I grew up in "the house." In high school, my home was the designated place where my friends gathered, sometimes in big groups, sometimes just my small core squad. My three best friends spent the night there almost every Friday and/or Saturday night for four years straight. We devoured Totino's frozen pizzas by the dozen, inhaled soda, and laid waste to any snacks or leftovers that were brave enough to survive in the kitchen. Not only that, but my house was pretty small — four teenage boys took up a lot of space in the living room (the whole thing) and made a lot of noise playing video games deep into the night. It must have driven my parents and older brothers crazy. It's a wonder anyone put up with it.Or so I thought when I was younger. When I became a parent myself, I started to understand a little more why my mom and dad were so willing to host and feed all my friends and me every single weekend. Why the outrageous grocery bill and constant chaos in the house were probably a small price to pay.Mom explains how to make your house 'the house' where teenagers hangOne mom has perfectly encapsulated the value of turning your home into "the house" for your kids and their friends, and exactly how she did it for her family. Teens hanging out in a living room.via Canva/PhotosAmy White shared a reel on Instagram showing her college-aged son hanging in her dining room with a group of friends playing cards. The text overlay reads "What makes your kids' high school friends want to come over, play cards & spend the night on their College Christmas Break." I think most parents can agree that we want our kids to keep coming home as long as possible! So how exactly did White pull this off?Her explanation in the caption was spot-on.First, White says that you have to start early. Become "the hang out house" in high school or even earlier. Then you have a better chance of holding onto the mantle into your kid's college years.Next, be ready to stock the house with snacks and drinks, and don't make a fuss when your kid's friends have at it. "The kids knew we had food," she writes, "BUT they also knew I didn't care what they had. They knew they could eat anything in my pantry and fridge."Third, and this is a big one, don't mistake being the "cool house" for being "the house." Some parents choose to allow their underage kids and friends to drink alcohol under their supervision, but you don't have to bend your morals and the law to lure the squad over to your place. Pizza and Coke is plenty to keep most teens happy. "We were not the house that served alcohol or even allowed the kids to bring alcohol to our house. And Guess What?? The kids still came and wanted to hang at our house!" Teenagers eating pizza.via Canva/PhotosFourth, always say Yes (as often as possible, anyway) when your kids want to have friends over. "They know my answer is 99% of the time YES," White writes. "You have to have your kids take the leadership of offering your home and if your home was 'open' to their friends in high school, they know it will be 'open' to their friends in college."As a bonus tip, White pleas with parents not to worry about the mess having friends over makes. "I love a clean house and organization, BUT I would much rather have a crazy messy house for the kids where memories are made than a quiet house with nothing going on just to keep my house 'clean.'"Should parents allow teens to drink at home?There's an age-old debate over whether parents should allow teens to drink at home because it's better than if they do is unsupervised or keep their home dry as a bone. A recent study out of the University of Buffalo found that kids who grew up drinking at home had a greater chance of having addiction problems when they got older. "A robust relationship was found between parental permission to use alcohol during adolescence and increased alcohol use frequency and quantity, alcohol use disorder symptoms, and alcohol-related harms in young adulthood," the study says. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amy White | Sports Mom | Family | CEO on the go ? (@hi.im.amywhite)White writes, "It's worth being 'the house', so let go of control & get to know your kids friends." Commenters agreed.White's video went viral to the tune of 8.5 million views and hundreds of comments. Parents shared their own experiences of what it's like being the default hang out house."Our house was the high school hangout for my son and friends... every weekend... I loved it!! Miss it now that they are all college graduates and have moved away. I love seeing them when they do come home for the holidays""A wise man once said don't be the house with the alcohol. Be the house with the food.""Amy 1000% agree!!! My house is full of teenagers on the weekends and I love every bit of it. Even though I wake up to a kitchen that looked much different from when I left it" Teenagers eating pizza.via Canva/Photos"We never allowed alcohol, drugs, bad language, always respectful, and guess what, our house was always the house where the kids hung out. First my daughter, then my son. Through grade school, high school, then when my kids went out of state for college their college friends would come spend a couple weeks during the summer. I always thought of it this way, I loved knowing my kids friends and, who knows, maybe some of those kids, especially during the younger years, just maybe those kids just needed an adult to care. Anyway, it was always fun to have them here!""It used to crack me up when my daughter would bring over a bunch of her friends (girls and boys) in high school and instead of hanging out in the family room they all wanted to crowd into either the kitchen with me or our tiny office and happily share all the gossip with me."Experts say that knowing your kids' friends, and their parents, can have huge benefits. Not only will it bring you the peace of mind of knowing where your kid is and who they're with when they get to those crucial high school years, it has been shown to tangibly improve kids ability to create positive relationships and problem-solve collaboratively. Plus, it can actually be really fun! Kids and teens are the funniest, silliest, most interesting people on the planet. Having a house full of them is messy and loud, but it's always a good time.One caveat: "don’t feel bad if your house isn’t the chosen house," one commenter reminds us. "Just be happy your kid has a good group of friends and be thankful they have somewhere safe to hang out."This article originally appeared last year.

In the real world, there are no such things as magic words like "abracadabra" or "open sesame," but the way you phrase something can have a huge impact on how people interpret your words. Just as we can choose to be rude or polite when asking for help, we can also frame our requests to increase the likelihood of getting the response we want.Chelsea Anderson, who refers to herself as a professional life hacker, shared the "magic words" she loves to use in a recent TikTok post. The video inspired her followers to share their own, creating a treasure trove of magic words and phrases that can help us become better communicators.Anderson's magic phrase is: "Would you mind if..." @chelseaexplainsitall I love magic words!!! What are some that you know of? Totally fine to include very niche use cases ◡̈ #magicwords #lifehack #cheatcodes "The reason this is magic is because it allows people to say 'no' in order to say 'yes' to your request," she said. "Saying 'no' is a much easier thing to do than saying 'yes,' because saying 'yes' requires a lot of authority. If I ask my boss, 'Do you mind if I rearrange these slides in this deck?' It's easy for that person to authoritatively say, 'No, I don't mind,' because they know whether they mind or not."In a way, "Would you mind…" bypasses the question of whether the request is appropriate and instead asks whether the person cares. Anderson's video, which was also posted on Instagram, inspired people to share their own magic phrases, and here are 13 of the best ones.13 of the best "magic words" and phrases"I'll remember that for next time""'Sir, you can't bring outside candy into the movie theater.’' 'I'll remember that for next time.' Most of the time, there's no follow-up." — Narlz"As it turns out" (instead of "unfortunately") “Unfortunately has a negative connotation." — Desert streams"What are the odds..."“For example, 'What are the odds you have a table for 2 right now?' It's so disarming and charming that it works almost always." — Angie"What would you do if you were in my situation?""It's magic when you need customer support. It makes them think about the situation in a different way and have some empathy." — Nap"If no one objects…""I was on our HOA board. As with any board, no one wanted to make a decision. So I would just send out emails that said 'if no-one objects, i'm going to…' and then I did whatever I wanted to. It meant that a majority would have to object in order to stop me. They weren't that organized." — Willwebstardad"I see.""When you disagree with someone but know that engaging with them in discussion would be pointless.” — StayathomedadThoughts"Is this a bad time?""Usually, people say 'no,' and it makes them feel empowered, so then you can ask for a yes later in the conversation.” — Lori"Are we venting or problem solving?"“When a partner or friend comes to you with an issue. Both require different responses, and I swear so many miscommunications can be avoided by asking this!" — Linda"Guess where I'm taking you?""Instead of asking where people want to eat, etc. A guess is much more fun, and they'll always guess the place they wanna go!" — Sarah"I need a miracle and I know you can make it happen""People jump to help make miracles happen, no matter how big or small, even me!" — Julie"I'm just visiting for the weekend.""I travel a lot and frequently say this when people try to offer me things (gym memberships, movie passes, etc.), and I've accidentally gotten so many free things by telling them I'm only visiting for the weekend. I guess people love to share kindness with visitors! So far, I've received free ice skating passes, free movie tickets, free entry to a gym, etc." — Lifts and kicks"I love the way you handled that""When someone (partner, friend, coworker) takes the lead on solving something for me. It makes them feel more empowered, strengthens our trust and makes it easy for them to say yes next time." — Maraanddenise"Thanks" (instead of "please")"Say it at the end of a direction (mainly aimed at kids), i.e., 'push your chair in, thanks.' This stops any argument, and the direction is followed as thanks is usually what is said after the act is followed through with. A very simple and effective hack in the classroom." — JanUltimately, these magic phrases have something in common: they're about taking a moment to consider the other person before you speak. It's about presenting information in a way that empowers the other person rather than leaving them feeling put out by your request. It shows that taking a quiet moment to consider someone else's perspective can give you a significant advantage in life.

Xennials are the micro-generation that nobody knows what to do with. Sometimes they're considered Gen X; other times, elder Millennials. Members of the micro-generation are also confused about where they belong. They're way too young and optimistic to be Gen X, but way too jaded and blunt to be Millennials. If you're part of this micro-generation, chances are you've felt like you belong to both generations. Author Kristen Shelt explains that Xennials occupy a "hinge" position between two generations, allowing them to hold two timelines at once. It's not just the fact that Xennials are a micro-generation that gives them this ability; there are several micro-generations. What makes this micro-generation unique is the time frame in which its members were born: between 1977 and 1983. Joyful moments shared over a vintage phone call.Photo credit: CanvaShelt shares in a TikTok video: "Xennials had a fully analog childhood. You rode your bike until the streetlights came on. You answered the phone without knowing who was calling. You waited a week for new episodes. You were raised in a world where boredom still existed, and then right as you entered adulthood, the digital world detonated. Email, cell phones, early internet culture, social media in its Wild West era. You went from zero connectivity to full immersion almost overnight."The author goes on to explain that the split timeline in which Xennials came of age created a "very specific internal architecture." According to Shelt, this gives Xennials the independence and cynicism of Gen X, while also giving them the reform-minded energy and emotional intelligence of Millennials. Retro computer setup in a vintage tech room.Photo credit: CanvaShelt explains: "You know how to detach when necessary, but you also know how to name your feelings without imploding. You can fix a printer and cry in therapy in the same afternoon, and that's the Xennial frequency. Your field is interesting because you grew up in a world that taught you survival, and you came of age in a world that demanded self-reflection, so you learned how to run two operating systems at once. Don't depend on anyone and build community, or you'll drown. Two very contradictory types of realities."This split causes Xennials to feel out of place and may also help explain why researchers don't have a neat generational box for the micro-generation. Shelt says this constant in-between state is Xennials' greatest strength: "Xennials understand both collapse and creation. You watched the old systems crack, and you stepped into adulthood just as the pressure to fix them began. You carry X realism and Millennial idealism simultaneously. This makes you natural translators for the moment we're living in." @kristen1942 Xennials hold two timelines #xennials #fyp #millennial #genx #genz ♬ original sound - Kristen While some people disagree about the micro-generation's name and the pronunciation of Xennial, several TikTok commenters weighed in on how the world shifted as they entered adulthood:"'Older than your peers but younger than your responsibilities' is so spot on. 82 here and at 43 my age still shocks me, in my head I'm younger. But yet I'm everyone's tech support both older and younger around me. I can write in cursive, type proficiently and write code. I also still feel like I'm trying to teach empathy and consideration to both my boomer parents and my Gen alpha kids. We have no real guidebook on parenting as well, because many of us are trying to break the mold but when you're raise in authoritative ways, it's hard to go against all you know. You are right though - I've always felt out of place.""Many of us were also in high school when Columbine happened. (Class of '99) I watched the whole thing unfold on a TV my teacher wheeled into our classroom. We were the last generation to go to school without being afraid of a mass shooting, and then the first to experience that fear." Focused work session at the laptop.Photo credit: Canva"Witnessed the Challenger explosion in school n 9/11 as we entered adulthood. Owned a cassette Walkman, CD discman, MP3 player, iPods, n now smartphones. Played Oregon trail n had AOL account. Rode our bikes til the street lights came on n now doom scrolling.""Born in 77. This is accurate because in both my personal and professional life I have come to be known as the person that can handle conflict most effectively. And this is because my x characteristics make me understand accountability and my millennial characteristics make me able to communicate it in a kind, empathetic way."

Between 2022 and 2023, scientists in Saudi Arabia began a survey of over 1,000 caves, hoping to find preserved remains of ancient animals to infer modern rewilding strategies. Whatever modest results they might have allowed themselves to hope for, they almost certainly would not have expected to find 7 naturally mummified cheetah skeletons. They had […] The post Mummified Cheetahs Discovered in Saudi Arabia Show How the Country Could Bring The Cats Back appeared first on Good News Network.

There’s something about singing karaoke that’s so liberating. You chose the song and just how you want to sing it. If you’re good, people might start making requests. And the next thing you know, you’re the hit of the party. Of course, if it’s Kellyoke and you’re Kelly Clarkson, you’re always the best singer in the world. If we’re being honest, that’s our favorite kind of karaoke. No matter what she sings, Kelly positively nails it, no matter the genre. Fans often send in suggestions for what they’d like to hear. In the latest installment, Kellyoke took on KPop Demon Hunters, and naturally, she slayed. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Kelly Clarkson Show (@kellyclarksonshow) “KPop Demon Hunters” Kellyoke is Just What We Need Kelly Clarkson sang What It Sounds Like from Kpop Demon Hunters during this week’s Kellyoke, and she sounded perfect. Kelly started slow before kicking the track into high gear. Per the usual, fans loved Kelly’s performance. “This is the best song in Kpop Demon Hunters imo! Makes me cry everytime, and now Kelly’s beautiful version,” someone gushed. “This is by far my favourite song in the film, and you NAILED it,” another person wrote. This fan could not get over KPop Demon Hunters getting the Kellyoke treatment. “Watching @kellyclarkson cover a K-Pop Demon Hunters track is the exact kind of high-octane emotional simulation my brain needs to function. I’m not saying this performance fixed my entire life, but it definitely just bumped my dopamine levels to a point where I might actually respond to the emails I’ve been ignoring for three weeks. It is the vocal agility and the unhinged joy for me. Pure cinema,” they wrote. “Ughhhh PERFECTION! Fearless and undefined is truly what this sounded like! Golden next??” A fan requested. This story’s featured image can be found here.