Karen Springen

Karen Springen teaches at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism and writes for many publications, including Publishers Weekly and Chicago magazine. Previously, she spent 24 years at Newsweek. She holds a bachelor's degree from Stanford University and a master's degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Today she lives with her husband and their two daughters in suburban Chicago. To follow Karen on Twitter, click here. To email Karen, click here.

A few of the topics that Karen regularly covers:

Your Family and Pop Culture — How celebrities affect your partner and your kids

Birthdays and Anniversaries — Celebrating occasions big and small 

Empty Nesting and Grandparenting — What to do when your kids are grown

Your House — Making your home safe, clean, and green

Love and Sex and Marriage — What role romance plays in your life

Money and Work — Managing your finances and your job

Your Aging Parents — Caring for your mother and father

School and College — Getting the best education

Family Activities and Travel — Making the most of your holiday time

Family Meals and Manners — Making the most of table time

Healthy Family — Keeping your partner and kids in A+ health

Pets and Your Family — How to live with furry friends

Parenting and Relationships — How to handle tricky topics

Your Family and the News — Discussing current events