episodes

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, at home and at school.

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 practice 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 can, but should, be what’s for dinner?

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

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 the core of what adulting means.

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 help times in our own lives before they arrive?

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.

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.

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, and how to clean a messy room in 10 minutes.

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 else for us to fight about?

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 moms.

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 your most consistent family debates.

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

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.

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 yes?

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

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 any teacher’s best friend.

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. Here they are- plus a few of our own.

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.

Janice Johnson Dias is a professor of sociology whose work focuses on the mental and physical health of girls, Black girls in particular. We discuss change-making, joy, and her book PARENT LIKE IT MATTERS: HOW TO RAISE JOYFUL, CHANGE-MAKING GIRLS.

There are benefits to our kids making mistakes, even when it’s hard. Maybe especially when it’s hard. We discuss how the brain learns from a mistake, the benefits of a “growth mindset,” and how we can make our homes mistake-friendly environments.

When it comes to child's play, the more self-directed and "fun" it is, the bigger of a mess it will probably make. But we don’t have to choose between our children’s unbridled creativity and our own sanity. Here’s how to encourage team mess cleanup.

Michelle Icard, author of FOURTEEN TALKS BY AGE FOURTEEN, says while tweens have begun "the necessary and difficult work of pulling away," they're still at an age where what we say has enormous impact. Here’s how to have those tough conversations.

Kids shouldn’t have to hold our emotions for us, but is it OK for them to witness our sadness or loneliness? When is shower-crying the better bet, and when are our negative emotions safe for us to express? Can it be a good thing for our kids to see?