What Fresh Hell

episodes

Oct. 18, 2023

Is There Just Too Much Parenting Information Online?

A recent study found many parents report consulting the internet for parenting advice every single day. But how much information is too much? And is it the same for everyone?

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Oct. 16, 2023

Ask Margaret: My Spouse and I Disagree About Bedtime

How do we get our children to bed at a reasonable hour, especially when our parenting partners have different ideas? Here's how to get on the same page.

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Oct. 13, 2023

Fresh Take: Vanessa Kroll Bennett and Dr. Cara Natterson on Puberty

These days puberty starts sooner and lasts longer. That requires not one "The Talk," but a hundred small conversations. Dr. Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll Bennett, co-authors of THIS IS SO AWKWARD, offer tips for getting started.

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Oct. 11, 2023

We're Still Cringing

What cringey moment do you lie awake at night thinking about, 5, 10, or 20 years later? That's what we asked our listeners, and let's just say we're embarrassed FOR them.

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Oct. 9, 2023

Ask Amy: When Kids Have Negative Self-Talk

What do we do when our kids' frustration causes them to direct their anger inward and call themselves stupid and worthless? Amy has suggestions for showing kids their worth consistently- not only when they're at their lowest.

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Oct. 6, 2023

Fresh Take: Catherine McCarthy, Heather Tedesco, and Jennifer Weaver …

How can we help our kids in this age of anxiety, when we can't make it go away, and we don't we have all the answers? Guests: Catherine McCarthy, Heather Tedesco, and Jennifer Weaver, authors of the new book RAISING …

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Oct. 4, 2023

Keeping Up with Friends Without Kids

A recent New York magazine article suggested that new parenthood is the single greatest threat to our adult friendships. How do we hang on to our friends without kids? When is it OK to let them go?

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Oct. 2, 2023

Ask Margaret: How Do I Handle Devices on Playdates?

Kids' restrictions on their devices vary widely from household to household. But what about when kids come to play at your house? How can you maintain firm boundaries without making your house the "unfun" one?

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Sept. 29, 2023

Fresh Take: Esau McCaulley, "How Far To The Promised Land"

What does it mean to “escape poverty” in the U.S.? In his new book HOW FAR TO THE PROMISED LAND, Esau McCaulley questions the narrative of exceptionalism that he, and other Black survivors, are conditioned to give when they “make …

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Sept. 27, 2023

Making It Work With Extended Family

How do we handle the differing expectations, caretaking styles, and cultural traditions within extended families? Amy and Margaret discuss the value of relationships with extended family (while taking a moment to brag about their own relatives!)

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Sept. 25, 2023

Ask Amy: I've Got a Bedtime Staller

What do we do when our child takes forever to get ready for bed? How do we get them back on track without too many tears? Amy gives suggestions to a listener.

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Sept. 22, 2023

Fresh Take: Minna Dubin on Mom Rage

Mom rage is something we don't like to admit exists—but Minna Dubin, author of the new book MOM RAGE, found that each of us only thinks we're alone for having had these moments. Here's why.

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Sept. 20, 2023

Best of: Sick Day Hacks

Back to school, back to home from school with an itchy throat. Here's how to keep sick kids happily busy, when to keep them home, and when they just might be pulling one over on you.

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Sept. 18, 2023

Ask Margaret: How Do You Get Your Kids to Part with Their Toys?

How do we cull some of our kids' least-played-with toys without going down to tantrum town? Margaret gives some tips for helping kids say goodbye to toys they no longer need or use.

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Sept. 15, 2023

Fresh Take: Devorah Heitner on Growing Up in Public

Most of us have been posting about our children since they were born. Once they get phones, they post about themselves. Devorah Heitner, author of GROWING UP IN PUBLIC, explains how to help kids navigate their own privacy.

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Sept. 13, 2023

Back-to-School Back-to-Ones

It's back to school, back to morning insanity, back to seventeen different after-school activities per kid! We asked our listeners for their best back-to-school tips - or their biggest complaints.

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Sept. 11, 2023

Ask Amy: My Child Is Not Nice to Her Grandparents

What do we do when our child makes hurtful or rude comments to family members? Here's how to turn those embarrassing moments into teachable ones.

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Sept. 8, 2023

Fresh Take: Dr. Emily Edlynn on Autonomy-Supportive Parenting

How do we stop ourselves from "overparenting" our kids and let them find their own agency? Dr. Emily Edlynn, author of the book "Autonomy-Supportive Parenting" explains how to foster independence in our kids.

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Sept. 6, 2023

I've Got a Mom for That

If someone were to drop your name as the perfect person for a job, what would that job be? Remembering dates for random events? Sensible homesteading? Running efficient meetings?

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Sept. 4, 2023

Ask Margaret: Should I Quit the School's Group Chat?

How do we avoid being dragged into the Negative Nancy talk in parent chat groups? Margaret answers a question from a listener who is getting stressed out by her nursery school's group chat.

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Sept. 1, 2023

BEST OF: 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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Aug. 30, 2023

BEST OF: How Little Parenting Can We Get Away With? (with guest James…

How little parenting can we get away with? Is doing less better—or at least good enough? We talk backing off on what our kids wear, what they eat, and what they do all day with James Breakwell, author of the …

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Aug. 28, 2023

Ask Amy: What Age Is Old Enough for Social Media?

How old should our kids be before they have social media accounts, given all that we know about their dangers? It's a complicated decision, but here are the factors to consider.

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Aug. 25, 2023

Fresh Take: Jennifer Wallace on Achievement Pressure

How do we protect our kids from the toxic achievement pressure that surrounds them? Jennifer Wallace, author of the new book NEVER ENOUGH, explains how to walk this line.

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