In this week’s Birdie, we’re arming you with emotional armor (for your daughter) and vinegar-powered cleaning hacks (for your laundry). From confidence-boosting affirmations to surviving the summer mess without losing your mind — or your grill brush — we’ve got you covered. Plus, the baby names everyone’s buzzing about, the cooler hack no one talks about, and why your toothbrush routine might be betraying you.

Scroll on for what matters this week—without the fluff, just the good stuff. 👇

WHAT’S BUZZING NOW

💪The 4 essential workout priorities for women over 50 navigating menopause changes.

👶The most popular baby names of 2024 (plus which ones are rising and falling fast).

🎓31 creative graduation gift ideas that high school seniors will actually appreciate.

📺 First look at "The Office" offshoot series "The Paper" premiering this September.

💰 What salary range qualifies as middle class in your state? The numbers might surprise you.

🍲 New parent relief: Easy, practical meal ideas to bring that will truly help exhausted new families.

🛍️ The best Memorial Day 2025 sales already happening at Walmart, Best Buy, and more.

PARENTING

Raising confident kids.

The secret weapon you're not using with your daughter: Positive affirmations might sound like something straight out of a self-help book, but research shows they actually work, especially for teen girls navigating the social obstacle course of adolescence.

Why it matters: Regular affirmations boost self-esteem, build resilience against peer pressure, and strengthen mental fortitude. Think of them as emotional armor for your daughter's developing self-image.

How to make it not-cringy: One educator mom found success by skipping the formal recitations (which her middle schooler found mortifying) and instead placing affirmations where her tween would spot them — tucked in a lunchbox, taped to the bathroom mirror, or next to the breakfast cereal.

Try these starter affirmations:

• "I am strong, capable, and resilient."

• "My uniqueness is my strength."

• "I deserve to be treated with kindness and respect."

3 ways to make it stick:

1. Morning boost: Have your daughter say three positive things about herself in the mirror (works for daughters of all ages)

2. Bedtime reflection: End the day by turning a positive experience into an affirmation

3. Affirmation jar: Fill a container with empowering statements she can draw from when needed

Bottom line: You're already telling your daughter she's amazing. These structured affirmations help her tell herself the same thing and actually believe it. And that confidence carries through every stage from elementary school through high school and beyond.

HOME

Summer survival: clean home edition.

Why your house needs a summer refresh: As temperatures rise, so do certain household problems — stinky trash cans, dusty air vents, and an invasion of beach towels and pool toys. A strategic summer clean helps you enjoy those lazy days without the chaos.

The bare minimum (because: summer):

• Deploy the "stash bin": Place small baskets in high-traffic areas to collect clutter until you can properly put things away. Perfect for quick clean-ups before impromptu BBQs.

• Time it, don't task it: Instead of tackling an overwhelming to-do list, set a timer for 15 minutes of focused cleaning. You'll work faster knowing there's a finish line.

• Embrace "good enough": The sink is clean but the grout isn't spotless? That's perfectly fine for summer standards.

Quick wins that make a big difference:

• Air vents: Before cranking the AC, vacuum those dusty vents (or unscrew and wash extra-grimy ones)

• Grill prep: Run burners on high for 15 minutes with the lid closed, then brush off grates

• Trash can rescue: A backyard scrub plus a cotton ball soaked in essential oils under the liner works wonders

Laundry hack we're trying: Add ½ cup white vinegar to the rinse cycle or ½ cup baking soda to the wash cycle to combat summer's special brand of stink (hello, chlorine and campfire smoke).

Bottom line: Summer is for pool days and popsicles, not perfectionism. A clean-enough house lets you focus on making memories instead of obsessing over dust bunnies.

TRENDING

SNIPPETS

The towel that makes terry cloth look bulky: This Turkish cotton dream dries in minutes, repels sand, and folds up smaller than your sunglasses case 🏝️

The speaker that survived our margarita spill test: Completely waterproof, shockingly loud, and lasts 10 hours on a charge (perfect for when the beach day turns into beach night) 🔊

The cooler hack nobody talks about: These ventilated trays keep your sandwiches and snacks from turning into soggy disappointments when ice melts 👌

The bag every influencer's grandmother owns: LL Bean's iconic canvas tote will outlive your beach memories and shakes sand out in seconds 👜

The mesh tote that holds your entire life: Six exterior pockets, one oversized interior, and a waterproof zippered section for wet suits make this the organization queen 🧠

The flip-flops podiatrists actually approve: Cloud-like arch support meets stylish bow design so your feet don't hate you after a day in the sand 👣

The cover-up that works overtime: This lightweight eyelet lace number transitions seamlessly from beach to beachside restaurant without screaming "I'm wearing a bathing suit!" 👗

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