What if the solution to American prosperity is hiding in plain sight?



We feel it at the grocery store. We feel it when we pay our utility bills. We feel it every time we check our bank accounts and browse house listings. I especially feel it when just two bags of groceries cost me more than a hundred dollars.

America's affordability crisis is real. Inflation is hurting families. Housing costs are through the roof. The American dream feels increasingly out of reach for many young people.

Our story isn't unique. For most of history, families have built stability and wealth together rather than waiting until they had already achieved it.

But what if part of the problem isn't just economic? What if it's cultural?

What if it's that more and more of us are postponing — or outright rejecting — the very milestones that once allowed our country to thrive?

For generations, marriage and family were some of the biggest building blocks of financial stability and success. Today, marriage rates are declining, family formation is delayed, and birth rates have fallen so low that we can’t even replace ourselves. At the same time, Americans are marrying later than ever, and first-time homebuyers are now 40 years old on average.

These aren't isolated trends. They are interconnected signs of a culture that has turned family from a foundation for building a good life into a finish line that many feel they must reach only after they have "made it."

Foundation, not finish line

I didn’t grow up in affluence by any means. Things were often tight at the Thorman household with nine children (yes, all from the same parents), though none of us went “without.” My parents and their friends welcomed kids into the world with open arms even though they had no idea how they were going to afford us.

When my older siblings were born, things were so tight that they mostly lived on beans and rice and a whole lot of prayer. My dad worked extremely hard, and with smart financial decisions coupled with his integrity and strong work ethic, his salary increased over the years — just as the data has long predicted.

But one thing my parents didn’t have was Pinterest-perfect homes, luxury vacations, or every financial box checked before starting a family. They just did it. They just got married young, committed to one another, welcomed children, and built a life together.

I'm not advocating for irresponsibility, but we need to regain knowledge that was once intuitive: Marriage and family don't stand in the way of financial success; they help create it.

Having it all

Our culture has it all backward. The expectation that we have to travel the world, have perfect-looking homes, and "find ourselves" before settling down has not made us happier or more financially savvy. Rather, it has only made us more miserable, lonely, and empty.

The very lies society feeds us about delaying marriage and family in order to "have it all" often undermine the very things people are seeking: financial stability, purpose, belonging, and long-term happiness. These are not obstacles to marriage and family; they are the fruit of them. We have convinced an entire generation that family should come after success, when for much of human history, family was the primary way people built success.

The data bears this out. Marriage and stable two-parent households consistently produce better economic outcomes: higher household income, greater wealth accumulation, lower poverty rates, and greater financial stability for children. Imagine that. The family structure God designed not only benefits individuals spiritually and emotionally, but also creates some of the strongest economic outcomes for families and society alike.

Having a family will alter your priorities, and rightly so. For my husband and me, having two kids (with more to come, God willing) has changed how we spend our money, where we spend our time, and what we value the most. We hardly get to take vacations, let alone the kind "influencers" brag about on social media, and that’s OK. I’ll take my kids over luxury experiences every day. So yes, kids change your lifestyle — and that’s a good thing.

For me, I get to do life with my best friend and make carbon copies of us, and it’s exceptionally awesome. I want everyone to experience it, because my family isn't the obstacle to a meaningful life; it’s the source of one.

My story isn't unique. Social science has been documenting the economic benefits of marriage and family for decades.

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Marriage: The great anti-poverty program

Washington politicians love to debate tax credits, subsidies, and government programs, yet one of the strongest predictors of economic stability isn't a government policy at all — it's marriage. Certainly, government policies matter. Washington can lower taxes, reduce burdensome regulations, and make housing more affordable. But no government program can replace what strong marriages and families provide: stability, sacrifice, belonging, and a purpose larger than ourselves.

Research from the Institute for Family Studies found that among Millennials who graduated high school, worked full-time, and married before having children, 97% avoided poverty altogether by their mid-30s. Far from being obstacles to financial stability, marriage and family are often among the strongest predictors of it.

My husband and I are a testament to that reality. We got married in our 20s with very little to our names. No trust funds or other "head starts"; nor did we have every financial box checked. We simply started building our life together anyway.

Since then, our careers have grown and our incomes have increased. After living in a small apartment and saving as much as possible, we purchased our first home — including a nice yard to play in — after welcoming our first child. Our story isn't unique. For most of history, families have built stability and wealth together rather than waiting until they had already achieved it.

Worthy inheritance

The financial advantage enjoyed by married households extends to the whole family. Children raised in stable two-parent homes are far less likely to experience poverty and far more likely to move up the economic ladder. In 2021, just 9.5% of children living with two parents were in poverty, compared to 31.7% of children living with a single parent.

Strong families provide stability, support, and opportunity in ways that no government program can ever replicate. If we truly want to reduce poverty, expand opportunity, and strengthen our nation's long-term prosperity, we must acknowledge the indispensable role marriage and family play in human flourishing.

Whatever efforts Washington makes to ease Americans' financial burdens — whether through tax cuts or education reform — lasting change must start with us. Too many young people who tell themselves they're putting off marriage and children for financial reasons are in fact mistaking risk for impossibility. Building a life has always required a leap of faith.

It's a leap more of us have to make if we want to keep the American dream alive. Can we afford to have children? The better question is can we afford not to. If we want more prosperity, opportunity, and stability, we should start by strengthening the institution that has helped make those things possible for generations: the family.

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'American Idol' winner Hannah Harper stuns in Grand Ole Opry debut — with the help of a very special guest



Talk about a full "circle" moment!

"American Idol" winner Hannah Harper hit a magical milestone last night, when she made her debut at Nashville's historic Grand Ole Opry.

Harper’s audition quickly became one of the 'American Idol's' most viewed moments in its 24-season history.

"What an overwhelming honor it is to step into that circle that carries so much history, legacy, and heart within country music," the 26-year-old mother of three posted on her Facebook page shortly after the appearance was announced.

Sharing 'String Cheese'

The "circle" refers to the scuffed six-foot circle of maple and oak stage taken from the Opry's original home at the historic Ryman Auditorium and installed at the new, bigger venue the Opry built in 1974.

And when Harper walked out onto that circle last night, it was both the start of a new phase of her career and a beautiful reminder of how it all began.

Shortly after beginning her set, Harper launched into a rendition of "String Cheese," her self-penned song from her viral "American Idol" audition video. As she finished the first verse, she was joined on stage by another "Idol" winner turned country star: Carrie Underwood — one of the "Idol" judges who helped propel Harper to victory.

Ode to motherhood

Harper's journey to the Opry stage began with a childhood immersed in the bluegrass gospel music that has captivated her family for generations. Harper began singing and songwriting at just 9 years old, but she didn’t become a household name until February, when her "American Idol" audition went mega-viral.

Performing “String Cheese” — a heartfelt ballad about the grueling reality of postpartum depression and the beautiful, fleeting days of motherhood — the Missouri native moved "Idol" judge Carrie Underwood and the rest of watching America to tears with her soulful voice and deeply personal lyrics that seemed to silence the anti-natalist noise of our time.

In a matter of days, “String Cheese” racked up millions of views and peaked at No. 14 on Billboard's Country Digital Song Sales chart. Harper’s audition quickly became one of "American Idol's" most viewed moments in its 24-season history.

On May 11, to the surprise of few, Harper was crowned the winner of "American Idol" Season 24, making her the first female country singer to win the show since Underwood’s victory in 2005.

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Disney/Eric McCandless

Grateful and grounded

Harper's performance was part of the “Opry 100” celebration during CMA Fest week. The show also featured Underwood, rising country-pop star Avery Anna, and more artists.

Days before the "Idol" finale, Harper revealed in an interview with Country Now that an Opry performance has long been the pinnacle of her dreams.

“The Opry is the goal. … That’s the biggest stage in country music in my eyes, the most honored, and it would just make my whole life to get to perform on that stage,” she confessed.

The Opry performance also marked the official launch of her “String Cheese Tour,” set to run through November 14, with concerts scheduled across the U.S.

But despite her blooming career, being a mom remains this rising country star’s deepest commitment.

Harper — who has consistently described motherhood as her “biggest ministry” — expressed intentions to bring her husband and three sons along on the road.

In post-win interviews with Lyndsanity and Parade magazine, she recounted advice she had received from Carrie Underwood about installing baby cribs on tour buses and the importance of balancing stardom with family.

“Carrie just wanted to make sure that I kept a hold of the grasp of reality once everything settled down and just made sure to still focus on the priorities, which is my kids and my husband,” she told Parade magazine.

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Mother’s Day: A tribute to the one job we can’t afford to outsource



Mother’s Day is more than flowers, lunch at a nice restaurant, Hallmark cards, and sentimental social media posts. It is a reminder of the profound and formative responsibility mothers carry in shaping the next generation.

In a culture increasingly built on outsourcing, mothers are constantly told someone else can do the job better. Let the schools educate them. Let youth pastors disciple them. Let sports teams shape their character. Let others teach them practical skills. Let screens entertain them while we parents catch up on life.

Our ‘do more’ culture demands peak performance in every area of life, but it is leaving both children and mothers exhausted.

But motherhood was never meant to be outsourced. As a mother of two, these are a few lessons I’ve been learning.

Motherhood is discipleship

Mothers remain one of the single greatest influences on a child’s spiritual formation.

Barna research found that among practicing Christian teens, 79% say their mother encourages them to go to church, 66% say their mother teaches them about the Bible, and 72% say their mother teaches them traditions.

Social media and its culture of comparison can make us think discipleship requires planning elaborate Bible lessons, printing worksheets, and creating Instagram-worthy devotional moments. But with just a little intention, some of the most meaningful spiritual lessons can happen naturally through ordinary life.

You light a candle at dinner and explain, “Jesus is the light of the world.” You pull weeds together and talk about how bitterness and sin grow quickly when we neglect to root them out. Or, as my toddler and I did last week, you read "The Little Red Hen," then knead bread dough or grind flour together while talking about diligence, generosity, and helping one another.

The advantage of this informal approach is that faith becomes woven into everyday rhythms instead of compartmentalized into a separate lesson plan. These are the moments when faith becomes tangible and competence is built.

Children need margin

Modern parenting culture often leaves children overscheduled, overstimulated, and emotionally exhausted. Childhood itself is disappearing beneath endless activities, sports schedules, programs, lessons, and pressure to achieve earlier and earlier milestones. These poor kids are hardly allowed to be kids anymore.

Parents now worry whether their preschooler can pass entrance assessments while many children barely have time left to roam outdoors, build forts, help cook dinner, or sit quietly long enough to become curious. We need fewer sensory bins in the living room and more mud puddles in the backyard.

More than anything, children need margin — the kind of unhurried space modern family life often eliminates — and our presence. They need more kitchen table talk and less time away from home.

They need to be bored because boredom is the birthplace of creativity, resilience, and imagination. In fact, a growing body of research shows that unstructured play is tied to healthier development, stronger executive functioning, and greater long-term independence. My parents’ generation understood this, but my generation often fills every gap in our children’s schedules, leaving little room for kids to simply be kids.

Our “do more” culture demands peak performance in every area of life, but it is leaving both children and mothers exhausted.

Mothers need margin

Another Barna survey found that 32% of mothers say they feel tired most of the time, while 38% say they constantly find themselves worrying about something. Many mothers feel isolated, unsupported, and crushed by unrealistic cultural pressure to “do it all.”

Many women strive to be fully present mothers, maintain spotless homes, manage packed calendars, curate magical childhood memories, and somehow do it all effortlessly. The result is that many families are running at a pace no one was designed to sustain — and more dangerously, it’s spiritually bankrupting us.

As Christian mothers, our family life should look drastically different from the world’s. Our priorities should reflect eternal values instead of mirroring the frantic priorities of the world.

Maybe for your family that means dropping a sport or cutting out an activity to make room for those family dinners and deep conversations — creating space for what matters.

My mother-in-law wisely sat down with my husband as a young boy and showed him on a calendar how many weekends the next “level” of baseball would consume. She told him, “We can do this if you’d like, but if you are saying yes to this, you are saying no to fishing, dirt biking, or camping on those weekends.”

She gave him the choice, and he chose the latter.

That kind of intentionality matters because what fills our children’s time will shape who they become.

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Life skills matter

A Yugo survey found that 74% of parents believe teens are not fully prepared for adult life. Only 37% of teens know how to cook a basic meal, and just 32% understand basic food safety.

I saw this firsthand during my senior year of college when several freshman girls came over for dinner and Bible study. I asked one to chop an onion and another to brown hamburger meat. Neither had ever chopped a vegetable or touched raw meat before. Not because they were lazy, but because no one had ever taught them.

I came from a very different upbringing. Before the age of 10, I was already baking bread, grinding flour, doing laundry, and helping manage our house — whether I liked it or not.

These practical skills matter because they shape what kind of roommate, spouse, parent, and adult our children will become. We should be setting our kids up for success, not failure.

Some mothers feel intimidated because they themselves were never taught these skills. But the beautiful reality is this: We live in the age of YouTube, tutorials, online learning, and accessible information. If you do not know how to garden, sew, cook from scratch, can vegetables, or bake bread, you can learn.

Ask other women, watch videos, do little by little, and more importantly, don’t be afraid of failing, and failing a lot (like I do!).

I constantly ask people to show me how to do things because I desperately need a community of women walking alongside me in this motherhood journey.

Greatest responsibility, deepest joy

Motherhood has forced me to slow down, eat a lot of humble pie, and imperfectly navigate all kinds of new terrain.

And that is fine. This vocation is ultimately not about curating an image of perfection. It is about faithfully stewarding the souls, habits, character, and formation of the children God has given us.

As mothers, we have the greatest responsibility and the deepest joy to raise our children up to love the Lord and become competent, mature adults who serve God and others well. What we build in our homes today will shape the world tomorrow.

And that responsibility is far too important to outsource.

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Why do the 'child-free' want EVERYBODY to devalue motherhood?



When my mother lost her temper, her most frequent complaint was the existence of her children.

“I could have been someone if I hadn’t been saddled with three kids and no damned man to help me,” she’d yell between puffs on a cigarette.

Lacking their own firsthand experience of motherhood, some of these women bolster their arguments by remembering the hell they put their own mothers through.

Back in the '80s, I didn’t know any other mothers who blamed their children for ruining their lives, or who said out loud that they regretted that their children were born. They surely existed, but decent people didn’t express such dark thoughts in public.

Ball and chain

We’ve come a long way, baby. In the 21st century, it’s socially acceptable to talk about children as a ball and chain, a fetter on freedom, the reason a mother’s life never took off. Children were once thought of as a gift. For an increasing number of women, they’re seen as a burden.

Modern women are telling each other and the world how they refuse to have their lives ruined by children. Those who have had them and wish they hadn’t confide their resentments to magazine reporters.

Last month, the Cut published an article titled “I regret having children.” The writer speaks to three anonymous mothers who relate their depression, frustration, and resentment at how having children derailed what they thought their lives would be.

One says having kids made it harder to enjoy her “stressful but fulfilling” job as a nonprofit executive. For a whole year, her baby was colicky and wouldn’t stop crying. In fact, her child was so unbearable that even the babysitter said, “I can’t do this anymore," and quit.

Mother load

Childlessness also used to be a private matter. Not now. Everywhere you turn, there's another middle-aged woman with a brittle smile proclaiming how happy she is to have forsaken motherhood in favor of her hobbies, her career, and her ability to sleep in.

Lacking their own firsthand experience of motherhood, some of these women bolster their arguments by remembering the hell they put their own mothers through. As a child, 40-year-old Victoria Peel Yates

watched my mother work six days a week running her esthetician business while doing all of the cooking, cleaning, and child care at home. She was so busy being a working wife and mother to two kids that she put off many of her dreams until retirement.

Yates never tells us what these unfulfilled dreams were, just that her mother "loved her work" (only retiring when the U.K.'s COVID lockdowns forced her to) and that her "lifelong wish was to become a grandmother."

The life Yates remembers sounds hectic, but also rich; through a different pair of eyes, this balancing act could look like "having it all." Could it be that her mother found meaning and fulfillment in her life of "sacrifice"?

Birth dearth

It doesn't seem to occur to Yates, who needs a cautionary tale to justify her own choices. What kind of life did not having kids allow Yates to have, anyway? She's vague on the details, mentioning something about a freelance writing business. Mostly, it seems to be about what she avoids — the "upheaval" that would make dealing with her grief, anxiety, and financial precarity even more difficult.

Business Insider filed Yates' essay under "Parenting." This seems like an odd choice, until you realize that the whole "child-free" movement is about turning a lack into something more like an equally productive alternative.

National Public Radio’s “It’s Been a Minute” podcast puts it plainly. It’s a bit painful to listen to or read given the Valley Girl dialect of host Brittany Luse. Here’s how she opens the March 24, 2026, episode on being “child-free.”

Childless implies that being a nonparent may be a matter of circumstance, like maybe you wanted kids, but it didn't work out. But the term child-free is much more rooted in the choice to be a nonparent. That's the group of people we'll be discussing today.

They're not just people without kids; they're nonparents. Instead of lives, they nurture their own freedom, modernity, and self-determination.

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Neil Libbert/Getty Images

Ma'am Solo

Luse’s guests include author Emma Gannon, who wrote a novel about being “child-free by choice.” Gannon wants us to know about the vital contribution she's making by not reproducing:

I feel like child-free women bring a lot to society. You know, if someone is sick, if someone has aging parents, if someone needs someone with free time, someone with more finances 'cause child-free women normally have more money, I think it's sort of like, well, let's celebrate the auntie figure. Let's celebrate the godmother. Like, these are people in society that I think get stuff done as well.

Like, yeah. It sounds less like a celebration and more like whistling past the graveyard. Any honest adult who gets to middle age knows that we look back on some of our choices with regret. But the child-free advocacy ladies put on their brightest smiles and assure us (themselves, really) that they won’t regret not building a family. They won’t feel lonely in their old age when they have no one to care for them but a low-paid staffer at a nursing home.

Womb and doom

It’s no surprise that the “child-free” discourse attracts the more extreme end of the feminist spectrum. A surprising number of these feel no shame in weaponizing their wombs. Such feminists treat the children they might or might not have as bargaining chips in the never-ending war between left and right.

This woman put out a 30-second social media video telling the world — presumably all the misogynistic, white, conservative patriarchs — she wouldn’t be having any babies for the oppressive regime we call the United States of America. She’s surprisingly confident in her fecundity for a woman of 44:

I have lots of eggs left. I’m very fertile. I got it tested. And I want you to know I’m not going to have any of your babies. Not going to reproduce my amazing genetic composition for this country. ... And you’ll kill me before you rape me.

Something is profoundly wrong with a culture in which it’s not only acceptable, but applauded, to discuss child-bearing as a jail sentence and a buzz-kill for women. As a culture in general, we barely even give lip-service any longer to the idea that we adults have a moral responsibility to children. Look at how "The Simpsons" turned the expression “Won’t somebody think of the children?” into a joke — the kind of thing only a stupid, pearl-clutching “Boomer” would say. It’s gross and cringe to think of the children, right?

As a former child who knew from birth that his mother experienced his existence as an assault on her personhood and her dreams, I can confirm that these attitudes have sad and lifelong emotional and moral effects on a person. Say a prayer for America’s children; God knows many of their mothers won’t.