The Zero-Stress Way to Split Parenting Duties

1. Questions To Ask If You're In The 'Honeymoon' Stage

Whenever we finally move from flirting with our crushes to being in a relationship with them, it's typically followed by a period of euphoria. You and your boyfriend likely can't get enough of each other right now which is probably making your friends playfully roll their eyes. Since everything is brand new, you can still keep it light though.

O'Neill suggests asking "open-ending questions that prompt curiosity and connection:"

• What's one dream you've never let me in on?
• What's one little gesture that can make you feel valued?

"These couple of queries facilitate bonding while generating enthusiasm for the goals and interests of each other," he says.

2. Questions To Ask After Your First Big Fight

Even if you and your boyfriend are super tuned in to each other, a disagreement or argument is bound to happen. In case you're worried, your relationship isn't on thin ice because you're not seeing eye-to-eye on something. O'Neill says you can ask:

• How do you think we handled the argument?
• What could we do differently next time to make our future fights more productive?

His reasoning is that these questions "promote growth and empathy" so "disagreements are transformed into stronger communication opportunities."

Note: Disagreements should never turn physical. It's not okay for you and your boyfriend to become physically aggressive with each other. If you're concerned about domestic violence, dial the National Domestic Hotline at 1(800) 799-7233.

3. Questions To Ask Before Introducing Your Boyfriend To Your Parents

Introducing your boyfriend to your parents is a huge step that can be scary and exciting. I was terrified when my parents first met my fiancé because they couldn't stand my ex. But, the conversation between them flowed and everyone always looks for him to be at family events.

If you're ready for introductions to be made, O'Neill wants you to "encourage the normality of preplanned talks" by asking:

• What is something about me that you think my parents would really love to hear about?

By doing this, he says it'll "help alleviate anxiety and ensure both spouses feel comfortable and attuned before meeting the parents."

4. Questions To Ask If You Or Your Boyfriend Have An Illness

It's never easy to experience illnesses or health scares, but it can be terrifying if you don't know how to help your partner manage if something unexpected happens. O'Neill says to "nurture insights with queries such as:"

• What is one thing I could to assist you better when ill?
• Are there any aspects concerning your healthy that haven't been discussed which make you anxious?

"The conversations provide a safe space for airing concerns while building up mutual support through health difficulties," he adds.

5. Questions To Ask If You're Worried About Boyfriend's Spending Habits

Financial red flags are always a cause for concern when dating someone — especially when it seems like your boyfriend doesn't care about his spending habits may affect your household if you live together. O'Neill suggests asking:

• What are your financial goals?
• How do you see us working towards them together?
• How do you feel about budgeting as a team?

This will "make goal alignment stronger" because "effective communication about finances can prevent misunderstandings," he says. Also, this helps "lay the foundation for a shared vision of the future."

6. Questions To Ask To Deepen Vulnerability With Each Other

Being vulnerable isn't easy for everyone, let alone two people in a relationship. It took me years to feel comfortable expressing my sadness or fears to my fiancé because I was afraid he'd think I was 'weak.' However, this can cause more harm than good because it becomes difficult for our partners to know what's going on with us if we don't open up.

O'Neill says you can ask:

• What's one fear or concern you've hesitated to share with anyone before?
• How can I help you feel safe sharing with me?

7. Questions To Help Move The Relationship Forward

If you're still wondering "what are we doing" after asking some of the above questions, you focus on asking the following "future-oriented questions," according to O'Neill:

• Where do you see us in 5 years?
• What's something you envision us doing together as a couple in the future?

Jennifer Lopez & Ben Affleck have settled their divorce with no prenup.

In addition to confirming the settlement, TMZ reports that both Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck will take what they earned individually throughout the time they were married — and neither will pay spousal support. Ben will also keep his stake in Artists Equity, the production company he created in 2022 with Matt Damon.

Divorce rumors first started swirling in May of 2024, when a source told InTouch Weekly that there was trouble in paradise. "The writing is on the wall – it’s over," the source says before adding, "They’re headed for a divorce – and for once, [Ben’s] not to blame!" Even though Ben and Jennifer love each other, the source believes they're just too different.

In June, the couple listed their home for sale(for $65 million), which only added to the rumor mill. And by the time August rolled around, TMZ reported that Jennifer Lopez had filed for divorce from Ben Affleck with no prenup. "The fairy tale she was promised turned out to be a nightmare in the end," a source told People. "She's in a really good place and just wants to close the door on this crazy chapter."

Jennifer Lopez also says she doesn't regret "one second."

In an conversation for Interview Magazine, comedian Nikki Glaser (who you'll recognize from her recent stint as this year's Golden Globes host) asked if she regretted any of the difficulties she experienced, and Jennifer Lopez responded with, "not one second." The 55-year-old also notes that growth is "a lifelong process."

"I think that’s what I love about life, that there’s no arrival point. There’s only getting better and growing if you want to," Jennifer continues. "It’s either growing or dying, and I don’t want to do the dying part. And yeah, there’s times when I thought I figured it out, and then life goes, 'Let’s send you another thing and see if you fall for it. Let’s see if you really have learned that lesson.' And I hadn’t."

But Jennifer Lopez adds that she'll only use those lessons to grow even more in the future. "I understand that now in a much deeper way, which doesn’t mean that I won’t make mistakes in the future, but again, when your whole house blows up, you’re standing there in the rubble going, 'How do I not ever let that happen again?' And then you start examining it little by little saying, 'Okay, I did this, this was my part in it, this was what I should have seen early on, this is what I didn’t look at.' Those things are what really are the lessons."

1. E.T.

This remains one of Barrymore’s most iconic roles, and at 6 years old no less. Stephen Spielberg’s E.T. continues to be regarded as one of the greatest films ever made since its release in 1982, and comes in with a 7.9 out of 10 on IMDb and a whopping 99 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s no wonder why as the film beautifully portrays two children befriending an alien and keeping his existence a secret to protect him. If you want to cry, this is a must-see. If you don’t, well, you still have to watch this, just have the tissues ready. Not to mention, 6-year-old Drew Barrymore is so cute in this.

2. ​Ever After

A retelling of the fairytale Cinderella with Drew Barrymore? Say less. There have been a handful of Cinderella adaptations, to say the least, but this may be one of the best, and Barrymore is to thank for that. Her effervescent innocence shines through in this role and she offers a wit and independence that was not seen in preceding versions – Barrymore’s Cinderella is resourceful and isn’t the archetypal damsel in distress, which is why this is a refreshing must-watch. Plus, its 7.1 out of 10 score on IMDb and 91 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

3. Scream

Yes, I know Barrymore is only in Scream for all of 10 minutes, but in my humble opinion, it may be the best 10 minutes of the film. Her incredible performance and blood-curdling scream open the film, and thrust you into the most prolific horror film franchise of our time. So yeah, I think this deserves a spot on the list. And even though it's rated 7.4 out of 10 on IMDb and 77 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, it's arguably one of Barrymore's most iconic moments ever.

4. Donnie Darko

This thought-provoking, and might I add haunting, film has still been top of mind for me since my first watch. While Barrymore’s screen time is certainly limited in Donnie Darko, there’s no questioning the impact her role and character offered the film. Her character, high-school teacher Karen Pomeroy, is a relatable anchor in a film that is otherwise unsettling. And that, friends, should be enough reasoning to get you to watch this movie. Plus its 8 out of 10 on IMDb and 87 percent Rotten Tomatoes score.

5. Whip It

It’s only fitting Whip It follows a performance like Ever After – two very different settings, yet two very similar roles for Barrymore in that she plays a strong, independent woman in both. Even more so, Barrymore not only starred and directed this film, she co-wrote the screenplay as well. What can’t she do?! I love this movie (about a roller derby league) so much that it ~magically~ appears on my TV screen every year. It comes in with a 6.9 out of 10 IMDb rating and a 86 percent RT rating.

6. ​Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind

If anyone ever needed proof that Barrymore has range — I don’t know who would, but that’s beside the point — I’d show them George Clooney’s directorial debut Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind. Barrymore plays a supporting role that seemingly morphs into one of her most memorable as she plays the typical supporting woman alongside Sam Rockwell’s game show host & undercover assassin. Because what man can simply exist without a woman behind him? The movie has a 7 out of 10 IMDb rating and a 79 percent Rotten Tomatoes score.

7. ​The Wedding Singer

I didn’t mean to intentionally put two Adam Sandler movies on this list, but here we are. What can I say? The Barrymore and Sandler duo cannot be stopped! It’s another early 2000s film (that decade has the best rom-coms, and I won’t debate this fact), where Barrymore and Sandler slowly fall in love…despite the fact she’s engaged to someone else. What’s not to love? The movie has a 6.9 on IMDb and 72 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

8. ​Never Been Kissed

If She’s All That and Mean Girls had a movie child together, (with maybe a hint of step-parenting from 21 Jump Street) it would be Never Been Kissed. This movie (which as a 6 out of 10 on IMDb and only 55 percent on RT) is quintessential early 20's Barrymore entering her rom-com phase, and for that, I’m forever thankful. Barrymore stars as an undercover journalist who breaks into the most popular clique at school…and then falls for her English teacher.

9. ​Charlie's Angels

I remember my first time watching Charlie’s Angels – it’s one of those films everyone’s dad calls a classic – and after watching it, I thought ‘dang, rightfully so.’ Beneath all of the visible hairspray, sexy innuendos, and revealing outfits, this film is really about strong female relationships and camaraderie. If anything, it’s a fun time filled with action and drama, and, I hate to admit it, it’s a classic (despite the fact it has a 5.6 out of 10 IMDb rating and a 68 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Don't even get me started on the 45 percent audience score!).

10. 50 First Dates

It’s no secret that Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler have insane screen chemistry, and this movie proves it. 50 First Dates is a witty romance that Barrymore shines in. She portrays a woman who has amnesia after an accident, meaning she basically relives the same day over and over. Her portrayal is truly unforgettable and she commands the screen — sorry Adam. The movie scored a 6.8 out of 10 on IMDb but somehow only got a 45 percent on Rotten Tomatoes!