episodes

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 necessarily something we need to fix.

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 our kids’ lives (and ours) more fun.

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: Kristina Kuzmic, author of HOLD ON BUT DON’T HOLD STILL.

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 should listen.

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 is the first step to more fun.

Amy answers a question from a listener whose daughter is a little too dependent on her.

What kind of monster listens to videos on speaker? Or keeps the keyboard clicks on their phone? What kind of monster takes up two parking spots? Puts empty cereal boxes back in the cabinet? (Disclaimer: we may have been just a few of these monsters.)

Toddlers are the great equalizer. No matter how strong you think you are, a short fat dictator who suddenly doesn’t like that kind of ketchup will break you. We commiserate and troubleshoot with Clint Edwards, author of SILENCE IS A SCARY SOUND.

This week Amy tackles a question from a listening who has a fussy second baby.

The best way to handle our children’s anger is to equip them with the tools to handle it themselves. Whether your kid is 4 or 14, here’s how to stand outside the storm and get your calm back a little sooner. Get the full transcript: bit.ly/WFHanger.

Margaret answers a question from a listener who is trying to get her child to care about punctuality and hygiene.

On a film set, going “back to one” means resetting all of a shot’s elements before doing another take. It’s a continual process. This year, we’re framing our new year’s goal-setting the same way: a reset is not a failure. It’s just what happens next.

Amy answers a question from a listener seeks advice on getting a preschooler to share his toys with his little sister.

Margaret answers a question from a listener who is trying to figure out how to split time between the grandparents when visiting home.

We asked our listeners to tell us their holiday worsts, and in this episode we discuss them all, plus a few of our own. Think your holiday season has been a little crazy? Hold our eggnog.

FOMO, or the “fear of missing out,” is that feeling you get when you see friends on social media posting about lives more exciting than your own. But FOMO happens in real life too- and the FOMO we feel on our kids’ behalf? Ouch. Here’s how to deal.

Regularly expressing gratitude rewires our brains for greater health and happiness. And having a practice is easier than you think! Guest: Nancy Davis Kho, author of The Thank-You Project: Cultivating Happiness One Letter of Gratitude at a Time.

Whining is what experts call a “low-power strategy of dominance.” Kids do it because it’s what’s available to them. Since it drives parents bonkers, it’s remarkably effective. Can we deal with whining in ways that might make it stop a LITTLE sooner?

This week Margaret answers a question from a listener whose potty trainer is having some trouble giving up diapers.

Sometimes our kids are a little behind on meeting their milestones. Sometimes they’ll never reach those milestones at all. How do we let go of “should be”? How do we meet our kids where they are, while still holding expectations that help them grow?