Flirting With DisasterCyclone Fani Showed How Privilege Dulls the Blow of Natural Disasters "Sitting in multistory buildings, with easy access to amenities, what have we got to lose?" By Meghalee Mitra
adviceFWP: People Who Interrupt When You’re Speaking PROBLEM: What would you do with people who chronically interrupt? I have a friend who just can’t help himself and is always interrupting a conversation. No matter who’s talking, what the topic — no manners; he’s gotta jump in, talking over By The Swaddle Team
adviceFWP: The Family Gatecrasher PROBLEM: My spouse’s oldest friend is a gatecrasher, when it comes to our family gatherings. I like the person, and they are a true friend to my spouse, but over the years, they’ve somehow attached themselves family holidays, holiday parties, By The Swaddle Team
adviceFWP: Getting Rid of Toxic Friends PROBLEM: I have a wonderful group of friends who have been together since school days. But lately, it has seemed that when we all get together, it becomes toxic. Have you ever experienced toxic friends? What do I do? I By The Swaddle Team
adviceFWP: Unique Baby Names PROBLEM: I want to know where The Swaddle Team falls on unique baby names. My best friend is planning on calling her baby something, shall we say, vegetable-related. She thinks it’s “earthy” and “grounded.” I wish I could share the actual By The Swaddle Team
bullyingFWP: My Son Is a Bully PROBLEM: My 8-year-old son is a bully. I’m not sure how he became this way. We’ve always tried to teach him to share and be nice. But I see him bullying other kids, treating them badly, and I am ashamed. By The Swaddle Team
first world problemsFWP: Nursery Decor No One Wants PROBLEM: I’m pregnant, and my inlaws have gifted me a large, ornate rocking chair. It’s quite ugly and takes up most of my bedroom in our small flat. Do I have to keep this nightmare of nursery decor? KB: No. As By The Swaddle Team
extended familyFWP: A Baby on the Way – to a Joint Family? PROBLEM: My inlaws are pressuring my husband and me to live in a joint family with them, now that we have a baby on the way. I think they’re starting to sway my husband. But is a joint family the By The Swaddle Team
adviceFWP: A Cheating Husband PROBLEM: My husband is cheating, and I have proof of his infidelity. I’ve been thinking about a divorce, but I worry about my children. Not only about how the break-up will affect them, but how other people will react. Any advice? By The Swaddle Team
adviceFWP: Post‑Baby Body Image Blues PROBLEM: Dear Swaddle ladies: I have a good friend who just had a second child a few months ago. She’s struggling with some post-baby weight and body image issues (I’ve been there myself), but is eager to get back to wearing By The Swaddle Team
first world problemsFWP: Best Self‑Confidence Advice You’ve Ever Gotten PROBLEM: My 11-year-old niece has self-confidence problems. I want to do something to help her, but I’m not sure what. Did any of you ever struggle self-confidence? What was the best piece of advice about self-esteem you ever received? SB: By The Swaddle Team
adviceFWP: The Secret to Work‑Life Balance PROBLEM: Dear Swaddle ladies, I just got a promotion, which I’ve been wanting for a while. But now I’m struggling to hit that work-life balance with two kids at home. Your group seems very passionate about that — any tips By The Swaddle Team
breastfeedingFWP: Breastfeeding in Public, Yea or Nay? PROBLEM: I’m a new mom, still getting comfortable with breastfeeding. I haven’t tried it yet, but I’m curious to know where The Swaddle team stands: What are the rules for breastfeeding in public? KB: When your kid’s gotta eat, she’s gotta eat. By The Swaddle Team
adviceFWP: A Long, Long‑Distance Relationship PROBLEM: My husband and I work and live in different cities. We’ve been doing the long-distance relationship thing for a year, and for the most part we’re happy with it. (We both love our jobs.) But he always wants to make By Liesl Goecker
first world problemsFWP: You Can Take Your Travel Advice And… PROBLEM: I’m planning my family’s first big holiday in years, and everyone is full of travel advice. “Oh, you have to visit X place,” “You must stay at Y hotel.” It’s all well-meant (I’m always assured I’ll love it), but By The Swaddle Team
first world problemsFWP: Twerking in Protest PROBLEM: Help me, I am turning into a party-pooper. You know that friend who says, “This is a misogynistic song,” at a party? Yup, that’s me. Should I suppress my urges to protest misogynistic song lyrics (a la Jason Derulo’s By The Swaddle Team
first world problemsFWP: To Debate on Facebook, or Not to Debate? PROBLEM: So, I have an old university friend on Facebook who happens to be a patriotic citizen of my country’s political arch rival, Pakistan. He has, in the recent years, started posting a LOT on the subject of Kashmir and anti-Indian By The Swaddle Team
difficult conversationsFWP: Shades of Beige PROBLEM: My 5-year-old nephew asked why my skin is a different shade of brown than his. I didn’t have a good answer. (I mumbled, and he moved on.) I thought of talking about melanin, but that seemed far ahead of even By The Swaddle Team