Heather Wake

Heather Wake is an Upworthy Staff Writer based in Los Angeles.

Community, Joy

24 brilliant side hustles that can help rake in extra cash each month

Heather Wake

2/12/2026
Daniel Hatoum (left) and Sarah Chen with son Mills (right)

In Partnership With Levi Strauss Foundation →

Culture

Meet the second-generation immigrants who are helping protect your civil rights.

Sarah Watts

7/8/2026
Photo credit: Photo by Monstera Production – “What they want is dishonest harmony rather than honest conflict.”

Family, Modern Families, Popular

Mom explains the ‘dishonest’ Boomer parenting style that hurts adults to this day

Heather Wake

2/12/2026
Photo credit: John E. Manard/Wikipedia – James Van Der Beek speaking at Galaxy Con.

Celebrity, Pop Culture, Popular

James Van Der Beek shared his hopes for the spring weeks before his death, and it’s beautiful

Heather Wake

2/12/2026
Family, Parenting, Popular

Boomer grandparents often forget what it’s like having young kids. Millennials call it ‘gramnesia.’

Heather Wake

2/12/2026
Photo credit: Canva – Police officer (left) Otter with a police officer hat (right)

Animals, Science

Florida police department deploys first-ever specially trained ‘search and recovery’ otter

Heather Wake

2/11/2026
Photo credit: Canva – Left: A woman holding her finger up to convey a secret. Right: A hand placing an antique item on a window ledge.

Humor, Joy

Woman concocts genius plan to declutter her house by sneaking random items into her friends’ homes

Heather Wake

2/11/2026
Education, Learning, Popular

Laundry expert shares the one laundry cycle you need to be using no matter what’s being washed

Heather Wake

2/10/2026
Photo credit: via @nickgorman0/TikTok, used with permission – A lighthearted moment turns bittersweet with a painful realization.

Family, Parenting, Popular

Dad makes painful but oh-so-relatable ‘realization’ about his toddler’s first puddle splash

Heather Wake

2/10/2026
Photo credit: via @1beccapike/Instagram, used with permission – A great way for the whole family to wind down.

Family, Parenting, Popular

Mom shares her family’s 10-year tradition of ending each day with an hour of silent reading

Heather Wake

2/10/2026
Photo credit: Canva – Woman typing on laptop by the pool.

Humor, Joy, Popular

Company shares genius ‘out-of-office’ messages from Gen Z workers. Millennials are in awe.

Heather Wake

2/9/2026
Photo credit: @letsgoripley/TikTok, used with permission – What a smart doggo: Australian Shepherd Ripley uses talk buttons to warn family of a pending disaster.

Joy, Pets, Popular

Australian Shepherd shows incredible smarts using ‘talk buttons’ to warn family of disaster

Heather Wake

2/9/2026
Photo credit: Canva – A veterinarian (right) pointing at a dog in the snow (left)

Joy, Pets, Popular

Vet delivers impressions of different dog breeds reacting to snow with delightful accuracy

Heather Wake

2/9/2026
Photo credit: Canva – Image of a little girl eating a croissant in front of the Eiffel Tower.

Family, Kids

2-year-old ‘living her best Parisian life’ turns first France trip into ‘full-blown croissant tour’

Heather Wake

2/9/2026
Photo credit: via @thecallmefirstblueprint/TikTok, used with permission – A quick exchange between a UPS driver and a budding author turned into a beautiful friendship.

Friendship, Joy

Wholesome moment between UPS driver and author caught on camera helps book sales skyrocket

Heather Wake

2/8/2026
Photo credit: @organizedchaos4/TikTok – "It costs you nothing, and it creates this ripple effect of kindness."

Family, Motherhood

Mom has epic response for people who say she’s ‘spoiling’ her 12-year-old by cleaning her room

Heather Wake

2/8/2026

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