, saying he didn’t have time. Ienner pushed back, insisting the project would change his life, and eventually talked Previte into giving it a shot.

Previte agreed, co-writing the lyrics to what would become “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” alongside composers John DeNicola and Donald Markowitz. He recorded a demo of the track himself, singing it with Rachele Cappelli, never expecting his own voice would end up in the finished film.

But it did. When the production filmed Dirty Dancing‘s now-famous final dance sequence, the polished studio version by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes wasn’t finished yet. So Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey danced to Previte and Cappelli’s original demo instead, and that scratch track stayed in the movie as the on-set music.

Medley and Warnes eventually recorded the official single, and the song went on to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song, a Golden Globe, and a Grammy. Previte’s own demo later resurfaced as a bonus track on a 1998 reissue of his old Franke and the Knockouts album.

Nearly four decades later, “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” remains inseparable from Dirty Dancing‘s ending, a song that almost never got written because its own songwriter briefly mistook the title for something else entirely.

I would love to paint myself as a Beta Mom who never, ever projects 20 years into the future and thinks about how her sons will be, especially given the wild state of the world (especially parts of the Manosphere). I’m not a helicopter parent (I simply do not have that kind of time), but I wouldn’t say I’m a cool, chill, “anything goes” mom, either. I’ve done too much of my own screen time and dubious app use, and listened to too many podcasts featuring Anxious Generation author Jonathan Haidt, to feel comfortable buying my kids an iPad or turning dinners into TV affairs.

So, I am always looking for tips on how to reduce screen time for kids, especially as my littles get bigger and the societal pull to game becomes stronger. A popular method is to come up with screen-free family night ideas. Analog dinners are one way my family does this, but I’m craving more face-to-face family bonding.

Some of it’s a tad selfish—I’ve been combating digital isolation since becoming a mom twice during the pandemic, and I never went back to work in an office. Even as I’ve reduced my time on social media (and even my inbox), I still want more human interaction in my life, especially with my favorite people: my family. So, I thought back to one family tradition I loved from the 1990s.

Since I wanted screen-free, introducing them to Boy Meets World got nixed (we do have a dog named Topanga, though). But I had another idea. While it wasn’t the smoothest-sailing sell, my kids have come to love it. Here’s what happened when I brought back one ’90s family tradition for a month, and why my kids won’t stop.

Related: 10 Old-Fashioned Summer Activities Kids Still Love That Don’t Require a Screen

The ‘Retro Friday’ Reveal: Swapping Screens for Board Games

Courtesy Beth Ann Mayer

I decided to resurrect one of my favorite screen-free ’90s family traditions by dusting off classic board games for kids.

Each Friday, we’d have a game night. It gave us a chance to enjoy face-to-face family bonding, combating digital isolation. It also helped my kids gain emotional awareness.

Related: How the Tin Can Landline Helped My Kids Connect Without Screens

The Psychology of ‘Face-to-Face’ vs. ‘Side-by-Side’ Bonding

One of the biggest goals of my experiment with family game night was to challenge us to engage more in face-to-face family bonding. When we’re watching Paw Patrol, Toy Story or Bluey, it’s all side-by-side. And that’s how video games will be, even if we’re playing together.

To be clear, I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with any of those TV shows or movies (we’ve watched all of them) or many video games. However, I’m all about mixing it up and moderation. My kids are also objectively adorable, so I wanted to see their full mugs, not just a side view.

Besides feeling personally warm and fuzzy, I was surprised by how much a change of view could shift how we treated and reacted to one another. As time went on, my older child began to notice when his younger brother was getting frustrated about falling behind. As a result, my older one stopped gloating so much every time he got a double-color card in Candy Land, inching a little closer to King Candy’s Castle.

It turns out that’s a huge selling point of board games for kids (and, frankly, adults)—and any activity that requires face-to-face interaction.

“They require us to pay attention to each other’s expressions, reactions and emotions,” explains Dr. Holly Schiff, Psy.D., a licensed clinical psychologist who treats children. “Board games naturally create those moments. Kids practice reading social cues, taking turns, negotiating, laughing together and having conversations that go beyond the activity itself.”

Related: 3 Psychologists Agree This Is the Most ‘Underrated’ Positive Parenting Habit

Overcoming the ‘Boredom Spike’: The First 15 Minutes

Courtesy Beth Ann Mayer

Despite my best efforts, my kids do love TV and movies, and often watch them at night. Detoxing from anything is hard, so I was ready for pushback. But I didn’t get much. I attribute my success here to the fact that I didn’t turn screens off and announce, “We’re doing game night!” Instead, the screens had already been off for hours.

I’m not a genius, just a mom who has noticed how hard it is for my kids to transition from screens to “harder” activities, like eating dinner or getting ready for bed. It leads to what psychologists call “the boredom spike.”

“The boredom spike is that uncomfortable period that often happens when a child transitions away from a highly stimulating activity, like screens, and into something slower-paced,” Dr. Schiff explains. “Screens provide immediate rewards, constant novelty and quick feedback, so when they’re removed, regular activities can initially feel ‘boring’ by comparison.”

Now, it wasn’t all good. My kids quickly got frustrated and started saying, “This is boring!” when I needed to refresh my memory on the rules of Candy Land and get acquainted with Race to the Treasure, a cooperative game. They’re used to life on-demand, whereas I remember dial-up internet. It was actually an unintentionally teachable moment.

“The important thing is that boredom isn’t necessarily a problem,” Dr. Schiff tells Parade. “It’s a space where creativity, imagination and independent thinking can develop. Kids often need time to move through that initial discomfort before they rediscover enjoyment in other activities.”

She encourages parents to manage their personal expectations of how these wholesome family traditions will start.

“The key is not expecting the transition to feel effortless,” she states. “Parents can acknowledge the discomfort while staying consistent: ‘I know this feels boring right now, but we’re going to try something different.'”

Dr. Schiff says you might be able to slightly reduce the spike in frustration and boredom by proactively having a plan in place rather than just removing screens and letting kids figure it out. That’s where the allure of playing games came in. We weren’t going to stare at a wall instead of watching TV; we were going to play. Game on!

Related: ‘My Family’s Been Testing Nex Playground for 3 Weeks and It’s Been a Total Game-Changer’

3 Rules That Saved Our ’90s Family Night

As excited as I was to dig into board games for kids, it wasn’t my first rodeo with competition and children. Both of my kids can have some issues with losing (and winning) gracefully. It made me hesitant to go forward with a Retro Night, but I’m glad I did.

“The goal of family game night isn’t to create perfect behavior or avoid conflict,” Dr. Schiff emphasizes. “It’s really about creating a safe place where kids can practice connection, communication, patience and resilience. Those skills develop through repeated, everyday interactions.”

Here’s how I set that scene.

1. These are games of luck

My kids naturally want to be the “best” at everything, but you literally have no control over which Candy Land card you choose (unless the deck is stacked—which I may have done on one occasion when my older one wanted to play just me one more time and I wanted to go to bed).

I started each game by reminding them that someone would win and someone would lose, and it would be about luck, not who was “better” at anything, like when the Mets and Yankees play. (And, yes, I projected 20 years into the future and secretly hoped that they’d keep “luck” in mind before signing up for a gambling app).

In the end, it’s important to know how to lose, and I wanted to be a safe space for our kids to get acquainted with these feelings.

“Board games provide a safe, structured environment where kids can practice losing and learn that disappointment is temporary,” Dr. Schiff explains. “Losing a game gives children the opportunity to experience frustration, regulate their emotions and try again without the stakes being too high.”

When a child gets frustrated, she suggests validating the feeling, rather than trying to “solve a problem. She recommends saying, “It’s really disappointing when you were hoping to win.” 

“Then help them practice what comes next: taking a breath, congratulating the winner and thinking about what they might try differently next time,” she says.

We tried this approach, and it improved over the weeks. Because we were playing games of luck, “try differently” meant “react differently to losing (or winning if someone gloated).”

2. Adults set the standard

I’m quietly competitive. I grew up playing sports and still cover them. I can turn anything into a contest in my head, and sometimes I externalize that. I had to suppress those urges when playing games with my kids.

“Kids learn less from what we tell them and more from how we handle our own disappointment when things don’t go our way,” Dr. Schiff says. “Healthy competition creates shared memories and gives families a chance to play different roles: sometimes you win, sometimes you cheer someone else on, and sometimes you work together toward a common goal.”

Whether I won or lost, I smiled and shook everyone’s hand.

3. Kids pick the game

I thrust game night on my kids, but I let them choose what we played. Each child got to pick one game for us to all play.

“Giving kids a chance to choose helps them feel a sense of ownership and importance within the family,” Dr. Schiff says. “It communicates that their interests and preferences matter. It can be quite empowering. Choice also increases engagement because kids are more likely to invest emotionally in an activity they helped select.”

It definitely helped me gain immediate buy-in.

Related: People Who Were ‘Overly Competitive’ in Childhood Often Develop These 16 Traits as Adults, Psychologists Say

The Emotional Payoff: Why They Begged To Keep Going

Courtesy Beth Ann Mayer

Within two weeks, my kids knew that Friday meant games. One month later, the challenge stopped, but they wanted to keep going. They already mapped out games they wanted to play the following week and the week after that, determined to get through our once-dusty game cabinet. The laughs, conversations and attention we gave one another felt fresh, and we didn’t want to lose those feelings.

“When competition stays playful, it creates laughter, connection and opportunities for kids to see their parents as people who enjoy spending time with them, not just as rule-setters or problem-solvers,” Dr. Schiff notes.

It sure beats going down rabbit holes about all of the things “wrong” with boys today—or Reddit threads psychoanalyzing the characters from Sesame Street and Frozen.

Up Next:

Related: This 1990s Backyard Game Still Teaches Kids Teamwork Better Than Most Apps

Source:

• Dr. Holly Schiff, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist who treats children.