episodes

Amy answers a question from a listener whose teenagers are really, really over being stuck at home.

As we round the curve into what’s been a full month of Uno, math worksheets, and never going anywhere, we’ve all learned a few things. Here are our stay-at-home revelations about our homes, our cooking, our relationships, our kids, and …

Margaret answers a question from a listener whose kid always wants mom to play with him.

Here’s what’s actually working right now- for our anxiety, our family chore buy-in, our kitchen ennui, and our senses of hope. (Our number one tip: try never to interrupt a happy quarantined family while they’re doing whatever is making them …

This week Amy answers a question from a listener whose child is missing a big milestone event.

Homeschooling feels doable when it’s a snow-day novelty. It feels different when you’re relearning middle-school math while also conference-calling from home and running a kitchen serving three meals a day. Here's how we're coping & keeping it going.

Margaret answers a question from a listener who is trying to decide how much to homeschool her kids.

Most of us have a new reality: we have to keep our kids busy. Here are ideas for keeping kids of all ages occupied, both inside and outside, using materials you probably already have around the house— and preferably, without …

This week Amy answers a question from a mom who wants her school-aged kids to do their part in the kitchen.

Studies show our kids’ gaming doesn’t necessarily correlate with lower grades, hyperactivity, or aggressiveness. But ask any parent: Fortnite, Super Smash Bros, or Xbox can make one cranky zombie. Here’s how to set gaming rules for your household.

Margaret answers a question from a listener who wants to know how to encourage her kids to keep their rooms and the playroom clean.

Is “self-care” a facial? A mammogram? A big glass of wine? All of the above- provided they’re things that protect you, or relax you. But for self-care to work, you have to practice it all the time, not just on …

Amy answers a question from a listener who wants her own mom to stop relying on screens when she's babysitting.

In-law relationships are close by design, not by choice. No wonder conflicts can arise. But a good in-law relationship, if it’s possible, is worth investing in. Here’s how to have difficult conversations- and more importantly, when to let things go.

Margaret answers a question from a listener who is worried about taking her young child to a funeral.

Our kids can make us the craziest when their behavior is the most baffling to us. But unfamiliar doesn’t mean wrong. That our kid is different from us— even in ways we think might make their lives harder— is not …

Amy answers a question from a mom who is getting her worried four-year-old ready for a big move.

In a world where kids get big praise for hitting their milestones ahead of schedule, there are still times and places to let kids be little. Here’s how we create that safe space in our homes, and how it makes …

Margaret answers a question from a listener whose kids are driving her crazy with their potty talk.

Why is it so hard to talk about our struggles? How can opening up about our “mess” make it better? Does online count? How can we be better friends to the mom who lets us in to her mess? Guest: …

Amy answers a question from a mom whose 2-year-old is getting bitten at daycare.

From potty-training to red-shirting to homeschooling, these are some of the times our listeners made hard or unconventional choices to do what was right for their kids. If you’ve got that nagging feeling, we talk about when and how you …

Margaret answers a question from a listener worried that her tween is suffering from low self-esteem.

There really are ways to make our lives as parents more fun and lighthearted, even on a regular Tuesday. Memories aren’t only made at Disney. But it’s okay not to love every moment. Getting rid of the shame around that …