#kids--family

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#parenting #child-development #family-dynamics #mental-health #communication #self-worth #child-psychology
Psychology
fromSilicon Canals
3 hours ago

The hardest thing about being the calm one in a family is that your steadiness becomes load-bearing. Everyone leans on it, nobody asks what holds it up, and the day you finally crack, people don't comfort you. They panic. Because your collapse threatens the architecture, and the architecture was always more important than you were. - Silicon Canals

The calm family member often bears the burden of emotional labor, managing others' feelings while suppressing their own.
Relationships
fromSilicon Canals
13 hours ago

There is a specific kind of couple that fights about dishes, laundry, and thermostat settings for fifteen years before one of them finally says the real sentence, which is: I need to know that you see what I do without me having to build a case for it every time. - Silicon Canals

Couples often argue about trivial matters like chores, but these disputes reflect deeper emotional needs and unresolved issues in the relationship.
#childcare
fromIndependent
1 day ago
Women

Katriona O'Sullivan: My children would say that I love them, but I do not think they would describe me as nurturing - and I feel bad about that

Fundraising
fromwww.bbc.com
4 days ago

'My son's nursery closed with just 29 days' notice - why?

The closure of Hackney Day Nursery left families scrambling for alternatives amid concerns over underinvestment and affordability in local childcare options.
fromIndependent
1 day ago
Women

Katriona O'Sullivan: My children would say that I love them, but I do not think they would describe me as nurturing - and I feel bad about that

Fundraising
fromwww.bbc.com
4 days ago

'My son's nursery closed with just 29 days' notice - why?

The closure of Hackney Day Nursery left families scrambling for alternatives amid concerns over underinvestment and affordability in local childcare options.
more#childcare
Mental health
fromPsychology Today
1 day ago

Start Strong But Never Finish? 4 Causes and 4 Solutions

Starting strong and quitting is common due to tedium, poor planning, and discouragement; recognizing patterns and seeking support can help overcome this.
fromPsychology Today
2 days ago

Why Is Eradicating Adverse Childhood Experiences Critical?

Nearly 90 percent of suicide attempts among high school students are attributable to ACEs, as are 80 percent of adult suicides, translating to 109 suicides per day.
Public health
SF parents
fromwww.bbc.com
4 days ago

My daughter has childhood dementia and may not live past 16

Sophia Scott's family faces the challenges of her rare, incurable condition, Sanfilippo syndrome, which causes childhood dementia and impacts their lives significantly.
NYC parents
fromBig Think
5 days ago

The quiet disappearance of the free-range childhood

Child protective services investigated a couple after their son rode his scooter to a nearby playground alone, leading to a finding of neglect.
New York City
fromNew York Post
4 days ago

Mamdani's outrageous child-care boondoggle shows who comes first in NYC

Mamdani's 'free' child-care center costs taxpayers $10 million to renovate and $2.3 million annually, serving only 40 children.
Education
fromPsychology Today
6 days ago

Building Perseverance: How to Raise Children Who Stick with It

Children's lack of follow-through is often due to underdeveloped perseverance skills, not laziness or lack of intelligence.
Parenting
fromPsychology Today
5 hours ago

Coercive Control: How Predatory Parents Fracture Attachment

Coercive control weaponizes children against protective parents, causing deep psychological harm and undermining secure attachments essential for healthy development.
Psychology
fromSilicon Canals
5 hours ago

Nobody teaches children how to know their own worth - we teach them to perform, to achieve, and to behave, and then wonder why so many adults reach fifty still measuring themselves against someone else's ruler - Silicon Canals

Self-worth is inherent and not based on achievements or external validation.
fromIndependent
16 hours ago

Dear Mary: My mother's will left more to my brothers even though I was her main carer. I'm angry and upset and it's making me unwell

The will left 40% of the assets to both brothers and only 20% to me, despite my greater involvement in caregiving.
Relationships
Mental health
fromIndependent
1 day ago

Asking for a friend: 'My son has just been diagnosed with autism and ADHD. My husband also got tested and has ADHD. How will all this affect our relationship?'

Navigating the challenges of neurodiversity in a family can be overwhelming, especially with multiple diagnoses affecting communication and relationships.
#grandparenting
NYC parents
fromwww.businessinsider.com
5 days ago

I started raising my grandson just a few months into my retirement. My wife and I want to give him a good life, but it's financially draining.

Martin Odum and his wife are raising their grandson Noah, who has spina bifida, after previously raising their granddaughter.
fromBusiness Insider
2 months ago
Relationships

I'm a psychologist and grandmother of 6. Here are 6 ways grandparents can build better relationships with their kids and grandkids.

NYC parents
fromwww.businessinsider.com
5 days ago

I started raising my grandson just a few months into my retirement. My wife and I want to give him a good life, but it's financially draining.

Martin Odum and his wife are raising their grandson Noah, who has spina bifida, after previously raising their granddaughter.
fromBusiness Insider
2 months ago
Relationships

I'm a psychologist and grandmother of 6. Here are 6 ways grandparents can build better relationships with their kids and grandkids.

more#grandparenting
Philosophy
fromApaonline
6 days ago

Let Kids Be Kids? The Ethics of Maximizing Children's Talents

Children are increasingly pushed to maximize their athletic talent from a very young age, often at the expense of social and academic development.
#parenting
Parenting
fromSlate Magazine
1 day ago

My Daughter Made an Honest Mistake While Babysitting Her Cousins. My Sister Is Taking It Too Far.

Beatrice should take responsibility for her actions and communicate with her aunt about the incident.
fromSlate Magazine
1 day ago
Parenting

My Wife's Sister Dropped Her 1-Year-Old Twins With Us Due to a Family Emergency. When She Texted Us an Update, I Was Floored.

Parenting
fromSilicon Canals
2 days ago

Psychology says parents who can't stop helping their adult children aren't being loving - they're unconsciously protecting themselves from the terror of becoming unnecessary - Silicon Canals

Parental overinvolvement may stem from a fear of irrelevance rather than solely from love.
Parenting
fromPsychology Today
1 day ago

When Your Adult Child Says 'I Hate You' and Then Wants Money

Emotional outbursts from adult children often stem from overload, and parents should change their responses to reset dynamics.
Parenting
fromSilicon Canals
2 days ago

I'm 66 and I recently told my son that I was proud of him for the first time in his adult life, and the look on his face told me everything about the cost of assuming that providing for someone communicates the same thing as telling them they matter - Silicon Canals

Verbal expressions of pride are crucial for emotional connection between parents and children.
Parenting
fromDefector
4 days ago

Rejoice, Tired Parents! Defector Will Raise Your Children Now | Defector

Defector launches a parenting advice column called Minor Dilemmas to address various parenting challenges and questions.
Parenting
fromSlate Magazine
1 day ago

My Daughter Made an Honest Mistake While Babysitting Her Cousins. My Sister Is Taking It Too Far.

Beatrice should take responsibility for her actions and communicate with her aunt about the incident.
Parenting
fromSlate Magazine
1 day ago

My Wife's Sister Dropped Her 1-Year-Old Twins With Us Due to a Family Emergency. When She Texted Us an Update, I Was Floored.

Renata's manipulative behavior has destroyed trust, justifying a refusal to provide future childcare.
Parenting
fromSilicon Canals
2 days ago

Psychology says parents who can't stop helping their adult children aren't being loving - they're unconsciously protecting themselves from the terror of becoming unnecessary - Silicon Canals

Parental overinvolvement may stem from a fear of irrelevance rather than solely from love.
Parenting
fromPsychology Today
1 day ago

When Your Adult Child Says 'I Hate You' and Then Wants Money

Emotional outbursts from adult children often stem from overload, and parents should change their responses to reset dynamics.
Parenting
fromSilicon Canals
2 days ago

I'm 66 and I recently told my son that I was proud of him for the first time in his adult life, and the look on his face told me everything about the cost of assuming that providing for someone communicates the same thing as telling them they matter - Silicon Canals

Verbal expressions of pride are crucial for emotional connection between parents and children.
Parenting
fromDefector
4 days ago

Rejoice, Tired Parents! Defector Will Raise Your Children Now | Defector

Defector launches a parenting advice column called Minor Dilemmas to address various parenting challenges and questions.
more#parenting
Education
fromPsychology Today
1 week ago

7 Words to Say When Your Child Shuts Down About School

Kids often shut down around schoolwork due to anxiety, and supportive communication can help them re-engage.
Psychology
fromSilicon Canals
15 hours ago

People who clean before the cleaner arrives, apologize when someone bumps into them, and pre-explain before anyone has asked for a justification all grew up in homes where taking up space without earning it first was treated as an act of aggression. - Silicon Canals

Cleaning before the cleaner reflects a deeper issue of feeling unworthy of help without prior justification.
Relationships
fromSilicon Canals
1 day ago

There's a generation of men who were taught that providing was the same as loving. And there's a generation of their children who spent years in therapy learning that those aren't the same thing, only to reach an age where they finally understand that for their fathers, inside the architecture they were given, it was. - Silicon Canals

Emotional estrangement between fathers and children stems from generational differences in expressing love and vulnerability.
#emotional-health
Mental health
fromSilicon Canals
4 days ago

I grew up in the 1970s and the closest thing I had to therapy was my uncle telling me to 'walk it off' after I broke my collarbone - and that phrase became my entire emotional philosophy for the next fifty years - Silicon Canals

Some emotional wounds cannot be healed by simply ignoring them; they require acknowledgment and processing.
Parenting
fromBuzzFeed
4 weeks ago

People From Healthy Families Are Sharing The Things They Assumed Were "Normal" Growing Up

People from emotionally healthy families recognize that unconditional love, parental involvement, autonomy support, and consistent affection were formative experiences they initially considered normal.
Mental health
fromSilicon Canals
4 days ago

I grew up in the 1970s and the closest thing I had to therapy was my uncle telling me to 'walk it off' after I broke my collarbone - and that phrase became my entire emotional philosophy for the next fifty years - Silicon Canals

Some emotional wounds cannot be healed by simply ignoring them; they require acknowledgment and processing.
Parenting
fromBuzzFeed
4 weeks ago

People From Healthy Families Are Sharing The Things They Assumed Were "Normal" Growing Up

People from emotionally healthy families recognize that unconditional love, parental involvement, autonomy support, and consistent affection were formative experiences they initially considered normal.
more#emotional-health
Psychology
fromSilicon Canals
1 day ago

Psychology suggests people who adopt their parents' bad traits as they get older aren't becoming their parents - they're reverting to the most deeply installed operating system they have, the one that was running before they were old enough to choose a different one, and stress, age, and the slow erosion of self-monitoring are simply the conditions under which it boots back up - Silicon Canals

Behavioral patterns from childhood can resurface under stress, revealing deep-rooted psychological templates formed from early experiences.
Relationships
fromSilicon Canals
2 days ago

You know you grew up lower-middle-class if the most stressful sound of your childhood was the phone ringing at dinner - and you understood, before anyone explained it, that some calls meant someone needed something the family didn't quite have, and that understanding became the background noise of every evening for years - Silicon Canals

Growing up lower-middle-class means living with constant worry, always one crisis away from trouble despite appearing fine on the outside.
Parenting
fromFast Company
2 days ago

Parents: A valuable source of AI intelligence

AI-assisted parenting tools are being developed by parents who understand the real challenges of childcare.
Mental health
fromPsychology Today
4 days ago

Mother, Clinician, Witness: Healing Communities

Violence against children impacts the entire community, necessitating protective programs and trauma-informed care for meaningful change.
Psychology
fromSilicon Canals
1 day ago

Psychology says people who grew up poor and became successful often can't fully enjoy it - not because they're ungrateful, but because some part of them never stopped waiting for it to disappear - Silicon Canals

Successful individuals often struggle with feelings of scarcity and anxiety about their financial stability, despite their achievements.
#family-dynamics
Relationships
fromSlate Magazine
2 days ago

I Don't Let Anyone I Date Meet My Parents. That's Not a Red Flag. I Have a Very Good Reason Why.

Some individuals avoid introducing partners to difficult family members to protect them from negative experiences.
fromPsychology Today
6 days ago
Parenting

Did My Mom Really Love One of Us More Than the Other?

The favored child dynamic shifted dramatically during adolescence, leading to feelings of rebellion and alienation.
Relationships
fromSlate Magazine
2 days ago

I Don't Let Anyone I Date Meet My Parents. That's Not a Red Flag. I Have a Very Good Reason Why.

Some individuals avoid introducing partners to difficult family members to protect them from negative experiences.
Parenting
fromPsychology Today
6 days ago

Did My Mom Really Love One of Us More Than the Other?

The favored child dynamic shifted dramatically during adolescence, leading to feelings of rebellion and alienation.
more#family-dynamics
Mental health
fromPsychology Today
5 days ago

The Day I Realized My Son Wasn't Defiant, He Was Ashamed

Understanding a child's emotional state is crucial; shame can manifest as feelings of worthlessness, impacting behavior and communication.
Parenting
fromPsychology Today
2 days ago

Two Signs You're Raising a Hyper-Sensitive Child

Parenting requires understanding and support for emotionally sensitive children who may react more intensely to situations than their peers.
Psychology
fromSilicon Canals
2 days ago

9 subtle behaviors that reveal someone grew up in a household where money was discussed in whispers, and why those behaviors persist long after financial security has arrived - Silicon Canals

Financial behaviors are shaped by early experiences and trauma, not just knowledge or information gaps about money.
#emotional-unavailability
fromSilicon Canals
3 days ago
Relationships

Most people don't realize that children who grow up without affection don't struggle with love as adults. They struggle with trusting it, because it never felt safe to depend on - Silicon Canals

Emotional unavailability stems from a lack of early affection, leading to difficulties in accepting love despite an inherent capacity for it.
Parenting
fromSilicon Canals
3 weeks ago

Psychology says parents who provided everything materially and nothing emotionally aren't cold - they were loved the same way and genuinely had no idea there was another option - Silicon Canals

Emotionally unavailable parents often substitute material provision and gifts for emotional presence, translating affection into the only language they fluently speak.
Relationships
fromSilicon Canals
3 days ago

Most people don't realize that children who grow up without affection don't struggle with love as adults. They struggle with trusting it, because it never felt safe to depend on - Silicon Canals

Emotional unavailability stems from a lack of early affection, leading to difficulties in accepting love despite an inherent capacity for it.
Parenting
fromSilicon Canals
3 weeks ago

Psychology says parents who provided everything materially and nothing emotionally aren't cold - they were loved the same way and genuinely had no idea there was another option - Silicon Canals

Emotionally unavailable parents often substitute material provision and gifts for emotional presence, translating affection into the only language they fluently speak.
more#emotional-unavailability
#child-development
Parenting
Research indicates today's children are more empathetic and less narcissistic than previous generations, contradicting widespread public perception of declining youth mental health and resilience.
Parenting
fromScary Mommy
2 days ago

Is Your Kid's Friend A Good Influence? Experts Share 6 Green Flags

Positive friendships build confidence and happiness in children, providing essential support throughout their development.
Parenting
Research indicates today's children are more empathetic and less narcissistic than previous generations, contradicting widespread public perception of declining youth mental health and resilience.
more#child-development
Mental health
fromSilicon Canals
6 days ago

I grew up with a mother who was physically there but emotionally unreachable - and the confusion that produced, the child's inability to grieve a parent who is standing right in front of them, is the thing I have spent the most years in therapy trying to untangle and the thing I understood least for the longest - Silicon Canals

Emotional absence from a present parent can lead to profound feelings of unworthiness in a child.
Relationships
fromSilicon Canals
2 days ago

I'm 73 and my husband asked me what makes me happy and I gave him the answer I thought he wanted to hear - our kids, our grandkids, our home - but the real answer is I genuinely don't know anymore because I've spent forty years editing my joy to fit other people's expectations - Silicon Canals

Editing joy to fit others' expectations can lead to losing sight of what truly makes one happy.
Relationships
fromPsychology Today
3 days ago

How to Cultivate Adult Friendships

Negative beliefs about rejection hinder relationship building, while consistent interactions and practicing social skills foster connections and reduce anxiety.
Miscellaneous
fromSilicon Canals
1 month ago

Psychology says people who were the "easy child" in their family didn't actually have fewer needs - they just learned faster than their siblings that expressing those needs came at a cost - Silicon Canals

Children who suppress their needs to avoid conflict often internalize the belief that having needs makes them burdensome, carrying this pattern into adulthood.
Relationships
fromSilicon Canals
4 days ago

I'm 66 and my wife Donna pointed out that I fix things around the house the morning after every argument. Not because I'm avoiding the conversation. Because in my family, repair was always physical. You didn't say sorry. You replaced the broken shelf. You re-grouted the tiles. You showed up with actions because words were a foreign language nobody in the house had learned to speak. - Silicon Canals

Apologies can be structural actions rather than just verbal expressions, especially for men raised in environments where emotions were not openly discussed.
Parenting
fromSilicon Canals
2 days ago

Children raised in the 1960s and 70s developed their resilience the same way muscle develops under resistance - not by being protected from the load but by being required to carry it, repeatedly, without assistance, until the carrying became the unremarkable default rather than the exceptional achievement - Silicon Canals

Independence and resilience were fostered in children of the '60s and '70s through unstructured play and learning from failure.
Parenting
fromSilicon Canals
2 days ago

The most painful thing about watching a parent age isn't the physical decline. It's the moment you catch them deferring to you on a decision they would have made without hesitation ten years ago, and you both feel the transfer of authority that neither of you agreed to. - Silicon Canals

The real challenge of aging parents lies in the subtle shifts of authority and uncertainty in their decision-making.
Miscellaneous
fromPsychology Today
1 month ago

Kids Today: Thoughts From Research, Practice, and the Classroom

Each generation faces unique challenges; today's youth deserve recognition for their perspectives rather than dismissal, as evidenced by clinical research, therapeutic practice, and educational settings.
Relationships
fromSlate Magazine
2 weeks ago

My Needy Aunt Is Back in My Life. Now She's Got Her Eyes on My Daughter.

Navigating family relationships can be challenging, especially when expectations and memories differ between generations.
Parenting
fromhttps://scoop.upworthy.com
3 days ago

Mom shares her seven-year-old's heartbreaking drawing of her working - and it hits you right in the heart

A mother's emotional response to her son's drawing highlights the struggle of balancing work and family life during the pandemic.
Psychology
fromSilicon Canals
3 weeks ago

I raised my younger siblings more than I parented my own children because by the time I had kids I'd already used up something - a patience, a vigilance, a willingness to carry - that most new parents still have fresh. And nobody in my family has ever connected those two things. - Silicon Canals

Parentification—when children assume adult caregiving responsibilities prematurely—depletes emotional resources that affect their capacity for parenting their own children later in life.
Mental health
fromPsychology Today
3 weeks ago

When Conflict at Home Shapes a Child's World

Domestic conflict within homes significantly impacts children's psychological development, though it receives far less public attention than international warfare.
Relationships
fromSilicon Canals
2 weeks ago

I grew up thinking my mother was cold because she never said I love you. I'm in my 60s now and I finally understand she said it every single day. She said it in packed lunches and ironed uniforms and the way she sat outside the school fifteen minutes early so I'd never have to look for her. - Silicon Canals

Love can be expressed through actions rather than words, often leading to misunderstandings in family relationships.
Parenting
fromPsychology Today
3 days ago

What, Exactly, Expectant Dads Fear in the Delivery Room

Expectant fathers often experience fear of childbirth, feeling helpless in the delivery room despite their desire to support their partners.
Relationships
fromPsychology Today
2 weeks ago

Can You Spot Emotional Abuse, Neglect, or Attunement?

Emotional neglect involves missing or misunderstanding a partner's feelings, while emotional abuse dismisses feelings and shifts blame, requiring emotional attunement to differentiate between them.
Psychology
fromPsychology Today
4 weeks ago

A Family Science Approach to Parenting

Modern parenting culture emphasizes achievement and comparison, creating emotional communication challenges that stem from broader social patterns of productivity and performance expectations.
Parenting
fromPsychology Today
5 days ago

Parental Burnout Is a Social Problem, Not a Personal Failure

Parental burnout has reached unprecedented levels, with over 40% of parents feeling exhausted and overwhelmed daily.
Humor
fromBuzzFeed
2 months ago

People Are Sharing The 17 Family Habits That Felt Normal Growing Up (But Were Actually Weird)

Many families practice harmless but unusual habits during childhood that later seem strange when compared with other households.
Parenting
fromPsychology Today
4 days ago

6 Types of Leadership and Parenting Styles: What's Yours?

Leadership styles in work and parenting vary, with a balanced approach being the most effective for clear expectations and support.
Science
fromwww.nature.com
2 months ago

Babies who attend daycare share 'good' germs, too

Infants rapidly acquire substantial portions of their gut microbiota from nursery peers, sharing a significant fraction of microbial species within months of attendance.
fromMail Online
6 days ago

Having children DOESN'T make you happy, study claims

'These results do not support our hypothesis that parenthood is positively associated with hedonic wellbeing (levels of positive emotions) and life satisfaction,' the researchers, from the University of Nicosia in Cyprus, wrote.
Parenting
Parenting
fromLGBTQ Nation
6 days ago

Adoption is a beautiful way to build a family. But it's not one-size-fits-all. - LGBTQ Nation

Adoption has various paths, each with unique processes, costs, and timelines, requiring thorough understanding before proceeding.
Parenting
fromBuzzFeed
6 days ago

Women Are Getting Very, Very Honest About How Their Partner Changed After They Became A Mom

Postpartum experiences reveal varying partner behaviors, ranging from supportive to abusive.
Education
fromSilicon Canals
1 month ago

Teachers can tell which children are truly loved and which are only taken care of-here are 7 signs they notice right away - Silicon Canals

Teachers can quickly detect whether children feel genuinely loved at home through subtle, consistent behavioral cues rather than material signs.
#motherhood
Parenting
fromPsychology Today
1 week ago

The Ecology of Motherhood

Motherhood mirrors ecological resilience, requiring acceptance of transformation and recovery through challenges akin to natural processes like fire and regeneration.
Parenting
fromwww.theguardian.com
3 weeks ago

My mother's best advice: talk to your children like old friends

A mother's perspective on parenthood as companionship influenced the author's decision to have children, despite concerns about planetary instability and personal differences from her own upbringing.
Parenting
fromPsychology Today
1 week ago

The Ecology of Motherhood

Motherhood mirrors ecological resilience, requiring acceptance of transformation and recovery through challenges akin to natural processes like fire and regeneration.
Parenting
fromwww.theguardian.com
3 weeks ago

My mother's best advice: talk to your children like old friends

A mother's perspective on parenthood as companionship influenced the author's decision to have children, despite concerns about planetary instability and personal differences from her own upbringing.
more#motherhood
Parenting
fromSilicon Canals
1 week ago

7 behavioral patterns people display when they were raised by a parent who loved them deeply but had no idea how to express it without criticism - Silicon Canals

Critical parents can love deeply yet struggle to express it without criticism, leading to complex emotional patterns in their children.
Parenting
fromScary Mommy
2 weeks ago

For The Overwhelmed Moms Trying To Do It All, You Can Blame "Institutional Lag"

Afternoon chaos for working mothers stems from institutional lag—outdated systems designed for single-income households with stay-at-home parents that fail to accommodate modern dual-income families.
Parenting
fromPsychology Today
3 weeks ago

Loving Your Child and Grieving Your Genetics are Separate

Grief over genetic loss and love for a donor-conceived child are separate emotions that can coexist without affecting parental bonding.
Parenting
fromBusiness Insider
3 weeks ago

My twins go to preschool at a nursing home. Its taught them about empathy and grief.

An intergenerational preschool program prioritizing empathy and community connection with seniors develops children's social-emotional skills beyond traditional academic readiness measures.
Parenting
fromPsychology Today
3 weeks ago

There's No Such Thing as a Child Expert

No true parenting or child experts exist because children are unique, fallible, and inconsistent individuals; expertise in parenting strategies does not equate to understanding your specific child better than you do.
Parenting
fromSlate Magazine
1 month ago

People Love to Help Feed My Baby-Until They Find Out What's in the Bottle

Parents using expressed breast milk for bottle feeding should not feel obligated to disclose contents to helpers or provide formula as an alternative.
Parenting
fromPsychology Today
1 month ago

Compassionate Goals and Parenting

Compassionate parenting goals focused on children's wellbeing produce better outcomes for both parent wellness and child behavior than self-image goals focused on appearing perfect.
Parenting
fromPsychology Today
2 months ago

Parenting and Unconditional Love

Love a child unconditionally, even during their worst moments, while balancing safety and boundaries when serious mental illness affects behavior.
Parenting
fromIndependent
2 months ago

Our daughter only wants her mum - how can I step in to help soothe her and share the load?

Young children often prefer one parent; gently stepping back and rebalancing caregiving duties prevents caregiver burnout and supports children's developing emotional regulation.
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