Surface Tension

by Melina Gac Levin, MSEd

My twice-monthly newsletter helps parents in multicultural relationships explore how their own cultural upbringing shapes their parenting instincts, so that they can bring more curiosity and self-awareness into their relationship and the way they raise their child. Surface Tension weaves together personal story, cultural reflection, and expert guidance to help parents better understand themselves, and make space for the differences that give their family its depth and warmth.

Children in the Circle, and How Belonging Feels

Children in the Circle, and How Belonging Feels The invisible scripts that shape how children join community life. A recent newsletter from Priya Parker (whose new substack, Group Life, is a must-subscribe) got me thinking about what it means to include kids meaningfully in intergenerational spaces without centering them. Her story about bringing her kids to an art festival made me pause. In my own life, I’ve also been noticing the different ways children enter community life across cultural...

about 1 month ago • 4 min read

Helping, holding back, and the stories we carry

It looks like a simple question: “Can you help me?” Usually accompanied by those big eyes that are hard to resist. The moment your child asks you, your instinct kicks in (or maybe you feel it as tension): do you step in, or hold back? And what about your partner—would they handle it the same way, or differently? Underneath it all is a deeper question: What does it mean to care? Every parenting moment carries culture. Even the tiny ones. Sometimes it feels like you and your partner are...

3 months ago • 2 min read

Child with brown hair seen from above and behind, with her lunch set in front of her at a table.

I thought we were on the same page, until we weren't.

Before we begin... For those of you who have been on my email list for a while, thank you! When I first began writing, I was often doing it while holding a sleeping baby or toddler. These days, my children are older and I have found the space to devote to writing you more regularly (and at regular hours!) You'll now hear from me twice a month. The Nightlight, the newsletter I've been sending you sporadically for years, is now Surface Tension. I'll still be writing about culture and parenting,...

4 months ago • 4 min read