The stories just keep coming. From #metoo to Bill Cosby’s sentencing, to this week, when the President of the United States publicly mocked a woman who says she was sexually assaulted , the reality of what sexual assault survivors face has never received so much attention.The good news is, those of us who empathize with survivors—or are survivors ourselves—are empowered to make change in this moment. Treating survivors with dignity and kindness isn’t a political issue, and no matter what our political stripes, there are things we can do—right now—to support them.
1. Donate to RAINN
The nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, RAINN (the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) partners with more than 1,000 local service providers across the country to help prevent sexual violence, assist those who have experienced it, and help get those responsible criminally prosecuted.Dr. Ford’s story has directly impacted RAINN. According to the organization, the hearing resulted in a 338% increase in hotline traffic. RAINN is there when survivors need to talk, and right now, a lot of survivors need to talk.“History shows us that when high-profile allegations such as these are in the news it often causes others to reach out too. This story has clearly resonated with survivors, and has led thousands to reach out for help for the first time,” says RAINN president Scott Berkowitz.
2. Donate to End the Backlog
Rape kits are powerful tools for prosecuting abusers, but all too often, rape kits (and the DNA they contain that could convict someone of this horrible crime) sits on a shelf in an evidence locker, untested and rapists aren’t held accountable. End the Backlog is working to change that, by testing rape kits and identifying the reasons for the backlog.
3. Attend or organize a rally in support of survivors
As RAINN’s president said, survivors of sexual assault need to talk right now, and they also need to know that they are not alone, that there are plenty of people who are willing to support them. We can show our support by attending or even organizing events like the #metoo rally happening in Springfield, Missouri on Saturday, October 6 , or the Take Back the Night rallies happen in Joliet, Illinois or Grand Forks, North Dakota on Thursday, October 4.
4. Vote in the upcoming midterm elections
Register to vote . Ask your representatives and those running against them what they are doing to help survivors of sexual assault heal, and what they are doing to help stop sexual violence. Vote accordingly.
5. Teach your children about consent and let them know that you will believe them
Teaching our children about body safety and consent is one way we can help change the way sexual assault is treated in our society. We need to let our children know that their bodies are their own and that they do not have the right to touch anyone else’s. We also need to let them know that if they ever need to tell us something, we will be there to believe them and support them, not mock them.It’s been a hard couple weeks, but we have the power to help sexual assault survivors and hold abusers accountable. We have the power to change the world for our children.
In this episode of the Motherly Podcast, Dawson sits down with Liz Tenety to talk about the mental load, the unfair division of household labor, and how she’s giving busy parents their Sundays back.
This month, after more than a decade of advocacy and input from over 14,000 patients and health professionals, polycystic ovary syndrome officially got a new name.
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Returning to work after baby is more than a schedule change. It is a shift in who you are, what you value and how you move through your day. Here is language for what you are feeling, plus a plan to make the transition kinder.
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Your body completed a complex, whole-body event. Treating rest like a prescription, not an afterthought, protects healing, mental health and long-term well-being for you and your baby.
Surrogates say the best journeys are built on clarity, respect and real support. Here is what they want you to know before you match, so everyone feels seen and protected.
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The motherhood tax is real, and it shows up in three places at once: lower earnings, higher prices, and more unpaid time. Here is what is driving it in 2025, plus practical steps to reclaim money, time, and power.
Birth has a way of stripping life down to the essentials. Between contractions and choices, labor can reveal a kind of courage that is quieter than grit and steadier than hype, the kind you carry into motherhood long after delivery day.
When you are the one everyone calls for rides, rent and reassurance, it can feel like love and pressure at the same time. Here is what the data says about the growing squeeze on families and a practical plan to protect your well-being while you care for the people you love.
When the budget stretches thin, the to-do list gets heavier. Here is why financial strain and the mental load show up together for moms, and what actually helps.
Your inner circle often shifts when you are expecting. Here is why it happens, what it means for your well-being, and simple ways to keep the people you love close.
Nausea, secrecy, and milestone waiting can stretch early pregnancy into slow motion. Then one ultrasound, a small bump, and suddenly it is gone. Here is the science behind the time warp, plus gentle ways to steady yourself.
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Weaning is a real goodbye, not just a feeding change. Here’s what’s happening in your body and heart, how to tell if you need extra support, and gentle ways to mark this transition.
Parental leave is not a perk. It is protective health time that safeguards recovery, bonding, feeding, and mental well-being. Here is what new parents wish every manager and HR team knew, plus practical steps to design leave that actually works.
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Adoption does not just add a child to your home, it rebuilds your family’s story, routines, and relationships. Here is what changes, why it is normal, and how to navigate it with care, clarity, and support.
Bonding is not a single golden hour, and a C-section does not put you behind. With the right support, connection grows skin-to-skin, eye-to-eye, and day by day—no matter how your baby was born.
Those first 12 weeks after birth bring tidal waves of physical recovery, round-the-clock care and identity shifts. Here is why it feels so hard, and how to make the hardest love gentler on you and your baby.
Your body heals after birth, yes. Your sense of self shifts too. Here is how to understand the identity changes of new parenthood and what to do when it feels like you do not recognize yourself.
Resilience grows in ordinary moments. These seven playful, low-lift activities help kids practice coping, confidence and problem-solving with you as their safety net.
The fourth trimester is real, and many important needs fall through the cracks after that first newborn check. Here is how to recognize what your body and mind might be asking for, and what to do next.
Sometimes the best way to connect with a teenager is to ask a better question. Use thoughtful prompts and open real conversation without putting your teen on the defensive.
Your body often whispers before it roars. Here are the most reliable, evidence-backed signs that labor is near, so you can recognize what’s normal, trust your instincts and feel prepared.
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You want snacks to fuel growth, not just fill minutes until dinner. These 15 options check the big boxes for protein, fiber, iron, and healthy fats without piling on added sugar or salt.
You deserve food that is soothing, nutrient-dense, and ridiculously easy to get on the table. These five meals support tissue repair, steady energy, and milk-making if you are breastfeeding.
These simple, evidence-based grounding practices can help you feel more rooted. Remember your patience isn't broken, you just need some information to steady you.
Eight concrete ways dads-to-be can show up in the third trimester. Learn warning signs, practice labor support and prep the fourth trimester. Practical, calm and evidence-based.
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Kids may not remember every holiday morning. They may not recall who gave what or when. But adults remember who helped them feel steadier as they stepped into independence.
Children don’t rank bodies. They don’t compare. They don’t critique. They celebrate the features that feel familiar because those features belong to the people they trust and love the most.
If you experienced a tip-over, defect, or near-miss with this (or any) bath seat, consider reporting it to the CPSC. Reports help identify patterns and can speed up safety actions.
You already make intelligent choices all day. These quick, low-lift money moves help you feel more in control, lower financial stress and keep family goals on track.
Your baby is learning to smile, roll, walk and talk. You are learning to trust yourself, set boundaries, ask for help and let go. Baby milestone is mothers milestone, too, they happen together.
Grandparents are the invisible scaffolding in many new families. Here is what research shows about their impact, the pressures they carry, and how parents can partner with them in safe, loving, clear ways.
The bickering you hear is often a sign of connection. Here is what research says about sibling conflict, why it can build empathy, and how to coach it into closeness without letting anyone get hurt.
Returning to work after baby is more than a schedule change. It is a shift in who you are, what you value and how you move through your day. Here is language for what you are feeling, plus a plan to make the transition kinder.
After delivery, meals do more than fill a plate. They steady hormones, fuel milk, lower stress and remind a new parent they are held. Food quietly becomes a love language in the fourth trimester; what your body needs and how to ask for help.
Your body completed a complex, whole-body event. Treating rest like a prescription, not an afterthought, protects healing, mental health and long-term well-being for you and your baby.
Surrogates say the best journeys are built on clarity, respect and real support. Here is what they want you to know before you match, so everyone feels seen and protected.
Marking the day your family legally or practically came together can be more than a sweet tradition. Done thoughtfully, an adoption anniversary can build identity, strengthen attachment and honor every person in your child’s story.
The motherhood tax is real, and it shows up in three places at once: lower earnings, higher prices, and more unpaid time. Here is what is driving it in 2025, plus practical steps to reclaim money, time, and power.
Birth has a way of stripping life down to the essentials. Between contractions and choices, labor can reveal a kind of courage that is quieter than grit and steadier than hype, the kind you carry into motherhood long after delivery day.
When you are the one everyone calls for rides, rent and reassurance, it can feel like love and pressure at the same time. Here is what the data says about the growing squeeze on families and a practical plan to protect your well-being while you care for the people you love.
When the budget stretches thin, the to-do list gets heavier. Here is why financial strain and the mental load show up together for moms, and what actually helps.
Your inner circle often shifts when you are expecting. Here is why it happens, what it means for your well-being, and simple ways to keep the people you love close.
Nausea, secrecy, and milestone waiting can stretch early pregnancy into slow motion. Then one ultrasound, a small bump, and suddenly it is gone. Here is the science behind the time warp, plus gentle ways to steady yourself.
Your body did something extraordinary. You do not need to rewind it. Here is a gentler, truer way to measure progress after birth, with real talk and research that respects every path.
Weaning is a real goodbye, not just a feeding change. Here’s what’s happening in your body and heart, how to tell if you need extra support, and gentle ways to mark this transition.
Parental leave is not a perk. It is protective health time that safeguards recovery, bonding, feeding, and mental well-being. Here is what new parents wish every manager and HR team knew, plus practical steps to design leave that actually works.
Gestational surrogacy is never a solo act. The medical, legal, and emotional layers are real, which is exactly why building your village early protects the gestational carrier, the baby, and you.
Adoption does not just add a child to your home, it rebuilds your family’s story, routines, and relationships. Here is what changes, why it is normal, and how to navigate it with care, clarity, and support.
Bonding is not a single golden hour, and a C-section does not put you behind. With the right support, connection grows skin-to-skin, eye-to-eye, and day by day—no matter how your baby was born.
Those first 12 weeks after birth bring tidal waves of physical recovery, round-the-clock care and identity shifts. Here is why it feels so hard, and how to make the hardest love gentler on you and your baby.
Your body heals after birth, yes. Your sense of self shifts too. Here is how to understand the identity changes of new parenthood and what to do when it feels like you do not recognize yourself.
Resilience grows in ordinary moments. These seven playful, low-lift activities help kids practice coping, confidence and problem-solving with you as their safety net.
The fourth trimester is real, and many important needs fall through the cracks after that first newborn check. Here is how to recognize what your body and mind might be asking for, and what to do next.
Sometimes the best way to connect with a teenager is to ask a better question. Use thoughtful prompts and open real conversation without putting your teen on the defensive.
Your body often whispers before it roars. Here are the most reliable, evidence-backed signs that labor is near, so you can recognize what’s normal, trust your instincts and feel prepared.
You do not need a 5 a.m. club or a color-coded command center to grow at work and feel present at home. 6 habits that are realistic, repeatable, and proven to reduce stress while moving your career forward.
Your family’s story deserves to be honored. Simple, repeatable rituals help you mark milestones, nurture connection and keep your child’s identity at the center.
A new baby changes everything, including your firstborn’s world. Simple activities help older kids feel included and connected to the tiny person they have yet to meet.
Postpartum life is full and your mental health matters as much as your newborn’s feeding schedule. These small, doable habits support your well-being while you find your rhythm again.
Maternity leave math is confusing, even when you have benefits. Here's facts that matter most and simple steps to take so your paycheck, premiums, and plans stay on track.
Grandparents are the village personified, and a steady presence matters. Here are six simple, research-backed ways to support your grandkids and their parents without stepping on toes.
The first 12 weeks after birth are tender, tiring and expensive. Simple, compassionate practices help you protect finances without sacrificing your well-being.
Tweens crave room to try, stumble and grow. Here are clear signs your tween is asking for some independence, they are ready for more say in their life.
You want snacks to fuel growth, not just fill minutes until dinner. These 15 options check the big boxes for protein, fiber, iron, and healthy fats without piling on added sugar or salt.
You deserve food that is soothing, nutrient-dense, and ridiculously easy to get on the table. These five meals support tissue repair, steady energy, and milk-making if you are breastfeeding.
These simple, evidence-based grounding practices can help you feel more rooted. Remember your patience isn't broken, you just need some information to steady you.
Eight concrete ways dads-to-be can show up in the third trimester. Learn warning signs, practice labor support and prep the fourth trimester. Practical, calm and evidence-based.
Ten mom-tested truths about C-sections, backed by leading medical guidance, to help you plan your birth, advocate in the OR and recover with confidence.
Easing back to work after baby is a big shift. These 5 expert-backed habits protect your energy, feeding plan and mental health so you can find your new rhythm.