What Fresh Hell

episodes

May 7, 2021

Fresh Take: Judith Warner on What Grownups Get Wrong About Middle Sch…

Judith Warner’s book AND THEN THEY STOPPED TALKING TO ME: MAKING SENSE OF MIDDLE SCHOOL investigates what can be a truly painful period. Our parenting of tweens can also be affected by our memories of that time, and Warner explains …

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May 5, 2021

When Your Kid Doesn't Fit The Mold

When kids don’t fit the mold, it can be even harder on us than it is on them. While they’re lying down on second base instead of paying attention, we’re up at night worrying about the year 2035. The good …

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May 3, 2021

Ask Margaret - My Son Can't Keep His Hands to Himself

Roughhousing and physical play between kids– especially boys– is natural, but that doesn't mean it doesn't drive parents crazy. Here's how to put sane parameters around it.

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April 30, 2021

Fresh Take: Michaeleen Doucleff on Raising Happy, Helpful Little Huma…

Michaeleen Doucleff is the author of Hunt, Gather, Parent: What Ancient Cultures Can Teach Us About the Lost Art of Raising Happy, Helpful Little Humans. Turns out Western parenting isn’t the way things need to be–the key to happy kids …

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April 28, 2021

Wait, We're Not Ready

We thought we were ready. We were in fact quite excited for all of this to be over, white-knuckling it until we could run outside and hug everyone we saw. But as freedom comes nearer, we’re less sure we want …

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April 26, 2021

Ask Amy- My 4-Year-Old Hates Transitions

Returning to non-Covid routines can be really hard for little ones. For a 4-year-old who’s spent a full quarter of her life hanging out at home with Mom, that WAS regular life! Here’s how to smooth the return to transitions, …

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April 23, 2021

Fresh Take: Christina Martin on How Children Learn Through Play

Christina Martin, head of The Children's School, tells us how children learn through play, and why the concept of play is central to the tenets of progressive education. Christina explains the power of play and how to make it a …

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April 21, 2021

Are You the 'Good Parent' or the 'Bad Parent' In Your Home?

Are you the “bad parent” in your home? The enforcer of bedtimes, the stern shusher in the church pew? Or are you the “good parent,” more likely to agree that time is a construct and that ice cream not only …

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April 19, 2021

Ask Margaret - My Spouse and I Disagree About Discipline

How should we handle differences of opinion with our spouse? The "number system" is one way to make sure you're choosing your battles.

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April 16, 2021

Fresh Take: Julie Lythcott-Haims on Becoming An Adult

Julie Lythcott-Haims’ latest book is Your Turn: How To Be An Adult. Many of us old enough to be “grown-ups” don't feel ready to be in charge of anything. But trying and failing doesn't mean we’re not adults; it’s at …

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April 14, 2021

Asking For Big Help (And The Best Ways To Give It)

Why is it so hard to ask for big help, especially when we’re usually grateful to be able to assist a friend in need? How can we become “askable friends” and better helpers? How can we prepare for the big …

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April 12, 2021

Ask Margaret - Should I Ever Let My Kids Use "Bad" Words?

How much to control "bad" language at home is a parenting dilemma people can have very different opinions about. Margaret advises a mom wondering how to handle this issue with her 4 and 6-year-olds.

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April 9, 2021

Fresh Take: Debbie Reber on Parenting Kids Who Are "Differently Wired"

At least 20% of today's kids are “differently wired” with anxiety, ADHD, autism, giftedness, processing disorders, learning disabilities, and more. Guest Debbie Reber explains the parenting “tilts” that work best to support non-neurotypical kids.

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April 7, 2021

I've Figured Something Out...

Have you ever figured out a thing and thought: EVERYONE must know about this? Here are some things some of us have really figured out: how to always know what’s for dinner, how to pack for a trip just once, …

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April 5, 2021

Ask Amy- My Teen Has Zero Interest In Getting A Driver's License

Teens today are driving later than we were and are far less motivated to learn. But isn't driving a skill they're going to want to have at some point? How do we encourage the driver’s license without it becoming something …

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April 2, 2021

Fresh Take: Kim Williams on the Systems That Work For Single Moms

Kim Williams is the host of the podcast Experiencing Motherhood: Single and Black. Kim has built a community of single moms that support one another both online and IRL. We discuss why systems (and support) are especially essential for single …

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March 31, 2021

Two Kinds of People: Family Debates

When you're making a bed, which side is up for the flat sheet? Is it ever acceptable to call someone after 8 pm? What is the correct pronunciation of "Reese's Pieces”? We battle to the death over the answers to …

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March 29, 2021

Ask Margaret - How Can I Get My Kids to Get Rid of All the Stuff?

How do we get kids to buy in to decluttering? Here are four ways to cut down on the stuff.

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March 26, 2021

Fresh Take: Michele Borba on Kids Who Thrive

Dr. Michele Borba is an educational psychologist and parenting expert. Her new book, THRIVERS: The Surprising Reason Why Some Kids Struggle and Others Shine, offers seven “teachable traits" that help kids struggle less and shine more.

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March 24, 2021

When Can We Start Saying Yes?

Vaccines and mandate-liftings feel great. But we somehow thought there’d be a designated day when we’d all dance out into the ticker-taped streets. Without a "you are now free to move about the cabin" announcement, when can we start saying …

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March 22, 2021

Ask Amy - The Return to In-Person School Isn't Going Great

What should parents do when the return to in-person school, after a year of being home with Mommy, is sort of a disaster?

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March 19, 2021

Fresh Take: Joe "Mr. D" Dombrowski on the Fresh Hells of Teaching Dur…

Joe "Mr. D" Dombrowski is a professional comedian. He also teaches kindergarten. Joe tells us all the fresh hells of this school year from a teacher's point of view, what our kids might need to relearn, and why humor is …

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March 17, 2021

Mom Rock-Bottoms

What’s your mom rock-bottom? The moment when you thought I’m just going to head for the border and start a new life? We asked you all for the worst mom moments you were actually willing to share in open court. …

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March 15, 2021

Ask Margaret - How Do I Get My Kids to Play Together?

We think of "play" as something that kids should do naturally (and together). But play is something that needs to be modeled and encouraged. Here's how.

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