Becoming a parent can be one of the most transformative, and instructive, experiences of our lives. These four “Secrets of Adulthood” examine some of the most important lessons parenthood can teach us.

Resources & links related to this episode:
Open-door stage
Secrets of Adulthood
A version of this piece was originally published on the CNBC site.


Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com

Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app.

Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. 

Becoming a parent can be one of the most transformative, and instructive, experiences of our lives. These four &ldquo;Secrets of Adulthood&rdquo; examine some of the most important lessons parenthood can teach us.
Resources &amp; links related to this episode:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/forecast-your-foibles-a-big-life-change-amp-the-correct-way-to-load-a-dishwasher/" data-wplink-edit="true">Open-door stage</a></li>
<li><a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/books/secrets-of-adulthood/">Secrets of Adulthood</a></li>
<li>A version of this piece was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/11/i-am-a-mom-and-happiness-researcher-life-lessons-about-how-to-be-happy-parents.html">originally published</a>&nbsp;on the CNBC site.</li>
</ul>
 Get in touch: <a href="mailto:podcast@gretchenrubin.com">podcast@gretchenrubin.com</a>
Visit<a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/">&nbsp;Gretchen's website</a>&nbsp;to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the&nbsp;Happier&nbsp;app.
Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.&nbsp;

Gretchen Rubin is HAPPIER, and she wants you to be happier too. The #1 bestselling author of The Happiness Project and Better Than Before gets more personal than ever as she brings her practical, manageable advice about happiness and good habits to this lively, thought-provoking podcast. Gretchen’s cohost and guinea pig is her younger sister, Elizabeth Craft, a TV writer and producer living in Los Angeles, who (lovingly) refers to Gretchen as her happiness bully. 

Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/  

Gretchen Rubin is HAPPIER, and she wants you to be happier too. The #1 bestselling author of The Happiness Project and Better Than Before gets more personal than ever as she brings her practical, manageable advice about happiness and good habits to this lively, thought-provoking podcast. Gretchen&rsquo;s cohost and guinea pig is her younger sister, Elizabeth Craft, a TV writer and producer living in Los Angeles, who (lovingly) refers to Gretchen as her happiness bully.&nbsp;
Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media <a href="https://lemonadamedia.com/" data-stringify-link="https://lemonadamedia.com/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://lemonadamedia.com/</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

How to Build Happier Habits into Your Daily Life

Advertisement