On Tuesday, we went to the national magazine award ceremony, hosted by the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME), in NYC because our little mag was named a finalist for one of the categories. And while we ultimately lost (to Texas Monthly!), we still feel like winners because we got to celebrate what we’ve accomplished so far in a room full of other people passionate about magazine journalism. Later the same night, a friend sent us a photo of her daughter and a friend reading the mag—and that’s honestly the real prize for us.

So what’s inside issue 9? One of the topics we covered this time is money, because we think it’s pretty important to talk about what things cost, how to earn money, and why to budget. Illustrator DeAndra Hodge created a super fun comic on the importance of earning and saving money. Plus, we interviewed some teen and tween entrepreneurs, including a 15-year-old who sells his donuts on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, and we hope their stories will inspire our readers as much as they inspired us!

The issue includes bonus stickers for kids, but we also wanted to share some bonus information for adults. So, for this newsletter, we sat down with Jennifer Seitz, director of education at Greenlight, a company we’re proud to have as a partner. They do a genuinely great job supporting financial literacy among kids, and it shows in how they’ve built their product, including this game and other educational resources on their website. We found the trends report pretty interesting too. In the following Q+A, Jennifer shares her perspective on allowance, the most common money mistakes parents make, what’s inspiring about this generation of young savers and investors, and how to get started, even if you’re not sure where to begin. We hope this info is helpful and we’d love to hear from you if you’d like to see more Q+As like this in our newsletter.

What drew you to work on financial education for young people?

I’m a mom of three, my kids are now 15, 16, and 25, and I was a Greenlight mom before I was ever a Greenlight employee. I was using it with my kids and seeing firsthand how it changed the money conversations in our house. I’d also spent years at CNN, starting at CNN Student News, where my focus was making complex topics accessible to middle and high schoolers. So when the opportunity came up to combine financial literacy, education, and content, it felt like a natural next step. I went on to get my CFEI certification, and that deepened the work even further. I’ve been doing this work for more than five years now.

Why is talking about money so hard for many families?

Many of us didn’t have parents who talked with us about money, so we don’t have that model to draw from. And a lot of parents are managing their own financial stress and don’t want to overwhelm or worry their kids, which is very valid. The key is framing money conversations around decisions, not anxiety. It doesn’t have to be a big formal talk. It can start at the store: instead of a simple yes or no when a child asks for something, bring them into the decision. “We could get this now, or save for something else later.” Just bringing kids into those natural, day-to-day exchanges makes money feel like what it is, a tool we use, rather than something loaded or secretive.

What’s your take on allowance, chores, and when to start paying kids?

Every family does it differently, and we’ve built Greenlight to meet families where they are. Allowance is a great way to help kids start making financial decisions, a kind of first paycheck where they begin to understand that effort leads to reward. Many families tie allowance to chore completion, and some do a hybrid: certain chores are just part of contributing to the household, and then there are additional jobs kids can take on to earn extra. Our system now is definitely not the system we started with when my kids were five or six. It evolves as kids get older. The most important thing is that it’s consistent, because that’s where the real financial decision-making practice happens.

What’s the most common mistake parents make?

Waiting too long to talk about money. Either waiting for a big mistake to happen, or just not knowing where to begin and therefore not starting at all. The conversations don’t need to be complex. It’s just about making them consistent, tying them to real-world decisions the child is already making, and keeping the curiosity alive. Parents sometimes feel like it’s too late to start, but it’s not. The earlier and more regularly you talk about money, the more natural it becomes.

What would you want parents to know most about Greenlight?

One important differentiator is our built-in financial literacy education platform. It’s a gamified experience with more than 100 animated videos, each one minute or less. They cover all the core pillars of personal finance national standards: earning, saving, spending, investing, managing credit, and managing risk. The educational tools help kids understand the concepts, and then using the debit card in the real world allows them to put that knowledge into practice. The combination of knowledge plus practical use is what really sets it apart.

Any book recommendations for families who want more resources on money?

For parents, I’d start with The Opposite of Spoiled by Ron Lieber. It’s a great guide to talking about money in ways that are honest and age-appropriate without creating anxiety. And for tweens, How to Turn $100 into $1 Million by James McKenna does a great job matching the motivation and curiosity of this generation.

Thanks to Jennifer, and the whole team at Greenlight for sharing such valuable insights!

A few other things we’re into this week

• Listened to: The co-founders of Claude on Oprah, plus Reese Witherspoon on Aspire, and a lot more of Noah Kahan, lately Staying Still and 23

• Watched: The last episode of The Colbert Show and it was a masterclass in joy! That dude is a national hero, and when Andra Day came out, we really lost it. Also watched The Devil Wears Prada 2 (from Jen: tears may have been shed for the magazines; this article does a good job of explaining why) and The Sheep Detective (from Keeley: our whole family went to see this together and genuinely loved it—real laughs and tears from all.)

• Reading: Yesteryear, by Caro Claire Burke, like everyone else we know; next up: London Falling, by Patrick Radden Keefe, for us, and pre-ordering this one for the kids: Friend Group, by our friend and amazing advice columnist Lisa Greenwald)

• Ordering: More hacky sacks—apparently these Dirt Bag ones are the best

• Thinking about making: This embroidery kit or this one, if you’re feeling more rage crafty.

• Curious about: Mahjong, do you play? Have you heard of this new magazine?

• Giving: The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, in support of a teen we know who has severe allergies and who is raising money for this worthy foundation

Anyway, that’s it for this week. We hope the arrival of Issue 9 in your mailbox feels like a little gift, because that’s exactly how we think about making it. And if you have a tween or teen at home who’s been bitten by the entrepreneur bug, or who just wants to understand what things actually cost, we hope this issue gives you something to talk about together. In the meantime, we’ll be over here attempting needlepoint and tossing a hacky sack around, because apparently the 90s are back and we could not be more on board. As always, we’re so grateful you’re here.

xo,
Jen and Keeley

Today one of us is off to a Mets game and the other is staying closer home. We both needed some time to catch up on a combo of work, home tasks, errands, and a very enjoyable rabbit hole of texting about DIY decor ideas for a bar mitzvah that’s coming up in just a few weeks. It’s that particular end-of-April energy. Windy and cold one day, then sunny and warm the next. Oh, and it might pour later or you might need sunscreen. Layers and a giant bag to keep them all in is key to success if you venture out, but this weather makes us want to stay in and plan to eat something warm, which is why we’re sharing a bonus recipe below! More on that in a moment, but first a general magazine update.

Issue 9 is officially at the printer and we hope to share press photos on Instagram tomorrow. In the meantime, you can see some pages here and on our website. After months of late nights writing, designing, sending emails, and at least one moment where we genuinely wondered if we’d pulled off what we set out to do, it’s done. It’s beautiful. And, if you subscribe or ordered a copy, it’s headed to your mailbox in May.

In the meantime, we wanted to give you a little something to tide you over—and that’s an extra recipe that we couldn’t fit into the print issue. It’s from Iman Jones, the chef educator at The Edible Schoolyard Project at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Berkeley, California, who we loved interviewing. Iman says they grew up as a quiet kid, a little unsure of where they fit in, and found their footing in the kitchen. Now they teach about 1,000 kids a year not just how to cook, but how food connects to culture, memory, and identity. “As long as we keep cooking and eating together,” Iman told us, “we keep remembering.” We’ve been thinking about that line a lot and vowing to cook more with our kids this spring, starting with Iman’s recipes.

The print issue includes a recipe for green cheesy galettes—a flaky, rustic pastry filled with broccoli, kale, and cheese. You’ll get that one when your copy arrives. But Iman generously shared two recipes with us after we interviewed him for our story, and we only had room for one in print. So here, just for you, our Substack readers: their vegetable vindaloo recipe that didn’t make the print cut but was too good to go unshared. (And thank you to our contributing photographer, Kimberley Hasselbrink for capturing these wonderful photos.)

Vegetable Vindaloo
Makes 4–6 servings, served over rice
Total time: 1–2 hours (mostly hands-off marinating time; active cooking is about 20 minutes)

INGREDIENTS

For the marinade

• 1 tablespoon canola oil

• 1 tablespoon chili powder

• ½ teaspoon turmeric powder

• ½ teaspoon coriander powder

• ½ teaspoon cumin powder

• ½ teaspoons black pepper

• 2 teaspoons garam masala

• 1 tablespoon Kosher salt

• ¾ cup tomato puree

• 6 cloves garlic, grated

• 2-inch-piece ginger, grated

• 2 tablespoons tamarind paste

For the vegetables

• 2 medium carrots, cut into coins

• 4 cups cauliflower florets

• 15 green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces

• 3 medium potatoes, diced (cut into small pieces)

• 1 large shallot, peeled and sliced thin

• 1 tablespoon canola oil

• 1 ½ teaspoons mustard seeds

• ½ cup water

For garnishes

• ¼ cup coconut milk

• 6 sprigs cilantro, roughly chopped

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a large bowl, combine all of the marinade ingredients and mix well. To the same bowl, add all of the prepped vegetables. Mix well to make sure all the vegetables are thoroughly coated. Place in the fridge to marinate for 30 minutes to 2 hours.

2. In a large skillet, heat the canola oil. Watch carefully, and as soon as the oil begins to slightly smoke, add the mustard seeds and cook for 30 seconds. (The mustard seeds might pop or spit oil, so be mindful of how close you are to the stove.)

3. Add the marinated vegetables and mix with the mustard seeds. Add the water and cook on high until the vegetables are tender.

4. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Place the vegetables in a serving bowl, drizzle with the coconut milk, and garnish with cilantro.

One more thing: A dinner table question

While you have everyone gathered around the table tonight or another night, here are a few questions we like to use to try to get the teens talking.

Rose and thorn: what was the best part of this weekend and the hardest part? Its a classic for a reason. Works every time. The answers are usually more honest than you expect.

If you had to survive an entire rainy day with no phone, no screens, and no leaving the house—what would you actually do? This one can be tough, and revealing. The silence before people answer tells you a lot.

If you could add one subject to school that doesn’t exist yet, what would it be and why? We’ve been thinking a lot lately about the things kids know that aren’t on any curriculum, and this one tends to generate surprisingly good answers. Our bet is that someone at your table says something that makes everyone else go quiet for a second.

A few other things we’re into this week

• Listening to: Riff Wood (the band that’s on the cover of Issue 9) and Noah Kahan’s new album The Great Divide: The Last of the Bugs (fave songs so far: Downfall and Haircut).

• Watching: Out of Body, The Noah Kahan documentary, and Big Mistake, Dan Levy’s new show on Netflix.

• Reading: Where the Girls Were, by Kate Shatz.

• Carrying: This giant tote, perfect for carrying everyone’s shed layers, umbrellas, and poncho purchases.

• Thinking about making: These cute DIY felt pendants to make flower centerpieces a bit more sporty—think it will work?

• Giving: Teen Line (we donated copies of the mag to their event tonight) and The Trevor Project emergency lifeline campaign for LGBTQ+ youth, which provides free confidential crisis services. (The current U.S. administration shut down of the National Suicide Lifeline for LGBTQ+ youth in July 2025,).

Anyway, that’s it for this end of April, nearly May week. We hope your weekend had at least one moment worth cherishing—a good meal, a laugh, or an hour that felt like there was nowhere else to be. That’s our goal, anyway. See you in your mailboxes soon. As always, grateful you’re here for all of it.

xo,
Jen and Keeley

We hope you know that we love making every issue of Anyway. Now comes the part where we have to try harder to figure out how to tell more people about what we’re doing over here. You may have seen the news this week that a handful of media brands—some new, some legacy—have recently announced plans to launch their own print magazines for tweens and teens. We’re here for it, cheering all of them on! More print for kids is a good thing, full stop. Rising tide, all boats. That said: has anyone but you, dear readers, heard of us? We’re asking a little playfully, but seriously, if you have ideas for how we can spread the word (like brands like TinCan!), we’re all ears. Ha, get it? Seriously, we’re back from spring break and ready to get to work!

Speaking of, one of us (Jen) just got back from nine days in Morocco and Paris, and we have some thoughts on vacation time. We’ve been traveling with our kids more intentionally over the past five years or so, and we’ve really think the tween years are the sweet spot for globe-trotting adventures. The kids are old enough to be well behaved, active, and curious, while young enough to still want to be around us. (Mostly. The eye rolls are also frequent and well practiced.) This trip was planned around some milestone birthdays, so we went in with high hopes, a long itinerary, and carry-ons only. What followed was a mix of magic, mishap, and more crepes than we can count.

Morocco

We’ll be honest: Morocco didn’t go quite as we’d hoped. It started with a cancelled flight the night we left—we were 20 minutes from JFK when we got the alert from Delta—and ended with one of us getting food poisoning on the plane from Marrakesh to Paris. In between, there were some genuinely wonderful moments and some genuinely rough ones, including one afternoon where half our family got completely lost in the Marrakesh souks with non-functioning maps and some unhelpful “help.”

What worked: Our trip into the Atlas Mountains with our kind driver Hamza and local hiking guide Hassan, plus mint tea and a home-cooked lunch of tagines at a Berber family’s home. Our two nights at Jnane Tamsna in the Palmeraie were a highlight—a beautiful setting just outside the bustle of downtown Marrakesh, the set dinner was one of the best meals of our trip, and our rooms were right next to each other. The biggest hit? ATV riding in the Agafay Desert. The camel ride was fine, but the camels and the kids seemed unenthused.

What we’d do differently: invest more time researching local guides before you go—ours in Marrakesh was underwhelming, and it made a real difference. Lean into outdoor activities and nature over city tours. And if rug shopping is on your list, go outside the city and bring measurements.

Paris

Paris, on the other hand, delivered. Fully. We stayed in an apartment in the 2nd arrondissement, which felt pretty central to everything, and spent four days eating, walking, climbing things, and generally feeling like we could live there. A few standouts:

The Louvre tour we booked through GetYourGuide (”Mona Lisa and Iconic Masterpieces”) was excellent—great guide, manageable pace, kids were genuinely engaged. Lunch after was baguette sandwiches from Le Petite Vendôme eaten in the Tuileries Garden, followed by hot chocolate and macarons at Angelina. Do not skip this sequence. We also climbed Notre Dame—scary/thrilling in the best way—and wandered the Latin Quarter in the Left Bank, which was full of art galleries and lovely shops we didn’t have nearly enough time for. Our son tried escargot at dinner that night at Les Deux Magots and liked it.

The croissant baking class we did at Maison Fleuret and the food tour with Sam from Devour Tours were other trip highlights. While we didn’t visit as many museums as we probably should have, we experienced the city the ways that made the most sense for us, wandering through the city, walking thousands of steps and tasting amazing food like award-winning macarons and chocolates at Jean-Paul Hévin, pastrami sandwiches, onion soup, wine and juice, baguettes, and cheese. After the food tour, we needed to lay down for about an hour. But then we got up and climbed the Eiffel Tower, followed by dinner nearby at Le Café de Mars (Sam’s recommendation), which was wonderful.

We ended our last morning at Caractère de Cochon in the Marais—picking up the best baguette sandwiches to take to the airport. Go early for the shortest line. The woman who helped us was so warm. It was the perfect ending.

The best souvenir

A week away from school and phones and the usual chaos, with two kids who find us mostly annoying but not so embarrassing they won’t walk next to us and chat as we wander—that time together is irreplaceable and something we’ll hold onto as the best souvenir. Travel has a way of handing you things you didn’t know you needed: a shared meal, a view you climbed 400 stairs to earn, a crepe every single night apparently. We came home grateful for all of it, and also for our own beds, our own showers, and our dog Louie.

A few other things we’re into this week

• Listening to: Justin Bieber, mostly because our teen has been talking about his performance at Coachella and asking if he’s going on tour. We could be convinced to see him. Also, the Indigo Girls are going on tour and that’s on our list, if only to show support for this kind of vulnerability and transparency.

• Reading: We finished Life & Death & Giants by Ron Rino, in three days and loved it. Gabriel! Hannah! The characters left us with so much to think about! Then we read a fun and easy romance novel called Annie Knows Everything by Rachel Wood, which is a great page turner. And now we’re reading Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash.

• Bought while traveling: This hat, from this bookstore, these sneakers for our tween son (though he was also eyeing these), and a few French pharmacie products, obv, plus a ring and pair of earrings at local shops for our teen. We really tried to uncover vintage finds, especially a black bag for her, but we left empty handed.

• Packing tips: Packing cubes are the way to go for all of us! Specifically, one of our teens traveled to Greece on a school trip without parents (!) this break and miraculously fit all of her packed and newly purchased items back into her suitcase, thanks to these super cute packing cubes.

• Making: These key lime bars are a family favorite, so when we saw the first of the season key limes in the store this week, we had to make a batch.

• Giving: In honor of our cute and cuddliest furry friends, the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, where one of our Issue 9 contributors works. And because travel has a way of reminding us how fortunate we are, the World Central Kitchen, which does extraordinary work feeding people in crisis around the world—including in many of the places we’re lucky enough to visit as tourists. Both feel right this week.

So, anyway, that’s it from us this week. We’re back, we’re reinvigorated, and we’re ready to get Issue 9 into your hands. In the meantime, we hope your week has at least one moment of pure wonder—and that you find the humor in the obstacles and eyerolls getting there. We’re grateful for all of it and all of you. Onward!

xo,
Jen and Keeley

Normally, we don’t mind it. Waiting in security lines has never even felt like a big deal. But after getting delayed for over a day in Austin a few weeks ago—and given the ongoing challenges with TSA employees not getting paid (horrible)—we decided to try to make our upcoming travel a little smoother. On Saturday, we went through the Global Entry interview process. It was fast and easy, and thanks go to Jen’s travel advisor/sister for nudging us to do it.

We applied about a week ago (cost: $120 per adult, $0 for kids), scheduled an interview, and met with a really nice agent who asked us our address, whether we’d ever been arrested, fingerprinted us, and sent us on our way. We’re relieved it’s done and hopeful it will make our upcoming travels a bit more seamless. We’re heading to Morocco and France: some city tours, some nature time (camel ride included), a cooking class, vintage shopping, the Eiffel Tower. More details on all of that soon. But first, we have to survive the pre-trip anxiety: the packing, the to-do lists, the making-sure-we-haven’t-forgotten-anything spiral. (Yoga helped a little this morning. The list still feels long. To distract us, please send your travel photos, especially if they include pictures of Anyway: hello@anywaymag.com!)

Also, and more relevant to you, we’re almost done with Issue 9. Our cover story is about an incredible band heading out on tour this summer and, as a springtime bonus, it has a sticker sheet inside. While you wait for our real cover reveal, what did you think of our AI-created (fake) April Fool’s issue?! And have you found NeeDohs anywhere? As a birthday gift, one of our tweens selected these Specks as a replacement fidget and a tee-shirt from this popular brand.

A few other things we’re into this week

• Listening to: Brandi Carlile’s new album Returning to Myself is giving us all the feels, and it’s also reminded us of how much we love the The Highwomen

• Watching: Very excited for Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat (and if you haven’t watched Jury Duty, start there first)

• Visiting: In a moment of spring break whimsy, we went to Medieval Times with a big group of friends. Was it wild? Yes. Was the food good? No. Did we find ourselves standing up and cheering for the blue knight like he was a beloved player on a favorite sports team? Sure did.

• Reading: Strangers, by Belle Burden; next up: Lost Lambs or The Heir Apparent or Where the Girls Were—TBD, any favorites?

• Making: Keeley is going to tackle the growing pile of her family’s clothes that need mending with this darning loom she got for Christmas. There’s a strong possibility they all end up in textile recycling and she buys new clothes, but please wish her luck.

• Wanting: This white tee-shirt (Keeley was wearing this when we met for dinner on Tuesday and now Jen can’t stop thinking about it), plus this toiletry bag and this skirt

• Giving to: speaking of textile recycling, did you know that 11 million tons of textile waste ends up in landfills each year? Instead of throwing away your old clothes, consider donating those in good condition to a local shelter, Dress for Success, One Warm Coat, Operation Prom, or Goodwill.

So, anyway, that’s it from us this week. We’re so excited to finish up issue 9 and can’t wait to share it with you (it looks great!). We hope you find at least one thing this week that makes the to-do list feel a little shorter, and one thing that makes you forget it entirely.

xo,
Jen and Keeley

Of course, we’re also working hard on Issue 9, and we’re so excited about it. We have a feature story about three teen friends who started a band and landed a record deal (yes, really). We have another piece about the fact that we have more than five senses (who knew?!). And a DIY soap project that is genuinely awesome, coming from a contributor we’ve longed to work with. Plus we have a really good advice column, horoscopes, recipes, a comic, and maybe our best activity section yet. More on all that soon, and please follow us on Instagram for updates. In the meantime…

A few things we’re into this week

• Listening to: Harry Styles new album Kiss all the time. Disco, occasionally. (Also planning to check out this related documentary, directed by the incredible talents Stella Blackmon and @anthonypham)

• Watching: Keeley and one of her kids went to see Hoppers. Her review: We loved it! A story of a teen whose feelings can get out of control learning that spending time in nature is centering? Yes please.

• Pre-ordering: Our advice columnist Lisa Greenwald’s newest book, Friend Group, releasing in May

• Making: A gallery wall with photos from Mixtiles

• Wanting: The Clyde Coat because we are soooo ready for spring, paired with comfy and cute sneakers

• Wearing: This oversized cardigan, which we may or may not have stolen from our teen.

• Giving to: Full Court Peace, because one of our kids is organizing a basketball drive for this org; if you want to get involved and help, let us know!

So, anyway, that’s it from us this week. As always, thanks for being here with us. We started this newsletter because we wanted to talk to parents who get it—the busy weekends, the box cakes, and the 10/10 moments hiding inside the chaos. You’re our people.

xo,
Jen and Keeley

So now, one of us is in a hotel room and one of us is back home and we’ve finally carved out some time for this labor of love. Thank you for following along with our stories and spreading the word about us. Shockingly, we found copies of Issue 8 at Tomo Mags, right here in Austin, so please tell any local friends to buy Anyway here and support this awesome shop!

Tbh, while getting stuck here in Austin felt sort of like a bummer at first, there’s also something about traveling (even when things go awry) that gives you fresh perspective on day-to-day life. For us, it makes us so grateful for everyone we have at home (thank you partners and kids!), and also it makes us feel so inspired to hear people from all different orgs across industries all generously sharing their experiences and ideas. The right kind of event can really make you feel like anything is possible—especially when you spend time in spaces full of women who are saying things and doing things.

The main thing we’re doing right now is making Issue 9—and we can’t wait to share more about that next week, so stay tuned. In the meantime, did you know that Easter and Passover are early this year? Like April 5 and April 1, respectively. So if you’re looking for a winning tween present, this Peeps squishy is it. Honestly, it also reminds us of Miffy, that cutie from our picture book era. Speaking of books, we picked a paperback copy of this book up at the Female Quotient lounge at SXSW and it looks like you can get your own digital copy here. You also can’t go wrong with nostalgic Legos like this phone.

Speaking of which, one of our daughters made an actual phone call this week. Teen parents, IYKYK—that’s a big deal. The application for a summer program she applied to got messed up. I told her to figure it out on her own. So she called, left a message, answered when the unknown number called back (!!!), and guess what she said after? “That was so easy! I talked to her and she just fixed it.” Miracle of miracles. Old school for the win.

Also, another one of our daughters spoke up for herself IRL. She ordered a tropical smoothie (think virgin pina colada flavors), but when she picked it up and tasted it, she frowned. Does this taste like a vanilla milkshake to you? Yes, in fact it does, we said, after tasting it. Go back in the store and just tell them they mixed up your order. Her initial response: No, it’s OK, I’ll just keep this one. Do you like it, we asked. No, it’s gross. But it’s fine, I’ll just drink it. Oh no, you won’t, we said. And so, after many minutes of hesitation, near refusal, and low-grade dread—she went inside and came out with the right smoothie. Plus, more importantly, a smile on her face. Lesson learned, we hope: Ask for what you want, and you shall receive.

A few things we’re into this week

• Listening to: Music by Jessie Murph, on repeat, who was new to us before SXSW but known to our teens; especially into Dirty with Teddy Swims (what a pair) and High Road (we like duets), but honestly every track is damn good; guess we’re last to know; also have you heard The Diary of a CEO podcast? We heard host Steven Barlett speak at SXSW and we were impressed. We also heard Emma Grede speak, and we were already into her podcast, Aspire, but it’s worth a listen if you haven’t listened yet. Her new book, Start with Yourself, looks intriguing, too, and it has a very posh fabric cover.

• Watching: One of us may have binge watched the entire 10th season of Love Is Blind while home sick. (FYI: It’s much easier to remember who is who when you watch it all at once.) Don’t judge.

• Reading: Good People, by Patmeena Sabit (for book club, but can’t say we loved it); next up: Strangers, by Belle Burden

• Making: These suncatcher paper chains to hang in our windows because we need a little rainbow cheer in our lives.

• Wanting: These super comfy and cool pants from Zara that we think you can dress up or down; in full transparency: we were influenced by Jen’s sister, who was wearing them at dinner a few weeks ago in brown, which sold out, so we ordered the grey

• Wearing: One of us recently walked around four small liberal arts colleges in these sneakers and her feet were very happy.

• Giving to: Project Hope, which works to fund and educate healthcare workers in conflict zones like Iran, Lebanon, and Gaza so that local heroes can continue to help.

So, anyway, that’s it from us this week. We hope you ask for exactly what you want—smoothie or otherwise—and that you get it. We’ll be back next week when Keeley is healthy, Jen is home, and we’ll have more to tell you about Issue 9. It’s going to be a good one.

xo,
Jen and Keeley

Time: Over midwinter break, one of us took her teen on a two-day college road trip—lots of driving, lots of junk food, lots of one-on-one time. We weren’t visiting anywhere particularly exciting. Just a boring town in the middle of nowhere, schools that probably weren’t going to be “the one.” But we still wanted to go. As this teen’s time at home starts to feel finite, we’ve all become a little more protective of our time together—choosing family board game nights over nights out, grabbing these trips as an excuse for uninterrupted hours with no agenda. We’ve landed on late-90s alt-girl rock as our firm musical middle ground, and somewhere on those long stretches of highway, conversations happen that just don’t at home. We hear about friends, crushes, hopes, worries. We get a window into her life that isn’t as open back in our kitchen. And we share back—about family, feelings, work, relationships. It’s starting to feel less like talking to a child and more like talking to a friend.

Moods: Oh, how they can shift like the weather. This weekend started rough—lots of feelings, most of them cranky, and a collective resistance to doing much of anything besides horizontal TV watching. The weather was finally warm and one of us really wanted to get outside, but she was getting zero takers. Thank goodness for a cycling class with friends, some yoga, and a little breath work, because like most annoying things, the moods passed. Today was a total 180: bar mitzvah prep got done, one kid went to their job, another kid got a haircut, we got groceries, we made dinner. All very on the up and up. Oh, and we heard a new piece of slang: bro-chacho, which we repeated and then were told it sounded like a sneeze. So we will obvs not say it again, but maybe it’s the next 6-7 and you can say you heard it here first?!

This weekend, we also got some adorable photos from a friend, and they made us so happy to see readers loving Issue 8, which you’ll get if you subscribe now. And we hope to ship Issue 9 in April. We’re working on it!

In magazine news: Anyway was named a finalist in the National Magazine Awards, and we are genuinely floored. We’re in the “general excellence, special interest” category, and honored to be in such good company with magazines we admire. Thank you to the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME) for recognizing our little side project that could. We’re blushing. And if that wasn’t enough—our How I Built This episode aired on NPR Saturday, and the response has been so, so heartwarming. A few texts and emails from the last 24 hours:

“I happened to tune into NPR while you were speaking with the CEO of Eventbrite, and I am so glad I did! I have a 10-year-old daughter and can’t wait to explore Anyway with her.”

“I heard you on NPR and you were marvelous. I am just so proud of you and all you’ve built!”

“Your appearance on How I Built This made me order this for my granddaughter. She’s not in love with reading books, but I think she’ll love this.”

“I heard your broadcast on NPR and immediately purchased your magazine for the tweens at my school.”

If you feel like helping us brainstorm ideas to keep spreading the word, we’d love that. Email us, DM us, or drop a comment right here. We’re all ears.

A few other things we’re into this week

• Reading: The news.

• Watching: We did, in fact, binge Heated Rivalry, and it is absolutely worth the hype. Not tween-appropriate, but for our adult and older teen readers, it’s a must. For something a little more family-friendly (sort of), we’ve been watching The Rookie and enjoying it.

• Making: College lists (ha). Oh, and one of our teens has been super into bedazzling all of her skincare and lip glosses. She uses this kit.

• Wearing: Nothing new to report, but one of us is going to SXSW in Austin later this month, so we’re on the hunt for some good outfits. Anyone else going? We’ll share what we found next week.

• Giving: To the journalists like Jessica Yellin who are getting us reliable news, and to the orgs working to protect them like the Committee to Protect Journalists

So, anyway, that’s it from us this week. Whether you’re navigating college road trips, mood swings, or just trying to find a slang word you can use without embarrassing yourself, we’re right there with you. Thank you for being part of our little community. We’re so grateful you’re here.

xo,
Jen and Keeley

Since this week is mid-winter break for many of us on the East Coast, maybe you’re reading this from a cozy mountain lodge or sunny beach somewhere? If so, we’re happy for you! We’re writing this from home because neither of us planned anything for this year (you know, budgets and all), and we’ll admit—we felt a little wistful about it at first. Not devastated, just that old, familiar “wouldn’t it have been nice?” feeling.

But sigh, maturity, here’s what we’re discovering: sometimes the best thing we can do is lean into the quiet. One of us is working the day job, the other took time off, but mostly we’re all just... existing. The teens made their own plans with friends. And the tweens? They’re surprising us in the best ways. One returned to Legos after a full year away, spending hours building new creations. The other can be found under a pile of books she eagerly checked out of the library on day one of the break.

There’s something unexpectedly grounding about these low-stakes, unstructured days. No pressure, no Instagram-worthy moments, just the slow rhythm of ordinary life. And it turns out that’s exactly what we all needed—even if we’re writing this newsletter partly because sitting still with nothing to do makes one of us a little twitchy. Turns out we’re all still learning how to be bored together.

In magazine news: This week, we started editing some wonderful stories for Issue 9, and we were featured on the How I Built This: Advice Line podcast (episode 808, which aired on Feb 12)! We hope you’ll listen if you’d like to learn more about our story and mission.

We’re not sharing an Issue 8 sneak peek this week, but please order a copy if you haven’t yet or give it to someone as a gift! Speaking of which, we gave a copy to one of our kids’ friend’s little sister over the weekend, and watching her jump into the personality quiz in the activities section was pure joy. It’s the perfect thing for these in-between days when kids are looking for something to do that’s not a screen. And let us know if there’s a local bookstore where you’d like to see Anyway magazine—we’ve had several requests and we’re ready to start reaching out to booksellers.

A few other things we’re into this week

• Listening to: The How I Built This: Advice Line podcast (of course, we had to!), plus some heavy stuff like this interview and this extremely well-reported summary (both parts), all of which were important and really left us with a lot to think about. But now we’re looking for some lighter pods, if you have any ideas.

• Watching: Everyone’s talking about GOAT in theaters and all of our friends’ kids are raving. We haven’t seen it yet, but it’s on the list. At home, we liked Back in Action and we’re looking for a new show—any recommendations?

• Reading: Just bought Good People for book club, and one of our tweens was thrilled to find Hypergifted, a brand new book by his fave author Gordon Korman

• Making: So many Lego sets, including this big one and some littler ones like this dog and this phone

• Wearing: This headband (Keel) and this hat (Jen)—because looking cute and staying warm in this cold helps a little.

• Giving: WNYC or your local public radio station

That’s it from us this week. We hope wherever you are, whether you’re on an adventure or just surviving the mid-winter slog, you’re giving yourself permission to show up as you are. To be imperfect. To change plans, or not make any. To say no to the pressure of making every break “memorable” and yes to whatever you and your family actually needs right now. Sometimes that’s a trip. Sometimes it’s just space to breathe and have less financial stress. We’ll be back in your inbox soon with more thoughts, more magazine updates, and hopefully fewer colds.

xo,
Jen and Keeley

OK, so our Valentine’s Day game plan usually involves grabbing cards at the last minute and maybe some candy. Our partners and teens are more on point—often making cookies or cupcakes from scratch. Honestly, seeing them be creative and crafty and totally capable is the best gift we could ask for.

Having said all that, we all still have at least 24 hours left to order something online, so we went down a rabbit hole of finding you some cute gift ideas. Or, you know, if you’re more organized than us and already thought about this, maybe you’ll bookmark these for next year. We just wanted to send you a little love through these ideas as thanks for being part of our little community here.

1. SWEET STUFF

If your kids are like our kids, they like candy—but they’re sort of over the hearts with messages on them. These options take it to the next level. Sweet and sour Swedish gummies? Yes, please! And did you notice Janice LeAnn Brown eating some Sockerbit in Issue 8? Pairing an issue with this Valentine’s Day Love Gummy Mix Pouch is our favorite idea! The runner-up would be BonBon’s gift box. And, honestly, our own tweens said even old-school Jolly Ranchers or M&Ms would be a hit.

But maybe add a red toothbrush and these cleaners for the kids with braces? Or this cool toothpaste gummy that you just chew! We heard about that on the podcast How I Built This with Guy Raz, which we’ll actually be featured on this week! We hope you’ll out the episode airing Feb 12 to hear more about our story.

2. ARTY FINDS

For those tweens and teens who appreciate beautiful things, check out this cool love puzzle and jewelry box from the Museum of Modern Art’s shop, one of our favorite places to find unique gifts.

3. COZY COMFORTS

It’s really cold on the East Coast, so we have warmth on our minds! This pink hat and these socks are great choices. You also can’t go wrong with a red hoodie or this soft pink sweatshirt.

4. TOYS & GAMES

We hear that gifting Legos is even cool with the high school crew. Our top picks are this red Ford Bronco, this retro telephone, this retro camera, and this gaming console.

Got a kid who’s into other games? Check out the sweetheart edition of this tween obsession: Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza. Other crowd pleasers? This adorable heart fidget, a fun squishy strawberry, or a simple box.

5. HANDS-ON FUN

For many of us, mid-winter break is coming up. So, if you’re looking for a gift that’s also an activity, try this clay kit for a budding artist or this red waffle maker for your aspiring chef.

6. PAGE TURNERS

Finally, we are magazine makers, so we can’t make a list without recommending something to read. Even if that thing you’re reading is Mad Libs! We also think these books look pretty great: The Moon Without Stars, the newest book in the City Spies series, or a clean romance novel like Playing for Keeps. (And there are more suggestions here.) Of course, we also recommend a subscription to Anyway or a bundle of our older issues, if you (or a friend) hasn’t read those yet. They’re all full of great stories, recipes, and things to do.

Anyway, that’s it for this week. Whether you go all out or just toss some M&Ms in a bowl and call it a day, your kids will be fine. Ours have survived years of last-minute card runs, cutout hearts, Post-It notes, and homemade treats.

Enjoy the game, hope you survive the sugar rush on Saturday, and we’ll see you back here next Sunday.

xo,
Jen and Keeley

Friends, this weekend was a doozy. What started as a simple idea—let’s take a fun weekend trip to Washington, DC—turned into a comedy of errors. But combine some serious travel chaos with a few genuinely kind strangers, and you get a weekend that was both exhausting and faith-restoring. The helpers are out there.

Here was the original plan: Pull the kids from school early on Friday, catch the 1pm Amtrak to DC, have our son attend his camp friend’s bar mitzvah, squeeze in a college visit for our teen, have dinner with the bunk moms. Easy, right?

Here’s what actually happened: Multiple trains were canceled due to ice and equipment failures—including ours, one hour before departure. Other trains were sold out. We finally booked a 5:20pm train. It actually left around 7pm. The door on our train car was frozen open. And then, around 11:30pm, the train broke down in Maryland. The kids, thankfully, laughed at the ridiculousness of it all. They were incredibly chill the entire day.

We got off to find an Uber or Lyft, but our cell service wasn’t cooperating. The kids were starting to get tired. It was almost midnight. We were feeling less zen.

And then: “Excuse me, but where are you heading?”

A young man, maybe 22, offered to add our stop to his Uber and drop us at our hotel. His name was Alex. He’d just graduated from college, was reading a paperback book about history, and works at a law firm in New York. If we could thank Alex’s parents for raising such a kind, thoughtful human, we absolutely would. He tried to refuse our cash. We didn’t let him. Thank you, Alex, and good luck with your law career, though you probably won’t need luck. We believe you’ll make the world a better place.

Grateful and also exhausted, we collapsed into bed around 1am. The next morning, our son headed to the bar mitzvah service with one of his friend’s moms (thank you!), while we toured George Washington University with our teen. She wasn’t sold on the lack of a traditional campus, but the tour guide was so articulate and impressive that, once again, faith in the future: restored. (He had seven internships in his four years at college, including one with the Harris campaign!)

We hopped in an Uber to pick up our younger son, and our driver, James from Nigeria reminded us that even though the trees were bare, the cherry blossoms would be here soon. We also talked about how people used to say they’d never get in an Uber, never pay with their phone, never shop online—and now robots are delivering food and we’re all casually using AI. Even in dark times, James reminded us, the light comes back. It has throughout history.

Our next Uber driver, Mansoor, was also inspiring. On our way to Georgetown, he asked what we were up to, and when we told him, he spent the 15-minute ride giving our teen some pretty solid life advice about choosing a career. “There will never be anything without cons,” he said. “Medicine, dentistry, nursing, architecture, engineering, or law. But you trust your instinct. You ask your mom to bring you a cup of tea. You make your lists of pros and cons, day after day, until you’ve narrowed your choices from 20 to 10 to 3 to 1. And don’t listen to anyone else. Your mom and dad can’t make the choice for you. Listen to yourself.” Thanks, Mansoor. Of course, we asked about his career, too. He went to school for engineering in Tajikistan and now works as an architect and interior designer, not to mention as a self-help guru / career coach on the side!

We walked around too long (Georgetown is pretty!) until the kids were very cold, very hungry, and one was very cranky. Thanks to Keeley for suggesting Clyde’s for lunch—the burgers, salads, and fries were all perfect. Levain Bakery was right nearby, so: double food win.

After lunch, we went back to the hotel, then walked by the White House and Washington Monument so we could say we saw some sights. But given the current political situation, we weren’t feeling particularly patriotic, which made us sad because we love this country but we don’t love what’s happening right now in this country. We walked until the kids got cold and we had to go back to the hotel to warm up. Then we dropped our son at his friend’s bar mitzvah party at Planet Word (such a cool spot and he had a blast with his friends), caught up with the bunk moms over dinner, and got some sleep. Now we’re on the train home—in a much warmer car, and we left on time. Blessings! (We did, however, also have an intense bloody nose this morning and a small electrical fire in one of the hotel room plugs that burned our phone charger.) Are you laughing yet?! Seriously, what else could happen?!

Ultimately, everything turned out okay this time. But we know it doesn’t always. Sometimes the train breaks down and there’s no Alex. Sometimes the kindness doesn’t show up when you need it. You can’t control the plan falling apart. You can only control how you react and how you embrace the helpers when they appear.

A note about the magazine

If you haven’t seen some of our earlier issues (2, 3, and 6 are in stock), or if you want to give a sampler (great for tween birthday gifts!), check out our discounted bundle. We also still have some single copies of Issue 8, featuring Janice LeAnn Brown, the star of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place on Disney+, and subscriptions are also available.

A humble ask for help

If you or someone you know has experience with social advertising, print advertising, and/or influencer marketing, and that person might be interested in working with us on a commission basis, please send us an email: hello@anywaymag.com.

A few other things we’re into this week

• Listening to: The Great Divide, by Noah Kahan, and this IMO podcast

• Watching: Not much this week, but we want to watch Becoming (have your heard about this?), we’re excited for the Grammy awards tonight (!), and we heard there’s a new Star Search out?! One of our own favorite shows when we were kids!

• Reading: We’re still reading The Road to Tender Hearts, mentioned last week. One of our kids is reading an advance copy of Sleepless, and he really likes it. He’s a big fan of pretty much everything by Gordan Korman. Start with Restart if your kids haven’t read it.

• Cooking: We’re thinking about making heart-shaped raviolis or the heart-shaped pasta from Trader Joe’s for Valentine’s Day. Do you have other ideas?

• Making: These paper hearts and this origami flower bouquet

• Wearing: Our son outgrew all his button-down shirts, which we only realized upon arrive in DC, so thank you to J. Crew for having this blue shirt in the Georgetown store; our daughter is asking for something from the new Parke collection for Valentine’s Day

• Giving: To mark the beginning of Black History Month, we just donated to The National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC. While we didn’t get to visit on this short trip, Keeley’s family has been and it’s one of their favorites.

Anyway, that’s it for this week. We hope your plans go more smoothly than ours did—but if they don’t, we hope you find your own Alex, James, and Mansoor along the way. And maybe pack extra phone chargers. Thank you for being part of our community. Until next Sunday!

xo,
Jen and Keeley

We know you’re clicking into this newsletter because we produce a magazine for tweens and teens about health and culture. And because that’s our focus, we try not to talk too much about news or politics. But we want to be very clear that we pay very close attention to what’s happening in the country where we live and around the world and we’ve decided to use this week’s newsletter to talk about what’s happening because it’s NOT OKAY. And because we believe the news and politics are related to kids’ health and culture.

“Terrible things are happening outside. Poor helpless people are being dragged out of their homes. Families are torn apart. Men, women, and children are separated. Children come home from school to find that their parents have disappeared.” —Diary of Anne Frank, January 1943

We were both college seniors during 9/11 and that event changed us. Not just the realization that America could be attacked, but what followed. The very adult realization that there are people in our worlds, people we believed thought like us, that would wish harm on their neighbors because of who they are—their race, religion, ethnicity, or gender. That the atrocities of the history we had learned about in school were not gone, just hiding. We understand now that the belief that we were living in a better time was one born out of white privilege and that we were very lucky and very naive to believe we felt safe for as long as we did.

We started Anyway during the pandemic because our kids were living through an unprecedented time. A scary time that once again revealed not only the fragility of our safety but of our sense of community. How quickly it became us vs them. How could we keep our kids feeling safe and continue to raise kind, compassionate, giving people in a world that felt so dark? We hoped that our magazine would provide connection to a generation that was feeling untethered. That our little Anyway community would shine a light on some positive things happening in an overwhelmingly dark time. This was our first cover shoot.

But the hits have kept coming and our children have had to persevere through more and more “once in a lifetime” events than any person should have to. What’s happening now, the unimaginable, will change our children.

The way that the US president is operating in the country and the world is unlawful. The way that ICE is operating in the United States is unlawful. We are witnessing mass abductions of US residents, including children, and murders of US residents and citizens by US citizens with masks and firearms and the badge of ICE. Children are unable to go to school because people are out in the streets with guns trying to abduct their classmates. None of this is okay.

It is appalling and unjust and on our minds every day. At dinner, we talk to our kids about what’s going on. We don’t scare them, but we ask what they know, share some facts, and see if they have questions. We remind them what side of history we stand on. We donate to causes trying to help. And still, we feel waves of overwhelming helplessness. But we are not helpless. We can all do something. We can commit to fight. A few of the things we’re doing:

1. Continuing to educate ourselves. Sources we like include the Foreign Affairs, G Zero, Jessica Yellin, Mo News, Clarissa Ward, The Daily, The Guardian, 1440, and the usuals (The Atlantic, the New Yorker, plus The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and others. We’d love to hear what sources you’re reading, watching, or listening to. Leave us a comment!

2. Asking our family members, friends, and colleagues about how they’re feeling. Share your concern. Conversations make a difference. Have you seen this experiment?

3. Calling our representatives and following them on Instagram to stay updated. Seven House democrats voted with the GOP to give more money to ICE just this week. The bill now advances to the Senate. Consider calling your senators to tell them to vote no, and encourage your friends and family to do the same.

4. Making a donation to worthy causes. This weekend, we donated to: The Immigrant Rapid Response Fund and the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota. You can find more resources and helpful information here.

5. Sharing resources with our kids. A member of the robotics team we featured in Issue 5 built this resource for future voters and The Week Jr. is a fantastic news mag for tweens.

6. Going outside. Letting the snow fall on our faces. Breathing fresh air. Reading a book. Watching a show. Hugging our kids and our partners and our friends. Feeling deep gratitude for being safe.

“Although I’m only fourteen, I know quite well what I want, I know who is right and who is wrong. I have my opinions, my own ideas and principles, and although it may sound pretty mad from an adolescent, I feel more of a person than a child, I feel quite independent of anyone.” —Diary of Anne Frank, January 1943

A look inside Issue 8: The activity section
If it’s snowing where you are like it is here, your kids are probably watching a lot of TV or using screens, but if they need a break, every issue of Anyway has an activity section. Issue 8 includes two crossword puzzles and a magical personality quiz that’s fun to take together—whether you’re the healer, the spark, the mystic, or the artist, it’s a playful way to talk about each of our strengths and superpowers. Plus, you’ll find coloring pages and journaling pages about letting go of anxiety, which feel especially relevant right now, based on the illustrator’s book, Learn to Let Go.

If you haven’t received a copy, or you know another family who might like to receive one, you can still order Issue 8 here, or subscribe to make sure you’re getting all future issues. We’re working on Issue 9, and it’s going to be a good one!

A few other things we’re into this week

• Listening to: Pod Save America, and also Good Hang

• Watching: Wild Cards—a good hour-long show to watch with tweens, similar vibes as High Potential (though not quite as good)

• Reading: The Road to Tender Hearts, by Annie Harnett—the kind of story that had us at hello, aka the first page; a beauty of a book—and making sure the kids read Anne’s diary

• Playing: First to Worst and Scattergories,

• Making: Buckeyes because snow + football makes us nostalgic for Ohio; also this soup to stay cozy and Ghirardelli box brownies (bought in bulk from Costco)

• Wearing: These pajamas and these sweats until the snow is gone

• Lacing: Loosely lacing up these Nike Jordan’s for the 12-year-old who’s about to go to a friend’s bar mitzvah and this is the shoe of choice

• Giving: The Immigrant Rapid Response Fund and the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (as noted above); you can find more resources and helpful information here

Anyway, that’s it for this week. We know things feel heavy right now, and we’re right there with you. But we also know that small actions add up, that conversations matter, and that showing up for each other—and for what’s right—is how we get through hard times. Thank you for being part of our community.

xo,
Jen and Keeley

Either way, the more we attempt the kitchen efforts, even though they don’t come naturally to us, the more we build a little confidence. (And also, the more we have deep gratitude for our partners who are really good cooks and bakers!)

Similarly, making a magazine is an ongoing practice in doing things outside of our comfort zone. Every time we start working our our next batch of stories, we wonder if we’re doing it right. Is it cool enough for the kids? Informative and inspiring enough? Is it visually interesting? We try to push the boundaries, do things we haven’t done before, ask people we admire to contribute, and just hope the readers like what we put together. And, when they tell us they do, via email from a reader or a text from a parent showing their kid reading the mag, we’re totally psyched.

We also truly appreciate any media mentions, so we were thrilled to be recognized by Dwell magazine (!), which mentioned Anyway mag in its “Generations Issue,” as part of a story on “child’s play.” The article highlights a curated selection of beautifully designed products, hand-picked by the editors, for kids of all ages. We were really honored to be included. (Blushing.)

A look inside Issue 8: In the kids’ own words
Speaking of doing things outside our comfort zones, our latest issue (#8) features two essays from kids who really know what that means. First, we have a Q+A with Vivienne, who moved from New York to Colorado last year when her dad got a new job. She talks about the worry of telling her fifth-grade class she was leaving, and how “looking on the bright side” helped her get through it. Her advice to other kids facing big changes? “Remember that even though change is scary, it can lead to amazing things.” (Spoiler: She now really likes hiking, which she never saw coming.)

Then there’s Tejveer and Seanna, siblings who live in the Kenyan highlands and are growing up surrounded by colobus monkeys, ibises, and the kind of landscape most of us only see in documentaries. (Jen met their dad when she visited Kenya in 2005!) Their essay is a window into a totally different kind of daily life than most of us experience—one that happens to include safari trips.

Both pieces remind us that wherever you live, there’s something special about the place you call home. And sometimes the best discoveries happen when you step outside what’s familiar, whether by choice or not.

A few other things we’re into this week

• Listening to: Jensen McRae, here with Brandi Carlile (chills!), and all of her own songs on repeat (that voice and songwriting skills!)

• Watching: Tehran, season three just came out (for the adults); and the two new episodes of High Potential (with the whole fam)

• Reading: The Correspondent (about halfway through now and just loving Sybil’s wise words); also thinking a lot about The Lion Women of Tehran, which we read last year, given everything going on in Iran (sigh)

• Making: These not-too-sweet lemon blueberry muffins for brunch, and a version of this Greek orzo soup (adding carrots) with the speedy bread we’ve written about before

• Wearing: These wide, low-rise black jeans (they feel like sweats and they really work for work; we wore them for two different days of meetings in NYC last week)

• Giving: Girl Scout cookies from Keeley’s daughter Willa (at least watch her video!); we bought some for our own families and donated some as well; we ALSO have a book giveaway for YOU on our Instagram page this week, so please check that out

• Honoring: Martin Luther King Jr. Day tomorrow—if you’re looking for ways to mark the day with your family, Teach for America and DoSomething.org have great ideas for service projects, or check out what’s happening locally in your community. You can even make a “blessing bag” like Jahkil, or leave a kind Post-It note for someone like Brooklyn, who were both featured along with other inspiring change makers in Issue 3.

Anyway, that’s it for this week. Whether you’re making chocolate mousse, baking muffins, moving across the country, or just trying to get through a regular Sunday, Monday, etc.—we’re all figuring it out as we go. Thanks for being here with us, and for supporting our little magazine experiment. It means the world to us.

xo,
Jen and Keeley

At the same time, while being pushed away (as is the totally normal, natural, and appropriate thing to be happening at this stage), we’re also forever noticing passing glimmers of joy and pride, like when we saw (and smelled!) one of our daughters baking a batch of chocolate chip cookies before having her friends over to work on their group history project. She thought it would be nice, and it was so nice. It was also so nice when one of us was sick with a bad cold all week and came downstairs to find a bowl of homemade noodle chicken soup simmering on the stove, made by her husband, without a word. (That same husband also made that same daughter half a cake for her half birthday this week.)

That feeling of someone thinking of you, of being seen as needing (or wanting) something and being given that thing without even asking for it—warm broth, cooked carrots, pulled chicken, and soft noodles in this case—that’s love. And maybe giving teenagers the space they’re needing (or wanting) is love, too. In the meantime, we’ll take the time we can get with our tweens, one of which agreed to help with this video.

A look inside Issue 8
Speaking of love and comfort food, we’re obsessed with Katelyn Belyus’s vegan banana chocolate chip muffins from Issue 8. Katelyn runs the Little Carrot Baking Co. and has a philosophy we strongly agree with: “The world needs more cake, not less!” Her plant-based muffins are the kind of thing you can whip up for a fast weekday breakfast on the go, or when your teen emerges from their study cave suddenly starving, or when you just need something to fill the house with that “someone’s baking and cares about you” smell.

The recipe uses five (yes, five!) overripe bananas, which means it’s perfect for those bananas that have been sitting on your counter all week getting spottier by the day. And that Chinese five-spice powder? Trust us on this one. It adds this subtle warmth that makes these taste like they came from some fancy bakery. (But honestly, you can make the recipe without the spices and it’s still delicious.) When we made a batch, they disappeared in three days, which in teen-time is basically a standing ovation.

A favor: When your reader receives Issue 8, we’d love to see where they’re reading it and share some pics on Instagram or maybe even in the next issue of Anyway. Please email photos (that we have consent to use) to hello@anywaymag.com. Thank you!

A few other things we’re into this week

• Listening to: Normal Gossip from the beginning because we’re craving comfort, a laugh, and some hot tea; we’re also excited for StoryKind, a new podcast coming out this week from kidlit authors Kelly Yang and Kate DiCamillo

• Watching: Poker Face with one of our tweens—it’s on the border of appropriate (lots of cursing, some nudity, and murders, obv, given that it’s a murder mystery), but we like it

• Reading: Just ordered The Amazing Generation for our tweens, so we’ll let you know what we think next week

• Making: Those banana chocolate chip muffins from Issue 8 on repeat (seriously, let your bananas get overripe so you can make these)

• Recommending: The health myths we busted in Issue 8! We got so many shocked texts and DMs about the fact that you shouldn’t hold in a sneeze but that cracking your knuckles isn’t actually bad for you. Should we bust myths for adults in next week’s Substack? What do you want to know?!

• Wearing: Comfy clothes: these sweats and this sweatshirt (both of which we got on sale, so keep an eye out) and these earrings

• Gifting: Gift cards to Bookstore.org for a couple of teens who helped us with a project

• Giving: World Central Kitchen

Anyway, that’s it for this week. Here we are, in the thick of midterm season, making muffins and giving space and finding those little moments of connection where we can. Maybe that’s what this whole parenting-teens thing is about—being ready with a warm muffin when they surface, or knowing when to just quietly leave some on the counter and step back. Either way, we’ll keep some bananas at the ready.

xo,
Jen and Keeley

That really resonated. We don’t know about you but this holiday season was A LOT. In many ways, the winter break was magical for our families, but it also left us feeling a little anxious. So we needed that yoga class. (We also took a couple of yoga classes over the break!) Because we love the physical practice and the mindfulness practice. Because sometimes, we all need someone else to help us reframe how we’re thinking. To stop focusing on what might be and start focusing on what is. To be present. We hope that resonates with you, too.

A look ahead: Inside Issue 8

Most of us have experienced various levels of a racing heart, spinning thoughts, the urge to escape. Anxiety is so common for us (and for tweens and teens), which is why we wanted to tackle it head-on in Issue 8. Meera Lee Patel both wrote and illustrated a brilliant column that reframes anxiety as something that might actually be trying to help us. She also illustrated this issue’s activity section on “letting go.” It’s a good one!

And here’s a sneak peek from her forthcoming article in the next print magazine:

What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a natural response to a potential threat, danger, or overload. To cope, your body releases a stream of hormones that can make you feel like you want to fight back, freeze up, or flee from whatever’s stressing you. And although this is totally normal, it can feel super uncomfortable. Everyone experiences anxiety differently, but you might notice sweaty palms, shakiness, a stomachache, or a racing heartbeat. More intense symptoms can include thoughts spinning on repeat, breathing that feels too shallow, and the need to escape or get away.

What is my anxiety telling me?
Plot twist: Your anxiety is often trying to help you. It can be a sign that something you really care about is at stake. Maybe you feel anxious about meeting new people? That might mean you’re worried about rejection, but it also shows you really want to connect and make friends. Another common trigger is when things feel out of your control. Not knowing how something will turn out—and being powerless to change it—can send your anxiety through the roof.

Is my anxiety a problem?
Probably not, but it’s important to pay attention to your feelings. Frequent bouts of anxiety might be a sign that you’re noticing a disconnect in your life. Maybe you’re craving more rest, different food, more meaningful friendships, a creative activity, or a new routine. If you can get curious about your anxiety, you might discover what you need. The trick is listening to yourself, and treating your anxiety like a (slightly annoying) friend who’s trying to tell you something.

We’d also like to tell you something: After what feels like a long wait, we’re excited to share that Issue 8 is shipping out tomorrow! So if you’re a subscriber, you can expect your copy to arrive in the next 5-10 days. And if you still want to order a copy or start a subscription, you can do that here.

A few other things we’re into this week

• Listening: This album that feels like comfy nostalgia mixed with indie girl vocals

• Watching: Just finished Elsbeth with one of our tweens, and now we’re waiting for the next one; any shows you love? Tell us in the comments!

• Reading: About to start The Correspondent (did you see Katie Couric’s IG post about it?)

• Making: This speedy, no-knead bread, twice this weekend. It’s so easy and delicious, you won’t believe it. (We even messed up the measurements on one batch and it still turned out great.)

• Recommending: Bras like these and these and these from Aerie for tweens and teens; period kids like this one from Lola; and we were recently asked about skin care for kids who may be getting breakouts; this is what we said: Cerave face wash and moisturizer, JB Skrub body wash, Aveeno body lotion, Bubble acne spot treatment, Starface pimple patches

• Giving: The Period Project

Anyway, that’s it for this week. We’re setting our intentions for steady breathing, fresh bread, and mailboxes full of Issue 8. Please reach out if you have any questions or things on your mind that you’d like us to talk about in a future newsletter. We’re all navigating these tween and teen years together, trying to be present for what is instead of worrying about what might be.

xo,
Jen and Keeley

To be honest, I feel conflicted about sharing too much about my own travels during so-called “breaks,” because I know travel is a privilege and many people are still working (as noted above). At the same time, I learn so much from exploring different places and I do want to share some of those things. So please excuse me if this comes off at all like a humble brag. I don’t mean it to be. This is the first time in about seven years that I have a full-time salaried job and the company I work for closes for a week between Christmas and New Year’s. So, after running my own small business for years where I felt like I was always working and never had paid time off, getting this week to spend undistracted time with my husband and kids feels pretty special.

Here’s how we’re spending the week: After a few days visiting my in-laws in Arizona, we drove about four hours across the desert to Palm Springs. The first night, we did the aerial tram, which felt a little too touristy and overcrowded for our tastes, not to mention we couldn’t see much of anything in the dark. (Note: Minor travel fail.) But everyone still got a bit of a thrill out of it, and we had a nice dinner at the top of the mountain. We spent the next morning at the Palm Springs Art Museum and then explored some cool stores in the downtown area like this bookstore, and these vintage / local emporiums: Mojave Flea Trading Post and Market Market. That second one is where I found a cool piece of inspiration for a future activity section of Anyway mag (see below)! After that, we relaxed at our Airbnb before dinner.

This morning, we woke up early and did a guided bike and hike tour, cruising past amazing midcentury modern homes, and exploring Indian Canyons, where we learned about all kinds of cacti and other flora and fauna that have been used by Native Americans for thousands of years, as food and as medicinal sources. (Note: Big win.)

The experience reminded me of how powerful nature is, and how much more carefully and intentionally we need to protect it. As our guide Ron was explaining the properties of certain plants and the way rocks have shifted over the years to create different landscapes, and the necessity of water for all life, I felt overwhelmed by the magic of it all. Speaking of which…

A look ahead: Inside Issue 8

Magic comes in all forms, from natural wonders to tricks you can learn in your own living room. In Issue 8, our friend Leigh Belz Ray (who worked as an editor at some of our other favorite magazines like Lucky and Teen Vogue) interviewed California-based magician Jake Berg, who shares how he got into magic as a kid (thanks to a trick from his dad that he spent 20 years trying to figure out!), what he loves most about performing illusions, and his tips for young people who want to learn their first tricks.

As part of the article, Jake shares a coin-and-pen trick readers can practice at home—complete with insider secrets about misdirection and why you should never perform the same trick twice for the same audience. It’s a fun peek behind the curtain of an art form that’s been captivating people since Ancient Egypt. Who knows? Maybe your tween will be the next great illusionist, or at least have some fun trying. You can subscribe to the magazine here.

A few other things we’re into this week

• Reading: Wreck by Catherine Newman; up next: The Correspondent, The Wedding People, and The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny; finished (and loved) Heart the Lover

• Playing: Some favorite new games lately include Brick Like This, First to Worst, and our standard routine of nightly card games

• Traveling reminder: It’s OK to have rest time each day, even as the kids get older. For instance, after this morning’s bike-and-hike adventure, we went to In-n-Out Burger (the kids wanted to try it) and then came back to the Airbnb where we’re staying so everyone could lay down for a bit. “This is like perfection,” said the teen, laying out by the pool in our backyard here. Really? I thought. We came all this way, let’s go explore more. But nope, sometimes doing rest time is doing enough, even in a new place. (Plus, this “rest” time did allow me to read my book and write this newsletter! Now, time for a quick swim!)

• Making: Dinner reservations this week (sorry, but it’s true)

• Wearing: These leggings—they’re so soft and on sale (and influenced by my teen; yes I copied her green pair and got myself a pair in navy)

• Giving: National Park Foundation

Anyway, that’s it for this week. Please reach out if you have any questions or things on your mind that you’d like us to talk about in a future newsletter. We’re all figuring this out together, trying to find magic in the everyday and rest when we need it.

xo,
Jen and Keeley

Even so, before every flight comes waves of rippling anxiety. Running around, doing last-minute errands, procrastinating, and then rapidly squeezing things into a suitcase. Sleep? Not much. What are we forgetting? Why did we wait until the last minute to pack? Did the kids pack chargers? Do they have enough to read? And snacks? Are there enough snacks? Are planes really safe? Did we spend too much money? Is this trip a good idea?

A swirl of overwhelm. But we push through, and then we get to the airport. We wait on lines, use the bathroom, get extra snacks, walk onto the plane, heave the suitcases into overhead bins, clean off all of the surfaces with antibacterial wipes, and wait for takeoff. Soon, if things go according to plan, we’re suddenly soaring—and it’s all worth it. We’re completely awestruck by the view, the feeling of being so high above the ground, the engineering feat of it all. We tap our kids to look, look out the window. Isn’t it amazing? And suddenly, the mind calms. The body relaxes. All there is left to do is relax. Multiple hours with nothing to do but be still—to read, watch TV and movies, nap, snack, think, and do things like write this little note to you.

The joy of traveling with tweens and teens is they don’t need much once you’re on that plane. Everyone just chills. And so you have this rare opportunity to share time that’s not rushed. You get to share a peaceful, contented, quiet togetherness. And we think that feeling is probably what most of us want the most this holiday season. Here’s hoping you get it!

Side note from Jen, writing this on a plane to Arizona to visit her in-laws: Keeley’s working two 24-hour shifts at the hospital this week to have Christmas off. Please send her some extra love in the comments.

A look ahead: Inside Issue 8

Speaking of the fact that one of us is a midwife (and former adolescent health educator), we try to feature straight-up facts about health in every issue of the magazine. In past issues, we’ve talked about body odor, periods, body hair, gender, consent, braces, ADHD, autism, and more. And coming soon, we’re busting 14 common health myths—from the five-second rule to whether you lose most of your body heat through your head—so your kids can know what’s actually true and what’s just been passed down like a game of telephone.

Can you really swim right after eating? Sure. Does wet hair actually make you sick? Nope. Is chicken noodle soup good for a cold? Actually, yes. Keeley brings her expertise as a certified nurse midwife to separate fact from fiction on topics like why holding in a sneeze is actually dangerous. It’s the kind of practical content that sparks great dinner table conversations and empowers kids to understand their own bodies better. Issue 8 is printed and bound, and it will ship to subscribers the first week of January.

Also, it’s not too late to give Anyway magazine for the holidays. You can subscribe now. Then just email or print one of these images for an easy, last-minute present.

A few other things we’re into this week

• Listening to: Jeff Kinney on the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series (also shared with a tween who loves these books)

• Watching: Merchants of Love, a perfect family christmassy documentary to put on when your family can’t agree on what to watch next

• Reading: Heart the Lover, by Lily King (next up: A Marriage at Sea or The Correspondent)

• Traveling with: Carry-on suitcases like these from Target; they’ve lasted us years.

• Making: Gingerbread houses, an activity that’s popular with kids of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers

• Wearing: Adidas Samba sneaks, slip-on style with the laces tucked

• Wanting (kids): Tweens of all genders don’t always agree on much, but there seems to be consensus on slipper-like footwear, from Crocs to Uggs, this season

• Wanting (moms): Speaking of shoes, are we liking this flat, dressy boot?

• Giving: 988 lifeline because the holidays can be a tough time too

Anyway, that’s it for this week. Please reach out if you have any questions or things on your mind that you’d like us to talk about in a future newsletter. We’re all figuring this out together, one flight, one gingerbread house, and one slipper-like shoe at a time.

xo,
Jen and Keeley

Even with the activity list, the idea of an at least partially cozy Sunday is blissful, and it got us thinking about our kids’ desire for lots of cozy time, primarily alone in their rooms. While they used to want our attention (like, our constant, undivided attention), now they want it rarely. For meals and for a ride, but otherwise they seem to really crave solo space and they just want to “chill” or “relax.” We’re in full support of rest and opportunities to recharge, so we try to let them have it. We also know pulling away is healthy and normal—it’s literally their job to become independent. But we hate that screens are often (too often?) involved, and while we have lots of screen-time restrictions, it’s tough. What’s your take? We’d love to know.

A look back: What’s inside Issue 2

Since it’s undeniable that everyone wants personal space and alone time, at least sometimes, we wanted to explore where the majority of that time takes place during adolescence and pre-adolescence. That’s why we photographed ten kids in their own bedrooms in Issue 2. The idea was inspired by Adrienne Salinger’s book from the nineties, which you can read about in this New Yorker article. Now, several issues later, we’re still fascinated by how kids create their own worlds within four walls. Getting to know yourself (both your style in terms of decor (remember plastering your walls with magazine pages?), and also just what you like to do or think about when you’re by yourself) is so important when you’re growing up.

Whether you’re reading, singing, dancing, doing homework, watching a show, taking selfies, experimenting with clothes or skincare, your room is yours. As Kiera, then 12, said of her room in Brooklyn: “Having my own space means being able to go crazy, do hair flips and poses, cry when I need to, read while doing a cartwheel, or imagine I’m in a fairy treehouse—without being embarrassed or fearful that someone other than my dog will see.”

Happy gifting! Issues 2, 3, 6, and 7 are still in stock, and Issue 8 should ship out in early January. If you’re still thinking about placing an order, you can use our discount code HOLIDAY20 for 20% off through December 25!

A few other things we’re into this week:

• Listening: The New American Collection from Jon Batiste—and also this interview on We Can Do Hard Things

• Watching: We didn’t watch much this week, but on our list (don’t laugh) is this new holiday romcom, My Secret Santa on Netflix, if we can convince any tweens or teens to leave their rooms and join us? Low expectations on all fronts tbh.

• Reading: Finished Buckeye! 10/10. Also read, and keep thinking about, this article: Why Does AI Write Like That?

• Cooking: French toast for breakfast, latkes for dinner—not sure if they’ll be classic (crunchy!) or “crispy”

• Wanting: These barrel leg jeans from Old Navy. Hear us out. They were thrown into one of our baskets on a whim to get to free shipping on a kids’ order and we’ve since literally been living in them for weeks. We want them in every color.

• Recommending: We got this alarm clock for one of our teens last year and it’s a great gift. She always had a hard time waking up for school, but now she gets up early and is on time every day. The white noise at bedtime is also great. It’s been life-changing or, at least, morning-changing.

• Giving: Everytown for Gun Safety

• Offering: If you know an organization that would benefit from free or discounted copies of Anyway mag, please let us know. We’d be happy to help. Email us at hello@anywaymag.com.

Anyway, that’s it for this week. Please reach out if you have any questions or things on your mind that you’d like us to talk about in a future newsletter. We’re all figuring this out together, one snowfall and one cozy bedroom at a time.

xo,
Jen and Keeley

Do you have any ideas? Not really. Are you too tired to write one now? Yes. Should we do it anyway? Yup.

Procrastination gets a bad rap. But we’ve learned to embrace and even appreciate it, with Steve Miller Band lyrics ringing in our heads: Time keeps on slippin’, slippin’, slippin’…. Into the future…

Because let’s be real: Time’s a thief. The weeks fly by. The weekends fly by. The years fly by. But we do what we have to do, even if that means doing it at the last minute. And we try to express our gratitude for the many precious moments along the way.

That’s why we started this Substack, even if we wait until Sunday night to do it. And it’s not midnight yet, so we’re still on track to meet our self-imposed deadline. Woohoo! But, having said all that, since we did get started on this little note particularly late tonight, we’re going to keep it quick and to the point. And please excuse any typos as we share a little list…

10 things we love about tweens

1. They’re willing to try new foods. Today’s example: Russian dressing on a turkey sandwich, and they asked for more after refusing to taste it for 12 years.

2. Bedtime is civilized. Sure, they might ask for things or stay up too late reading, but it’s mostly goodnight and see you in the morning and that’s that. (Although… it is also true that tweens stay up late and many of the most important conversations you’ll have with them don’t usually start until you’re ready for bed. Try to stay up for those convos, because…

3. Conversations are interesting. You can listen to their thoughts on politics or their really passionate complaints about school. The stuff on their minds gets real and important quickly.

4. They’re observant. If your tone is too harsh, they’ll tell you. And if you listen, you can really learn about yourself from how they see you.

5. They’re independent. If they want to go run around outside with friends, or walk to a local shop by themselves, you can let them. If they want to make themselves food or bake cookies, you can trust they’ve got it under control.

6. You can watch really good TV shows and movies together. Sure, playing school or watching them build Magna-Tiles was fun. But this is more fun.

7. Every once in a while you see a glimpse of who they’ll be as adults, like little rays of sunshine poking through the clouds. And we really like what we’re seeing. We’re raising future adults who we respect and who we’d want to be friends with.

8. They’re more regulated. Sure, there’s still the occasional slammed door, rolled eyes, and “ugh, mom,” but the emotional swings are not as big and they swing back to neutral much faster.

9. They’re influential. See below (the wanting category)! But more seriously, they really do influence us in awesome ways like being more empathetic.

10. They’re still kids. If you don’t make a big deal about it, they’ll probably still play a game with you, cuddle you on the couch, and let you help them with things.

    This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

A look back: What’s inside Issue 6 (copies are still in stock!)

We know we said bedtime is civilized, which it is, but sometimes it’s still hard for tweens to fall asleep. That’s why we dedicated a whole article in Issue 6 to the science of sleep—why adolescent and preadolescent bodies naturally want to stay up late (blame shifting circadian rhythms!), why they need 8 to 10 hours even though that sometimes feels impossible, and how to actually make it happen.

From building wind-down routines to making bedrooms sleep sanctuaries, we covered all the practical tips that can help turn those “just five more minutes” protests into actual rest. Because while we love late-night conversations that start right when we’re ready for bed, we also want to have well-rested kiddos and parents.

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A few other things we’re into this week:

• Listening: Fly Like an Eagle, by the Steve Miller Band, and IMO w/Cynthia Erivo (because we’re still obsessed with all things Wicked)

• Watching: The New Yorker documentary on Netflix (magazines forever!) and Elsbeth, because the whole family liked High Potential and we wanted something similar

• Reading: For the tweens: Coach, by Jason Reynolds, anything by our advice columnist Lisa Greenwald, plus many more recommendations from the New York Public Library

• Baking: Tried making the viral cranberry poppers (we all thought they were disappointing tbh); next up: some recipes from The New York Times cookie week, including these Dark and Stormy cookies (yum!) or the Popcorn Bucket cookies

• Crafting: One of our teens is insisting on a “kitschy Christmas” this year, which apparently involves lots of ribbon, craft paper, puffy paint. and trips to Michael’s, so we’re shoulder deep in crafts like these paper garlands.

• Wanting: One of our teens got these GAP sweatpants on sale over Black Friday weekend, and we sort of want a pair for ourselves; we also smelled this deodorant during a visit to Sephora with the same teen and can’t stop thinking about it.

• Giving: World Central Kitchen

So, anyway, that’s it for this week. Please reach out if you have any questions or things on your mind that you’d like us to talk about in a future newsletter. We’re all figuring this out together, one procrastinated project and one bedtime routine at a time.

xo,
Jen and Keeley

P.S. You can still use discount code HOLIDAY20 for 20% off! Happy holidays!

Before you read the next paragraph, ask yourself: What was one of the best gifts you ever received?

Ours, most recently, was a bottle of water (and also the time we got to spend together with our families at Thanksgiving). But back to the water…

After a delicious pizza dinner in New Haven (fried eggplant and cherry peppers at Modern, for those who are curious), we went to watch a Yale vs. Omaha hockey game. After the first period, the kids went off to get some snacks. And when they returned, hands full with popcorn, SourPatch Kids, hot chocolates, and who knows what else, one of those kids said, “Hey, mom, this is for you,” holding out a bottle of water. And that, dear readers, may well be one of the absolutely best presents we’ve ever gotten.

Because we were thirsty when that water appeared. And because we hadn’t asked for the water, or anything else. The 12-year-old boy who gifted it just acted with genuine thoughtfulness and kindness. That gift made us feel seen, known, understood, and loved. So in your season of giving, let’s all remember that simple bottle of water and try to bring that level of care to the gifts we choose for others.

That same kid also figured out he loves cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving, and feeling inspired by his thoughtful gift, we made him cranberry muffins to have for breakfast. (He already ate two tonight, and the recipe’s below.)

Our gift for you: A sneak peek at Issue 8 and 20% off

We’re really excited about our next issue. We’ve got a roundup on college basketball players (written by a 12-year-old!), a super helpful piece on anxiety that actually breaks it down in a way that makes sense, and our cover story is on teen actress Janice LeAnn Brown—she talks about what it’s really like living and working in Hollywood as a teenager. Plus, an interview with a real magician, pairs of best friends showing off their authentic style in NYC, and a beautiful essay about growing up in Kenya.

Also: health myths busted (does it really matter if you go out with wet hair?!), a cross-country adventure from the coast to the mountains, a DIY zine tutorial that makes us want to grab scissors and glue sticks immediately, a recipe for vegan banana chocolate chip muffins that have become our new obsession, crossword puzzles, a personality quiz, and more.

Use code HOLIDAY20 for 20% off through December 15. We know we’re biased, but this might be the one thing you give a tween this year that doesn’t need batteries, a charger, or screen time limits.

A few other things we’re into this week:

• Listening: Olivia Dean (we’re late to the party, but she’s catchy) and Wiser Than Me! Also, if you’re looking for parenting podcasts this time of year, we like This is So Awkward and Raising Good Humans.

• Watching: We watched The Family Plan 2 this weekend and recently finished the latest season of Man on the Inside this weekend. Everyone sat through that series, but the movie and the show High Potential were bigger hits.

• Reading: Our tweens are really into Gordon Korman, especially Restart, so we might get Snoop for them as a holiday gift. For ourselves, next up is Pick a Color.

• Baking: Cranberry muffins, very roughly based on this recipe but we added Greek yogurt (for extra protein) and chocolate chips (for fun), cut some of the white sugar, and used lemon zest instead of orange (oh, and no walnuts). They’re good!

• Exploring: New Haven for pizza at Modern and hockey (see above)

• Wanting: These face masks are on sale, and they’re awesome. We were given one last year. We might also try this game, First to Worst, for the holidays. For the teens and tweens, we hear they’re wanting this sweatshirt from Aerie, this lip mask, and anything from Local Hoops.

• Giving: The National Parks Foundation (because we love nature and our friend who works for this great org)

So, anyway, that’s it for this week. Please reach out if you have any questions or things on your mind that you’d like us to talk about in a future newsletter. We’re all figuring this out together, one bottle of water and one discount code at a time.

xo,

Jen and Keeley

P.S. If you’d consider sharing this with a friend, we’d be so grateful. Thanks for reading!

So when one of our daughters got up on stage for the first time at age five, we’re not going to lie. We were nervous. She had always been shy and not one eager to join. And there had been a long line of tried and quit activities before this one. Would she even walk on stage? Would she move? Would she sing? Would she like it?

And then, in the midst of all of those worries, it happened. We saw that daughter really truly shine for the first time. She had found her “thing.” She loved to perform. She still does, and what an overpowering feeling of joy and pride. It just feels so thrilling to watch someone you love doing something that they love.

That daughter has been performing for over a decade now. In fact, she goes to a performing arts high school (hint… you’ll be able to check out her classmates’ style in issue 8 of Anyway mag, coming soon!), so we get to see her on stage a lot. And while every show doesn’t give us that feeling, when the magic hits and she is sparkling on stage just like that five-year-old did in her first performance, it’s one of the best parenting feelings there is.

Have your kids found their thing?

Peak inside issue 7: Taco ‘Bout Impressive

A few months ago, one of our friends sent us a reel on Instagram about a teenager who had opened his own restaurant in Brooklyn, and asked if we’d like her to interview him for Anyway mag. Our answer was a hard and fast yes. Please and thank you. Talk about a kid finding their thing! Here’s an excerpt from the article by Leigh Belz Ray (who has worked at so many of our our fave mags):

How did you land on the idea of opening a taqueria?
I love food, and tacos specifically. Whenever I had a day off from school, I’d go into Manhattan to get tacos from different spots. As a high school student, you don’t make much money, but tacos are affordable. What differentiates Tacos Del Barrio from other options is that we don’t just serve tacos. We also do bowls, burritos, and quesadillas.

What advice do you have for kids who might want to start their own business?
I’m a visual learner. So if I see it, if I hear it, I’ll remember it, and if it’s intriguing enough, I’ll look more into it. So I’d say: “Pay attention to what intrigues you.”

What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned since opening the shop?
First, to go with the flow. Second, to have my ego in check. I try to be kind and respectful to the people I work with because without them nothing is possible. And third, to be positive—because if you’re happy, your business does well. My business is positive energy. I wish I could put that on the wall—[laughs] but I have other ideas for this wall.

Love that energy, right?! For the full article, turn to page 28 in Issue 7. And because all of the Black Friday sales are starting, use our discount code Anyway-15 for 15% off everything on the site, including subscriptions.

A few other things we’re into this week:

• Listening: “For Good” (this version, on repeat) from Wicked (obviously) and related podcasts like this one with Michelle Obama and Cynthia Erivo—the press tour has been everywhere!

• Watching: Wicked (Jen saw it Sunday night, but won’t give away any spoilers), Dancing with the Stars (the finale is Tuesday night), and Stranger Things (Keeley says Season 5 starts Wednesday night, but Jen will not watch it because, obv, too scary!)

• Reading: Next on the list: Take My Hand, by Dolen Perkins-Valdez, and Careless People, by Sarah Wynn-Williams

• Cooking: A simple green salad (this one or this one), maybe with apples, for Thanksgiving and these easy, fast (and relatively healthy) bagels (great for the post-Thanksgiving weekend)

• Exploring: Daydreaming about Palm Springs in December, if you have any suggestions?!

• Wanting: From one of our teen’s wishlists, this fancy hairstyling tool that we’ve never heard of but might consider getting, in part so we can borrow it (and because it’s on super sale)!

• Giving: Filling in the Blanks and Clothes to Kids (where we’ve volunteered)... and on that note, stay tuned for a coming list on places you can volunteer with tweens and teens—but one of our faves in NYC is The Service Collective

So, anyway, that’s it for this week. Thank you so much for being here, and hope you have a happy holiday weekend. We’re deeply grateful for your support. Please reach out if you have any questions or things on your mind that you’d like us to talk about in a future newsletter. We’re all figuring this out together, one thing at a time.

xo,
Jen and Keeley

P.S. If you’d consider sharing this with a friend, we’d be so grateful. Thanks for reading!