What do you get when you combine comedian Trevor Noah‚ tennis legend Roger Federer and the world famous clock-making‚ chocolate-brewing‚ Alpine-skiing symbol of neutrality‚ Switzerland? Apparently‚ a delightfully charming train ride through the Swiss countryside and perhaps the greatest tourism ad ever made. Both Noah and Federer shared a tourism ad they collaborated on for the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland‚ and people are loving it. It's one of those ads that people don't care is an ad because it doesn't really feel like an ad and it's so enjoyable to watch. (It's also incredibly effective—like‚ give us alllll the train rides through Switzerland‚ please.) The ad plays like a mini-documentary of Noah and Federer filming a Swiss tourism ad gone wrong. The two men—both of whom are half-Swiss in real life—appear to hop on the wrong train while arguing about whether or not the ad they are filming is funny (or whether it even should be). What follows is a tale involving Swiss punctuality‚ hospitality and stunning natural beauty‚ all wrapped up in wholesome hilarity. Check it out: Thousands of commenters have chimed in with how enjoyable and effective they found the ad:"This clip is brilliant and I am definitely going to travel on that train in Switzerland in the near future. Excellent work‚" wrote one commenter. "Usually‚ I hate tourism ads because they're always so clichéd and unoriginal‚ but this one hooked me from the beginning‚" shared another. "Switzerland is such a beautiful country‚ and this ad singlehandedly convinced me so. Looking forward to this train ride sometime in the future! :)""This is criminally short!" wrote another. "I wish for a full hour! I can’t seem to get enough of them."Noah and Federer shared their experience making the video with Financial Times‚ and their "behind the scenes" stories are as delightful as the ad itself.Federer‚ who is an official Switzerland Tourism Ambassador‚ shared how much he has enjoyed making Swiss tourism ads with Robert DeNiro‚ Anne Hathaway‚ and of course‚ Trevor Noah. He said the shoot with Noah brought him back to his own childhood. "I was always on trains‚ leaving home‚ looking out of the window‚ seeing the trees and the fields go by and thinking‚ 'Will I be a good tennis player? Will I not? Will I win‚ will I not?'" he said.Several parts of the ad point to how strict the Swiss are about being on time‚ and Noah shared that there were a few instances while filming when a train really did almost take off with them inside."They weren't even going to hold it for us‚" he said. "We were like‚ 'Oh‚ we're making an ad‚' and then they were like‚ 'Yeah‚ and the train has a schedule.'" "We were laughing‚" Noah said‚ imagining what would have happened if a train really had left with them on it. "Like‚ would that become the meta joke? Does that become the joke in the joke?"If you enjoyed the train tour ad‚ take a few minutes to see Noah and Federer share how it came to be and how much fun they had making it. This article originally appeared on 4.5.23

We can all get a little fascinated by doppelgängers and it's fun to find people who look alike. But what do you do when your baby girl looks uncannily like a famous middle-aged man? Mom Dani Grier Mulvenna shared a photo of her infant daughter Cora side by side with a photo of Woody Harrelson on Twitter‚ with the caption "Ok but how does our daughter look like Woody Harrelson." The resemblance truly is remarkable‚ and the tweet quickly racked up hundreds of thousands of likes‚ shares and replies.Naturally‚ the jokes about Harrelson being the baby's secret father came next‚ but then Harrelson himself got wind of it.The actor shared a screenshot of Mulvenna's tweet on his Instagram page and included a delightful little poem he called "Ode to Cora." \u201cOk but how does our daughter look like Woody Harreslon\u201d — Dani Grier Mulvenna (@Dani Grier Mulvenna) 1659529434 You're an adorable childFlattered to be comparedYou have a wonderful smileI just wish I had your hairHow adorable and wholesome is that? Not only did he acknowledge his look-alike‚ but he even made a self-deprecating joke about his receding hairline. See on Instagram People gushed in the comments and Mulvenna shared how tickled her daughter will be someday by the connection."You've made our day ❤️ can't wait to show her this when she's older‚ you have another fan for life xxx‚" she wrote. Mulvenna also shared on Twitter that her daughter doesn't always look like Woody Harrelson‚ but when she does‚ she really does. \u201cCora says‚ thank you all so much for the likes and retweets and also that she doesn't always look like Woody Harreslon‚ it's just that when she does...she really really does xxx\u201d — Dani Grier Mulvenna (@Dani Grier Mulvenna) 1659529434 What a cutie. What's hilarious is that sweet little Cora has no clue about any of this excitement and she won't for many more years. What a fun story her parents will be able to share with her.Social media has created a world where people can connect in ways they never would have before. When these platforms are so often used for negative means‚ it's lovely to see something so sweet and pure come out of them. This article originally appeared on 08.05.22

Laura Stack's son Johnny lost his life to suicide three months ago when he was just 19 years old. Though she says the grief of his death is "still fresh‚" Stack took to Facebook to share something that happened three days before Johnny died‚ hoping it will help other parents whose kids may be at risk.She wrote:"On Sunday‚ November 17‚ 2019 around 5:30 PM‚ he came over for dinner. He lived in our condo a couple miles down the street and would often pop in for a home-cooked meal. This evening‚ he was a bit agitated but lucid. 'I need to tell you that you were right‚' he told me. 'Right about what?' I asked. 'Right about the marijuana and the drugs. You told me weed and drugs would hurt my brain‚ and it's ruined my mind and my life. You were right all along. I'm sorry‚ and I love you.' He died by suicide three days later.Stack explained that Johnny had "dabbed" since he was 15 or 16. "Do you understand the difference between smoking pot (and some edibles) and dabbing high-THC wax‚ shatter‚ or butter?" she asked. "Most of my friends look at me blankly when I say these words and say‚ 'I've never even heard about this.' If you don't know what cannabis extracts are‚ and you have children‚ grandchildren‚ sisters‚ brothers‚ nieces and nephews between the ages of 14 and 24‚ PLEASE keep reading.""I am NOT talking about those of you who are supporters of legal recreational marijuana for adults over 21 years old—it's your life—do what you want‚" Stack clarified. "I know some people who take it successfully for specific medical purposes‚ so please don't write comments in my post about my personal experience. I'm specifically talking about illegal usage by children and young adults under 21‚ whose adolescent brains are still forming. You may be thinking‚ 'C'mon‚ Laura‚ it's no big deal – it's just pot.' 'Pot's legal‚ so it must be safe.' Or 'I did pot when I was a kid‚ too‚ and look‚ it didn't hurt me.'Well‚ have you recently studied TODAY'S pot‚ and have you personally seen its effects on your children like I have?"Stack explained why today's recreational cannabis is so different:"First‚ the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)‚ a crystalline compound that is the main active ingredient of cannabis that gives the 'high‚' is extracted out of the cannabis so that it's nearly pure. THC is the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis. Then a butane torch is used to heat the crystals (similar to beeswax) or oil in a 'rig' (just google it)‚ or a vaping device with a heating element called a dab pen can be used. Forget the 'grass' or 'papers' that were rolled in the 70s and 80s. The pot we grew up with (10% or less THC content) is HUGELY different than today's high-concentrate extracts (often 80% THC content or higher)."She also explained why young people tend to be affected more by these high THC concentrations‚ and that the earlier they start the more likely it is that they'll develop a disorder."The brain is still developing through a person's 20s‚ and psychotic disorders typically develop in the late teenage years. During brain formation‚ heavy cannabis use has been shown to have a negative effect on the formation of neural pathways. It can also lead to heavier drug use. While the vast majority of marijuana smokers never experience CIP‚ researchers have found that the earlier and heavier someone starts dabbing‚ the more likely it is that they will develop a disorder at some point (often years later). We must educate our children when they are young (10-12 years old) and use hyper-vigilance in the early teen years‚ which we found was much easier before the age of 16‚ when they could drive. We couldn't lock him up or monitor him 24/7. Keep talking and keep trying!!The harmful combination of a still-forming mind‚ high-potency THC products‚ and a high frequency of use = Cannabis-Induced Psychosis. Yes‚ that's a real diagnosis (or High-THC Abuse – Severe). Repeated CIP incidents can trigger schizophrenia or other mental illness‚ and even when the cannabis is withdrawn‚ the psychosis doesn't go away. This is what happened to my beautiful boy. When he died‚ the toxicology report showed he had ZERO drugs in his system. He wasn't depressed‚ neglected‚ drugged‚ or unloved. He was psychotic‚ paranoid‚ and delusional by the time he reached 19‚ and he refused the anti-psychotic drugs that he now needed‚ because he thought he wasn't sick (common to schizophrenia)."It's so easy to think that marijuana use isn't that big of a deal‚ especially since some states have begun legalizing the drug for recreational use and many people see it as "natural." But the mild‚ laid-back high many people picture with pot use is not the reality of many of today's marijuana products or methods. Parents need to be aware of the dangers cannabis-derived drugs pose to their children's mental health and educate them as early as possible.Stack included the following links to articles and studies backing up what she's learned about today's THC products. These are things we all should read and share‚ as this knowledge and awareness could literally save someone's life.Potent pot‚ vulnerable teens trigger concerns in first states to legalize marijuana - The Washington PostThe contribution of cannabis use to variation in the incidence of psychotic disorder - The Lancet JournalAssociation of Cannabis Use in Adolescence and Risk of Depression‚ Anxiety‚ and Suicidality in Young Adulthood - Journal of the American Medical AssociationDabs‚ Wax‚ Vaping Weed‚ Edibles and the Real Impact of High Potency THC Products: What Parents Need to Know - Resources to RecoverHow Marijuana May Damage Teenage Brains in Study Using Genetically Vulnerable Mice - Johns HopkinsSignificant link between cannabis use and onset of mania symptoms – Science DailyCannabis-induced psychosis: A Review – Psychiatric TimesSummary of literature on marijuana and psychosis - Moms StrongEditor's Note: This article originally appeared on 02.21.20. The opinions expressed in this piece are solely those of the author and the subjects written about or quoted.

I'm trying desperately to be respectful of the person speaking to me‚ but my husband keeps texting me.First he sends me a selfie of him with Rafi*‚ then it's an account of who stopped him on his way into the NICU. Then he suggests I take a selfie with Jillian* so he can post them side-by-side on Facebook and boast that we finally have two babies.People will ask if they're twins‚ I'm sure. But they're not twins. In fact‚ the babies aren't even ours.I take care of these babies because I'm what's known as an "interim parent."The program I'm part of is rare; there are very few like it in the United States.While the babies are in my care‚ the birth parents retain their legal rights as parents and are encouraged to visit their babies (if that's something they would like).If they weren't in the care of interim moms like me‚ these tiny babies might wait in the hospital a few extra days while their adoptions are finalized — or they might enter the foster care system.In New York‚ biological parents have 30 days after adoption proceedings begin to change their minds about their placement plan.I became an interim parent when a local mom posted about it on our neighborhood Yahoo! group."That! THAT I can do!" I thought‚ as I looked at the computer screen.I was thrilled. I felt incapable of doing other types of volunteer work‚ but I felt like I had finally found a community service that I could perform. So‚ my husband and I applied. And after months of doctor appointments‚ background checks‚ interviews‚ and letters of reference from close friends‚ we were accepted.The hope with the interim boarding care program is that biological parents have time to gain clarity about their decisions without pressure.It also helps adoptive parents feel secure in their status as parents.The children don't usually get the chance to be present when one of our babies goes home‚ so this was a special day. Roughly 30% of the babies I've cared for have returned to their biological parents after their stay with me‚ and the rest have been adopted. Many of the birth mothers I've known have pursued open adoptions‚ selecting and meeting their child's forever families.People often ask me what the experience of interim parenting is like‚ but there's no rule: Each case is different.Babies stay with us‚ on average‚ for a few weeks. But one baby stayed with us with five days‚ another for nine and a half weeks.Whatever the scenario‚ my family and I are available to care for these babies until they go home ... wherever "home" may be.This work can be emotionally challenging‚ too. Some biological parents do not interact with us at all while they're making big decisions‚ and some end up being very involved. Some text regularly‚ requesting photos and updates on the baby while the baby is in our care. Sometimes they schedule weekly visits with the babies. One birth mom became such a constant in our life that my son asked if we could bake her cookies.I am often blown away by the biological parents' gratitude.Melody* was one of the most beautiful babies I'd ever cared for‚ and I met her parents a couple of times. When they came to take her home‚ it was as though she was the only one in the room. When they thanked me for taking care of her‚ my lip started to quiver.I had also never met Jibraan's dad‚ either‚ when I placed him in his arms the day they went home together. "From the bottom of my heart ... I can't tell you what you've done for me‚" he said. I remember that he towered over me‚ the size of a linebacker‚ clenching his jaw to keep the tears from spilling down his cheeks.When I wave goodbye to the social workers at the agency after introducing each baby to their forever family‚ I always wonder how long it will be before I get to hold another baby.I don't get attached to each baby‚ per se. But I get attached to having a baby‚ to taking care of a baby. I resent my empty arms‚ and I feel like I've lost my purpose. So each time I see the adoption agency's phone number pop up on caller ID‚ my heart skips a beat.When the voice on the other end says‚ "Hi‚ Ann ... are you ready to take another baby?" my first thought is‚ "Baby! I'm getting a BABY!" That excitement lasts for at least 48 hours.But even as the adrenaline calms down and the sleepless nights begin to take their toll‚ the experience of caring for each baby proves to be more than enough motivation for me to keep going.The emotions that swell when my babies go home with any parent — their adoptive parents or their birth parents — are not just because of the emptiness I feel in my arms or even because of the happiness I have for my babies and their families.The emotions I feel are because of the fullness in my heart and the gratitude I have for being a part of each of these babies' stories‚ even if it's just for a moment.This article was written by Ann Lapin and originally appeared on 04.08.16

Dads are ridiculous. But perhaps‚ in the world today‚ there is no dad quite so ridiculous as Rob Lopez: Photo via Rob Lopez/YouTube.On a morning not too long ago‚ Lopez apparently had the following thought: "I'm going to dress up as Darth Vader and wake up my 2-year-old." Photo via Rob Lopez/YouTube.Clearly‚ the correct follow-up thought is‚ "No. That's silly. Why would I ever wake up a 2-year-old. Like‚ on purpose."But not for Rob Lopez. Oh‚ no.After suiting up......and receiving the mission critical sign-off from his wife.He grabbed his lightsaber and gave it a go. The results ... pretty much speak for themselves (fast-forward to 1:05 for the main event).There are a couple of things about Lopez's son's reaction that we should talk about.(First‚ this child is objectively the hardest core human on the face of planet Earth right now.)He grabs the lightsaber he keeps next to his bed (just in case) and it's game on‚ Dark Lord of the Sith. Game. On.Think about how you would feel‚ as an adult person‚ in complete control of your faculties‚ with a firm grasp on the difference between fiction and reality‚ being aggressively prodded awake by a six-foot-tall man in a full-body Darth Vader mech-suit complete with voice modulator and terrifyingly heavy breathing.Think about how loud you would scream and the volume of pee you would pee into your pants.Meanwhile‚ this toddler — who is probably no more than three feet tall‚ groggy and vulnerable‚ with no cognitive ability to discern this is not the real Darth Vader — didn't even think twice about taking him on.Perhaps the most impressive part? At a mere 2 years of age‚ he's already learned‚ perhaps‚ the single greatest lesson of "Star Wars."You don't defeat the dark side with mad lightsaber skills (although they are fun to show off).You defeat it with compassion. ...which‚ in this kid's case‚ involves casually grabbing a book and asking Darth Vader to read him a story.Empathy for Siths — with an assist from curiosity and literacy: That's a lesson we could all use.This article originally appeared on 05.06.16

When you try to pick a fight on Twitter it's probably best to know who you're dealing with.A conservative blogger learned this lesson the hard way after trying to troll a woman who's far from his intellectual equal.On Monday‚ Twitter user Katie Mack tweeted her concern about climate change.Just like every other time she has tweeted about climate change‚ the trolls came out of the woodwork. This time it was Gary P. Jackson‚ editor and publisher of a blog dedicated to Ronald Reagan's brand of conservatism.And Mack's response was perfect.What Jackson didn't know is that Dr. Katherine J. Mack received a PhD in astrophysics at Princeton University and an undergraduate degree in physics at Caltech. So she does know a little bit about science. In fact‚ probably more than a guy who has a blog dedicated to the man who ripped the solar panels off the White House and famously said‚ "Trees cause more pollution than automobiles do.”This burn-heard-'round the world even attracted the attention of Harry Potter creator‚ J.K. Rowling.This article originally appeared on 10.30.17

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