episodes

When moms have a second baby it’s common for them to fear how it will change their relationship with their first child. And whether they’ll have enough love to give them both. Trust us: you will. And you’ll give that older kid the gift of a new bond.

Zibby Owens is a podcaster, writer, publisher, and mom who doesn’t have time to exercise, see friends, sleep– or even get sick. Her new anthology MOMS DON’T HAVE TIME TO HAVE KIDS offers 49 essays on what most moms don’t– and yet must– make time for.

Half of adults in their 30s and 40s say they handle some of their parents’ caregiving, even if it’s mostly logistical or financial. When you’re also taking care of your kids, it’s a lot. We talk “sandwich generation” stress and how to get more help.

Tiffany Jenkins is as hilarious as she is honest. She’s a comedian, blogger, author, podcaster, and mom who uses her platforms to help and inspire others struggling with motherhood, mental health, and addiction, and those who just need a good laugh.

From making doctors’ appointments, to “just a reminder” emails that are definitely first notices, to book fairs, to eternally elusive rain boots on a wet morning, here are a few of the things that we (and our listeners) really hate.

Margaret and Amy interview Claire Lerner, a child development specialist with more than 30 years of experience, and author of Why Is My Child in Charge? A Roadmap to End Power Struggles, Increase Cooperation, and Find Joy in Parenting Young Children.

We’re so used to being stuck at home that the thought of social stimulation has become somewhat anxiety-arousing. When did that happen? How can we turn that story around and find our way back to the friends and connections we’ve missed for so long?

The dynamics between siblings are always complicated, but when a sibling adds an outside friend to the mix, things get even tougher. Margaret explains why kids act out when their brothers or sisters have friends over and what we can do about it.

Amy Koppelman is the author of A MOUTHFUL OF AIR, the story of a new mother struggling with severe postpartum depression. Now that novel is a film written, directed, and produced by Koppelman. We discuss how our understanding of PPD has changed, and why it’s still in many ways a silent health crisi…

From phantom cries to sleepwalking to night terrors, our kids are creepy. Perhaps never more so than when they tell us they see their dead great-grandfather sitting next to them in the back seat. Are ghosts real? Some of our kids sure think so.

Kids sometimes view saying “sorry” as a get-out-of-jail-free card. I said the magic word, Mom, why are you still mad? But sorry is only the first step in a proper apology. When we help kids get why their actions were hurtful, they can then address the hurt they caused by taking proactive measures.

Dr. Stacy Haynes is a professional counselor who works with kids with behavioral challenges. She says when we identify kids’ underlying problems or lagging skills, we can work together on solutions, rather than focusing on consequences and punishment.

Even if our partners normally pull their weight, sooner or later most of us end up in a “solo parenting” season. Here’s how to deal with those extra-intense times, plus how to prevent the “non-integrated spouse” thing becoming the default reality.

Feeling proud of our kids is completely normal. But just as we tell our kids which "spaces and places" are appropriate for their behavior, we need to remember that our mom friends may not always be the best audience for our excitement about our kids' achievements.

Shannon Carpenter is a stay-at-home dad and hilarious guy. His new book is THE ULTIMATE STAY-AT-HOME DAD: Your Essential Manual for Being an Awesome Full-Time Father, a manual on day-to-day parenting filled with actionable advice sourced from Carpenter’s own life and over 50 stay-at-home dads.

Studies show that mothers’ brain structures change during pregnancy, along with our shoe sizes. That most of us become more hypervigilant and more anxious isn't a personal failing– it's a biological imperative. We discuss how to give ourselves grace about the ways motherhood has changed us.

Is holiday shopping worth starting early this year? Yes, there are Covid-related supply chain issues. On the other hand, “You must buy now!" sounds suspiciously like something a retailer might want you to believe. Either way, one listener’s relative is feeling–and outsourcing the pressure.

Kate Bowler was blindsided by a Stage IV cancer diagnosis at the age of 35, forcing her to make peace with her limitations in a culture that wants to sell us exhausting positivity. Kate explains what she’s learned about living her “best life now.”

There are just those things that we will never, no matter how much we try, get right. Whether it’s remembering birthdays, going shopping and returning with everything we planned to buy, or keeping track of lefts and rights… it’s the little things.

Kids aren't the best at impulse control, and one rather annoying way this manifests is in constant interrupting. Yes - even when we are trying to answer a question they've asked! The key to curbing interruptions from our kids is to be consistent in our reactions.

Whitnee Hawthorne is a Fortune 500 executive. She's also a mom of two little ones, and the host of the SAVVY WORKING MOMS podcast. Whitnee explains how to delegate more effectively and why choosing joy every day is crucial to living our best lives.

Getting kids to cooperate is a challenge at all ages and stages. Here’s how to know when little kids are old enough to kick in, how "connecting before directing" works for older kids, and whether "whistling while they work" might be too much to ask.

Got a toy dumper? Make organizing the playroom a special time with you as the parent. Follow your child’s lead on what that organization should look like. Or consider making your playroom to be more like a preschool classroom, with heavy rotation.

Dr. Pooja Lakshmin is a psychiatrist, author, and founder of gemmawomen.com, the first digital education platform dedicated exclusively to women’s mental health. We discuss mom guilt, burnout, true self-care, and finding ways to reclaim ourselves.