Break free from your creative rut and reignite your artistic flow with 'Unsticking It!' With each episode, we delve into the world of overcoming creative blocks, offering practical strategies, skilled insights, and inspiring stories to help you reclaim your creative soul-spark and find your way back to YOU! Blaire and Molly are two busy moms/ actors (Mactors? Momtors? Exhausted?) who somewhere between potty training and the pandemic seemed to have lost their creative kaboom. They’re now enlisting the help of fellow imaginative minds to unstick themselves (and you) from the muck they’re stuck in! Unsticking It! With Blaire & Molly. Because sometimes... life stucks!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you look in your bank account and wonder where all your money has gone? We asked our listeners for the small ways they save and and budget every month to make money less of a mystery. Molly and Blaire discuss: Blaire's amazing Poshmark selling skills Why it's important to pay yourself first Sinking funds Investing a little bit of time in some of these solutions reaps big rewards budget-wise, so seriously, start eensy teensy tiny. Look in your fridge to see what you need to use up before going to the store. Join Facebook Marketplace or your local "Buy Nothing" group. Budgeting is a muscle that you have to exercise consistently in order to get good at it, so give yourself some grace! Here are all the resources we mentioned in the episode! Here's the original thread in the What Fresh Hell Facebook group Flipp Fetch Rewards Receipt Hog ibotta YNAB (You need a budget) Mint eMeals FB Marketplace or your local "buy nothing" groups Mercari Poshmark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it mean to have "happy motherhood?" And is it even a realistic goal to have, given the ups and downs of being a parent? We asked our listeners about their tips to help new parents have a "happier" first year. Molly and Blaire discuss: The perils of Mom Instagram Ways to make extra room for joy in your early motherhood How to sit in discomfort Managing your expectations was a key theme in the answers we got - so many moms want everything to be perfect, so they are inevitably disappointed when they don't get their twins out the door in matching outfits every single morning! But guess what? No one is perfect, even though it may seem every other mom on Earth has it more together than you. Join our Facebook group for more advice, laughs, and support: www.facebook.com/groups/whatfreshhellcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do we get our kids away from screens without breaking the bank or planning elaborate outings? Erica Domesek's new book "P.S. - We Made This!" has plenty of ideas for kids' crafts that require zero shopping, zero traveling, and zero (okay, minimal) stress. Erica Domesek is a social media maven, and an extremely cool + crafty parent! She is the founder of the innovative DIY lifestyle brand P.S.–I Made This, which launched in 2009. She has been a distinguished expert in the areas of design and style as well as a leader in brand marketing for 15 years. PS.–We Made This: Super Fun Crafts that Grow Smarter and Healthier Kids follows in the footsteps of her first two books, offering similarly creative and colorful at-home projects– but now invites the whole family to join in the fun!  Molly, Blaire, and Erica discuss: Being artistic vs. being crafty How to use what you have around the house for crafts rather than buying materials Here's where you can find Erica: https://psimadethis.com/about @psimadethis @abramsbooks Buy Erica's book: https://bookshop.org/a/12099/9781419756108 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're all muddling through right now, and while we are definitely Team Lowered Standards at this time, there's only so many viewings of Encanto a parent can withstand. Here are some easy, fun ways to change things up around the house and keep things fun. From cleanup races to "spooky baths," our listeners have some great ideas, and in this episode we discuss them all! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So is it cool to drop off your kid at his friend's house for a playdate and then go home for an hour and take a nap? No? That's bad playdate etiquette? Ok, just checking. Here are some playdate do's and don'ts for when your little one finds a friend. In this episode, Molly and Blaire discuss: How playdates help your child develop How to find possible playmates in suburban versus urban areas Good practices for both hosting and visiting someone else's house for a playdate Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode: Nicole Yezzi for First Things First: "Four things to consider when setting up a playdate" Maureen Ryan for Verywell Family: "Attending or Hosting a Play Date for Toddlers" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Self-care can sound like another chore. Seriously, who has time for a bubble bath? And is that really the best use of 20 free minutes, assuming we had them?  But as Haley Jena points out in this article for What To Expect, self-care isn’t selfish. It's what we need in order to keep going as parents. It's not optional. In this episode, we discuss what definitely doesn’t work for us, what kind of does, and what we’re going to start (like reading actual books and not just our phones).  Here are links to some writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode:  Moira Lawler for Everyday Health: What Is Self-Care and Why Is It So Important To Your Health?  Forbes: Practicing Self-Care Is Important: 10 Easy Habits To Get You Started Haley Jena for What To Expect: 19 Self-Care Ideas for Moms That Aren't Just 'Take a Shower' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Help a new podcast out! Hit "Follow" or "Subscribe" wherever you listen to Toddler Purgatory! Why are little kids obsessed with the most random things? If your little one has ever insisted on sleeping with a hairbrush, or going to preschool every morning with the same tiny school bus clenched in her fist, you know exactly what we're talking about. Turns out, kids' brains at this age are wired for what psychologists call "extremely intense interests." These obsessions offer dependability; order and control ,in a world where our kids don't have much of either; and even social icebreaking, since that other 3-year-old playing with dinosaurs is probably just as interested in a deep-dive discussion of their many types as your kid is. In the case of construction vehicles and garbage trucks, there's also "cathartic destruction," and who can't use a little of that when they're having a bad day? In this episode, Blaire and Molly discuss their own kids' extremely intense interests and why they make their little ones tick. They also refer to the "Dinosaurs and Trains and Superheroes and Nerf Guns: Boy Obsessions" episode of What Fresh Hell, which you can find here: https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/dinosaurs-and-trains-and-superheroes-and-nerf-guns-boy-obsessions/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's easy to blame and shame ourselves when we make parenting mistakes, no matter how big or how small, especially as moms. Here's how to break the blame/shame/guilt cycle for yourself and how to model self-forgiveness for your kids. Molly and Blaire discuss: Santa's naughty kid hotline How to sincerely apologize What our childhood patterns around mistake-making can teach us How you treat yourself after your own mistakes becomes how your kid treats himself when he makes mistakes. And showing honesty and compassion to yourself in front of your kid when you make a mistake can actually build a stronger bond with your child. Links! (they all come in threes today!) Kate Kripke for Postpartum Women's Center of Boulder: "3 Steps That Turn Your Mistakes in Motherhood into Wins" Lisa Appelo for iMom: "3 Steps When You Make Mom Mistakes" Brandi Michel for MomLifeHappyLife blog: "3 Things To Do Immediately After a Making a Major Mommy Mistake!" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Blaire and Molly pal around with their comedian friends Kate Zelensky and Cody Lindquist. They exchange knock-knock jokes, lament about times they bombed with their kids, and discuss a certain compelling performance of "Memory." Kate Zelensky started a career in comedy in 2006 at The Upright Citizens Brigade having finally figured out that she wasn’t so good at musical theatre (though Molly disagrees, as we discuss in the episode!). Kate taught, performed, wrote and directed all around that joint for a dozen years. She dabbled in TV and Internet humor content but is best known for a Chuck E. Cheese commercial in which she played a mother of two pre teens - one of whom barfed pepperoni pizza all over the place because he refused to use the spit bucket. Kate got married and had two babies and now works full time as a vending machine for them.  Cody Lindquist is an actress, voiceover actress, and comedian. She is the co-host of the podcast Two Beers In: A Tipsy Political Roundtable and the mom of two tiny New Yorkers.  Links to resources mentioned in the episode: Dru Sefton for The Washington Post: "How Families Share a Sense of Humor" Kate's heart-wrenching rendition of "Memory" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharing is caring, right? We were all raised to believe that sharing is an important part of polite social interactions. But as adults, we would be taken aback if abruptly asked to share something we were using, like our phone. So why do we insist that our kids share toys with complete strangers at a moment's notice? Here's when– and why– it's ok NOT to share. Molly and Blaire discuss: The difference between making kids share and encouraging them to share What forced sharing teaches kids What to say to turn-giving kids and to waiting kids when encouraging sharing Role-playing with your child to practice polite yet assertive behavior is a great way to start the conversation about when and why it's appropriate to share. Links! Positive Parenting Solutions: "It's OK Not to Share" Heather Shumaker's book It’s OK NOT to share…and Other Renegade Rules for Raising Competent and Compassionate Kids Positive Parenting Solutions: "Why a Feelings Wheel Supports Your Positive Parenting Journey" Little Timer app Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We asked the #todpurgs listeners: what are the things your parents said that you SWORE you'd never say to your own kids– and yet still do? You all brought the answers... and here are some of our faves. #parentingonrepeat #YouGotMcDonaldsMoney Here is the link to the article Molly and Blaire reference in the episode: Charlotte Hilton Andersen for Redbook Magazine: "21 Things Parents Used to Say That Would Shock Millennial Parents" Special thanks to our sponsors: Masimo Stork provides continuous & accurate tracking of your baby's health data. Go to MasimoStork.com for more info. Skylight Frames is a touchscreen photo frame you can send photos to, straight from your phone, and they appear in seconds! Get $15 off your purchase of a Skylight Frame when you go SkylightFrame.com/TODDLER.   KiwiCo - Unwrap super fun science, technology, and art projects for kids with KiwiCo. Get your first month FREE on ANY crate line at kiwico.com/TODDLER. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Any one who has had a toddler knows the terror that surfaces whenever a lovey (let's say Mr. Bunny) goes missing. About 60% of babies adopt some sort of transitional object at around 9 months old. This is when little ones start to separate from parents (and, in fact, when they begin to understand that their parent is a separate person). Once a kid bonds with "Mr. Bunny", you may worry they'll be taking him to college. But there are ways to gently wean your child off comfort items in time. In this episode, Molly and Blaire discuss: Why comfort items are a sign of healthy growth How to start the weaning process Why there will be ups and downs as kids learn to live without their comfort items Here are links to some of the resources referenced in this episode: Alice Allan for La Leche League International: "Comfort Items and Attachment Parenting" Lindsey Konkel for What to Expect: Why Do Some Babies Need Comfort Items (Or "Transitional Objects")? Marnell Jameson for Parents.com: "6 Tips for Weaning Your Child's Comfort Object" Special thanks to our sponsors: Masimo Stork provides continuous & accurate tracking of your baby's health data. Go to MasimoStork.com for more info. Skylight Frames is a touchscreen photo frame you can send photos to, straight from your phone, and they appear in seconds! Get $15 off your purchase of a Skylight Frame when you go SkylightFrame.com/TODDLER.   KiwiCo - Unwrap super fun science, technology, and art projects for kids with KiwiCo. Get your first month FREE on ANY crate line at kiwico.com/TODDLER. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We asked our listeners what they would pay good money for if it made their lives just a touch easier. The answers....will probably not surprise you. In this episode, Molly and Blaire plot to patent: Self-buckling seatbelts Eyeball cameras Toddler volume buttons Thanks to everyone who wrote in with their excellent ideas for these inventions! Special thanks to our sponsors: Masimo Stork provides continuous & accurate tracking of your baby's health data. Go to MasimoStork.com for more info. Skylight Frames is a touchscreen photo frame you can send photos to, straight from your phone, and they appear in seconds! Get $15 off your purchase of a Skylight Frame when you go SkylightFrame.com/TODDLER.   KiwiCo - Unwrap super fun science, technology, and art projects for kids with KiwiCo. Get your first month FREE on ANY crate line at kiwico.com/TODDLER. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're enjoying listening to Toddler Purgatory, we'd love for you to take our listener survey. One page, two minutes. We promise! http://bit.ly/ToddlerPurgatorySurvey “Making memories” with our kids is always a fraught proposition, but when they’re checking for the elf every morning and whipped into a general holiday frenzy, the tears and tantrums are often pretty close to the surface.  Child specialist Merete Kropp says we can reset the “gimme gimmes” by teaching our kids that giving and receiving are reciprocal actions. By explain the gifts you’re giving to others, and the intentions behind them, kids can focus more on the joy of giving than their own expectations. At least sometimes.  It’s always worth doing what we can to soften into the joys of karaoke Christmas carols and driving around looking at the lights. When we create memories with our children, the true gifts we are giving them are the tools to become who they are. There is so much fun and joy in the surrender of being just a little bit silly. Here are links to some writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode:  Merete Kropp for Washington Post On Parenting: What children need even more than presents this holiday season Samantha Parent Walravens for HuffPost: 8 Ways To Teach Your Kids An Attitude Of Gratitude This Holiday Season @busytoddler on Instagram Special thanks to our sponsors: Masimo Stork provides continuous & accurate tracking of your baby's health data. Go to MasimoStork.com for more info. Skylight Frames is a touchscreen photo frame you can send photos to, straight from your phone, and they appear in seconds! Get $15 off your purchase of a Skylight Frame when you go SkylightFrame.com/TODDLER.   KiwiCo - Unwrap super fun science, technology, and art projects for kids with KiwiCo. Get your first month FREE on ANY crate line at kiwico.com/TODDLER. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why is it that kids are so darn honest? Turns out the "filter" that the rest of us try to apply to our everyday interactions just doesn't exist in our young ones. Their little brains aren't capable of fabricating lies like older kids and adults. And, as we all know, the constant honesty of little kids is a double-edged sword. Listeners wrote in with some of the most ruthless truths their toddlers have voiced, and man oh man, kids really can be frank! In this episode, Molly and Blaire discuss: How little toddler brains are wired for truth How to model honesty for kids 'Good and bad' versus 'truth and lies' Here are some of the resources mentioned in today's episode: Lizzy Francis for Fatherly: "How to Raise an Honest Kid (But Not a Narc)" Brook Bolen for Vice: "Behind the Brutal Honesty of Drunks and Toddlers" Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Masimo Stork provides continuous & accurate tracking of your baby's health data. Go to MasimoStork.com for more info. Skylight Frames is a touchscreen photo frame you can send photos to, straight from your phone, and they appear in seconds! Get $15 off your purchase of a Skylight Frame when you go SkylightFrame.com/TODDLER.   KiwiCo - Unwrap super fun science, technology, and art projects for kids with KiwiCo. Get your first month FREE on ANY crate line at kiwico.com/TODDLER. Hungryroot is the easiest way to get fresh, high-quality food delivered to your door. They’ve got healthy groceries and simple recipes, all in one place To get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies, go to Hungryroot.com/TODDLER. Magnetic Me was created to make dressing easier with magnetic closures. No snaps, no buttons…no fuss You can try Magnetic Me for yourself by visiting magneticme.com and using code TODDLER for 20% off your next order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mom tribes and parent posses: do we need friends who are also fellow parents? If we don’t have a group of those, how do we set about finding or creating one?  70% of moms agree that their “inner mom circle” is their primary means of daily support. Some of us find that soft place to fall really quickly, and some of us struggle, for reasons that are in and/or out of our control.  In this episode we discuss how to create our own mom tribe– or parent posse– and what expanding our friend circle beyond just female parents can bring our own bumpy experiences finding mom friends, and why it was hard at first how the pandemic has made it harder how text and Facebook connections can be really helpful too Speaking of virtual mom groups and parent posses– join us in the What Fresh Hell Facebook group! and tag us: #toddlerpurgatory Here are links to some of the writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode:  Dr. Sarah Blaffer Hrdy: Mothers and Others: The Evolutionary Origins of Mutual Understanding Coffee and Carpool: 10 Easy Steps For Introverts To Find New Mom Friends  Jenna Autuori Dedic for Parents: How to Make New Mom Friends During the Pandemic Special thanks to our sponsors: Masimo Stork provides continuous & accurate tracking of your baby's health data. Go to MasimoStork.com for more info. Skylight Frames is a touchscreen photo frame you can send photos to, straight from your phone, and they appear in seconds! Get $15 off your purchase of a Skylight Frame when you go SkylightFrame.com/TODDLER.   KiwiCo - Unwrap super fun science, technology, and art projects for kids with KiwiCo. Get your first month FREE on ANY crate line at kiwico.com/TODDLER. Hungryroot is the easiest way to get fresh, high-quality food delivered to your door. They’ve got healthy groceries and simple recipes, all in one place To get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies, go to Hungryroot.com/TODDLER. Magnetic Me was created to make dressing easier with magnetic closures. No snaps, no buttons…no fuss You can try Magnetic Me for yourself by visiting magneticme.com and using code TODDLER for 20% off your next order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are we creating unrealistic expectations when we praise our kid just for waking up in the morning? Turns out there is too much of a good thing, but we can also reframe how, when, and why we praise our kids. Molly and Blaire discuss: Praising process over achievements The three s's of praise Praise inflation Kids can sense when praise isn't genuine. Instead of congratulating them on their every action and creating an unrealistic standard for praise in the future, focus on encouragement without value judgement or "I" statements. Links! Paul L. Underwood for The New York Times: "Are You Overpraising Your Child?" Ashley Cullins for Big Life Journal: "The Ultimate Guide to Praising Your Kids" Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Masimo Stork provides continuous & accurate tracking of your baby's health data. Go to MasimoStork.com for more info. Skylight Frames is a touchscreen photo frame you can send photos to, straight from your phone, and they appear in seconds! Get $15 off your purchase of a Skylight Frame when you go SkylightFrame.com/TODDLER.   KiwiCo - Unwrap super fun science, technology, and art projects for kids with KiwiCo. Get your first month FREE on ANY crate line at kiwico.com/TODDLER. Hungryroot is the easiest way to get fresh, high-quality food delivered to your door. They’ve got healthy groceries and simple recipes, all in one place To get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies, go to Hungryroot.com/TODDLER. Magnetic Me was created to make dressing easier with magnetic closures. No snaps, no buttons…no fuss You can try Magnetic Me for yourself by visiting magneticme.com and using code TODDLER for 20% off your next order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do we protect our kids from negative images about bodies, diet culture, and food without locking them in a Rapunzel tower? The truth is, we can't. But we CAN start nonjudgmental conversations about body positivity, food, and and self-esteem with our kids at home. In this episode, Molly and Blaire discuss: how to pay attention to your thoughts and beliefs around food and body image how to praise your child for things other than their appearance the R.E.A.L. acronym Links to the resources mentioned in the episode: Sumner Brooks for Good Housekeeping: "How to Raise a Kid Who Is Satisfied With Their Body, According to a Registered Dietitian" Carolina Public Health Magazine: "Survey finds disordered eating behaviors among three out of four American women" Bodies are Cool by Tyler Feder Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Masimo Stork provides continuous & accurate tracking of your baby's health data. Go to MasimoStork.com for more info. Skylight Frames is a touchscreen photo frame you can send photos to, straight from your phone, and they appear in seconds! Get $15 off your purchase of a Skylight Frame when you go SkylightFrame.com/TODDLER.   KiwiCo - Unwrap super fun science, technology, and art projects for kids with KiwiCo. Get your first month FREE on ANY crate line at kiwico.com/TODDLER. Hungryroot is the easiest way to get fresh, high-quality food delivered to your door. They’ve got healthy groceries and simple recipes, all in one place To get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies, go to Hungryroot.com/TODDLER. Magnetic Me was created to make dressing easier with magnetic closures. No snaps, no buttons…no fuss You can try Magnetic Me for yourself by visiting magneticme.com and using code TODDLER for 20% off your next order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why are kids so weird about washing hands and brushing teeth and taking baths? How often do kids really need to bathe, anyway? Is hygiene a battle worth fighting? Yes. Sometimes. In this episode we discuss the expert advice on how often kids need to get clean, plus our own tips for making it fun or interesting enough that our kids will go along with it. Here are links to some writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode: Susan Stiffelman for HuffPost: My 5-Year-Old Won’t Wash His Hands! What To Expect: Resisting Bathtime Dr. Claire McCarthy for Harvard Health: Does your child need to bathe every day? Colgate: How To Help a Child Who Won’t Brush Their Teeth Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Masimo Stork provides continuous & accurate tracking of your baby's health data. Go to MasimoStork.com for more info. Skylight Frames is a touchscreen photo frame you can send photos to, straight from your phone, and they appear in seconds! Get $15 off your purchase of a Skylight Frame when you go SkylightFrame.com/TODDLER.   KiwiCo - Unwrap super fun science, technology, and art projects for kids with KiwiCo. Get your first month FREE on ANY crate line at kiwico.com/TODDLER. Hungryroot is the easiest way to get fresh, high-quality food delivered to your door. They’ve got healthy groceries and simple recipes, all in one place To get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies, go to Hungryroot.com/TODDLER. Magnetic Me was created to make dressing easier with magnetic closures. No snaps, no buttons…no fuss You can try Magnetic Me for yourself by visiting magneticme.com and using code TODDLER for 20% off your next order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When we hear our kids say something negative about themselves, sometimes we freak out a little. Where did they hear this? Where is this coming from? Who is messing with my baby? ! Most often, if a kid calls herself “stupid” because she’s frustrated with homework, she might just be venting. Or joking. She might be showing us that she has a little rigidity around perfection.  But when negative self-talk is insistent, consistent, and persistent, it can also be a sign of stress or anxiety.  In this episode we discuss how to better understand our kids’ negative self-talk, and the most productive ways of responding. There’s a bonus: turns out most of those strategies also work for our own “No, are you kidding? I look horrible, the pandemic has aged me a decade!” moments. Here are links to two resources we discuss in this episode:  Andrew M.I. Lee for Understood: Why Kids Say Negative Things About Themselves  https://www.understood.org/articles/en/child-negative-self-talk @transformingtoddlerhood on Instagram Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Masimo Stork provides continuous & accurate tracking of your baby's health data. Go to MasimoStork.com for more info. Skylight Frames is a touchscreen photo frame you can send photos to, straight from your phone, and they appear in seconds! Get $15 off your purchase of a Skylight Frame when you go SkylightFrame.com/TODDLER.   KiwiCo - Unwrap super fun science, technology, and art projects for kids with KiwiCo. Get your first month FREE on ANY crate line at kiwico.com/TODDLER. Hungryroot is the easiest way to get fresh, high-quality food delivered to your door. They’ve got healthy groceries and simple recipes, all in one place To get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies, go to Hungryroot.com/TODDLER. Magnetic Me was created to make dressing easier with magnetic closures. No snaps, no buttons…no fuss You can try Magnetic Me for yourself by visiting magneticme.com and using code TODDLER for 20% off your next order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If only it were as simple as singing "Kumbaya" with our kids in a calming circle and sprinkling them with kindness dust to make them sweet, polite angels. You may never receive handmade flower crowns from your toddler, but there are ways to introduce kind thoughts, feelings, and actions into your home. Molly and Blaire discuss: Why you can't "teach" kindness How kindness begins with our own self-reflection Strategies for bringing more kindness into your home Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode: Claire Lerner of Lerner Child Development: "When Kids Act Mean: Why some kids have trouble being kind and what you can do" From Janet Lansbury's podcast Unruffled: "My Child Is So Mean to Me" Sarah Aadland for Motherly: "Raising kind kids: 9 daily habits to teach kids kindness" Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Masimo Stork provides continuous & accurate tracking of your baby's health data. Go to MasimoStork.com for more info. Skylight Frames is a touchscreen photo frame you can send photos to, straight from your phone, and they appear in seconds! Get $15 off your purchase of a Skylight Frame when you go SkylightFrame.com/TODDLER.   KiwiCo - Unwrap super fun science, technology, and art projects for kids with KiwiCo. Get your first month FREE on ANY crate line at kiwico.com/TODDLER. Hungryroot is the easiest way to get fresh, high-quality food delivered to your door. They’ve got healthy groceries and simple recipes, all in one place To get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies, go to Hungryroot.com/TODDLER. Magnetic Me was created to make dressing easier with magnetic closures. No snaps, no buttons…no fuss You can try Magnetic Me for yourself by visiting magneticme.com and using code TODDLER for 20% off your next order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes little kids lack the ability to express their frustration, fear, and anger in words. That’s usually when they decide to whack the other 3-year-old with the toy dump truck, instead of pleasantly sharing.  Experts say aggression often gets a little better once kids can express themselves verbally– although not always, if what goes on in our houses is any indication.  In this episode we discuss how to handle our kids becoming aggressive when we’re there to witness it, when we’re *not* there to witness it (like at preschool), and what clear, consistent messaging we need to model to move things in a more peaceful direction.  Here are links to some writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode:  Emily Fromm and Nicole Harris for Parents: How to Handle Aggressive Toddler Behavior Emily Edlynn, Ph.D for Parents: My Child Won't Stop Hitting Other Children at Daycare Laura Markham for Psychology Today: 10 Steps to Stop Your Child from Hitting Other Kids Special thanks to this month's sponsors: The Masimo Stork provides continuous & accurate tracking of your baby's health data. Go to MasimoStork.com for more info. Hungryroot is the easiest way to get fresh, high-quality food delivered to your door. They’ve got healthy groceries and simple recipes, all in one place To get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies, go to Hungryroot.com/TODDLER. Magnetic Me was created to make dressing easier with magnetic closures. No snaps, no buttons…no fuss You can try Magnetic Me for yourself by visiting magneticme.com and using code TODDLER for 20% off your next order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wine and cheese at the playground? Naps outside? Recess every hour? There are a lot of intriguing child-rearing strategies from all over the world, some that to us Am-urr-icans seem like common sense, and some that seem a little more out-of-the-box... Molly and Blaire discuss: Blaire's travels to England Outside naps in Nordic countries Déjeuner à la France Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode: Marco Chown Oved for the Toronto Star: "Mothers love differently around the world" Amy Morin for VeryWell Family: "11 Parenting Styles From Around the World" Sharon Jayson for USA Today: "American moms creating a parenting melting pot" What Fresh Hell's Fresh Take with Michaeleen Doucleff on Raising Happy, Helpful Little Humans Our Facebook group Leave us a voicemail on our site Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Stellar Eats creates healthy treats with delicious flavor and perfect texture using 8 (or fewer) real food ingredients because we want you to enjoy your favorite foods and feel amazing. To get 20% off your next order, use promo code TODDLER20 at StellarEats.com. Hungryroot is the easiest way to get fresh, high-quality food delivered to your door. They’ve got healthy groceries and simple recipes, all in one place To get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies, go to Hungryroot.com/TODDLER. Magnetic Me was created to make dressing easier with magnetic closures. No snaps, no buttons…no fuss You can try Magnetic Me for yourself by visiting magneticme.com and using code TODDLER for 20% off your next order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you feel overwhelmed when you're parenting solo, even if it's just for a few days? You're not alone. Solo parenting (not to be confused with single parenting) is tough, but there are small ways you can make a big impact on the experience, bringing down your blood pressure and your DEFCON level at the same time. Blaire and Molly discuss: The difference between a solo parent and a single parent Ways to prep for solo parenting ahead of time Conversations to have with your partner to make the experience better Links! Marika Lindholm for Medium: "What’s a Solo Mom?" Anisha Nair for First Cry Parenting: "10 Tips to Make Solo Parenting Easier" Claire Zulkey for The New York Times: "How Parents Who Travel for Work Can Ease the Burden on Their Families" What Fresh Hell episode: "Is It Sometimes Easier When Our Spouses Aren't Around?" "Unholy" by Sam Smith and Kim Petras Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Stellar Eats creates healthy treats with delicious flavor and perfect texture using 8 (or fewer) real food ingredients because we want you to enjoy your favorite foods and feel amazing. To get 20% off your next order, use promo code TODDLER20 at StellarEats.com. Hungryroot is the easiest way to get fresh, high-quality food delivered to your door. They’ve got healthy groceries and simple recipes, all in one place To get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies, go to Hungryroot.com/TODDLER. Magnetic Me was created to make dressing easier with magnetic closures. No snaps, no buttons…no fuss You can try Magnetic Me for yourself by visiting magneticme.com and using code TODDLER for 20% off your next order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kids today only spend half as much time playing outside as we did. It can be a hassle to get them bundled up and to the playground on a drizzly spring afternoon– or to clean half the floors in your house after a trip to your own snowy backyard. But there are many skills that kids gain both from self-directed and “purposeful play,” and experts say that's particularly true when that play happens outdoors. Our guest Meghan Fitzgerald is the co-founder of Tinkergarten, which offers purposeful play opportunities for children and families that gets them away from screens and outdoors together in nature. Meghan tells us her favorite get-them-outside activities, and why even the coldest or rainiest days offer rewards that really are worth bundling everyone up.  Here are links to some writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode:  https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/04/parenting/kids-winter-play-outside.html https://graziadaily.co.uk/life/parenting/viking-parenting-childhood-risk-fresh-air-mental-health/?fbclid=IwAR2sM-84dC7xYVEmyMLjKG7ijFQCm2QiIQOr1AZoPJpDTfFZm-mXVeRG2No https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/6-reasons-children-need-to-play-outside-2018052213880 And our episode "Danger Babies": https://www.toddlerpurgatory.com/danger-babies-why-are-some-kids-such-risk-takers/ Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Stellar Eats creates healthy treats with delicious flavor and perfect texture using 8 (or fewer) real food ingredients because we want you to enjoy your favorite foods and feel amazing. To get 20% off your next order, use promo code TODDLER20 at StellarEats.com. Hungryroot is the easiest way to get fresh, high-quality food delivered to your door. They’ve got healthy groceries and simple recipes, all in one place To get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies, go to Hungryroot.com/TODDLER. Magnetic Me was created to make dressing easier with magnetic closures. No snaps, no buttons…no fuss You can try Magnetic Me for yourself by visiting magneticme.com and using code TODDLER for 20% off your next order.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nobody tells you that the four-day potty training plan might take 6 weeks. Or that you should always have crayons and paper in the diaper bag. This episode is full of boredom busters, potty training tips, and all the best stuff somebody really should have told us ahead of time! Got a topic idea or a question you'd like to hear on the podcast? Leave us an email on our website: https://www.toddlerpurgatory.com/contact/ Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Stellar Eats creates healthy treats with delicious flavor and perfect texture using 8 (or fewer) real food ingredients because we want you to enjoy your favorite foods and feel amazing. To get 20% off your next order, use promo code TODDLER20 at StellarEats.com. Hungryroot is the easiest way to get fresh, high-quality food delivered to your door. They’ve got healthy groceries and simple recipes, all in one place To get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies, go to Hungryroot.com/TODDLER. Magnetic Me was created to make dressing easier with magnetic closures. No snaps, no buttons…no fuss You can try Magnetic Me for yourself by visiting magneticme.com and using code TODDLER for 20% off your next order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Babies are mysterious creatures, which is why Molly and Blaire took to the What Fresh Hell Facebook group to ask: "What is something you wish someone had told you before having a baby?" From how long it can take to get pregnant, to the likelihood your little one will love carrots for a year before turning on them for no apparent reason, laugh along as Toddler Purgatory gets to the bottom of all the things nobody ever told us before we had kids. Please "follow" or "subscribe" us wherever you listen so you never miss an episode! Find all the places you can listen on toddlerpurgatory.com. Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Stellar Eats creates healthy treats with delicious flavor and perfect texture using 8 (or fewer) real food ingredients because we want you to enjoy your favorite foods and feel amazing. To get 20% off your next order, use promo code TODDLER20 at StellarEats.com. Hungryroot is the easiest way to get fresh, high-quality food delivered to your door. They’ve got healthy groceries and simple recipes, all in one place To get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies, go to Hungryroot.com/TODDLER. Magnetic Me was created to make dressing easier with magnetic closures. No snaps, no buttons…no fuss You can try Magnetic Me for yourself by visiting magneticme.com and using code TODDLER for 20% off your next order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kids are bananas. Some particularly so. But why are some kids seemingly born to scale the kitchen cabinets before they can walk? And are there are any future upsides to having been a “danger baby”?  In this episode, Molly and Blaire discuss the many benefits of “free play,” the differences between danger and risk, how we can teach our little ones to be safely courageous, and what child development specialist Rebecca Weingarten calls “constructive failure.” Here are links to some of the writing on the topic and other things discussed in this episode:  https://health.usnews.com/wellness/for-parents/articles/2017-05-11/9-ways-to-cultivate-courage-in-kids https://www.todaysparent.com/kids/kids-health/why-our-kids-should-take-risks-sometimes-even-slightly-dangerous-ones/ Shakira’s song “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” https://youtu.be/pRpeEdMmmQ0 Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Stellar Eats creates healthy treats with delicious flavor and perfect texture using 8 (or fewer) real food ingredients because we want you to enjoy your favorite foods and feel amazing. To get 20% off your next order, use promo code TODDLER20 at StellarEats.com. Hungryroot is the easiest way to get fresh, high-quality food delivered to your door. They’ve got healthy groceries and simple recipes, all in one place To get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies, go to Hungryroot.com/TODDLER. Magnetic Me was created to make dressing easier with magnetic closures. No snaps, no buttons…no fuss You can try Magnetic Me for yourself by visiting magneticme.com and using code TODDLER for 20% off your next order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When did kids' birthday parties become such a big to-do? Why do we celebrate birthdays in the first place? What sound does a clown make? Blaire's and Molly's sons are both turning six within five days of each other, so listen in as they party plan and take a trip down memory lane about their own birthdays growing up. Blaire and Molly discuss: Memorable birthdays from their childhoods The average price of a modern kid's birthday party How to plan a kid's birthday party Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode: Joe Pinsker for The Atlantic: "The Strange Origins of American Birthday Celebrations" Megan Cooley for The Spruce: "How to Plan a Kid's Birthday Party: The Ultimate Timeline" Julie Hoag: "7 Tips to Survive Hosting a Kids Birthday Party" Crystal Ponti for Filter Free Parents: "This Is Why None Of Us Really Love Kids’ Birthday Parties" Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Stellar Eats creates healthy treats with delicious flavor and perfect texture using 8 (or fewer) real food ingredients because we want you to enjoy your favorite foods and feel amazing. To get 20% off your next order, use promo code TODDLER20 at StellarEats.com. Hungryroot is the easiest way to get fresh, high-quality food delivered to your door. They’ve got healthy groceries and simple recipes, all in one place To get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies, go to Hungryroot.com/TODDLER. Magnetic Me was created to make dressing easier with magnetic closures. No snaps, no buttons…no fuss You can try Magnetic Me for yourself by visiting magneticme.com and using code TODDLER for 20% off your next order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does your child consistently wake you up in the middle of the night because they're deathly afraid of the dark or the monsters under the bed? You may think that chasing "the monster" away or just leaving the lights on are the right course of action, but it's actually more complicated than that. Molly and Blaire discuss: Why so many people (adults and kids!) are scared of the dark The true secret to banishing your child's fears Why horror movies are actually soothing (for some of us) The most important thing you can do is validate your child's fear without shaming or judging them. Explain that you have your own fears, and start an open conversation about the root causes of their fears in order to address them. Links! Daryl Austin for USA Today: "More Americans than ever are afraid of the dark, experts say. Here's why." Nama Winston for ABC Everyday: "I've made my child afraid of the dark. How do I fix it?" Parenting.com: "Ask Dr. Sears: Mashing Monster Fears" "Bedtime Stories - Superheroes!" podcast Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Stellar Eats creates healthy treats with delicious flavor and perfect texture using 8 (or fewer) real food ingredients because we want you to enjoy your favorite foods and feel amazing. To get 20% off your next order, use promo code TODDLER20 at StellarEats.com. Hungryroot is the easiest way to get fresh, high-quality food delivered to your door. They’ve got healthy groceries and simple recipes, all in one place To get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies, go to Hungryroot.com/TODDLER. Magnetic Me was created to make dressing easier with magnetic closures. No snaps, no buttons…no fuss You can try Magnetic Me for yourself by visiting magneticme.com and using code TODDLER for 20% off your next order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're all ready to go All The Places after being stuck at home for so long, but traveling with little ones presents a few layers of challenge. How far in a day is too far? Does visiting family count as a "vacation"? What's the right age for Disney World? If the kids are happy at the indoor hotel pool, and you never get to the sightseeing, do you still win Parent of the Year for remembering the swim diapers? We discuss everything about vacationing with littles with guest Julia Edelstein, the editor-in-chief of Parents. Julia began her career at Time Out New York Kids, then served as health editor at places like Good Housekeeping and Real Simple before stepping into her current role leading America's most influential media brand for parents. She's also the mom of two boys, ages 6 and 4. We discuss this article in this episode: Jamie Hergenrader for TripSavvy: 2021 Trend Report Shows a Rise in Family Travel and the "Flexcation" Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Stellar Eats creates healthy treats with delicious flavor and perfect texture using 8 (or fewer) real food ingredients because we want you to enjoy your favorite foods and feel amazing. To get 20% off your next order, use promo code TODDLER20 at StellarEats.com. Hungryroot is the easiest way to get fresh, high-quality food delivered to your door. They’ve got healthy groceries and simple recipes, all in one place To get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies, go to Hungryroot.com/TODDLER. Magnetic Me was created to make dressing easier with magnetic closures. No snaps, no buttons…no fuss You can try Magnetic Me for yourself by visiting magneticme.com and using code TODDLER for 20% off your next order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do we talk to our kids about things we ourselves don't even fully understand? Some of the most difficult topics to discuss with kids are sex, death, illness, divorce, and natural disasters or tragedies. Molly and Blaire give recommendations for taking care of yourself, guiding the conversation, and avoiding euphemisms or metaphors that may be more harmful than helpful. Molly and Blaire discuss: Ways to frame death for kids What age to start tough conversations How to discuss tragedies in a nonjudgmental way Here are links to some of the resources referenced in the episode: Dr. Steven J. Berkowitz for the Child Mind Institute: "What Makes an Event Traumatic for a Child?" Lisa Milbrand for Parents.com: "A Step-By-Step Guide to Talking to Kids About Death and Grief" American Psychological Association: "How to talk to children about difficult news" Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Stellar Eats creates healthy treats with delicious flavor and perfect texture using 8 (or fewer) real food ingredients because we want you to enjoy your favorite foods and feel amazing. To get 20% off your next order, use promo code TODDLER20 at StellarEats.com. Hungryroot is the easiest way to get fresh, high-quality food delivered to your door. They’ve got healthy groceries and simple recipes, all in one place To get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies, go to Hungryroot.com/TODDLER. Magnetic Me was created to make dressing easier with magnetic closures. No snaps, no buttons…no fuss You can try Magnetic Me for yourself by visiting magneticme.com and using code TODDLER for 20% off your next order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listener Amy had this question for us in our Facebook group: My daughter is turning three in one week and her nearly overnight transition to mob boss terrorist monster is complete. It would help to hear from other parents that this is normal and maybe one day she will be my sweet baby again? Or just not a mob boss terrorist at least?? Three ages enter. Only one emerges. Is it the terrible twos that are the absolute worst age to parent? Threenagers? Fournadoes? Will we ever get our sweet unicorn babies back from the depths of toddler purgatory? There is something on the other side of this, right? In this episode, Molly and Blaire discuss: What is happening biologically at ages two, three, and four Activities to do with your toddler to ease tension Why you ain't seen nothin' yet Here links to some of the resources mentioned in our episode: Jay L. Hoecker for the Mayo Clinic: "Why Are Two-Year-Olds So Difficult?" Caroline Shannon-Karasik for Romper: "Here's Why Threenagers Are A (Frustrating, Totally Lovable) Thing" Zero to Three: "Toddlers and Challenging Behavior: Why They Do It and How to Respond" Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Stellar Eats creates healthy treats with delicious flavor and perfect texture using 8 (or fewer) real food ingredients because we want you to enjoy your favorite foods and feel amazing. To get 20% off your next order, use promo code TODDLER20 at StellarEats.com. Hungryroot is the easiest way to get fresh, high-quality food delivered to your door. They’ve got healthy groceries and simple recipes, all in one place To get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies, go to Hungryroot.com/TODDLER. Magnetic Me was created to make dressing easier with magnetic closures. No snaps, no buttons…no fuss You can try Magnetic Me for yourself by visiting magneticme.com and using code TODDLER for 20% off your next order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do we form a strong bond with our kids when we're struggling with our own issues, when we've just been through a worldwide pandemic, when we used to have that bond but have lost it somewhere along the way? It's not easy, but there are some tried-and-true methods *ahem, therapy* for forming or reforming a close bond with your child. Molly and Blaire discuss: Things that can get in the way of the parent-child bond Small yet meaningful ways to communicate to your child that you love them What asking for help may look like for different people Resist the urge to blame yourself if you feel your bond is suffering or has deteriorated. There are many factors that contribute to the problem that are outside your control. Links! Ella Glover for Metro UK: "Asking For A Friend: Why can’t I bond with my child?" PsychCentral: "Tips to Heal After Growing Up with a Dismissive Mother" PsychCentral: "4 Habits that Disconnect You from Your Kids" Special thanks to our sponsors: Stellar Eats creates healthy treats with delicious flavor and perfect texture using 8 (or fewer) real food ingredients because we want you to enjoy your favorite foods and feel amazing. To get 20% off your next order, use promo code TODDLER20 at StellarEats.com. Hungryroot is the easiest way to get fresh, high-quality food delivered to your door. They’ve got healthy groceries and simple recipes, all in one place To get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies, go to Hungryroot.com/TODDLER. Magnetic Me was created to make dressing easier with magnetic closures. No snaps, no buttons…no fuss You can try Magnetic Me for yourself by visiting magneticme.com and using code TODDLER for 20% off your next order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do we do when our kid lies to our face? At a certain age, kids start discovering that they can just, well, not tell the truth about things. This can range from innocent fibs to whopping lies of grandiose proportions. Though this be mini madness, there is mini method in it. Molly and Blaire discuss: The various reasons kids lie How to gently approach your kid about their lies When it may be time to seek professional help for your kid Doing "truth checks" with your kid is a great way to encourage them to be honest with you without making them feel as if they've been caught with their hand in the proverbial (or literal) cookie jar. Links! Beth Arky for Child Mind Institute: "Why Kids Lie and What Parents Can Do About It" Connie Chang for The Washington Post: "All kids lie: How to handle it, and when you should worry" Special thanks to our sponsors: Stellar Eats creates healthy treats with delicious flavor and perfect texture using 8 (or fewer) real food ingredients because we want you to enjoy your favorite foods and feel amazing. To get 20% off your next order, use promo code TODDLER20 at StellarEats.com. Hungryroot is the easiest way to get fresh, high-quality food delivered to your door. They’ve got healthy groceries and simple recipes, all in one place To get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies, go to Hungryroot.com/TODDLER. Magnetic Me was created to make dressing easier with magnetic closures. No snaps, no buttons…no fuss You can try Magnetic Me for yourself by visiting magneticme.com and using code TODDLER for 20% off your next order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is your child learning values or lessons at school that are not in line with your own? Do they discipline in a way that you don't agree with? It's not unusual for teachers and parents to butt heads over a child's learning. Here's how to address the problem without coming in too hot. Blaire and Molly discuss: The importance of finding (and staying) calm before starting a discussion How to find common ground with your child's teacher Constructive methods for finding a solution together Coming in with facts, not feelings, is key. When our kids are involved, it's easy to get emotional and heavily invested in a situation. But it's important to remember that both you and your child's teacher want what's best for your kid. Links! Sherri Gordon for Verywell Family: "What to Do If You Disagree With Your Child's Teacher" Lisa Van Gemert: "6 Steps to Take When School Isn’t Meeting the Needs of Your Child" Special thanks to our sponsors: Stellar Eats creates healthy treats with delicious flavor and perfect texture using 8 (or fewer) real food ingredients because we want you to enjoy your favorite foods and feel amazing. To get 20% off your next order, use promo code TODDLER20 at StellarEats.com. Hungryroot is the easiest way to get fresh, high-quality food delivered to your door. They’ve got healthy groceries and simple recipes, all in one place To get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies, go to Hungryroot.com/TODDLER. Magnetic Me was created to make dressing easier with magnetic closures. No snaps, no buttons…no fuss You can try Magnetic Me for yourself by visiting magneticme.com and using code TODDLER for 20% off your next order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Regression is what happens when a child revisits an earlier stage of his or her development– and behaves accordingly. Paradoxically, regression can happen right after a child makes a developmental leap or meets a new milestone. Dr. Tovah Klein, director of the Barnard College Center for Toddler Development, suggests that regression is a manifestation of the constant push-and-pull little kids feel between the need for dependence and the desire for independence. But how are parents supposed to react? Are we supposed to let them start dragging their blankie to pre-K? Is pushback totally required or a terrible idea? In this episode, we discuss what works to discourage the regressive behavior, how to know when to just allow or ignore it, and how to do with our own stress that yes, actually our child will be the first person in history to walk down the aisle at college graduation still using a pacifier.  Here are links to some writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode:  Caroline Vollans for Nursery World: An Essential Guide To Regression Melinda Wenner Moyer for the New York Times: Wait, I Thought You Had Outgrown This Unity Point: Regressive Behavior: Signs of Child Regression & What to Do Special thanks to our sponsors: Stellar Eats creates healthy treats with delicious flavor and perfect texture using 8 (or fewer) real food ingredients because we want you to enjoy your favorite foods and feel amazing. To get 20% off your next order, use promo code TODDLER20 at StellarEats.com. Hungryroot is the easiest way to get fresh, high-quality food delivered to your door. They’ve got healthy groceries and simple recipes, all in one place To get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies, go to Hungryroot.com/TODDLER. Magnetic Me was created to make dressing easier with magnetic closures. No snaps, no buttons…no fuss You can try Magnetic Me for yourself by visiting magneticme.com and using code TODDLER for 20% off your next order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transitions are hard for little kids, and it’s not hard to see why: they usually move a kid from something that they’re absorbed in and enjoying to something a lot less interesting and fun. In this episode we talk about how to deal with the meltdowns, talking back, and general resistance around transitions, and how to make those moments easier, whether it’s a “big picture” transition like starting school, or just time to leave the playground. We talk about Claire Lerner’s excellent advice in this episode– check out What Fresh Hell’s recent interview with Claire: https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/claire-lerner And here are links to some of the writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode:  Dyan Robson for the CBC: How To Help Kids Who Struggle With Daily Transitions Claire Lerner for PBS Kids: How to Help Your Child Successfully Transition Back to School Special thanks to our sponsors: Stellar Eats creates healthy treats with delicious flavor and perfect texture using 8 (or fewer) real food ingredients because we want you to enjoy your favorite foods and feel amazing. To get 20% off your next order, use promo code TODDLER20 at StellarEats.com. Hungryroot is the easiest way to get fresh, high-quality food delivered to your door. They’ve got healthy groceries and simple recipes, all in one place To get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies, go to Hungryroot.com/TODDLER. Magnetic Me was created to make dressing easier with magnetic closures. No snaps, no buttons…no fuss You can try Magnetic Me for yourself by visiting magneticme.com and using code TODDLER for 20% off your next order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Studies indicate that up to 50% of children experience a sleep problem. When babies and kids don't sleep moms don't sleep either– so this week we're talking to a sleep expert! Becca Campbell is the founder and creator of Little Z’s® Sleep Consulting , where parents can easily get sleep help through online courses for children ages 0-5 years old. Becca's courses and her Little Z's Sleep Podcast have helped thousands of families around the world make sleep a thing. In this episode Becca brings the knowledge on the four types of newborns how sleep schedules should change a little bit every month during your child's first year of life the right age to drop the naps for good when kids can successfully share a room (and sleep at night) what "overtired" looks like in a toddler what to do when your kid naps at daycare, and then isn't tired at bedtime Doing the extra work around sleep is worth it in the long run– and Becca is full of terrific advice. Special thanks to our sponsors: Stellar Eats creates healthy treats with delicious flavor and perfect texture using 8 (or fewer) real food ingredients because we want you to enjoy your favorite foods and feel amazing. To get 20% off your next order, use promo code TODDLER20 at StellarEats.com. Hungryroot is the easiest way to get fresh, high-quality food delivered to your door. They’ve got healthy groceries and simple recipes, all in one place To get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies, go to Hungryroot.com/TODDLER. Magnetic Me was created to make dressing easier with magnetic closures. No snaps, no buttons…no fuss You can try Magnetic Me for yourself by visiting magneticme.com and using code TODDLER for 20% off your next order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mom guilt. Mom rage. Shame. We feel the things. Then we feel bad about feeling the things. Which doesn't help us feel any better. In this episode we discuss how to acknowledge, anticipate, sit with, process, and redirect these feelings, without beating ourselves up for having felt them in the first place. Here are links to some of the writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode: Pooja Lakshmin for The New York Times: Saying No Is Self-Care For Parents Motherly: Mom Rage is Real-and it's a sign that mother's needs aren't being met  Lauren Smith Brody for Today's Parent: Why mom guilt is the biggest lie of all Special thanks to our sponsors: Stellar Eats creates healthy treats with delicious flavor and perfect texture using 8 (or fewer) real food ingredients because we want you to enjoy your favorite foods and feel amazing. To get 20% off your next order, use promo code TODDLER20 at StellarEats.com. Hungryroot is the easiest way to get fresh, high-quality food delivered to your door. They’ve got healthy groceries and simple recipes, all in one place To get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies, go to Hungryroot.com/TODDLER. Magnetic Me was created to make dressing easier with magnetic closures. No snaps, no buttons…no fuss You can try Magnetic Me for yourself by visiting magneticme.com and using code TODDLER for 20% off your next order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you have more than one kid, you are pretty familiar with sibling rivalry. The constant squabbling can drive us nuts, but it’s important to remember that it’s less about whatever toy they’re fighting over at the moment than about birth order, family dynamics, and their competing desires for our attention. We can’t stop the bickering forever, but there are ways to minimize conflict and maximize productive resolution. We discuss the best ways to set our kids up for success.  Here are links to some writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode:  Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials: 10 Tips For Dealing With Sibling Rivalry Ask Dr. Sears: Sibling Rivalry: 20 Tips to Stop the Friction Special thanks to our sponsors: Stellar Eats creates healthy treats with delicious flavor and perfect texture using 8 (or fewer) real food ingredients because we want you to enjoy your favorite foods and feel amazing. To get 20% off your next order, use promo code TODDLER20 at StellarEats.com. Hungryroot is the easiest way to get fresh, high-quality food delivered to your door. They’ve got healthy groceries and simple recipes, all in one place To get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies, go to Hungryroot.com/TODDLER. Magnetic Me was created to make dressing easier with magnetic closures. No snaps, no buttons…no fuss You can try Magnetic Me for yourself by visiting magneticme.com and using code TODDLER for 20% off your next order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The list of typical parenting fears is longer than a CVS receipt, and for us, researching this episode didn’t exactly make that list shorter. Turns out there are big picture, hypothetical fears, most common before the baby actually arrives; there are societally imposed, nightly-news sort of fears; and for most of us, a few more “I know this sounds crazy but” fears, which we have made up all on our own.  It’s hard not to want to bubble wrap our kids until college… but since there are probably some negative side effects to that as well, in this episode we discuss how to manage our relationships with some of the most common parenting fears. Here are links to some writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode: Connie Mattiessen for BabyCenter: Top 5 parenting fears and what you can do about them Paul Donahue: Parenting Without Fear: Letting Go of Worry and Focusing on What Really Matters Dr. Minne Fekkes et al: Effects of Antibullying School Program on Bullying and Health Complaints Special thanks to our sponsors: Stellar Eats creates healthy treats with delicious flavor and perfect texture using 8 (or fewer) real food ingredients because we want you to enjoy your favorite foods and feel amazing. To get 20% off your next order, use promo code TODDLER20 at StellarEats.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why are parents so tired all the time? Perhaps it’s the whole not sleeping thing. But a recent study on maternal exhaustion found that perfectionism is also a huge factor. In other words, we run ourselves ragged making things nice for our loved ones, and then are too exhausted to enjoy those things ourselves.  In this episode, we talk about how our exhaustion affects our parenting, how the pandemic has made it all even harder, and what we’re trying in order to get just a little more rest.  Here are links to some of the writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode:  Dr. Sarah Hubert et al: Parental Burnout: When Exhausted Mothers Open Up Gabriela Garcia for The Every Mom: 5 Ways To Fight Mom Fatigue @kids.eat.in.color on Instagram Special thanks to our sponsors: Stellar Eats creates healthy treats with delicious flavor and perfect texture using 8 (or fewer) real food ingredients because we want you to enjoy your favorite foods and feel amazing. To get 20% off your next order, use promo code TODDLER20 at StellarEats.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you have a kid who insists that a sandwich is inedible unless it is cut in half instead on the diagonal? A child who won't allow you to sing in the car? A little one who insists that every truck that is not a pickup truck must be deemed a "regular truck"? If so, you have labored under the strict dictatorship of Little Kid Rules. On this episode Blaire and Molly dive in to why little kids have such strong rules, why they expect adults to follow them, and which members of the What Fresh Hell Facebook Group are currently toiling under some very specific dictates from their tiny bosses! Articles Cited: Claire Lerner on Getting Kids to Be Flexible Special thanks to our sponsors: Stellar Eats creates healthy treats with delicious flavor and perfect texture using 8 (or fewer) real food ingredients because we want you to enjoy your favorite foods and feel amazing. To get 20% off your next order, use promo code TODDLER20 at StellarEats.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A good morning starts with a good night before. Kids who are well-rested tend to have an easier morning the next day. Any prep we can do the night before– laying out clothes, prepping breakfast and lunches in advance– can help make the morning routing less chaotic. The morning routine also brings us back to the classic parenting rule "Put your own oxygen mask on first." If you can take even a little time for yourself while you let your kids play in the morning, it can help you face the rest of your day, and your kids, in a better headspace. On busy mornings, consider turning off the tech once everyone is up. Fighting over when it's time to turn off screens and get ready can add conflict to a situation that's already chaotic. But we say do what works for you and your family. Don't try to completely revamp your morning routine all at once. Start small with one change, like taking a shower before the kids wake up or making a protein-rich breakfast for the whole family. Don't try to make everything perfect right away. Not every morning will be smooth sailing, but small changes can make a big difference in making your mornings just a little less stressful. Articles cited in this episode: The Self-Aware Parent: Resolving Conflict and Building a Better Bond with Your Child (featuring Dr. Jerry Bubrick of the Child Mind Institute) Busy Toddler This Simple Balance Special thanks to our sponsors: Stellar Eats creates healthy treats with delicious flavor and perfect texture using 8 (or fewer) real food ingredients because we want you to enjoy your favorite foods and feel amazing. To get 20% off your next order, use promo code TODDLER20 at StellarEats.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you have little ones, you end up with a mountain of stuff you probably didn't need to buy– and a few things that are total sanity-savers. In this episode we're talking about all the stuff that got us through, and still is! Most of these are to help us take care of the kids. A few of them are just for us. Here's a list of all the must-haves we discuss.... If your podcast app doesn't support clickable links, you can also find this list on our website: https://www.toddlerpurgatory.com/things-we-cant-live-without. Blaire & Molly’s Suggestions: Boppy Nursing Pillow https://amzn.to/2XEGIrI Oxo Wipe Dispenser https://amzn.to/3nKkfnU Utility Cart https://amzn.to/3CshR9D Inglesina Fast Table Chair https://amzn.to/3CshR9D Baby Brezza Formula Dispenser https://amzn.to/2XBhpH1 Baby Merlin Sleep Suit https://amzn.to/3zkcpU0 SwaddleMe Swaddle https://amzn.to/39daMgo Keekaroo Changer https://amzn.to/3lwXdOM Boon Countertop Drying Rack https://amzn.to/2VVdQec Yeti Coffee Tumbler https://amzn.to/3kjJCuM WildBird Ring Sling Carrier https://amzn.to/3zjL4l0 Disposable Placemats https://amzn.to/3klyaPk Boudreaux’s Butt Paste https://amzn.to/3zt4TGB Frida Nose Sucker https://amzn.to/3kpHv8D Listener Suggestions: Yeti Rambler https://amzn.to/3zsp5Iu Thermos Funtainer https://amzn.to/3km7HRA Fillable Baby Spoons https://amzn.to/3zpzsx0 Hatch Clock https://amzn.to/3krXd3g Sleek Socket Outlet Protector https://amzn.to/3tVBbJ3 Kindle Fire for Kids https://amzn.to/3nPnydv Eufy Security Camera https://amzn.to/3AvjLFJ Magnatiles https://amzn.to/39kpQZN As an Amazon Associate, Toddler Purgatory may earn affiliate income from qualifying purchases. Special thanks to our sponsors: Stellar Eats creates healthy treats with delicious flavor and perfect texture using 8 (or fewer) real food ingredients because we want you to enjoy your favorite foods and feel amazing. To get 20% off your next order, use promo code TODDLER20 at StellarEats.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our child has finally realized they are separate from us. Yay! Aaaaaand cue the separation anxiety. The fact that separation anxiety signals growth in kids doesn't make it any easier for mother or child. But there are coping strategies on both sides that can ease some of the pain. In this episode, Molly and Blaire discuss: What separation anxiety looks like in different ages (and in moms) The tend-and-befriend theory How to tell normal separation anxiety from a disorder Links to resources mentioned in the episode: Wendy Sue Swanson for healthychildren.org: "How to Ease Your Child’s Separation Anxiety" Scott Edwards and Emily Rizzitano for Boston Children's Hospital: "Helping your child cope with separation anxiety" Ashurina Ream for Psyched Mommy: "7 Tips to Manage Maternal Separation Anxiety" "Grownups Come Back" a song about separation anxiety from Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood on PBS Kids Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How young is too young to drive your kid three states away for a lacrosse tournament? Is it 5? (Yes, yes it is.) It's tempting to use sports to teach our kids valuable lessons, tire them out, and groom them for the Olympics. But sports for young kids are intrinsically valuable, even without structure, competition, or score keeping. And why would you want your kids to grow up to make millions of dollars a year playing baseball when they could be actors, anyway? In this episode, Molly and Blaire discuss: How sports both help and hurt young kids How to instill a love of sports in kids, minus unhealthy competition mindsets How to incorporate all kinds of fun activities into kids' schedules Here are the links to some of the resources mentioned in the show: Patty Onderko for parenting.com: "Toddler Sports" Kelly Wallace for CNN: "How to make your kid hate sports without really trying" Spooky Nook Sports: "How To Get Kids Interested In Sports - Best Sports For Kids" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes we wish we could just get away from it all. Is that wrong? We love our families! Even with that love in our hearts, it's tempting to yearn for a room of one's own with a solid, soundproof door. We asked our listeners what they would do with one entire week off, and for many of them it involved a lot of TV, snacks, and, in some cases, the cast of Queer Eye. In this episode. Molly and Blaire discuss: What the advent of the word "momcation" signals Why moms are pressured to be perfect What THEY would do with their own week off! Here are the links to the articles we discuss in the episode: TIME Magazine: "Moms: Your Fantasy About Running Away Is Totally Normal" Caitlin Gibson for The Washington Post: "American mothers need a break. But is the ‘momcation’ a solution to their problems or a symptom?" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Father's Day! This episode, Molly and Blaire talk to their respective dads, Dick and Chuck, about their experiences as fathers and everything they've learned along the way. In this episode, Molly, Blaire, Dick, and Chuck discuss: Differences in parenting across generations What they would tell their past selves Raising foster children How to properly make gin and tonics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When we see parents absolutely losing it at their children– and maybe even laying hands on them–are we obligated to act? Prevent Child Abuse America is clear that if you see something, you say something. The harder part is knowing what it is we've seen. We don't always know whether we're witnessing a regrettable but isolated incident or something that’s part of a pattern. We want to make sure we're not making that child less safe by publicly calling the parent out.  And knowing that actually making a phone call to enlist the police or CPS might trigger a series of events that can separate parent and child, we want to be “very confident,” as philosophy professor Kwame Appiah explains, “that such recourse is justified.”  In this episode we discuss how we've handled these moments in our own lives– and going forward, how we'll discern when need to speak up, with the knowledge of how to defuse the situation rather than further inflame it. If you feel a child is in real/imminent danger, please call 1-800-4-A-CHILD. We discuss this article in this episode: Christopher Mele for The New York Times: Should You Intervene When a Parent Harshly Disciplines a Child in Public? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The term “spirited child” was coined by parent educator Mary Sheedy Kurcinka when she was looking for information regarding her own strong-willed son and only found words like “difficult”and “high-strung.” She believed that framing her son’s personality positively would help her focus on his strengths. And there’s no question spirited children bring us tons of joy– while also being emotionally intense, demanding, and extra sensitive.  In this episode we discuss How to know if you have an officially “spirited” child How best to support them (spoiler alert: advanced notice on transitions) How we can learn lessons from our own spirited kids, like determination and curiosity  Here are links to some writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode: Cheryl Maguire for parent.com: 4 Traits I Learned From My Spirited Child California Childcare Health Program, "Caring for the Spirited Child" Mary Sheedy Kurcinka: Raising Your Spirited Child, Third Edition: A Guide for Parents Whose Child Is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, and Energetic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Britt Hawthorne is a mother, teacher, author, and anti-bias/antiracist facilitator. Britt partners with caregivers, educators, and families to raise the next generation of antiracist children. Her forthcoming book, Raising Antiracist Children: A Practical Parenting Guide, which comes out June 7th, is for families ready to take action that'll bring change at home. In this episode, Molly, Blaire, and Britt discuss: How kids under the age of 6 perceive race How to create racially diverse experiences for toddlers Conversations we can have with our parenting partners Here's where you can find Britt: www.britthawthorne.com @britthawthorne on IG  @britthawthorne_ on Twitter  @tashaxandra (Britt's coauthor) on IG  Buy Britt's book, Raising Antiracist Children: A Practical Parenting Guide Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Beach days. Pool days. Soccer camp. River days. Creek days. (Pick your preferred body of water, is what we're saying.) Are you exhausted yet? When the lazy days of summer start, we may feel pressure to entertain our toddlers every day. But that's not possible, since we're mere mortals. Molly and Blaire share their ideas for staying active with your kids during the summer months without getting overwhelmed. In this episode, Molly and Blaire discuss: What to pack in your summertime Go Bag Activity ideas for all types of weather How to introduce some healthy boredom into the schedule Here are links to the resources mentioned in the episode: Robin Westen for Parents.com: "24 Cheap Summer Activities for Kids" Crafty Kids at Home busytoddler.com Special thanks to our sponsors: Zocdoc is the only FREE app that lets you find AND book doctors who are patient-reviewed, take your insurance, and are available when you need them. Go to Zocdoc.com/TODDLER and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Try Peloton Tread Risk-Free with a 30-day home trial. New members only. Not available in remote locations. See additional terms at onepeloton.com/home-trial.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We asked those in our Facebook group how they maintain friendships with childless friends. The answers ranged from hilarious to heartbreaking. Keeping childless friends in our lives involves self-reflection, perspective taking, FaceTime, texting, and roller skating. Oh, and, unfortunately, "hard pants." In this episode, Molly and Blaire discuss: How maintaining friendships with childless friends is an act of self care How to take on the perspective of childless friends How to let go of and mourn friendships that have run their course Here is the link to the article mentioned in the episode: Rachel Bertsche for The New York Times: "Staying Close to Your Friends Without Kids" Special thanks to our sponsors: Zocdoc is the only FREE app that lets you find AND book doctors who are patient-reviewed, take your insurance, and are available when you need them. Go to Zocdoc.com/TODDLER and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Try Peloton Tread Risk-Free with a 30-day home trial. New members only. Not available in remote locations. See additional terms at onepeloton.com/home-trial.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Disney World a childhood mecca or a cruel and unusual punishment? Rite of passage or consumerist hellscape? For some families, Disney is NOT the happiest place on Earth. Blaire and Molly discuss the pros and cons of taking their kids to Disney and why it maybe doesn't define their worth as parents. In this episode, Molly and Blaire discuss: The pros and cons of taking kids of different ages to Disney World How your relationship with Disney content affects your experience at the park The infamous bug show at the Animal Kingdom Links to resources mentioned in today's episode: James Brockbank for The Family Vacation Guide: "What Is The Best Age To Take Kids To Disney World?" Blaire's awesome floral gown Kingdom stroller rental Special thanks to our sponsors: Zocdoc is the only FREE app that lets you find AND book doctors who are patient-reviewed, take your insurance, and are available when you need them. Go to Zocdoc.com/TODDLER and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Try Peloton Tread Risk-Free with a 30-day home trial. New members only. Not available in remote locations. See additional terms at onepeloton.com/home-trial.  Ritual’s Essential for Women 18 and up is a multivitamin you can actually trust. Visit ritual.com/toddler for 10% off during your first 3 months. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are chores an age-appropriate expectation for little ones? It’s not easy to get buy-in from them, but it’s definitely worth it. One study showed that the single best predictor of young adults’ success in their mid-20s was whether they participated in household tasks when they were three or four. So the best approach is to have our kids start "helping" early and often. In this episode we talk about  ways to right-size the task and the expectation for each age rewards and motivations that work (and why you don’t need to start these too early) how to deal with all the whining that will probably result when you present chore-related expectations Here are links to some writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode:  Sarah Aguirre for The Spruce: Age-Appropriate Chores for Kids Ages 2 to 18 The Center For Parenting Education: The Benefits of Chores Barbara Coloroso: Kids Are Worth It! : Giving Your Child The Gift Of Inner Discipline No-Guilt Mom: Get Kids to do Chores: 5 Ways to Respond When They Don’t Want To Special thanks to our sponsors: Zocdoc is the only FREE app that lets you find AND book doctors who are patient-reviewed, take your insurance, and are available when you need them. Go to Zocdoc.com/TODDLER and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Ritual’s Essential for Women 18 and up is a multivitamin you can actually trust. Visit ritual.com/toddler for 10% off during your first 3 months. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most kids are somewhat finicky about what they'll eat. Some are full-blown picky eaters, who won't eat chicken nuggets unless they're dinosaur-shaped. And even then only if the ketchup isn't touching them on the plate. People who say "Your kids will eat when they're hungry enough!" mean well. They are also incorrect. So what's a parent to do? Keep feeding the picky eater the three foods she'll eat, or keep offering her other foods she won't? In this episode, we discuss why kids are so often picky in their eating, what parents can do to encourage eating new things without causing huge battles, and how to recruit our picky eaters in that process. Enjoying our podcast? Please give us a rating/review on Apple Podcasts! https://www.podpage.com/toddler-purgatory/rate/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever find yourself saying the same thing over and over to your kids? The answer isn’t to yell louder, as tempting as that can be. It might be more effective to consider the true capabilities of our kids at the stages they are at, and look at whether it might be our expectations that need a slight adjustment. Once you’ve done that? You’re a “gentle parent.” Sarah Ockwell-Smith, parenting expert and author of The Gentle Parenting Book, sums up gentle parenting in three words: empathy, understanding, and respect. But gentle parenting isn’t pushover parenting. Discipline is still possible– it’s just focused on lessons to be learned more than on punishments. It’s about shutting off our autopilot as parents and beginning a practice of remembering that a child is a child. In this episode we discuss How to set boundaries in this new paradigm (yes, still possible) How to model the behavior we want our kids to learn How gentle parenting helps our kids learn emotional maturity sooner. Here are links to some writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode:  Sarah Ockwell-Smith: Five Steps To Effective Discipline Renee Plant for Very Well Family: What Is Gentle Parenting?  Natalia Oliver for Guidepost Montessori: A Beginner’s Guide To Gentle Parenting Vicky McKeever for CNBC: This ‘gentle parenting’ guru gives her tips for raising confident kids Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: Misfits Market is an intuitive online grocery shopping platform. Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/toddlerpurgatory and use code LAUGHING25 to get $25 off your first order by June 30, 2023. Terms and conditions apply.  Try Peloton Tread Risk-Free with a 30-day home trial. New members only. Not available in remote locations. See additional terms at onepeloton.com/home-trial.  Zocdoc is the only FREE app that lets you find AND book doctors who are patient-reviewed, take your insurance, and are available when you need them. Go to Zocdoc.com/TODDLER and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Temper tantrums are the way that young children express emotions they are not developmentally able to express in other ways. Does knowing that the kicking and screaming is completely developmentally appropriate make it any easier for parents to deal with? Sometimes.  In this episode, we discuss the differences between tantrums and meltdowns, what the most common tantrum triggers are, and the most helpful ways for us to react when our little ones are going Full Ham Freakout.  Here are links to some writing on the topic that we mention in this episode:  Stanford Children’s Health: Temper Tantrums Sarah and Larry Nannery for Psychology Today: What Is the Difference Between a Meltdown and a Tantrum? Shaun Dreisbach for Parents: How to Deal with Toddler Temper Tantrums Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: Misfits Market is an intuitive online grocery shopping platform. Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/toddlerpurgatory and use code LAUGHING25 to get $25 off your first order by June 30, 2023. Terms and conditions apply.  Try Peloton Tread Risk-Free with a 30-day home trial. New members only. Not available in remote locations. See additional terms at onepeloton.com/home-trial.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Britt Hawthorne is a mother, teacher, author, and anti-bias/antiracist facilitator. Britt partners with caregivers, educators, and families to raise the next generation of antiracist children. Her book Raising Antiracist Children: A Practical Parenting Guide is for families ready to take action that'll bring change at home. In this episode, Molly, Blaire, and Britt discuss: How kids under the age of 6 perceive race How to create racially diverse experiences for toddlers Conversations we can have with our parenting partners Here's where you can find Britt: www.britthawthorne.com @britthawthorne on IG  @britthawthorne_ on Twitter  @tashaxandra (Britt's coauthor) on IG  Buy Britt's book, Raising Antiracist Children: A Practical Parenting Guide Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: If you’re looking for self-care that’s quick and easy, Athletic Greens is giving you a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase. Go to athleticgreens.com/LAUGHING.  Misfits Market is an intuitive online grocery shopping platform. Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/toddlerpurgatory and use code LAUGHING25 to get $25 off your first order by June 30, 2023. Terms and conditions apply.  Try Peloton Tread Risk-Free with a 30-day home trial. New members only. Not available in remote locations. See additional terms at onepeloton.com/home-trial.  Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 15% off your first order.  Ritual’s Essential for Women 18 and up is a multivitamin you can actually trust. Visit ritual.com/toddler for 10% off during your first 3 months. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you find an authentic mom group that lets you be yourself, especially when you're the only mother of color there? Helena Andrews-Dyer discusses learnings from mothers with different lived experiences with Molly and Blaire. Helena Andrews-Dyer is an award-winning culture reporter for The Washington Post, covering the intersection of popular culture, race, politics and art in the nation’s capital. Her third book, “The Mamas: What I Learned About Kids, Class and Race From Moms Not Like Me,” was published by Crown in August 2022.  Helena, Blaire, and Molly discuss: The "second knowing" that mothers of color have When motherhood is not a universal experience How to make mom friendships that are authentic When your mom friends are willing to sit in discomfort with their own biases, and when you feel you can be around them without stepping on eggshells or withholding parts of yourself, those are the mom friendships that are healthy and beneficial to maintain long-term. Here's where you can find Helena: www.helenaandrews.com @helena_andrews on IG and Twitter Buy Helena's book: https://bookshop.org/a/12099/9780593240311 Listen to the What Fresh Hell interview with Helena Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: If you’re looking for self-care that’s quick and easy, Athletic Greens is giving you a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase. Go to athleticgreens.com/LAUGHING.  Misfits Market is an intuitive online grocery shopping platform. Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/toddlerpurgatory and use code LAUGHING25 to get $25 off your first order by June 30, 2023. Terms and conditions apply.  Try Peloton Tread Risk-Free with a 30-day home trial. New members only. Not available in remote locations. See additional terms at onepeloton.com/home-trial.  Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 15% off your first order.  Ritual’s Essential for Women 18 and up is a multivitamin you can actually trust. Visit ritual.com/toddler for 10% off during your first 3 months. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do we make time for our partners when all of our time is taken up with work and kids? We asked our listeners for date night ideas ranging from fancy to simple - and how to work those special times into your regular schedule. Molly and Blaire discuss: How to schedule and stick with regular date nights Why regular dates are beneficial for you, your partner, and your kids Cheddar Bay biscuits The secret to date night is it doesn't have to be fancy - it can be anything from a walk around the block to a night out on the town hopping from restaurant to restaurant - or you can stay home and roast up a nice moose - whatever you prefer. Links! Kristi Pahr for Parents Magazine: "Most Parents Haven't Been on a Romantic Date in More Than 3 Years" Anisa Arsenault for The Bump: "Date Night: How Many Parents Are Actually Taking One?" Train of Thought game Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: If you’re looking for self-care that’s quick and easy, Athletic Greens is giving you a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase. Go to athleticgreens.com/LAUGHING.  Misfits Market is an intuitive online grocery shopping platform. Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/toddlerpurgatory and use code LAUGHING25 to get $25 off your first order by June 30, 2023. Terms and conditions apply.  Try Peloton Tread Risk-Free with a 30-day home trial. New members only. Not available in remote locations. See additional terms at onepeloton.com/home-trial.  Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 15% off your first order.  Ritual’s Essential for Women 18 and up is a multivitamin you can actually trust. Visit ritual.com/toddler for 10% off during your first 3 months. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can we tell what our babies need from the sound of their cries? Here's how to play detective when your baby is upset - and how to try and problem-solve when it seems like nothing is working. Molly and Blaire discuss: The different sounds babies make when they are hungry, tired/uncomfortable, bored, or sick Crying spells Jetsons thermometers Sometimes your baby is hungry, sometimes they have a hair wrapped around their toe, and sometimes they just need a good cry - so do adults! But just because it's normal for babies to cry for no reason doesn't make it any easier for us to hear it. Sometimes all we can do is take a deep breath, maybe a bath, and remind ourselves that no baby ever hurt themselves from crying too much. Links! Catherine Donaldson-Evans for What to Expect: "What Do Your Baby's Cries Mean?" Stephanie Grassullo for The Bump: "Most Parents Feel Like Failures During Baby’s First Year, Survey Reveals" Our episode with sleep expert Becca Campbell Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: If you’re looking for self-care that’s quick and easy, Athletic Greens is giving you a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase. Go to athleticgreens.com/LAUGHING.  Misfits Market is an intuitive online grocery shopping platform. Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/toddlerpurgatory and use code LAUGHING25 to get $25 off your first order by June 30, 2023. Terms and conditions apply.  Try Peloton Tread Risk-Free with a 30-day home trial. New members only. Not available in remote locations. See additional terms at onepeloton.com/home-trial.  Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 15% off your first order.  Ritual’s Essential for Women 18 and up is a multivitamin you can actually trust. Visit ritual.com/toddler for 10% off during your first 3 months. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do we instill a love of reading in our kids from a young age? Author and educator Maya Smart shares simple strategies for developing language skills in young kids. Maya Payne Smart is a parent educator, literacy advocate, and the author of Reading for Our Lives: A Literacy Action Plan from Birth to Six. Her website, MayaSmart.com, publishes new book lists, literacy activities, and other free family resources weekly to help parents play their dual roles as first teachers and educational advocates. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from the Medill School at Northwestern University and a bachelor’s in social studies with honors from Harvard University. She serves as affiliated faculty in Educational Policy and Leadership in the College of Education at Marquette University. Blaire, Molly, and Maya discuss: How to build your child's language skills from a very early age The role of technology in kids' reading journeys How to personalize your child's reading experience A light touch of language development every day - mentioning how a certain letter sounds or looks on the page, for example - is a great way to foster your child's reading skills, rather than spending hours drilling phonics flashcards one rainy weekend. Just keep engaging with them in a consistent way - that's a great start! Here's where you can find Maya: @mayasmarty on IG @MayaSmart on Twitter www.mayasmart.com Buy Maya's book: https://bookshop.org/a/12099/9780593332177 Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: If you’re looking for self-care that’s quick and easy, Athletic Greens is giving you a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase. Go to athleticgreens.com/LAUGHING.  Misfits Market is an affordable online grocery service that makes shopping easy, quick, and fun. Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/toddlerpurgatory50 to get 50% off your first two orders when you use code LAUGHING50 by February 28, 2023.  Try Peloton Tread Risk-Free with a 30-day home trial. New members only. Not available in remote locations. See additional terms at onepeloton.com/home-trial.  Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 15% off your first order.  Ritual’s Essential for Women 18 and up is a multivitamin you can actually trust. Visit ritual.com/toddler for 10% off during your first 3 months. Zocdoc is the only FREE app that lets you find AND book doctors who are patient-reviewed, take your insurance, and are available when you need them. Go to Zocdoc.com/TODDLER and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This just in: violence in play is normal behavior. But today parents tend to take it more seriously. Here's why it's natural for kids to incorporate play-fighting with guns and swords into their games– and when to let it go versus intervene. If something doesn't sit right with you, it's good to check in with kids about it later – but remember that kids use play as a way of processing the world. Links!  Virginia Sole-Smith for Parents Magazine: "Should Parents Be Concerned About Violent Play?" Dan Shapiro for CHADD: "Children and Violent Behavior: Where it Comes From and What to Do" Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys by Dan Kindlon, Ph.D. & Michael Thompson, Ph.D. Under Deadman's Skin: Discovering the Meaning of Children's Violent Play by Jane Katch Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: If you’re looking for self-care that’s quick and easy, Athletic Greens is giving you a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase. Go to athleticgreens.com/LAUGHING.  Misfits Market is an affordable online grocery service that makes shopping easy, quick, and fun. Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/toddlerpurgatory50 to get 50% off your first two orders when you use code LAUGHING50 by February 28, 2023.  Try Peloton Tread Risk-Free with a 30-day home trial. New members only. Not available in remote locations. See additional terms at onepeloton.com/home-trial.  Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 15% off your first order.  Ritual’s Essential for Women 18 and up is a multivitamin you can actually trust. Visit ritual.com/toddler for 10% off during your first 3 months. Zocdoc is the only FREE app that lets you find AND book doctors who are patient-reviewed, take your insurance, and are available when you need them. Go to Zocdoc.com/TODDLER and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling exhausted from keeping up with all of your responsibilities as a mother, partner, and professional? You may be experiencing mom burnout. Here's how to spot the signs and take baby steps towards climbing back out of the emotional, physical, and mental pit we sometimes find ourselves in. Blaire and Molly discuss: The differences between depression and burnout The right way to make garlic bread Key symptoms of burnout The resources available to moms in this situation vary greatly, but if you can, asking for help - from your partner, your boss, your friends, your relatives - is a great place to start. Burnout happens to so many moms and is nothing to be ashamed of, so give yourself a break, first and foremost. Links! Donna Freydkin for Today: "Stop the yelling: How to know if you have mommy burnout, and what to do about it" UCI Health blog: "Coping with mommy burnout" Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: If you’re looking for self-care that’s quick and easy, Athletic Greens is giving you a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase. Go to athleticgreens.com/LAUGHING.  Misfits Market is an affordable online grocery service that makes shopping easy, quick, and fun. Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/toddlerpurgatory50 to get 50% off your first two orders when you use code LAUGHING50 by February 28, 2023.  Try Peloton Tread Risk-Free with a 30-day home trial. New members only. Not available in remote locations. See additional terms at onepeloton.com/home-trial.  Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 15% off your first order.  Ritual’s Essential for Women 18 and up is a multivitamin you can actually trust. Visit ritual.com/toddler for 10% off during your first 3 months. Zocdoc is the only FREE app that lets you find AND book doctors who are patient-reviewed, take your insurance, and are available when you need them. Go to Zocdoc.com/TODDLER and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's easy to blame and shame ourselves when we make parenting mistakes, no matter how big or how small, especially as moms. Here's how to break the blame/shame/guilt cycle for yourself and how to model self-forgiveness for your kids. Molly and Blaire discuss: Santa's naughty kid hotline How to sincerely apologize What our childhood patterns around mistake-making can teach us How you treat yourself after your own mistakes becomes how your kid treats himself when he makes mistakes. And showing honesty and compassion to yourself in front of your kid when you make a mistake can actually build a stronger bond with your child. Links! (they all come in threes today!) Kate Kripke for Postpartum Women's Center of Boulder: "3 Steps That Turn Your Mistakes in Motherhood into Wins" Lisa Appelo for iMom: "3 Steps When You Make Mom Mistakes" Brandi Michel for MomLifeHappyLife blog: "3 Things To Do Immediately After a Making a Major Mommy Mistake!" Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: If you’re looking for self-care that’s quick and easy, Athletic Greens is giving you a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase. Go to athleticgreens.com/LAUGHING.  Misfits Market is an affordable online grocery service that makes shopping easy, quick, and fun. Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/toddlerpurgatory50 to get 50% off your first two orders when you use code LAUGHING50 by February 28, 2023.  Try Peloton Tread Risk-Free with a 30-day home trial. New members only. Not available in remote locations. See additional terms at onepeloton.com/home-trial.  Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 15% off your first order.  Ritual’s Essential for Women 18 and up is a multivitamin you can actually trust. Visit ritual.com/toddler for 10% off during your first 3 months. Zocdoc is the only FREE app that lets you find AND book doctors who are patient-reviewed, take your insurance, and are available when you need them. Go to Zocdoc.com/TODDLER and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wish someone would give you a pat on the back for keeping track of all the water bottles or knowing which dishes are dishwasher-safe? Grace Farris, author of "Mom Milestones," is here to give us moms the credit we deserve for the little things that no one else notices. Grace Farris is a mom, doctor, and illustrator. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Vogue, BuzzFeed, and Cup of Jo. The New York Times' Wirecutter called her book Mom Milestones “an affirming read for new moms in particular, a literary road map of the very-hard-but-very-good path that lies ahead.” Grace, Molly, and Blaire discuss: Why times of change are great for creativity Reasonable dessert policies How to be less lonely as new moms Here's where you can find Grace: Buy Grace's book Mom Milestones: https://bookshop.org/a/12099/9781523511471 @coupdegracefarris on Instagram @gracefarris on Twitter  farrisgrace.com Buy Grace's mom calendar! cupofjo.com Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: If you’re looking for self-care that’s quick and easy, Athletic Greens is giving you a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase. Go to athleticgreens.com/LAUGHING.  Misfits Market is an affordable online grocery service that makes shopping easy, quick, and fun. Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/toddlerpurgatory50 to get 50% off your first two orders when you use code LAUGHING50 by February 28, 2023.  Try Peloton Tread Risk-Free with a 30-day home trial. New members only. Not available in remote locations. See additional terms at onepeloton.com/home-trial.  Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 15% off your first order.  Zocdoc is the only FREE app that lets you find AND book doctors who are patient-reviewed, take your insurance, and are available when you need them. Go to Zocdoc.com/TODDLER and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you look in your bank account and wonder where all your money has gone? We asked our listeners for the small ways they save and and budget every month to make money less of a mystery. Molly and Blaire discuss: Blaire's amazing Poshmark selling skills Why it's important to pay yourself first Sinking funds Investing a little bit of time in some of these solutions reaps big rewards budget-wise, so seriously, start eensy teensy tiny. Look in your fridge to see what you need to use up before going to the store. Join Facebook Marketplace or your local "Buy Nothing" group. Budgeting is a muscle that you have to exercise consistently in order to get good at it, so give yourself some grace! Here are all the resources we mentioned in the episode! Here's the original thread in the What Fresh Hell Facebook group Flipp Fetch Rewards Receipt Hog ibotta YNAB (You need a budget) Mint eMeals FB Marketplace or your local "buy nothing" groups Mercari Poshmark Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: If you’re looking for self-care that’s quick and easy, Athletic Greens is giving you a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase. Go to athleticgreens.com/LAUGHING.  Misfits Market is an affordable online grocery service that makes shopping easy, quick, and fun. Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/toddlerpurgatory50 to get 50% off your first two orders when you use code LAUGHING50 by February 28, 2023.  Try Peloton Tread Risk-Free with a 30-day home trial. New members only. Not available in remote locations. See additional terms at onepeloton.com/home-trial.  Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 15% off your first order.  Zocdoc is the only FREE app that lets you find AND book doctors who are patient-reviewed, take your insurance, and are available when you need them. Go to Zocdoc.com/TODDLER and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are we creating unrealistic expectations when we praise our kid just for waking up in the morning? Turns out there is too much of a good thing, but we can also reframe how, when, and why we praise our kids. Molly and Blaire discuss: Praising process over achievements The three s's of praise Praise inflation Kids can sense when praise isn't genuine. Instead of congratulating them on their every action and creating an unrealistic standard for praise in the future, focus on encouragement without value judgement or "I" statements. Links! Paul L. Underwood for The New York Times: "Are You Overpraising Your Child?" Ashley Cullins for Big Life Journal: "The Ultimate Guide to Praising Your Kids" Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: If you’re looking for self-care that’s quick and easy, Athletic Greens is giving you a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase. Go to athleticgreens.com/LAUGHING.  Misfits Market is an affordable online grocery service that makes shopping easy, quick, and fun. Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/toddlerpurgatory50 to get 50% off your first two orders when you use code LAUGHING50 by February 28, 2023.  Try Peloton Tread Risk-Free with a 30-day home trial. New members only. Not available in remote locations. See additional terms at onepeloton.com/home-trial.  Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 15% off your first order.  Zocdoc is the only FREE app that lets you find AND book doctors who are patient-reviewed, take your insurance, and are available when you need them. Go to Zocdoc.com/TODDLER and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharing is caring, right? We were all raised to believe that sharing is an important part of polite social interactions. But as adults, we would be taken aback if abruptly asked to share something we were using, like our phone. So why do we insist that our kids share toys with complete strangers at a moment's notice? Here's when– and why– it's ok NOT to share. Molly and Blaire discuss: The difference between making kids share and encouraging them to share What forced sharing teaches kids What to say to turn-giving kids and to waiting kids when encouraging sharing Role-playing with your child to practice polite yet assertive behavior is a great way to start the conversation about when and why it's appropriate to share. Links! Positive Parenting Solutions: "It's OK Not to Share" Heather Shumaker's book It’s OK NOT to share…and Other Renegade Rules for Raising Competent and Compassionate Kids Positive Parenting Solutions: "Why a Feelings Wheel Supports Your Positive Parenting Journey" Little Timer app Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: If you’re looking for self-care that’s quick and easy, Athletic Greens is giving you a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase. Go to athleticgreens.com/LAUGHING.  Misfits Market is an affordable online grocery service that makes shopping easy, quick, and fun. Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/toddlerpurgatory50 to get 50% off your first two orders when you use code LAUGHING50 by February 28, 2023.  Try Peloton Tread Risk-Free with a 30-day home trial. New members only. Not available in remote locations. See additional terms at onepeloton.com/home-trial.  Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 15% off your first order.  Zocdoc is the only FREE app that lets you find AND book doctors who are patient-reviewed, take your insurance, and are available when you need them. Go to Zocdoc.com/TODDLER and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do we get our kids away from screens without breaking the bank or planning elaborate outings? Erica Domesek's new book "P.S. - We Made This!" has plenty of ideas for kids' crafts that require zero shopping, zero traveling, and zero (okay, minimal) stress. Erica Domesek is a social media maven, and an extremely cool + crafty parent! She is the founder of the innovative DIY lifestyle brand P.S.–I Made This, which launched in 2009. She has been a distinguished expert in the areas of design and style as well as a leader in brand marketing for 15 years. PS.–We Made This: Super Fun Crafts that Grow Smarter and Healthier Kids follows in the footsteps of her first two books, offering similarly creative and colorful at-home projects– but now invites the whole family to join in the fun!  Molly, Blaire, and Erica discuss: Being artistic vs. being crafty How to use what you have around the house for crafts rather than buying materials Here's where you can find Erica: https://psimadethis.com/about @psimadethis @abramsbooks Buy Erica's book: https://bookshop.org/a/12099/9781419756108 Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: If you’re looking for self-care that’s quick and easy, Athletic Greens is giving you a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase. Go to athleticgreens.com/LAUGHING.  Misfits Market is an affordable online grocery service that makes shopping easy, quick, and fun. Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/toddlerpurgatory50 to get 50% off your first two orders when you use code LAUGHING50 by February 28, 2023.  Try Peloton Tread Risk-Free with a 30-day home trial. New members only. Not available in remote locations. See additional terms at onepeloton.com/home-trial.  Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 15% off your first order.  Zocdoc is the only FREE app that lets you find AND book doctors who are patient-reviewed, take your insurance, and are available when you need them. Go to Zocdoc.com/TODDLER and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we look back on 2022, it's easy to focus on the things we didn't do or should have done. But today Molly and Blaire give themselves permission - and you too, dear listeners - to revel in all you and your kids have accomplished this year. Molly and Blaire discuss: Why teachers are so amazing What is 8 + 8 How to give ourselves credit rather than focus on the negative It's so rewarding to see others recognize in your kids what you have worked so hard to instill in them. But it takes a long time before you see the resulting blooms of the seeds you've planted in your littles. Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: DockAtot is the premium lifestyle brand made for the modern parent, with elegant cushions, swaddlers, and more. Get 15% off at dockatot.com with the code LAUGHING. Honeylove shapewear is the secret sauce you need for your everyday wardrobe. Get 20% off at honeylove.com with the code LAUGHING.  Misfits Market is an affordable online grocery service that makes shopping easy, quick, and fun. Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/LAUGHING30 by Dec. 31st to get 30% off your first order. Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 15% off your first order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does it seem like all of your arguments with your kids end in tears and slamming doors rather than solutions? We can't rid our lives of disagreements and conflicts with our little ones, but we can "fight" constructively, aka, with the gloves on.  Blaire and Molly discuss: Blaire's cap on gentle parenting Methods for helping your child describe their problems Problem-solving baseball Waiting until everyone's big feelings have subsided a little is key to making progress in conflict resolution. Then it's time to give your child the tools to describe their feelings, as they likely have very little practice doing so thus far. Links! Juliann Garey for Child Mind Institute: "Teaching Kids How to Deal With Conflict" Katie Hurley for PBS Kids for Parents: "5 Strategies to Help Kids Resolve Conflict" Child Mind Institute: "Complete Guide to Managing Behavior Problems" Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: DockAtot is the premium lifestyle brand made for the modern parent, with elegant cushions, swaddlers, and more. Get 15% off at dockatot.com with the code LAUGHING. Honeylove shapewear is the secret sauce you need for your everyday wardrobe. Get 20% off at honeylove.com with the code LAUGHING.  Misfits Market is an affordable online grocery service that makes shopping easy, quick, and fun. Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/LAUGHING30 by Dec. 31st to get 30% off your first order. Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 15% off your first order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kids today only spend half as much time playing outside as we did. It can be a hassle to get them bundled up and to the playground on a drizzly spring afternoon – or to clean half the floors in your house after a trip to your own snowy backyard. But there are many skills that kids gain both from self-directed and “purposeful play,” and experts say that's particularly true when that play happens outdoors. Our guest Meghan Fitzgerald is the co-founder of Tinkergarten, which offers purposeful play opportunities for children and families that gets them away from screens and outdoors together in nature. Meghan tells us her favorite get-them-outside activities - and why even the coldest or rainiest days offer rewards that really are worth bundling everyone up.  Links!  Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan for The New York Times: "Yes, Your Kids Can Play Outside All Winter" Helen Russell for Grazia: "He can’t read yet, but he can build a campfire: welcome to Viking parenting" Claire McCarthy, MD, for Harvard Health Blog: "6 reasons children need to play outside" And our episode Danger Babies Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: DockAtot is the premium lifestyle brand made for the modern parent, with elegant cushions, swaddlers, and more. Get 15% off at dockatot.com with the code LAUGHING. Honeylove shapewear is the secret sauce you need for your everyday wardrobe. Get 20% off at honeylove.com with the code LAUGHING.  Misfits Market is an affordable online grocery service that makes shopping easy, quick, and fun. Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/LAUGHING30 by Dec. 31st to get 30% off your first order. Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 15% off your first order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it mean to have "happy motherhood?" And is it even a realistic goal to have, given the ups and downs of being a parent? We asked our listeners about their tips to help new parents have a "happier" first year. Molly and Blaire discuss: The perils of Mom Instagram Ways to make extra room for joy in your early motherhood How to sit in discomfort Managing your expectations was a key theme in the answers we got - so many moms want everything to be perfect, so they are inevitably disappointed when they don't get their twins out the door in matching outfits every single morning! But guess what? No one is perfect, even though it may seem every other mom on Earth has it more together than you. Join our Facebook group for more advice, laughs, and support: www.facebook.com/groups/whatfreshhellcast Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: DockAtot is the premium lifestyle brand made for the modern parent, with elegant cushions, swaddlers, and more. Get 15% off at dockatot.com with the code LAUGHING. Honeylove shapewear is the secret sauce you need for your everyday wardrobe. Get 20% off at honeylove.com with the code LAUGHING.  Misfits Market is an affordable online grocery service that makes shopping easy, quick, and fun. Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/LAUGHING30 by Dec. 31st to get 30% off your first order. Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 15% off your first order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does your child consistently wake you up in the middle of the night because they're deathly afraid of the dark or the monsters under the bed? You may think that chasing "the monster" away or just leaving the lights on are the right course of action, but it's actually more complicated than that. Molly and Blaire discuss: Why so many people (adults and kids!) are scared of the dark The true secret to banishing your child's fears Why horror movies are actually soothing (for some of us) The most important thing you can do is validate your child's fear without shaming or judging them. Explain that you have your own fears, and start an open conversation about the root causes of their fears in order to address them. Links! Daryl Austin for USA Today: "More Americans than ever are afraid of the dark, experts say. Here's why." Nama Winston for ABC Everyday: "I've made my child afraid of the dark. How do I fix it?" Parenting.com: "Ask Dr. Sears: Mashing Monster Fears" "Bedtime Stories - Superheroes!" podcast Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: DockAtot is the premium lifestyle brand made for the modern parent, with elegant cushions, swaddlers, and more. Get 15% off at dockatot.com with the code LAUGHING. Honeylove shapewear is the secret sauce you need for your everyday wardrobe. Get 20% off at honeylove.com with the code LAUGHING.  Misfits Market is an affordable online grocery service that makes shopping easy, quick, and fun. Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/LAUGHING30 by Dec. 31st to get 30% off your first order. Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 15% off your first order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is your child learning values or lessons at school that are not in line with your own? Do they discipline in a way that you don't agree with? It's not unusual for teachers and parents to butt heads over a child's learning. Here's how to address the problem without coming in too hot. Blaire and Molly discuss: The importance of finding (and staying) calm before starting a discussion How to find common ground with your child's teacher Constructive methods for finding a solution together Coming in with facts, not feelings, is key. When our kids are involved, it's easy to get emotional and heavily invested in a situation. But it's important to remember that both you and your child's teacher want what's best for your kid. Links! Sherri Gordon for Verywell Family: "What to Do If You Disagree With Your Child's Teacher" Lisa Van Gemert: "6 Steps to Take When School Isn’t Meeting the Needs of Your Child" Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: DockAtot is the premium lifestyle brand made for the modern parent, with elegant cushions, swaddlers, and more. Get 15% off at dockatot.com with the code LAUGHING. Honeylove shapewear is the secret sauce you need for your everyday wardrobe. Get 20% off at honeylove.com with the code LAUGHING.  Misfits Market is an affordable online grocery service that makes shopping easy, quick, and fun. Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/LAUGHING30 by Dec. 31st to get 30% off your first order. Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 15% off your first order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do we do when our kid lies to our face? At a certain age, kids start discovering that they can just, well, not tell the truth about things. This can range from innocent fibs to whopping lies of grandiose proportions. Though this be mini madness, there is mini method in it. Molly and Blaire discuss: The various reasons kids lie How to gently approach your kid about their lies When it may be time to seek professional help for your kid Doing "truth checks" with your kid is a great way to encourage them to be honest with you without making them feel as if they've been caught with their hand in the proverbial (or literal) cookie jar. Links! Beth Arky for Child Mind Institute: "Why Kids Lie and What Parents Can Do About It" Connie Chang for The Washington Post: "All kids lie: How to handle it, and when you should worry" Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: DockAtot is the premium lifestyle brand made for the modern parent, with elegant cushions, swaddlers, and more. Get 15% off at dockatot.com with the code LAUGHING. Honeylove shapewear is the secret sauce you need for your everyday wardrobe. Get 20% off at honeylove.com with the code LAUGHING.  Misfits Market is an affordable online grocery service that makes shopping easy, quick, and fun. Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/LAUGHING30 by Dec. 31st to get 30% off your first order. Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 15% off your first order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do we form a strong bond with our kids when we're struggling with our own issues, when we've just been through a worldwide pandemic, when we used to have that bond but have lost it somewhere along the way? It's not easy, but there are some tried-and-true methods *ahem, therapy* for forming or reforming a close bond with your child. Molly and Blaire discuss: Things that can get in the way of the parent-child bond Small yet meaningful ways to communicate to your child that you love them What asking for help may look like for different people Resist the urge to blame yourself if you feel your bond is suffering or has deteriorated. There are many factors that contribute to the problem that are outside your control. Links! Ella Glover for Metro UK: "Asking For A Friend: Why can’t I bond with my child?" PsychCentral: "Tips to Heal After Growing Up with a Dismissive Mother" PsychCentral: "4 Habits that Disconnect You from Your Kids" Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: DockAtot is the premium lifestyle brand made for the modern parent, with elegant cushions, swaddlers, and more. Get 15% off at dockatot.com with the code LAUGHING. Honeylove shapewear is the secret sauce you need for your everyday wardrobe. Get 20% off at honeylove.com with the code LAUGHING.  Misfits Market is an affordable online grocery service that makes shopping easy, quick, and fun. Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/LAUGHING30 by Dec. 31st to get 30% off your first order. Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 15% off your first order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you feel overwhelmed when you're parenting solo, even if it's just for a few days? You're not alone. Solo parenting (not to be confused with single parenting) is tough, but there are small ways you can make a big impact on the experience, bringing down your blood pressure and your DEFCON level at the same time. Blaire and Molly discuss: The difference between a solo parent and a single parent Ways to prep for solo parenting ahead of time Conversations to have with your partner to make the experience better Links! Marika Lindholm for Medium: "What’s a Solo Mom?" Anisha Nair for First Cry Parenting: "10 Tips to Make Solo Parenting Easier" Claire Zulkey for The New York Times: "How Parents Who Travel for Work Can Ease the Burden on Their Families" What Fresh Hell episode: "Is It Sometimes Easier When Our Spouses Aren't Around?" "Unholy" by Sam Smith and Kim Petras Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: DockAtot is the premium lifestyle brand made for the modern parent, with elegant cushions, swaddlers, and more. Get 15% off at dockatot.com with the code LAUGHING. Honeylove shapewear is the secret sauce you need for your everyday wardrobe. Get 20% off at honeylove.com with the code LAUGHING.  Misfits Market is an affordable online grocery service that makes shopping easy, quick, and fun.Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/LAUGHING30 by Dec. 31st to get 30% off your first order. Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 15% off your first order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We asked our listeners what they would pay good money for if it made their lives just a touch easier. The answers....will probably not surprise you. In this episode, Molly and Blaire plot to patent: Self-buckling seatbelts Eyeball cameras Toddler volume buttons Thanks to everyone who wrote in with their excellent ideas for these inventions! Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: AprilAire is Healthy Air, with professional-grade solutions filling millions of homes. To find out more about the AprilAire Healthy Air System®, visit www.aprilaire.com/laughing DockAtot is the premium lifestyle brand made for the modern parent, with elegant cushions, swaddlers, and more. Get 15% off at dockatot.com with the code LAUGHING. Honeylove shapewear is the secret sauce you need for your everyday wardrobe. Get 20% off at honeylove.com with the code LAUGHING.  Metabolic Reds is a delicious superfood blend. Go to getreds.com/toddler to get a FREE bottle of Metabolic Greens with your first order.  Misfits Market is an affordable online grocery service that makes shopping easy, quick, and fun.Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/LAUGHING30 by Dec. 31st to get 30% off your first order. Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 30% off your first order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do you do when you and your partner disagree about parenting styles? How does it affect your kids, and how do you manage to get on the same page as your co-parent? A listener wrote in to say: "I'm an expat mom in Europe with a husband from another European country. And sometimes it's really hard to find my bearings when there are so many styles and ways to parent. I wanted to ask if you could maybe do an episode about what to do when your co-parent has a different parenting style...We have so may disagreements and we seem to always get to the point where each of us is convinced the other one is wrong and it is the OTHER parenting style that is disrupting the children's behavior. It's hard on the kids and the marriage when all I want is the very best for my very spirited, trilingual two- and five-year-old boys." Natural differences between spouses can be a source of strength, but the scale can tip too far in one direction. Blaire and Molly discuss why it's important to co-parent as a united team, helpful rules for disciplining effectively as a unit in the moment, and how to genuinely empathize with both your child and partner without undermining anyone. Being honest and vulnerable with our parenting partner is key, and remember: it's never too late to start parenting more harmoniously. Here links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode: Debbie Pincus for EmpoweringParents.com: "When Parents Disagree: How to Parent as a Team" Caroline Silver for Parents: "How to Parent with a Partner When You Can't Agree on a Parenting Style" Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: AprilAire is Healthy Air, with professional-grade solutions filling millions of homes. To find out more about the AprilAire Healthy Air System®, visit www.aprilaire.com/laughing DockAtot is the premium lifestyle brand made for the modern parent, with elegant cushions, swaddlers, and more. Get 15% off at dockatot.com with the code LAUGHING. Honeylove shapewear is the secret sauce you need for your everyday wardrobe. Get 20% off at honeylove.com with the code LAUGHING.  Metabolic Reds is a delicious superfood blend. Go to getreds.com/toddler to get a FREE bottle of Metabolic Greens with your first order.  Misfits Market is an affordable online grocery service that makes shopping easy, quick, and fun.Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/LAUGHING30 by Dec. 31st to get 30% off your first order. Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 30% off your first order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The list of typical parenting fears is longer than a CVS receipt, and for us, researching this episode didn’t exactly make that list shorter. Turns out there are big-picture hypothetical fears, most common before the baby actually arrives; there are societally imposed, nightly-news sort of fears; and for most of us, a few more “I know this sounds crazy but” fears, which we have made up all on our own. It’s hard not to want to bubble wrap our kids until college… but since there are probably some negative side effects to that as well, in this "best of" episode from 2021, we discuss how to manage our relationships with some of the most common parenting fears. Here are links to some writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode: Connie Mattiessen for BabyCenter: Top 5 parenting fears and what you can do about them Paul Donahue: Parenting Without Fear: Letting Go of Worry and Focusing on What Really Matters Dr. Minne Fekkes et al: Effects of Antibullying School Program on Bullying and Health Complaints Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: AprilAire is Healthy Air, with professional-grade solutions filling millions of homes. To find out more about the AprilAire Healthy Air System®, visit www.aprilaire.com/laughing DockAtot is the premium lifestyle brand made for the modern parent, with elegant cushions, swaddlers, and more. Get 15% off at dockatot.com with the code LAUGHING. Honeylove shapewear is the secret sauce you need for your everyday wardrobe. Get 20% off at honeylove.com with the code LAUGHING.  Metabolic Reds is a delicious superfood blend. Go to getreds.com/toddler to get a FREE bottle of Metabolic Greens with your first order.  Misfits Market is an affordable online grocery service that makes shopping easy, quick, and fun.Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/LAUGHING30 by Dec. 31st to get 30% off your first order. Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 30% off your first order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When did kids' birthday parties become such a big to-do? Why do we celebrate birthdays in the first place? What sound does a clown make? Blaire's and Molly's sons are both turning six within five days of each other, so listen in as they party plan and take a trip down memory lane about their own birthdays growing up. Blaire and Molly discuss: Memorable birthdays from their childhoods The average price of a modern kid's birthday party How to plan a kid's birthday party Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode: Joe Pinsker for The Atlantic: "The Strange Origins of American Birthday Celebrations" Megan Cooley for The Spruce: "How to Plan a Kid's Birthday Party: The Ultimate Timeline" Julie Hoag: "7 Tips to Survive Hosting a Kids Birthday Party" Crystal Ponti for Filter Free Parents: "This Is Why None Of Us Really Love Kids’ Birthday Parties" Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: AprilAire is Healthy Air, with professional-grade solutions filling millions of homes. To find out more about the AprilAire Healthy Air System®, visit www.aprilaire.com/laughing DockAtot is the premium lifestyle brand made for the modern parent, with elegant cushions, swaddlers, and more. Get 15% off at dockatot.com with the code LAUGHING. Honeylove shapewear is the secret sauce you need for your everyday wardrobe. Get 20% off at honeylove.com with the code LAUGHING.  Metabolic Reds is a delicious superfood blend. Go to getreds.com/toddler to get a FREE bottle of Metabolic Greens with your first order.  Misfits Market is an affordable online grocery service that makes shopping easy, quick, and fun.Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/LAUGHING30 by Dec. 31st to get 30% off your first order. Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 30% off your first order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If only it were as simple as singing "Kumbaya" with our kids in a calming circle and sprinkling them with kindness dust to make them sweet, polite angels. You may never receive handmade flower crowns from your toddler, but there are ways to introduce kind thoughts, feelings, and actions into your home. Molly and Blaire discuss: Why you can't "teach" kindness How kindness begins with our own self-reflection Strategies for bringing more kindness into your home Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode: Claire Lerner of Lerner Child Development: "When Kids Act Mean: Why some kids have trouble being kind and what you can do" From Janet Lansbury's podcast Unruffled: "My Child Is So Mean to Me" Sarah Aadland for Motherly: "Raising kind kids: 9 daily habits to teach kids kindness" Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: AprilAire is Healthy Air, with professional-grade solutions filling millions of homes. To find out more about the AprilAire Healthy Air System®, visit www.aprilaire.com/laughing DockAtot is the premium lifestyle brand made for the modern parent, with elegant cushions, swaddlers, and more. Get 15% Off at dockatot.com with the code LAUGHING. Honeylove shapewear is the secret sauce you need for your everyday wardrobe. Get 20% Off at honeylove.com with the code LAUGHING. Metabolic Reds is a delicious superfood blend. Go to getreds.com/toddler to get a FREE bottle of Metabolic Greens with your first order.  Misfits Market is an affordable online grocery service that makes shopping easy, quick, and fun.Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/LAUGHING30 by Dec. 31st to get 30% off your first order. Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 30% off your first order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wine and cheese at the playground? Naps outside? Recess every hour? There are a lot of intriguing child-rearing strategies from all over the world, some that to us Am-urr-icans seem like common sense, and some that seem a little more out-of-the-box... Molly and Blaire discuss: Blaire's travels to England Outside naps in Nordic countries Déjeuner à la France Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode: Marco Chown Oved for the Toronto Star: "Mothers love differently around the world" Amy Morin for VeryWell Family: "11 Parenting Styles From Around the World" Sharon Jayson for USA Today: "American moms creating a parenting melting pot" What Fresh Hell's Fresh Take with Michaeleen Doucleff on Raising Happy, Helpful Little Humans Our Facebook group Leave us a voicemail on our site Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: AprilAire is Healthy Air, with professional-grade solutions filling millions of homes. To find out more about the AprilAire Healthy Air System®, visit www.aprilaire.com/laughing DockAtot is the premium lifestyle brand made for the modern parent, with elegant cushions, swaddlers, and more. Get 15% Off at dockatot.com with the code LAUGHING. Honeylove shapewear is the secret sauce you need for your everyday wardrobe. Get 20% Off at honeylove.com with the code LAUGHING. Metabolic Reds is a delicious superfood blend. Go to getreds.com/toddler to get a FREE bottle of Metabolic Greens with your first order.  Misfits Market is an affordable online grocery service that makes shopping easy, quick, and fun.Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/LAUGHING30 by Dec. 31st to get 30% off your first order. Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 30% off your first order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We asked the #todpurgs listeners: what are the things your parents said that you SWORE you'd never say to your own kids– and yet still do? You all brought the answers... and here are some of our faves. #parentingonrepeat #YouGotMcDonaldsMoney Here is the link to the article Molly and Blaire reference in the episode: Charlotte Hilton Andersen for Redbook Magazine: "21 Things Parents Used to Say That Would Shock Millennial Parents" Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: AprilAire is Healthy Air, with professional-grade solutions filling millions of homes. To find out more about the AprilAire Healthy Air System®, visit www.aprilaire.com/laughing Metabolic Reds is a delicious superfood blend. Go to getreds.com/toddler to get a FREE bottle of Metabolic Greens with your first order.   Misfits Market is an affordable online grocery service that makes shopping easy, quick, and fun. Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/LAUGHING30 by Dec. 31st to get 30% off your first order. Ready, Set, Food! is the safe and easy way to introduce allergens to your baby’s diet. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 30% off your first order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So is it cool to drop off your kid at his friend's house for a playdate and then go home for an hour and take a nap? No? That's bad playdate etiquette? Ok, just checking. Here are some playdate do's and don'ts for when your little one finds a friend. In this episode, Molly and Blaire discuss: How playdates help your child develop How to find possible playmates in suburban versus urban areas Good practices for both hosting and visiting someone else's house for a playdate Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode: Nicole Yezzi for First Things First: "Four things to consider when setting up a playdate" Maureen Ryan for Verywell Family: "Attending or Hosting a Play Date for Toddlers" Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: AprilAire is Healthy Air, with professional-grade solutions filling millions of homes. To find out more about the AprilAire Healthy Air System®, visit www.aprilaire.com/laughing Metabolic Reds is a delicious superfood blend. Go to getreds.com/toddler to get a FREE bottle of Metabolic Greens with your first order.   Misfits Market is an affordable online grocery service that makes shopping easy, quick, and fun. Visit get.misfitsmarket.com/LAUGHING30 by Dec. 31st to get 30% off your first order. Ready, Set, Food! is the safe and easy way to introduce allergens to your baby’s diet. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 30% off your first order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do we know if the emotional ups and downs of post-partum life are normal reactions to new motherhood or a treatable medical condition? And why is it so hard to talk about these feelings? Molly and Blaire speak about their own post-partum experiences and do a little digging on what the difference between these two phenomena really is. In this episode, Molly and Blaire discuss: Signs of clinical PPD versus baby blues symptoms Why it's important to check in with new moms (and how to do it well) Ways to lessen the effects of the baby blues Here are links to resources mentioned in the episode: American Psychiatric Association: "What is Peripartum Depression (formerly Postpartum)?" Heidi Murkoff for What to Expect: "The Baby Blues" Need someone to talk to? National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for free and confidential emotional support—they talk about more than just suicide. Special thanks to this month's sponsors: AprilAire is a professional-grade Indoor Air Quality solution. For more information on the AprilAire Healthy Air System®, visit www.aprilaire.com/laughing.  Faherty is a family-run brand making high-quality, timeless clothing. Head to fahertybrand.com/LAUGHING and use code LAUGHING at checkout to get 20% off. Metabolic Reds is the superfood blend you’ve been craving. Try it risk-free today and get a free bottle of Metabolic Greens with your first order. Go to getreds.com/toddler to learn more.  Ready, Set, Food! is the safe and easy way to introduce allergens to your baby’s diet. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 30% off your first order.  Yipes! Wipes are a kids’ face and hands wipe designed to teach kids to develop independent healthy habits. Go to yipeswipes.com/TODDLER for 20% off.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Blaire and Molly pal around with their comedian friends Kate Zelensky and Cody Lindquist. They exchange knock-knock jokes, lament about times they bombed with their kids, and discuss a certain compelling performance of "Memory." Kate Zelensky started a career in comedy in 2006 at The Upright Citizens Brigade having finally figured out that she wasn’t so good at musical theatre (though Molly disagrees, as we discuss in the episode!). Kate taught, performed, wrote and directed all around that joint for a dozen years. She dabbled in TV and Internet humor content but is best known for a Chuck E. Cheese commercial in which she played a mother of two pre teens - one of whom barfed pepperoni pizza all over the place because he refused to use the spit bucket. Kate got married and had two babies and now works full time as a vending machine for them.  Cody Lindquist is an actress, voiceover actress, and comedian. She is the co-host of the podcast Two Beers In: A Tipsy Political Roundtable and the mom of two tiny New Yorkers.  Links to resources mentioned in the episode: Dru Sefton for The Washington Post: "How Families Share a Sense of Humor" Kate's heart-wrenching rendition of "Memory" Special thanks to this month's sponsors: AprilAire is a professional-grade Indoor Air Quality solution. For more information on the AprilAire Healthy Air System®, visit www.aprilaire.com/laughing.  Faherty is a family-run brand making high-quality, timeless clothing. Head to fahertybrand.com/LAUGHING and use code LAUGHING at checkout to get 20% off. Metabolic Reds is the superfood blend you’ve been craving. Try it risk-free today and get a free bottle of Metabolic Greens with your first order. Go to getreds.com/toddler to learn more.  Ready, Set, Food! is the safe and easy way to introduce allergens to your baby’s diet. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 30% off your first order.  Yipes! Wipes are a kids’ face and hands wipe designed to teach kids to develop independent healthy habits. Go to yipeswipes.com/TODDLER for 20% off.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, everyone on the Toddler Purgatory/ What Fresh Hell team got Covid this summer, despite the fact that we work in different states! Blaire had a really bad time of it: her entire family came down with the virus all at once, and her kids felt pretty ill. Blaire and Molly discuss their own experiences with sick families and well-researched advice about how to deal with it in your own household if Covid comes knocking. Note: Blaire and Molly discuss the most recent info available on the Covid-19 pandemic, but that info is subject to change. For the most up-to-date info about Covid-19, visit www.cdc.gov If you are need of urgent childcare, you can call 211 or to go online to 211.org where you can request assistance in finding local community resources that may be able to provide support. Here are some of the studies and resources Blaire and Molly reference: Juan Dumois et. al from Johns Hopkins: "Getting Real: When Covid-19 Enters a Busy Household" Emily Sohn for National Geographic: "Is Omicron really less severe than Delta? Here's what the science says." Kathy Katella for Yale Medicine: "Omicron, Delta, Alpha, and More: What To Know About the Coronavirus Variants" The Mayo Clinic: "Covid-19 in Babies and Children" Special thanks to this month's sponsors: AprilAire is a professional-grade Indoor Air Quality solution. For more information on the AprilAire Healthy Air System®, visit www.aprilaire.com/laughing.  Faherty is a family-run brand making high-quality, timeless clothing. Head to fahertybrand.com/LAUGHING and use code LAUGHING at checkout to get 20% off. Metabolic Reds is the superfood blend you’ve been craving. Try it risk-free today and get a free bottle of Metabolic Greens with your first order. Go to getreds.com/toddler to learn more.  Ready, Set, Food! is the safe and easy way to introduce allergens to your baby’s diet. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 30% off your first order.  Yipes! Wipes are a kids’ face and hands wipe designed to teach kids to develop independent healthy habits. Go to yipeswipes.com/TODDLER for 20% off.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mom guilt. Mom rage. Shame. We feel the things. Then we feel bad about feeling the things. Which doesn't help us feel any better. In this "Best Of" episode, we discuss how to acknowledge, anticipate, sit with, process, and redirect these feelings, without beating ourselves up for having felt them in the first place. Here are links to some of the writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode: Pooja Lakshmin for The New York Times: "Saying No Is Self-Care For Parents" Motherly: "Mom rage is real-and it's a sign that mother's needs aren't being met" Lauren Smith Brody for Today's Parent: "Why mom guilt is the biggest lie of all" Special thanks to this month's sponsors: AprilAire is a professional-grade Indoor Air Quality solution. For more information on the AprilAire Healthy Air System®, visit www.aprilaire.com/laughing.  Faherty is a family-run brand making high-quality, timeless clothing. Head to fahertybrand.com/LAUGHING and use code LAUGHING at checkout to get 20% off. Metabolic Reds is the superfood blend you’ve been craving. Try it risk-free today and get a free bottle of Metabolic Greens with your first order. Go to getreds.com/toddler to learn more.  Ready, Set, Food! is the safe and easy way to introduce allergens to your baby’s diet. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 30% off your first order.  Yipes! Wipes are a kids’ face and hands wipe designed to teach kids to develop independent healthy habits. Go to yipeswipes.com/TODDLER for 20% off.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do we talk to our kids about things we ourselves don't even fully understand? Some of the most difficult topics to discuss with kids are sex, death, illness, divorce, and natural disasters or tragedies. Molly and Blaire give recommendations for taking care of yourself, guiding the conversation, and avoiding euphemisms or metaphors that may be more harmful than helpful. Molly and Blaire discuss: Ways to frame death for kids What age to start tough conversations How to discuss tragedies in a nonjudgmental way Here are links to some of the resources referenced in the episode: Dr. Steven J. Berkowitz for the Child Mind Institute: "What Makes an Event Traumatic for a Child?" Lisa Milbrand for Parents.com: "A Step-By-Step Guide to Talking to Kids About Death and Grief" American Psychological Association: "How to talk to children about difficult news" Special thanks to this month's sponsors: AprilAire is a professional-grade Indoor Air Quality solution. For more information on the AprilAire Healthy Air System®, visit www.aprilaire.com/laughing.  Faherty is a family-run brand making high-quality, timeless clothing. Head to fahertybrand.com/LAUGHING and use code LAUGHING at checkout to get 20% off. Metabolic Reds is the superfood blend you’ve been craving. Try it risk-free today and get a free bottle of Metabolic Greens with your first order. Go to getreds.com/toddler to learn more.  Ready, Set, Food! is the safe and easy way to introduce allergens to your baby’s diet. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 30% off your first order.  Yipes! Wipes are a kids’ face and hands wipe designed to teach kids to develop independent healthy habits. Go to yipeswipes.com/TODDLER for 20% off.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Disney World a childhood mecca or a cruel and unusual punishment? Rite of passage or consumerist hellscape? For some families, Disney is NOT the happiest place on Earth. Blaire and Molly discuss the pros and cons of taking their kids to Disney and why it maybe doesn't define their worth as parents. In this episode, Molly and Blaire discuss: The pros and cons of taking kids of different ages to Disney World How your relationship with Disney content affects your experience at the park The infamous bug show at the Animal Kingdom Links to resources mentioned in today's episode: James Brockbank for The Family Vacation Guide: "What Is The Best Age To Take Kids To Disney World?" Blaire's awesome floral gown Kingdom stroller rental Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Faherty is a family-run brand making high-quality, timeless clothing with modern design and functionality. Head to fahertybrand.com/LAUGHING and use code FRESH at checkout to snag 20% off ALL the stuff you'll be wearing this fall. Metabolic Reds is a delicious superfood blend. Go to getreds.com/toddler to get a FREE bottle of Metabolic Greens with your first order.  Prose is the healthy hair regimen with your name all over it. Take your FREE in-depth hair consultation and get 15% off your first order today! Go to prose.com/toddler Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 30% off your first order.  With Thrive Market, you can shop everything from healthy pantry essentials and sustainable meat and seafood to non-toxic cleaning and beauty products - all delivered right to your door. Go to thrivemarket.com/laughing to get $80 worth of free groceries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do we protect our kids from negative images about bodies, diet culture, and food without locking them in a Rapunzel tower? The truth is, we can't. But we CAN start nonjudgmental conversations about body positivity, food, and and self-esteem with our kids at home. In this episode, Molly and Blaire discuss: how to pay attention to your thoughts and beliefs around food and body image how to praise your child for things other than their appearance the R.E.A.L. acronym Links to the resources mentioned in the episode: Sumner Brooks for Good Housekeeping: "How to Raise a Kid Who Is Satisfied With Their Body, According to a Registered Dietitian" Carolina Public Health Magazine: "Survey finds disordered eating behaviors among three out of four American women" Bodies are Cool by Tyler Feder Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Faherty is a family-run brand making high-quality, timeless clothing with modern design and functionality. Head to fahertybrand.com/LAUGHING and use code FRESH at checkout to snag 20% off ALL your new spring staples. Firstleaf is a no-brainer if you love finding and tasting new wine! Join today and you’ll get 6 bottles of wine for $29.95 and free shipping! Just go to tryfirstleaf.com/TODDLER. Little Passports offers globally inspired, award-winning monthly subscription kits designed for curious kids to fuel their inner explorer. For listeners of the show, Little Passports is offering new customers 20% off when you go to littlepassports.com/purgatory Metabolic Reds is a delicious superfood blend. Go to getreds.com/toddler to get a FREE bottle of Metabolic Greens with your first order.  Peloton has workouts for every schedule, every goal, and every fitness level. The Peloton Bike+ is now $500 less, its best price yet! Including FREE delivery and setup. Visit onepeloton.com to learn more. Prose is the healthy hair regimen with your name all over it. Take your FREE in-depth hair consultation and get 15% off your first order today! Go to prose.com/toddler Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 30% off your first order.  With Thrive Market, you can shop everything from healthy pantry essentials and sustainable meat and seafood to non-toxic cleaning and beauty products - all delivered right to your door. Go to thrivemarket.com/laughing to get $80 worth of free groceries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our child has finally realized they are separate from us. Yay! Aaaaaand cue the separation anxiety. The fact that separation anxiety signals growth in kids doesn't make it any easier for mother or child. But there are coping strategies on both sides that can ease some of the pain. In this episode, Molly and Blaire discuss: What separation anxiety looks like in different ages (and in moms) The tend-and-befriend theory How to tell normal separation anxiety from a disorder Links to resources mentioned in the episode: Wendy Sue Swanson for healthychildren.org: "How to Ease Your Child’s Separation Anxiety" Scott Edwards and Emily Rizzitano for Boston Children's Hospital: "Helping your child cope with separation anxiety" Ashurina Ream for Psyched Mommy: "7 Tips to Manage Maternal Separation Anxiety" "Grownups Come Back" a song about separation anxiety from Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood on PBS Kids Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Faherty is a family-run brand making high-quality, timeless clothing with modern design and functionality. Head to fahertybrand.com/LAUGHING and use code FRESH at checkout to snag 20% off ALL your new spring staples. Firstleaf is a no-brainer if you love finding and tasting new wine! Join today and you’ll get 6 bottles of wine for $29.95 and free shipping! Just go to tryfirstleaf.com/TODDLER. Little Passports offers globally inspired, award-winning monthly subscription kits designed for curious kids to fuel their inner explorer. For listeners of the show, Little Passports is offering new customers 20% off when you go to littlepassports.com/purgatory Peloton has workouts for every schedule, every goal, and every fitness level. The Peloton Bike+ is now $500 less, its best price yet! Including FREE delivery and setup. Visit onepeloton.com to learn more. Prose is the healthy hair regimen with your name all over it. Take your FREE in-depth hair consultation and get 15% off your first order today! Go to prose.com/toddler Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 30% off your first order.  With Thrive Market, you can shop everything from healthy pantry essentials and sustainable meat and seafood to non-toxic cleaning and beauty products - all delivered right to your door. Go to thrivemarket.com/laughing to get $80 worth of free groceries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A child begins to have an innate sense of their gender between ages 3 and 5. It may be daunting to help kids understand something as complex as gender identity as such a young age, but being a safe space for kids to ask questions and share observations is a good place to start. In this episode, Molly and Blaire discuss: How to observe your own feelings and judgements about gender How to start the conversation about gender with your child How to detect when your child is telling you about their own gender Links to resources mentioned in this episode: It Feels Good to Be Yourself by Theresa Thorn Pink is for Boys by Robb Pearlman Darling Days by iO Tillett Wright Find your local PFLAG group: https://pflag.org/ Azeen Ghorayshi for The New York Times: "Report Reveals Sharp Rise in Transgender Young People in the U.S." plannedparenthood.com: "How do I talk with my preschooler about identity?" Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: "When Do Children Develop Their Gender Identity?" World Health Organization: Gender and Health Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Faherty is a family-run brand making high-quality, timeless clothing with modern design and functionality. Head to fahertybrand.com/LAUGHING and use code FRESH at checkout to snag 20% off ALL your new spring staples. Firstleaf is a no-brainer if you love finding and tasting new wine! Join today and you’ll get 6 bottles of wine for $29.95 and free shipping! Just go to tryfirstleaf.com/TODDLER. Little Passports offers globally inspired, award-winning monthly subscription kits designed for curious kids to fuel their inner explorer. For listeners of the show, Little Passports is offering new customers 20% off when you go to littlepassports.com/purgatory Peloton has workouts for every schedule, every goal, and every fitness level. The Peloton Bike+ is now $500 less, its best price yet! Including FREE delivery and setup. Visit onepeloton.com to learn more. Prose is the healthy hair regimen with your name all over it. Take your FREE in-depth hair consultation and get 15% off your first order today! Go to prose.com/toddler Ready, Set, Food! helps prevent food allergies in children. Go to readysetfood.com/todpurgs & use code TODPURGS for 30% off your first order.  With Thrive Market, you can shop everything from healthy pantry essentials and sustainable meat and seafood to non-toxic cleaning and beauty products - all delivered right to your door. Go to thrivemarket.com/laughing to get $80 worth of free groceries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How young is too young to drive your kid three states away for a lacrosse tournament? Is it 5? (Yes, yes it is.) It's tempting to use sports to teach our kids valuable lessons, tire them out, and groom them for the Olympics. But sports for young kids are intrinsically valuable, even without structure, competition, or score keeping. And why would you want your kids to grow up to make millions of dollars a year playing baseball when they could be actors, anyway? In this episode, Molly and Blaire discuss: How sports both help and hurt young kids How to instill a love of sports in kids, minus unhealthy competition mindsets How to incorporate all kinds of fun activities into kids' schedules Here are the links to some of the resources mentioned in the show: Patty Onderko for parenting.com: "Toddler Sports" Kelly Wallace for CNN: "How to make your kid hate sports without really trying" Spooky Nook Sports: "How To Get Kids Interested In Sports - Best Sports For Kids" Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Auto Approve makes it easy for vehicle owners to find and compare their best available rates to help lower their monthly payment.To find out how much you could save, get your free quote at autoapprove.com/adalyst.  Faherty offers high-quality, timeless clothing with modern design and functionality. Go to fahertybrand.com/LAUGHING and use code FRESH to snag 20% off! Firstleaf is a no-brainer if you love finding and tasting new wines! Get 6 bottles of wine for just $29.95 (and free shipping!) at tryfirstleaf.com/TODDLER.  Hiya is the allergen-free, pediatrician-approved, super-powered chewable vitamin that will get your kids the full-body nourishment they need. Go to hiyahealth.com/TODDLER and receive 50% off your first order.  Peloton has workouts for seriously everyone– and the Peloton Bike+ is now $500 less, including free delivery and setup. Visit onepeloton.com to learn more. Prose is the healthy hair regimen with your name all over it. Get 15% off your first order today! Go to prose.com/toddler. Thrive Market offers healthy pantry essentials and sustainable meat, plus nontoxic cleaning and beauty products. Join Thrive Market today and get $80 in free groceries! Go to thrivemarket.com/laughing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes we wish we could just get away from it all. Is that wrong? We love our families! Even with that love in our hearts, it's tempting to yearn for a room of one's own with a solid, soundproof door. We asked our listeners what they would do with one entire week off, and for many of them it involved a lot of TV, snacks, and, in some cases, the cast of Queer Eye. In this episode. Molly and Blaire discuss: What the advent of the word "momcation" signals Why moms are pressured to be perfect What THEY would do with their own week off! Here are the links to the articles we discuss in the episode: TIME Magazine: "Moms: Your Fantasy About Running Away Is Totally Normal" Caitlin Gibson for The Washington Post: "American mothers need a break. But is the ‘momcation’ a solution to their problems or a symptom?" Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Auto Approve makes it easy for vehicle owners to find and compare their best available rates to help lower their monthly payment.To find out how much you could save, get your free quote at autoapprove.com/adalyst.  Faherty offers high-quality, timeless clothing with modern design and functionality. Go to fahertybrand.com/LAUGHING and use code FRESH to snag 20% off! Firstleaf is a no-brainer if you love finding and tasting new wines! Get 6 bottles of wine for just $29.95 (and free shipping!) at tryfirstleaf.com/TODDLER.  Hiya is the allergen-free, pediatrician-approved, super-powered chewable vitamin that will get your kids the full-body nourishment they need. Go to hiyahealth.com/TODDLER and receive 50% off your first order.  Peloton has workouts for seriously everyone– and the Peloton Bike+ is now $500 less, including free delivery and setup. Visit onepeloton.com to learn more. Prose is the healthy hair regimen with your name all over it. Get 15% off your first order today! Go to prose.com/toddler. Thrive Market offers healthy pantry essentials and sustainable meat, plus nontoxic cleaning and beauty products. Join Thrive Market today and get $80 in free groceries! Go to thrivemarket.com/laughing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Father's Day! This episode, Molly and Blaire talk to their respective dads, Dick and Chuck, about their experiences as fathers and everything they've learned along the way. In this episode, Molly, Blaire, Dick, and Chuck discuss: Differences in parenting across generations What they would tell their past selves Raising foster children How to properly make gin and tonics Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Auto Approve makes it easy for vehicle owners to find and compare their best available rates to help lower their monthly payment.To find out how much you could save, get your free quote at autoapprove.com/adalyst.  Faherty offers high-quality, timeless clothing with modern design and functionality. Go to fahertybrand.com/LAUGHING and use code FRESH to snag 20% off! Firstleaf is a no-brainer if you love finding and tasting new wines! Get 6 bottles of wine for just $29.95 (and free shipping!) at tryfirstleaf.com/TODDLER.  Hiya is the allergen-free, pediatrician-approved, super-powered chewable vitamin that will get your kids the full-body nourishment they need. Go to hiyahealth.com/TODDLER and receive 50% off your first order.  Peloton has workouts for seriously everyone– and the Peloton Bike+ is now $500 less, including free delivery and setup. Visit onepeloton.com to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When we see parents absolutely losing it at their children– and maybe even laying hands on them–are we obligated to act? Prevent Child Abuse America is clear that if you see something, you say something. The harder part is knowing what it is we've seen. We don't always know whether we're witnessing a regrettable but isolated incident or something that’s part of a pattern. We want to make sure we're not making that child less safe by publicly calling the parent out.  And knowing that actually making a phone call to enlist the police or CPS might trigger a series of events that can separate parent and child, we want to be “very confident,” as philosophy professor Kwame Appiah explains, “that such recourse is justified.”  In this episode we discuss how we've handled these moments in our own lives– and going forward, how we'll discern when need to speak up, with the knowledge of how to defuse the situation rather than further inflame it. If you feel a child is in real/imminent danger, please call 1-800-4-A-CHILD. We discuss this article in this episode: Christopher Mele for The New York Times: Should You Intervene When a Parent Harshly Disciplines a Child in Public? Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Auto Approve makes it easy for vehicle owners to find and compare their best available rates to help lower their monthly payment.To find out how much you could save, get your free quote at autoapprove.com/adalyst.  Faherty offers high-quality, timeless clothing with modern design and functionality. Go to fahertybrand.com/LAUGHING and use code FRESH to snag 20% off! Firstleaf is a no-brainer if you love finding and tasting new wines! Get 6 bottles of wine for just $29.95 (and free shipping!) at tryfirstleaf.com/TODDLER.  Hiya is the allergen-free, pediatrician-approved, super-powered chewable vitamin that will get your kids the full-body nourishment they need. Go to hiyahealth.com/TODDLER and receive 50% off your first order.  Peloton has workouts for seriously everyone– and the Peloton Bike+ is now $500 less, including free delivery and setup. Visit onepeloton.com to learn more. Prose is the healthy hair regimen with your name all over it. Get 15% off your first order today! Go to prose.com/toddler. Thrive Market offers healthy pantry essentials and sustainable meat, plus nontoxic cleaning and beauty products. Join Thrive Market today and get $80 in free groceries! Go to thrivemarket.com/laughing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The term “spirited child” was coined by parent educator Mary Sheedy Kurcinka when she was looking for information regarding her own strong-willed son and only found words like “difficult”and “high-strung.” She believed that framing her son’s personality positively would help her focus on his strengths. And there’s no question spirited children bring us tons of joy– while also being emotionally intense, demanding, and extra sensitive.  In this episode we discuss How to know if you have an officially “spirited” child How best to support them (spoiler alert: advanced notice on transitions) How we can learn lessons from our own spirited kids, like determination and curiosity  Here are links to some writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode: Cheryl Maguire for parent.com: 4 Traits I Learned From My Spirited Child California Childcare Health Program, "Caring for the Spirited Child" Mary Sheedy Kurcinka: Raising Your Spirited Child, Third Edition: A Guide for Parents Whose Child Is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, and Energetic Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Auto Approve makes it easy for vehicle owners to find and compare their best available rates to help lower their monthly payment.To find out how much you could save, get your free quote at autoapprove.com/adalyst.  Faherty offers high-quality, timeless clothing with modern design and functionality. Go to fahertybrand.com/LAUGHING and use code FRESH to snag 20% off! Firstleaf is a no-brainer if you love finding and tasting new wines! Get 6 bottles of wine for just $29.95 (and free shipping!) at tryfirstleaf.com/TODDLER.  Hiya is the allergen-free, pediatrician-approved, super-powered chewable vitamin that will get your kids the full-body nourishment they need. Go to hiyahealth.com/TODDLER and receive 50% off your first order.  Peloton has workouts for seriously everyone– and the Peloton Bike+ is now $500 less, including free delivery and setup. Visit onepeloton.com to learn more. Prose is the healthy hair regimen with your name all over it. Get 15% off your first order today! Go to prose.com/toddler. Thrive Market offers healthy pantry essentials and sustainable meat, plus nontoxic cleaning and beauty products. Join Thrive Market today and get $80 in free groceries! Go to thrivemarket.com/laughing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Britt Hawthorne is a mother, teacher, author, and anti-bias/antiracist facilitator. Britt partners with caregivers, educators, and families to raise the next generation of antiracist children. Her forthcoming book, Raising Antiracist Children: A Practical Parenting Guide, which comes out June 7th, is for families ready to take action that'll bring change at home. In this episode, Molly, Blaire, and Britt discuss: How kids under the age of 6 perceive race How to create racially diverse experiences for toddlers Conversations we can have with our parenting partners Here's where you can find Britt: www.britthawthorne.com @britthawthorne on IG  @britthawthorne_ on Twitter  @tashaxandra (Britt's coauthor) on IG  Buy Britt's book, Raising Antiracist Children: A Practical Parenting Guide Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Hiya Health gummies are non-GMO, vegan, dairy-free, allergy-free, gelatin-free, nut-free and basically free of all the stuff you don’t want. For 50% off your first order, go to HiyaHealth.com/TODDLER With Auto Approve, vehicle owners can lower their monthly payment, get a better rate, or both. To find out how much you could save, get your free quote at autoapprove.com/adalyst Prose is the healthy hair regimen with your name all over it. Take your FREE in-depth hair consultation and get 15% off your first order today! Go to prose.com/toddler With Thrive Market, you can shop everything from healthy pantry essentials and sustainable meat and seafood to nontoxic cleaning and beauty products - all delivered right to your door. Go to thrivemarket.com/laughing to get 40% off your first order AND a FREE gift worth over fifty dollars. Peloton has workouts for every schedule, every goal, and every fitness level. The Peloton Bike+ is now $500 less, its best price yet! That includes FREE delivery and setup. Visit onepeloton.com to learn more. Little Passports offers globally inspired, award-winning monthly subscription kits designed for curious kids to fuel their inner explorer. For listeners of the show, Little Passports is offering new customers 20% off when you go to littlepassports.com/purgatory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Beach days. Pool days. Soccer camp. River days. Creek days. (Pick your preferred body of water, is what we're saying.) Are you exhausted yet? When the lazy days of summer start, we may feel pressure to entertain our toddlers every day. But that's not possible, since we're mere mortals. Molly and Blaire share their ideas for staying active with your kids during the summer months without getting overwhelmed. In this episode, Molly and Blaire discuss: What to pack in your summertime Go Bag Activity ideas for all types of weather How to introduce some healthy boredom into the schedule Here are links to the resources mentioned in the episode: Robin Westen for Parents.com: "24 Cheap Summer Activities for Kids" Crafty Kids at Home busytoddler.com Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Hiya Health gummies are non-GMO, vegan, dairy-free, allergy-free, gelatin-free, nut-free and basically free of all the stuff you don’t want. For 50% off your first order, go to HiyaHealth.com/TODDLER With Auto Approve, vehicle owners can lower their monthly payment, get a better rate, or both. To find out how much you could save, get your free quote at autoapprove.com/adalyst Prose is the healthy hair regimen with your name all over it. Take your FREE in-depth hair consultation and get 15% off your first order today! Go to prose.com/toddler With Thrive Market, you can shop everything from healthy pantry essentials and sustainable meat and seafood to nontoxic cleaning and beauty products - all delivered right to your door. Go to thrivemarket.com/laughing to get 40% off your first order AND a FREE gift worth over fifty dollars. Peloton has workouts for every schedule, every goal, and every fitness level. The Peloton Bike+ is now $500 less, its best price yet! That includes FREE delivery and setup. Visit onepeloton.com to learn more. Little Passports offers globally inspired, award-winning monthly subscription kits designed for curious kids to fuel their inner explorer. For listeners of the show, Little Passports is offering new customers 20% off when you go to littlepassports.com/purgatory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We asked those in our Facebook group how they maintain friendships with childless friends. The answers ranged from hilarious to heartbreaking. Keeping childless friends in our lives involves self-reflection, perspective taking, FaceTime, texting, and roller skating. Oh, and, unfortunately, "hard pants." In this episode, Molly and Blaire discuss: How maintaining friendships with childless friends is an act of self care How to take on the perspective of childless friends How to let go of and mourn friendships that have run their course Here is the link to the article mentioned in the episode: Rachel Bertsche for The New York Times: "Staying Close to Your Friends Without Kids" Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Hiya Health gummies are non-GMO, vegan, dairy-free, allergy-free, gelatin-free, nut-free and basically free of all the stuff you don’t want. For 50% off your first order, go to HiyaHealth.com/TODDLER With Auto Approve, vehicle owners can lower their monthly payment, get a better rate, or both. To find out how much you could save, get your free quote at autoapprove.com/adalyst Prose is the healthy hair regimen with your name all over it. Take your FREE in-depth hair consultation and get 15% off your first order today! Go to prose.com/toddler With Thrive Market, you can shop everything from healthy pantry essentials and sustainable meat and seafood to nontoxic cleaning and beauty products - all delivered right to your door. Go to thrivemarket.com/laughing to get 40% off your first order AND a FREE gift worth over fifty dollars. Peloton has workouts for every schedule, every goal, and every fitness level. The Peloton Bike+ is now $500 less, its best price yet! That includes FREE delivery and setup. Visit onepeloton.com to learn more. Little Passports offers globally inspired, award-winning monthly subscription kits designed for curious kids to fuel their inner explorer. For listeners of the show, Little Passports is offering new customers 20% off when you go to littlepassports.com/purgatory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the most relaxing 24 hours of the year! What’s your one wish, moms? Breakfast in bed? Lunch in bed? Dinner in bed? Oh, all day in bed. That’s actually an excellent wish… In this special Mother’s Day episode, Molly and Blaire interview their own mothers to find out what their mothers wished were different in their own time and how they view motherhood today. In this episode, Molly’s and Blaire’s mothers, Lynn and Peggy, discuss: What they wish they’d had when they were raising kids Which is better—being a mom or a grandmom How phones and social media have impacted parenting  Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Hiya Health gummies are non-GMO, vegan, dairy-free, allergy-free, gelatin-free, nut-free and basically free of all the stuff you don’t want. For 50% off your first order, go to HiyaHealth.com/TODDLER With Auto Approve, vehicle owners can lower their monthly payment, get a better rate, or both. To find out how much you could save, get your free quote at autoapprove.com/adalyst Prose is the healthy hair regimen with your name all over it. Take your FREE in-depth hair consultation and get 15% off your first order today! Go to prose.com/toddler With Thrive Market, you can shop everything from healthy pantry essentials and sustainable meat and seafood to nontoxic cleaning and beauty products - all delivered right to your door. Go to thrivemarket.com/laughing to get 40% off your first order AND a FREE gift worth over fifty dollars. Peloton has workouts for every schedule, every goal, and every fitness level. The Peloton Bike+ is now $500 less, its best price yet! That includes FREE delivery and setup. Visit onepeloton.com to learn more. Little Passports offers globally inspired, award-winning monthly subscription kits designed for curious kids to fuel their inner explorer. For listeners of the show, Little Passports is offering new customers 20% off when you go to littlepassports.com/purgatory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a "Best Of" re-release in honor of Toddler Purgatory's 1st birthday! Thanks for coming on this amazing journey with us so far. Kids are bananas. Some particularly so. But why are some kids seemingly born to scale the kitchen cabinets before they can walk? And are there are any future upsides to having been a “danger baby”?  In this episode, Molly and Blaire discuss the many benefits of “free play,” the differences between danger and risk, how we can teach our little ones to be safely courageous, and what child development specialist Rebecca Weingarten calls “constructive failure.” Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in this episode:  Michele Borba for U.S. News: "9 Ways to Cultivate Courage in Kids" Stacy Tornio for Today's Parent: "Why our kids should take risks—sometimes even (slightly) dangerous ones" Shakira’s song “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” https://youtu.be/pRpeEdMmmQ0 Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Auto Approve makes vehicle refinancing easy and gets your more money for what matters most. Get your free quote at autoapprove.com/adalyst. Firstleaf Wine Club delivers personalized wines you'll love right to your door. Join today and you'll get 6 bottles of wine for $29.95 and free shipping. Just go to tryfirstleaf.com/toddler Hiya Health makes sugar-free gummy vitamins for kids. Go to hiyahealth.com/toddler to get 50% off your first order. Peloton has thousands of workouts on their app for every goal, day, and mood! We're fans of the yoga, meditation, and dance cardio, but there's truly something for everyone. Learn more: onepeloton.com. Plant People makes doctor-formulated, regenerative plant and mushroom supplements that unlock people's potential. Go to try.plantpeople.co/toddler to get 15% off your first order. Prep Dish is the best way for busy people to get healthy meals on the table without stress. Subscribers receive an email every week with an organized grocery list and instructions for prepping meals ahead of time. Check out prepdish.com/laughing for a free 2-week trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just a heads up: this episode mentions the correct anatomical names for private body parts, as well as mention of good and bad touches. Help! My child is playing whipping it out at the playground and I don't know what to do! Before you crawl into a hole, take a listen to this episode and let Molly and Blaire share some tips for talking to kids about private body parts without stigma or euphemisms. In this episode, Molly and Blaire discuss: Why kids are so curious about their bodies How to use correct language for anatomy as a teaching tool How to address your own anxiety on the subject so it doesn't cloud your judgment Resources/books we mentioned in this episode: Jenny Marder for The New York Times: "Keeping Kids Curious About Their Bodies Without Shame" "It's Not the Stork! A Book About Girls, Boys, Babies, Bodies, Families and Friends" by Robie Harris "Bodies are Cool" by Tyler Feder And for a bonus--Doctor Lindsey Doe of "Sexplanations" has this to say about removing stigma from discussion of kids' bodies: "What Should You Say to Kids About Their Genitals?" Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Auto Approve makes vehicle refinancing easy and gets your more money for what matters most. Get your free quote at autoapprove.com/adalyst. Firstleaf Wine Club delivers personalized wines you'll love right to your door. Join today and you'll get 6 bottles of wine for $29.95 and free shipping. Just go to tryfirstleaf.com/toddler Hiya Health makes sugar-free gummy vitamins for kids. Go to hiyahealth.com/toddler to get 50% off your first order. Peloton has thousands of workouts on their app for every goal, day, and mood! We're fans of the yoga, meditation, and dance cardio, but there's truly something for everyone. Learn more: onepeloton.com. Plant People makes doctor-formulated, regenerative plant and mushroom supplements that unlock people's potential. Go to try.plantpeople.co/toddler to get 15% off your first order. Prep Dish is the best way for busy people to get healthy meals on the table without stress. Subscribers receive an email every week with an organized grocery list and instructions for prepping meals ahead of time. Check out prepdish.com/laughing for a free 2-week trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listener Amy had this question for us in our Facebook group: My daughter is turning three in one week and her nearly overnight transition to mob boss terrorist monster is complete. It would help to hear from other parents that this is normal and maybe one day she will be my sweet baby again? Or just not a mob boss terrorist at least?? Three ages enter. Only one emerges. Is it the terrible twos that are the absolute worst age to parent? Threenagers? Fournadoes? Will we ever get our sweet unicorn babies back from the depths of toddler purgatory? There is something on the other side of this, right? In this episode, Molly and Blaire discuss: What is happening biologically at ages two, three, and four Activities to do with your toddler to ease tension Why you ain't seen nothin' yet Here links to some of the resources mentioned in our episode: Jay L. Hoecker for the Mayo Clinic: "Why Are Two-Year-Olds So Difficult?" Caroline Shannon-Karasik for Romper: "Here's Why Threenagers Are A (Frustrating, Totally Lovable) Thing" Zero to Three: "Toddlers and Challenging Behavior: Why They Do It and How to Respond" Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Auto Approve makes vehicle refinancing easy and gets your more money for what matters most. Get your free quote at autoapprove.com/adalyst. Firstleaf Wine Club delivers personalized wines you'll love right to your door. Join today and you'll get 6 bottles of wine for $29.95 and free shipping. Just go to tryfirstleaf.com/toddler Hiya Health makes sugar-free gummy vitamins for kids. Go to hiyahealth.com/toddler to get 50% off your first order. Peloton has thousands of workouts on their app for every goal, day, and mood! We're fans of the yoga, meditation, and dance cardio, but there's truly something for everyone. Learn more: onepeloton.com. Plant People makes doctor-formulated, regenerative plant and mushroom supplements that unlock people's potential. Go to try.plantpeople.co/toddler to get 15% off your first order. Prep Dish is the best way for busy people to get healthy meals on the table without stress. Subscribers receive an email every week with an organized grocery list and instructions for prepping meals ahead of time. Check out prepdish.com/laughing for a free 2-week trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom." The call of the wild toddler rouses us from the deepest sleep. It's nice to be needed, right? Well, not CONSTANTLY. You do have a life, after all. (You do have a life, right?) It may seem like your toddler is unable to play alone, but that's not unusual. Teaching your kid to entertain himself is a process, and luckily there are some methods you can use to make that process a little more bearable and a little less tearful. (His tears and yours.) In this episode, Molly and Blaire discuss: How to start your kid (and yourself) off slowly The specific challenges of only children How to have patience with yourself during this process Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in today's episode: janetlansbury.com: "Stop Entertaining Your Toddler (In 3 Steps)" Laura Grande for Today's Parent: "5 ways to get your kid to play alone" Meghan Leahy for The Washington Post: "When Kids Want Parents to Play All the Time" Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Auto Approve makes vehicle refinancing easy and gets your more money for what matters most. Get your free quote at autoapprove.com/adalyst. Firstleaf Wine Club delivers personalized wines you'll love right to your door. Join today and you'll get 6 bottles of wine for $29.95 and free shipping. Just go to tryfirstleaf.com/toddler Hiya Health makes sugar-free gummy vitamins for kids. Go to hiyahealth.com/toddler to get 50% off your first order. Peloton has thousands of workouts on their app for every goal, day, and mood! We're fans of the yoga, meditation, and dance cardio, but there's truly something for everyone. Learn more: onepeloton.com. Plant People makes doctor-formulated, regenerative plant and mushroom supplements that unlock people's potential. Go to try.plantpeople.co/toddler to get 15% off your first order. Prep Dish is the best way for busy people to get healthy meals on the table without stress. Subscribers receive an email every week with an organized grocery list and instructions for prepping meals ahead of time. Check out prepdish.com/laughing for a free 2-week trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why is it that kids are so darn honest? Turns out the "filter" that the rest of us try to apply to our everyday interactions just doesn't exist in our young ones. Their little brains aren't capable of fabricating lies like older kids and adults. And, as we all know, the constant honesty of little kids is a double-edged sword. Listeners wrote in with some of the most ruthless truths their toddlers have voiced, and man oh man, kids really can be frank! In this episode, Molly and Blaire discuss: How little toddler brains are wired for truth How to model honesty for kids 'Good and bad' versus 'truth and lies' Here are some of the resources mentioned in today's episode: Lizzy Francis for Fatherly: "How to Raise an Honest Kid (But Not a Narc)" Brook Bolen for Vice: "Behind the Brutal Honesty of Drunks and Toddlers" Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Auto Approve makes vehicle refinancing easy and gets your more money for what matters most. Get your free quote at autoapprove.com/adalyst. Firstleaf Wine Club delivers personalized wines you'll love right to your door. Join today and you'll get 6 bottles of wine for $29.95 and free shipping. Just go to tryfirstleaf.com/toddler Hiya Health makes sugar-free gummy vitamins for kids. Go to hiyahealth.com/toddler to get 50% off your first order. Peloton has thousands of workouts on their app for every goal, day, and mood! We're fans of the yoga, meditation, and dance cardio, but there's truly something for everyone. Learn more: onepeloton.com. Plant People makes doctor-formulated, regenerative plant and mushroom supplements that unlock people's potential. Go to try.plantpeople.co/toddler to get 15% off your first order. Prep Dish is the best way for busy people to get healthy meals on the table without stress. Subscribers receive an email every week with an organized grocery list and instructions for prepping meals ahead of time. Check out prepdish.com/laughing for a free 2-week trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All parents look forward to the day when they can get their kids out of diapers once and for all, but when it comes to potty training the process is rarely a straight line. In our Facebook group a listener wrote in to say: I'm a first-time mom to an almost 3-year-old. We started potty training and I am starting to understand why some animals eat their young. Our very strong-willed daughter seems to know EXACTLY what buttons to push to send me right to the edge of the edge! Can someone tell me how to not scream into a pillow each night after the constant potty training power struggle? Good news! Potty training IS survivable. Some keys to success are: Looking for signs your child is ready Being careful not to push potty training when other developmental milestones are occurring Remembering to focus on what kids are doing right Finding the methods that work for you and your child Accepting that regressions happen and that they are not a sign of failure Whatever method you choose remember to keep it fun (yes, we know, easier said than done). With a positive outlook potty training can be about quality time between you and your child– and most importantly, it can work! Here are links to some things we mention in today's episode: pull-ups.com: 6 Signs Your Child is Ready Jarrod Rendle for KiwiFamilies.co.nz: 4 Most Common Potty Training Methods Here's a link to Blaire's disposable potty covers Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Auto Approve makes vehicle refinancing easy and gets your more money for what matters most. Get your free quote at autoapprove.com/adalyst. Firstleaf Wine Club delivers personalized wines you'll love right to your door. Join today and you'll get 6 bottles of wine for $29.95 and free shipping. Just go to tryfirstleaf.com/toddler Hiya Health makes sugar-free gummy vitamins for kids. Go to hiyahealth.com/toddler to get 50% off your first order. Peloton has thousands of workouts on their app for every goal, day, and mood! We're fans of the yoga, meditation, and dance cardio, but there's truly something for everyone. Learn more: onepeloton.com. Plant People makes doctor-formulated, regenerative plant and mushroom supplements that unlock people's potential. Go to try.plantpeople.co/toddler to get 15% off your first order. Prep Dish is the best way for busy people to get healthy meals on the table without stress. Subscribers receive an email every week with an organized grocery list and instructions for prepping meals ahead of time. Check out prepdish.com/laughing for a free 2-week trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Any one who has had a toddler knows the terror that surfaces whenever a lovey (let's say Mr. Bunny) goes missing. About 60% of babies adopt some sort of transitional object at around 9 months old. This is when little ones start to separate from parents (and, in fact, when they begin to understand that their parent is a separate person). Once a kid bonds with "Mr. Bunny", you may worry they'll be taking him to college. But there are ways to gently wean your child off comfort items in time. In this episode, Molly and Blaire discuss: Why comfort items are a sign of healthy growth How to start the weaning process Why there will be ups and downs as kids learn to live without their comfort items Here are links to some of the resources referenced in this episode: Alice Allan for La Leche League International: "Comfort Items and Attachment Parenting" Lindsey Konkel for What to Expect: Why Do Some Babies Need Comfort Items (Or "Transitional Objects")? Marnell Jameson for Parents.com: "6 Tips for Weaning Your Child's Comfort Object" Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Athletic Greens supports your sleep quality, energy, immune system and more with just one scoop per day! Get a one-year supply of Vitamin D plus 5 free travel packs at athleticgreens.com/laughing. Daily Harvest delivers delicious harvest bowls, flatbreads, smoothies, and more, all built on organic fruits and vegetables. Go to dailyharvest.com/toddler to get up to $40 off your first box! Lumineux makes toothpaste, mouthwash, and whitening with certified non-toxic ingredients which leave the good bacteria in your mouth alone! Find Lumineux on Amazon and get $7 off today!  Peloton has thousands of workouts on their app for every goal, day, and mood! We're fans of the yoga, meditation, and dance cardio, but there's truly something for everyone. Learn more: onepeloton.com. Plant People makes doctor-formulated, regenerative plant and mushroom supplements that unlock people's potential. Go to try.plantpeople.co/toddler to get 15% off your first order with the code TODDLER. Snow Days taste like the pizza bites we remember eating as kids, but without the junk! Use promo code TODDLER to save $15 off your first order at www.snowdays.com/TODDLER. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Educators have long known that bringing therapy animals like dogs into schools helps developmentally-challenged kids learn. Now they're finding that all children can benefit from the presence of a nonjudgmental pal with paws. Pets don't just help children learn. There are actually a lot of benefits to bringing pets of all different types into your home when your kids are young. We'll walk you through the how, the when, and the why. In this episode, we discuss: How pets help children learn better How pets improve children's health How pets increase empathy and compassion in children Here are links to some writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode:  Elizabeth Greenwood for the New York Times: How to Introduce Pets to Babies Bill Strickland for Parents: The Benefits of Pets for Kids Jennifer Stauffer for Care.com: Best Pets for Kids At Every Age and Stage Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Athletic Greens supports your sleep quality, energy, immune system and more with just one scoop per day! Get a one-year supply of Vitamin D plus 5 free travel packs at athleticgreens.com/laughing. Daily Harvest delivers delicious harvest bowls, flatbreads, smoothies, and more, all built on organic fruits and vegetables. Go to dailyharvest.com/toddler to get up to $40 off your first box! Lumineux makes toothpaste, mouthwash, and whitening with certified non-toxic ingredients which leave the good bacteria in your mouth alone! Find Lumineux on Amazon and get $7 off today!  Peloton has thousands of workouts on their app for every goal, day, and mood! We're fans of the yoga, meditation, and dance cardio, but there's truly something for everyone. Learn more: onepeloton.com. Plant People makes doctor-formulated, regenerative plant and mushroom supplements that unlock people's potential. Go to try.plantpeople.co/toddler to get 15% off your first order with the code TODDLER. Snow Days taste like the pizza bites we remember eating as kids, but without the junk! Use promo code TODDLER to save $15 off your first order at www.snowdays.com/TODDLER. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Little kids may be cute, but boy, are they self-centered. Turns out that’s how they’re wired: the egocentrism of toddlers gives them confidence to explore and express themselves. But it also can make them a tad inflexible about points of view that might differ from their own.  In this episode, we discuss:  A theory as to why little kids may be terrible at hiding Where experts agree (and disagree) on what causes kids’ egocentric behavior  How to deal with the tiny egocentrists that we live with  Experts tend to agree that by the ages of 5 or 6, most children understand and take into consideration the feelings of others. So hang on: you’re going to have a real group thinker by first grade.  Here are links to some writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode:  Being the Parent: Understanding Egocentrism in Children Scholastic: Must-Have Books to Teach Social-Emotional Skills The Conversation: Young children are terrible at hiding– psychologists have a new theory why Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Athletic Greens supports your sleep quality, energy, immune system and more with just one scoop per day! Get a one-year supply of Vitamin D plus 5 free travel packs at athleticgreens.com/laughing. Daily Harvest delivers delicious harvest bowls, flatbreads, smoothies, and more, all built on organic fruits and vegetables. Go to dailyharvest.com/toddler to get up to $40 off your first box! Lumineux makes toothpaste, mouthwash, and whitening with certified non-toxic ingredients which leave the good bacteria in your mouth alone! Find Lumineux on Amazon and get $7 off today!  Peloton has thousands of workouts on their app for every goal, day, and mood! We're fans of the yoga, meditation, and dance cardio, but there's truly something for everyone. Learn more: onepeloton.com. Plant People makes doctor-formulated, regenerative plant and mushroom supplements that unlock people's potential. Go to try.plantpeople.co/toddler to get 15% off your first order with the code TODDLER. Snow Days taste like the pizza bites we remember eating as kids, but without the junk! Use promo code TODDLER to save $15 off your first order at www.snowdays.com/TODDLER. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

True listening requires true presence. But in the household whirlwind that is life with little ones, sitting and eye-contacting and breathing deeply, in order to fully take in a monologue about "Dinosaur Train," has its challenges. In this episode, we discuss how giving our kids the gift of empathetic listening can benefit them throughout their lives how to practice "active listening" how what kids are saying, and their underlying feelings, may not always match... and how to tune in to that Here are links to some writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode:  Catherine Newman for Parents: 5 Easy Ways to Be A Better Listener to your Child Dr. Michael Nichols: The Lost Art of Listening Centers for Disease Control: Active Listening Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Athletic Greens supports your sleep quality, energy, immune system and more with just one scoop per day! Get a one-year supply of Vitamin D plus 5 free travel packs at athleticgreens.com/laughing. Daily Harvest delivers delicious harvest bowls, flatbreads, smoothies, and more, all built on organic fruits and vegetables. Go to dailyharvest.com/toddler to get up to $40 off your first box! Lumineux makes toothpaste, mouthwash, and whitening with certified non-toxic ingredients which leave the good bacteria in your mouth alone! Find Lumineux on Amazon and get $7 off today!  Peloton has thousands of workouts on their app for every goal, day, and mood! We're fans of the yoga, meditation, and dance cardio, but there's truly something for everyone. Learn more: onepeloton.com. Plant People makes doctor-formulated, regenerative plant and mushroom supplements that unlock people's potential. Go to try.plantpeople.co/toddler to get 15% off your first order with the code TODDLER. Snow Days taste like the pizza bites we remember eating as kids, but without the junk! Use promo code TODDLER to save $15 off your first order at www.snowdays.com/TODDLER. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why are kids so weird about washing hands and brushing teeth and taking baths? How often do kids really need to bathe, anyway? Is hygiene a battle worth fighting? Yes. Sometimes. In this episode we discuss the expert advice on how often kids need to get clean, plus our own tips for making it fun or interesting enough that our kids will go along with it. Here are links to some writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode: Susan Stiffelman for HuffPost: My 5-Year-Old Won’t Wash His Hands! What To Expect: Resisting Bathtime Dr. Claire McCarthy for Harvard Health: Does your child need to bathe every day? Colgate: How To Help a Child Who Won’t Brush Their Teeth Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Athletic Greens supports your sleep quality, energy, immune system and more with just one scoop per day! Get a one-year supply of Vitamin D plus 5 free travel packs at athleticgreens.com/laughing. Daily Harvest delivers delicious harvest bowls, flatbreads, smoothies, and more built on organic fruits and vegetables. Go to dailyharvest.com/laughing to get up to $40 off your first box! Outschool's fun online classes help kids get excited about learning. To save $15 off your child's first class, go to outschool.com/toddler and use the code TODDLER. Peloton has thousands of workouts on their app for every goal, day, and mood! We're fans of the yoga, meditation, and dance cardio, but there's truly something for everyone. Learn more: onepeloton.com. Snow Days taste like the pizza bites we remember eating as kids, but without the junk! Use promo code TODDLER to save $15 off your first order at www.snowdays.com/TODDLER. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Remember the other important relationship in your life? The person you decided to build a life with? Parent alongside, for better and for worse?  After kids arrive and take over your lives, it can suddenly feel more like you’re angry co-workers at a 24/7 daycare. That part gets better with time. But experts say we need to nurture our marriages along with our children, so there’s an “us” left when the kids leave home.  Reconnecting with our partners takes focus, and planning ahead, and getting intentional– but it’s also totally possible. In this episode Molly and Blaire talk about how it’s working for them– and interview two very special guests: their husbands!  Here are links to some writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode:  Christina Caron for NY Times: How To Reconnect With Your Partner After Having Kids Motherhood Sessions podcast Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Athletic Greens supports your sleep quality, energy, immune system and more with just one scoop per day! Get a one-year supply of Vitamin D plus 5 free travel packs at athleticgreens.com/laughing. Daily Harvest delivers delicious harvest bowls, flatbreads, smoothies, and more built on organic fruits and vegetables. Go to dailyharvest.com/laughing to get up to $40 off your first box! Outschool's fun online classes help kids get excited about learning. To save $15 off your child's first class, go to outschool.com/toddler and use the code TODDLER. Peloton has thousands of workouts on their app for every goal, day, and mood! We're fans of the yoga, meditation, and dance cardio, but there's truly something for everyone. Learn more: onepeloton.com. Snow Days taste like the pizza bites we remember eating as kids, but without the junk! Use promo code TODDLER to save $15 off your first order at www.snowdays.com/TODDLER. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever find yourself saying the same thing over and over to your kids? The answer isn’t to yell louder, as tempting as that can be. It might be more effective to consider the true capabilities of our kids at the stages they are at, and look at whether it might be our expectations that need a slight adjustment. Once you’ve done that? You’re a “gentle parent.” Sarah Ockwell-Smith, parenting expert and author of The Gentle Parenting Book, sums up gentle parenting in three words: empathy, understanding, and respect. But gentle parenting isn’t pushover parenting. Discipline is still possible– it’s just focused on lessons to be learned more than on punishments. It’s about shutting off our autopilot as parents and beginning a practice of remembering that a child is a child. In this episode we discuss How to set boundaries in this new paradigm (yes, still possible) How to model the behavior we want our kids to learn How gentle parenting helps our kids learn emotional maturity sooner. Here are links to some writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode:  Sarah Ockwell-Smith: Five Steps To Effective Discipline Renee Plant for Very Well Family: What Is Gentle Parenting?  Natalia Oliver for Guidepost Montessori: A Beginner’s Guide To Gentle Parenting Vicky McKeever for CNBC: This ‘gentle parenting’ guru gives her tips for raising confident kids Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Athletic Greens supports your sleep quality, energy, immune system and more with just one scoop per day! Get a one-year supply of Vitamin D plus 5 free travel packs at athleticgreens.com/laughing. Daily Harvest delivers delicious harvest bowls, flatbreads, smoothies, and more built on organic fruits and vegetables. Go to dailyharvest.com/laughing to get up to $40 off your first box! Outschool's fun online classes help kids get excited about learning. To save $15 off your child's first class, go to outschool.com/toddler and use the code TODDLER. Peloton has thousands of workouts on their app for every goal, day, and mood! We're fans of the yoga, meditation, and dance cardio, but there's truly something for everyone. Learn more: onepeloton.com. Snow Days taste like the pizza bites we remember eating as kids, but without the junk! Use promo code TODDLER to save $15 off your first order at www.snowdays.com/TODDLER. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kids today only spend half as much time playing outside as we did. It can be a hassle to get them bundled up and to the playground on a drizzly spring afternoon– or to clean half the floors in your house after a trip to your own snowy backyard. But there are many skills that kids gain both from self-directed and “purposeful play,” and experts say that's particularly true when that play happens outdoors. Our guest Meghan Fitzgerald is the co-founder of Tinkergarten, which offers purposeful play opportunities for children and families that gets them away from screens and outdoors together in nature. Meghan tells us her favorite get-them-outside activities, and why even the coldest or rainiest days offer rewards that really are worth bundling everyone up.  Here are links to some writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode:  https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/04/parenting/kids-winter-play-outside.html https://graziadaily.co.uk/life/parenting/viking-parenting-childhood-risk-fresh-air-mental-health/?fbclid=IwAR2sM-84dC7xYVEmyMLjKG7ijFQCm2QiIQOr1AZoPJpDTfFZm-mXVeRG2No https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/6-reasons-children-need-to-play-outside-2018052213880 And our episode "Danger Babies": https://www.toddlerpurgatory.com/danger-babies-why-are-some-kids-such-risk-takers/ Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Athletic Greens supports your sleep quality, energy, immune system and more with just one scoop per day! Get a one-year supply of Vitamin D plus 5 free travel packs at athleticgreens.com/laughing. Daily Harvest delivers delicious harvest bowls, flatbreads, smoothies, and more built on organic fruits and vegetables. Go to dailyharvest.com/laughing to get up to $40 off your first box! Outschool's fun online classes help kids get excited about learning. To save $15 off your child's first class, go to outschool.com/toddler and use the code TODDLER. Peloton has thousands of workouts on their app for every goal, day, and mood! We're fans of the yoga, meditation, and dance cardio, but there's truly something for everyone. Learn more: onepeloton.com. Snow Days taste like the pizza bites we remember eating as kids, but without the junk! Use promo code TODDLER to save $15 off your first order at www.snowdays.com/TODDLER. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Finding our balance as working parents is a double challenge. It's not just about being a great parent while maintaining a job; it's about being great at that job while also being a parent. In this episode, we discuss: scheduling our time so we have time for work, parenting, and "non-mom stuff" creating systems for "pain points" finding the optimal amount of childcare support managing our own expectations as well as we manage the expectations of others We also refer to statistics from this PDF: Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Characteristics of Families- 2020 Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: Athletic Greens supports your sleep quality, energy, immune system and more with just one scoop per day. Get a free one-year supply of Vitamin D and 5 free travel packs with your first purchase at athleticgreens.com/laughing. Daily Harvest delivers delicious harvest bowls, flatbreads, smoothies, and more, all built on organic fruits + vegetables. Go to dailyharvest.com/laughing to get up to $40 off your first box! Outschool's fun online classes help kids get excited about learning. To save $15 off your child's first class, go to outschool.com/toddler and use the code TODDLER. Once Upon a Farm fruit and vegetable blends are made with whole, organic, farm-fresh ingredients and packaged in grab-and-go pouches. Go to onceuponafarmorganics.com and use the code LAUGHING for 25% off your first order. Peloton has thousands of workouts for every goal, day, and mood. Try the Peloton App free for 2 months! Go to onepeloton.com/app by January 31, 2022. Terms apply. Snow Days taste like the pizza bites we remember eating as kids, but without the junk! Use promo code TODDLER to save $15 off your first order at www.snowdays.com/TODDLER. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're all muddling through right now, and while we are definitely Team Lowered Standards at this time, there's only so many viewings of Encanto a parent can withstand. Here are some easy, fun ways to change things up around the house and keep things fun. From cleanup races to "spooky baths," our listeners have some great ideas, and in this episode we discuss them all! Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: Athletic Greens supports your sleep quality, energy, immune system and more with just one scoop per day. Get a free one-year supply of Vitamin D and 5 free travel packs with your first purchase at athleticgreens.com/laughing. Daily Harvest delivers delicious harvest bowls, flatbreads, smoothies, and more, all built on organic fruits + vegetables. Go to dailyharvest.com/laughing to get up to $40 off your first box! Outschool's fun online classes help kids get excited about learning. To save $15 off your child's first class, go to outschool.com/toddler and use the code TODDLER. Once Upon a Farm fruit and vegetable blends are made with whole, organic, farm-fresh ingredients and packaged in grab-and-go pouches. Go to onceuponafarmorganics.com and use the code LAUGHING for 25% off your first order. Peloton has thousands of workouts for every goal, day, and mood. Try the Peloton App free for 2 months! Go to onepeloton.com/app by January 31, 2022. Terms apply. Snow Days taste like the pizza bites we remember eating as kids, but without the junk! Use promo code TODDLER to save $15 off your first order at www.snowdays.com/TODDLER. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes little kids lack the ability to express their frustration, fear, and anger in words. That’s usually when they decide to whack the other 3-year-old with the toy dump truck, instead of pleasantly sharing.  Experts say aggression often gets a little better once kids can express themselves verbally– although not always, if what goes on in our houses is any indication.  In this episode we discuss how to handle our kids becoming aggressive when we’re there to witness it, when we’re *not* there to witness it (like at preschool), and what clear, consistent messaging we need to model to move things in a more peaceful direction.  Here are links to some writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode:  Emily Fromm and Nicole Harris for Parents: How to Handle Aggressive Toddler Behavior Emily Edlynn, Ph.D for Parents: My Child Won't Stop Hitting Other Children at Daycare Laura Markham for Psychology Today: 10 Steps to Stop Your Child from Hitting Other Kids Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: Athletic Greens supports your sleep quality, energy, immune system and more with just one scoop per day. Get a free one-year supply of Vitamin D and 5 free travel packs with your first purchase at athleticgreens.com/laughing. Daily Harvest delivers delicious harvest bowls, flatbreads, smoothies, and more, all built on organic fruits + vegetables. Go to dailyharvest.com/laughing to get up to $40 off your first box! Hey Honey is the first complete skin care line infused with Honey and Bee Propolis. Get 20% off your first order by going to heyhoney.com and using code FRESH at checkout. Outschool's fun online classes help kids get excited about learning. To save $15 off your child's first class, go to outschool.com/toddler and use the code TODDLER. Once Upon a Farm fruit and vegetable blends are made with whole, organic, farm-fresh ingredients and packaged in grab-and-go pouches. Go to onceuponafarmorganics.com and use the code LAUGHING for 25% off your first order. Peloton has thousands of workouts for every goal, day, and mood. Try the Peloton App free for 2 months! Go to onepeloton.com/app by January 31, 2022. Terms apply. Snow Days taste like the pizza bites we remember eating as kids, but without the junk! Use promo code TODDLER to save $15 off your first order at www.snowdays.com/TODDLER. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you filled out our listener survey? Help us bring you sponsors you'll love! http://bit.ly/ToddlerPurgatorySurvey Temper tantrums are the way that young children express emotions they are not developmentally able to express in other ways. Does knowing that the kicking and screaming is completely developmentally appropriate make it any easier for parents to deal with? Sometimes.  In this episode, we discuss the differences between tantrums and meltdowns, what the most common tantrum triggers are, and the most helpful ways for us to react when our little ones are going Full Ham Freakout.  Here are links to some writing on the topic that we mention in this episode:  Stanford Children’s Health: Temper Tantrums Sarah and Larry Nannery for Psychology Today: What Is the Difference Between a Meltdown and a Tantrum? Shaun Dreisbach for Parents: How to Deal with Toddler Temper Tantrums Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: Athletic Greens supports your sleep quality, energy, immune system and more with just one scoop per day. Get a free one-year supply of Vitamin D and 5 free travel packs with your first purchase at athleticgreens.com/laughing. Daily Harvest delivers delicious harvest bowls, flatbreads, smoothies, and more, all built on organic fruits + vegetables. Go to dailyharvest.com/laughing to get up to $40 off your first box! Hey Honey is the first complete skin care line infused with Honey and Bee Propolis. Get 20% off your first order by going to heyhoney.com and using code FRESH at checkout. Outschool's fun online classes help kids get excited about learning. To save $15 off your child's first class, go to outschool.com/toddler and use the code TODDLER. Once Upon a Farm fruit and vegetable blends are made with whole, organic, farm-fresh ingredients and packaged in grab-and-go pouches. Go to onceuponafarmorganics.com and use the code LAUGHING for 25% off your first order. Peloton has thousands of workouts for every goal, day, and mood. Try the Peloton App free for 2 months! Go to onepeloton.com/app by January 31, 2022. Terms apply. Snow Days taste like the pizza bites we remember eating as kids, but without the junk! Use promo code TODDLER to save $15 off your first order at www.snowdays.com/TODDLER. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Self-care can sound like another chore. Seriously, who has time for a bubble bath? And is that really the best use of 20 free minutes, assuming we had them?  But as Haley Jena points out in this article for What To Expect, self-care isn’t selfish. It's what we need in order to keep going as parents. It's not optional. In this episode, we discuss what definitely doesn’t work for us, what kind of does, and what we’re going to start (like reading actual books and not just our phones).  Here are links to some writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode:  Moira Lawler for Everyday Health: What Is Self-Care and Why Is It So Important To Your Health?  Forbes: Practicing Self-Care Is Important: 10 Easy Habits To Get You Started Haley Jena for What To Expect: 19 Self-Care Ideas for Moms That Aren't Just 'Take a Shower' Special thanks to our sponsors: Hey Honey is the first complete skin care line infused with Honey and Bee Propolis. Get 20% off your first order by going to heyhoney.com and using code FRESH at checkout. Betterhelp Start taking charge of your mental health– no matter where you live! Go to betterhelp.com/laughing to get 10% off your first month of counseling. Once Upon a Farm fruit and vegetable blends are made with whole, organic, farm-fresh ingredients and packaged in grab-and-go pouches. Go to onceuponafarmorganics.com and use the code LAUGHING for 25% off your first order. Outschool's fun online classes help kids get excited about learning. To save $15 off your child's first class, go to outschool.com/toddler and use the code TODDLER. Daily Harvest delivers delicious harvest bowls, flatbreads, smoothies, and more, all built on organic fruits + vegetables. Go to dailyharvest.com/laughing to get up to $40 off your first box!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're enjoying listening to Toddler Purgatory, we'd love for you to take our listener survey. One page, two minutes. We promise! http://bit.ly/ToddlerPurgatorySurvey “Making memories” with our kids is always a fraught proposition, but when they’re checking for the elf every morning and whipped into a general holiday frenzy, the tears and tantrums are often pretty close to the surface.  Child specialist Merete Kropp says we can reset the “gimme gimmes” by teaching our kids that giving and receiving are reciprocal actions. By explain the gifts you’re giving to others, and the intentions behind them, kids can focus more on the joy of giving than their own expectations. At least sometimes.  It’s always worth doing what we can to soften into the joys of karaoke Christmas carols and driving around looking at the lights. When we create memories with our children, the true gifts we are giving them are the tools to become who they are. There is so much fun and joy in the surrender of being just a little bit silly. Here are links to some writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode:  Merete Kropp for Washington Post On Parenting: What children need even more than presents this holiday season Samantha Parent Walravens for HuffPost: 8 Ways To Teach Your Kids An Attitude Of Gratitude This Holiday Season @busytoddler on Instagram Special thanks to our sponsors: Hey Honey is the first complete skin care line infused with Honey and Bee Propolis. Get 20% off your first order by going to heyhoney.com and using code FRESH at checkout. Jane.com is a boutique marketplace featuring the latest in women’s fashion, accessories, home decor, children’s clothing, and more. And you will not believe the prices! Visit jane.com/laughing. Betterhelp Start taking charge of your mental health– no matter where you live! Go to betterhelp.com/laughing to get 10% off your first month of counseling. Once Upon a Farm fruit and vegetable blends are made with whole, organic, farm-fresh ingredients and packaged in grab-and-go pouches. Go to onceuponafarmorganics.com and use the code LAUGHING for 25% off your first order. KiwiCo is the perfect kids' gift this holiday season– a fun, hands-on educational experience. Get 50% off your first month plus free shipping on any crate line with the code LAUGHING at kiwico.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you have more than one kid, you are pretty familiar with sibling rivalry. The constant squabbling can drive us nuts, but it’s important to remember that it’s less about whatever toy they’re fighting over at the moment than about birth order, family dynamics, and their competing desires for our attention. We can’t stop the bickering forever, but there are ways to minimize conflict and maximize productive resolution. We discuss the best ways to set our kids up for success.  Here are links to some writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode:  Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials: 10 Tips For Dealing With Sibling Rivalry Ask Dr. Sears: Sibling Rivalry: 20 Tips to Stop the Friction Special thanks to our sponsors: Hey Honey is the first complete skin care line infused with Honey and Bee Propolis. Get 20% off your first order by going to heyhoney.com and using code FRESH at checkout. Jane.com is a boutique marketplace featuring the latest in women’s fashion, accessories, home decor, children’s clothing, and more. And you will not believe the prices! Visit jane.com/laughing. Betterhelp Start taking charge of your mental health– no matter where you live! Go to betterhelp.com/laughing to get 10% off your first month of counseling. Once Upon a Farm fruit and vegetable blends are made with whole, organic, farm-fresh ingredients and packaged in grab-and-go pouches. Go to onceuponafarmorganics.com and use the code LAUGHING for 25% off your first order. KiwiCo is the perfect kids' gift this holiday season– a fun, hands-on educational experience. Get 50% off your first month plus free shipping on any crate line with the code LAUGHING at kiwico.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're enjoying listening to Toddler Purgatory, we'd love for you to take our listener survey. One page, two minutes. We promise! http://bit.ly/ToddlerPurgatorySurvey When we hear our kids say something negative about themselves, sometimes we freak out a little. Where did they hear this? Where is this coming from? Who is messing with my baby? ! Most often, if a kid calls herself “stupid” because she’s frustrated with homework, she might just be venting. Or joking. She might be showing us that she has a little rigidity around perfection.  But when negative self-talk is insistent, consistent, and persistent, it can also be a sign of stress or anxiety.  In this episode we discuss how to better understand our kids’ negative self-talk, and the most productive ways of responding. There’s a bonus: turns out most of those strategies also work for our own “No, are you kidding? I look horrible, the pandemic has aged me a decade!” moments. Here are links to two resources we discuss in this episode:  Andrew M.I. Lee for Understood: Why Kids Say Negative Things About Themselves  https://www.understood.org/articles/en/child-negative-self-talk @transformingtoddlerhood on Instagram Special thanks to our sponsors: Hey Honey is the first complete skin care line infused with Honey and Bee Propolis. Get 20% off your first order by going to heyhoney.com and using code FRESH at checkout. Jane.com is a boutique marketplace featuring the latest in women’s fashion, accessories, home decor, children’s clothing, and more. And you will not believe the prices! Visit jane.com/laughing. Betterhelp Start taking charge of your mental health– no matter where you live! Go to betterhelp.com/laughing to get 10% off your first month of counseling. Once Upon a Farm fruit and vegetable blends are made with whole, organic, farm-fresh ingredients and packaged in grab-and-go pouches. Go to onceuponafarmorganics.com and use the code LAUGHING for 25% off your first order. KiwiCo is the perfect kids' gift this holiday season– a fun, hands-on educational experience. Get 50% off your first month plus free shipping on any crate line with the code LAUGHING at kiwico.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The list of typical parenting fears is longer than a CVS receipt, and for us, researching this episode didn’t exactly make that list shorter. Turns out there are big picture, hypothetical fears, most common before the baby actually arrives; there are societally imposed, nightly-news sort of fears; and for most of us, a few more “I know this sounds crazy but” fears, which we have made up all on our own.  It’s hard not to want to bubble wrap our kids until college… but since there are probably some negative side effects to that as well, in this episode we discuss how to manage our relationships with some of the most common parenting fears. Here are links to some writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode: Connie Mattiessen for BabyCenter: Top 5 parenting fears and what you can do about them Paul Donahue: Parenting Without Fear: Letting Go of Worry and Focusing on What Really Matters Dr. Minne Fekkes et al: Effects of Antibullying School Program on Bullying and Health Complaints Special thanks to our sponsors: Hey Honey is the first complete skin care line infused with Honey and Bee Propolis. Get 20% off your first order by going to heyhoney.com and using code FRESH at checkout. Jane.com is a boutique marketplace featuring the latest in women’s fashion, accessories, home decor, children’s clothing, and more. And you will not believe the prices! Visit jane.com/laughing. Betterhelp Start taking charge of your mental health– no matter where you live! Go to betterhelp.com/laughing to get 10% off your first month of counseling. Once Upon a Farm fruit and vegetable blends are made with whole, organic, farm-fresh ingredients and packaged in grab-and-go pouches. Go to onceuponafarmorganics.com and use the code LAUGHING for 25% off your first order. KiwiCo is the perfect kids' gift this holiday season– a fun, hands-on educational experience. Get 50% off your first month plus free shipping on any crate line with the code LAUGHING at kiwico.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Regression is what happens when a child revisits an earlier stage of his or her development– and behaves accordingly. Paradoxically, regression can happen right after a child makes a developmental leap or meets a new milestone. Dr. Tovah Klein, director of the Barnard College Center for Toddler Development, suggests that regression is a manifestation of the constant push-and-pull little kids feel between the need for dependence and the desire for independence. But how are parents supposed to react? Are we supposed to let them start dragging their blankie to pre-K? Is pushback totally required or a terrible idea? In this episode, we discuss what works to discourage the regressive behavior, how to know when to just allow or ignore it, and how to do with our own stress that yes, actually our child will be the first person in history to walk down the aisle at college graduation still using a pacifier.  Here are links to some writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode:  Caroline Vollans for Nursery World: An Essential Guide To Regression Melinda Wenner Moyer for the New York Times: Wait, I Thought You Had Outgrown This Unity Point: Regressive Behavior: Signs of Child Regression & What to Do Special thanks to our sponsors: Hey Honey is the first complete skin care line infused with Honey and Bee Propolis. Get 20% off your first order by going to heyhoney.com and using code FRESH at checkout. Jane.com is a boutique marketplace featuring the latest in women’s fashion, accessories, home decor, children’s clothing, and more. And you will not believe the prices! Visit jane.com/laughing. Betterhelp Start taking charge of your mental health– no matter where you live! Go to betterhelp.com/laughing to get 10% off your first month of counseling. Once Upon a Farm fruit and vegetable blends are made with whole, organic, farm-fresh ingredients and packaged in grab-and-go pouches. Go to onceuponafarmorganics.com and use the code LAUGHING for 25% off your first order. KiwiCo is the perfect kids' gift this holiday season– a fun, hands-on educational experience. Get 50% off your first month plus free shipping on any crate line with the code LAUGHING at kiwico.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why are parents so tired all the time? Perhaps it’s the whole not sleeping thing. But a recent study on maternal exhaustion found that perfectionism is also a huge factor. In other words, we run ourselves ragged making things nice for our loved ones, and then are too exhausted to enjoy those things ourselves.  In this episode, we talk about how our exhaustion affects our parenting, how the pandemic has made it all even harder, and what we’re trying in order to get just a little more rest.  Here are links to some of the writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode:  Dr. Sarah Hubert et al: Parental Burnout: When Exhausted Mothers Open Up Gabriela Garcia for The Every Mom: 5 Ways To Fight Mom Fatigue @kids.eat.in.color on Instagram Special thanks to our sponsors: Hey Honey is the first complete skin care line infused with Honey and Bee Propolis. Get 20% off your first order by going to heyhoney.com and using code FRESH at checkout. Home Chef meals come right to your door with fresh, perfectly pre-portioned ingredients and an easy-to-follow recipe card. For a limited time, go to homechef.com/laughing for $90 off your first month. That’s a value of 10 free meals!  Betterhelp Start taking charge of your mental health– no matter where you live! Go to betterhelp.com/laughing to get 10% off your first month of counseling. Once Upon a Farm fruit and vegetable blends are made with whole, organic, farm-fresh ingredients and packaged in grab-and-go pouches. Go to onceuponafarmorganics.com and use the code LAUGHING for 25% off your first order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transitions are hard for little kids, and it’s not hard to see why: they usually move a kid from something that they’re absorbed in and enjoying to something a lot less interesting and fun. In this episode we talk about how to deal with the meltdowns, talking back, and general resistance around transitions, and how to make those moments easier, whether it’s a “big picture” transition like starting school, or just time to leave the playground. We talk about Claire Lerner’s excellent advice in this episode– check out What Fresh Hell’s recent interview with Claire: https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/claire-lerner And here are links to some of the writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode:  Dyan Robson for the CBC: How To Help Kids Who Struggle With Daily Transitions Claire Lerner for PBS Kids: How to Help Your Child Successfully Transition Back to School Special thanks to our sponsors: Hey Honey is the first complete skin care line infused with Honey and Bee Propolis. Get 20% off your first order by going to heyhoney.com and using code FRESH at checkout. Home Chef meals come right to your door with fresh, perfectly pre-portioned ingredients and an easy-to-follow recipe card. For a limited time, go to homechef.com/laughing for $90 off your first month. That’s a value of 10 free meals!  Betterhelp Start taking charge of your mental health– no matter where you live! Go to betterhelp.com/laughing to get 10% off your first month of counseling. dosist health offers an advanced assortment of plant-based CBD+ products designed to help address specific needs like, sleep, calm and relief. Use promo code TODDLER20 for 20% off your purchase through 11/30/21 at dosisthealth.com. Jane.com is a boutique marketplace featuring the latest in women’s fashion, accessories, home decor, children’s clothing, and more. You will not believe the prices! Visit jane.com/laughing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are chores an age-appropriate expectation for little ones? It’s not easy to get buy-in from them, but it’s definitely worth it. One study showed that the single best predictor of young adults’ success in their mid-20s was whether they participated in household tasks when they were three or four. So the best approach is to have our kids start "helping" early and often. In this episode we talk about  ways to right-size the task and the expectation for each age rewards and motivations that work (and why you don’t need to start these too early) how to deal with all the whining that will probably result when you present chore-related expectations Here are links to some writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode:  Sarah Aguirre for The Spruce: Age-Appropriate Chores for Kids Ages 2 to 18 The Center For Parenting Education: The Benefits of Chores Barbara Coloroso: Kids Are Worth It! : Giving Your Child The Gift Of Inner Discipline No-Guilt Mom: Get Kids to do Chores: 5 Ways to Respond When They Don’t Want To Special thanks to our sponsors: Hey Honey is the first complete skin care line infused with Honey and Bee Propolis. Get 20% off your first order by going to heyhoney.com and using code FRESH at checkout. Home Chef meals come right to your door with fresh, perfectly pre-portioned ingredients and an easy-to-follow recipe card. For a limited time, go to homechef.com/laughing for $90 off your first month. That’s a value of 10 free meals!  Betterhelp Start taking charge of your mental health– no matter where you live! Go to betterhelp.com/laughing to get 10% off your first month of counseling. dosist health offers an advanced assortment of plant-based CBD+ products designed to help address specific needs like, sleep, calm and relief. Use promo code TODDLER20 for 20% off your purchase through 11/30/21 at dosisthealth.com. Jane.com is a boutique marketplace featuring the latest in women’s fashion, accessories, home decor, children’s clothing, and more. You will not believe the prices! Visit jane.com/laughing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you have a kid who insists that a sandwich is inedible unless it is cut in half instead on the diagonal? A child who won't allow you to sing in the car? A little one who insists that every truck that is not a pickup truck must be deemed a "regular truck"? If so, you have labored under the strict dictatorship of Little Kid Rules. On this episode Blaire and Molly dive in to why little kids have such strong rules, why they expect adults to follow them, and which members of the What Fresh Hell Facebook Group are currently toiling under some very specific dictates from their tiny bosses! Articles Cited: Claire Lerner on Getting Kids to Be Flexible Special thanks to our sponsors: Hey Honey is the first complete skin care line infused with Honey and Bee Propolis. Get 20% off your first order by going to heyhoney.com and using code FRESH at checkout. Calm is the # 1 mental wellness app that gives you the tools to improve the way you feel. Go to calm.com/toddler to get 40% off a CalmPremium Subscription! Choose Lovevery and take the guesswork out of your child’s play! Get free shipping when you sign up to receive your play kits at lovevery.com/laughing. Home Chef meals come right to your door with fresh, perfectly pre-portioned ingredients and an easy-to-follow recipe card. For a limited time, go to homechef.com/laughing for $90 off your first month. That’s a value of 10 free meals!  Betterhelp Start taking charge of your mental health– no matter where you live! Go to betterhelp.com/laughing to get 10% off your first month of counseling. dosist health offers an advanced assortment of plant-based CBD+ products designed to help address specific needs like, sleep, calm and relief. Use promo code TODDLER20 for 20% off your purchase through 11/30/21 at dosisthealth.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A good morning starts with a good night before. Kids who are well-rested tend to have an easier morning the next day. Any prep we can do the night before– laying out clothes, prepping breakfast and lunches in advance– can help make the morning routing less chaotic. The morning routine also brings us back to the classic parenting rule "Put your own oxygen mask on first." If you can take even a little time for yourself while you let your kids play in the morning, it can help you face the rest of your day, and your kids, in a better headspace. On busy mornings, consider turning off the tech once everyone is up. Fighting over when it's time to turn off screens and get ready can add conflict to a situation that's already chaotic. But we say do what works for you and your family. Don't try to completely revamp your morning routine all at once. Start small with one change, like taking a shower before the kids wake up or making a protein-rich breakfast for the whole family. Don't try to make everything perfect right away. Not every morning will be smooth sailing, but small changes can make a big difference in making your mornings just a little less stressful. Articles cited in this episode: The Self-Aware Parent: Resolving Conflict and Building a Better Bond with Your Child (featuring Dr. Jerry Bubrick of the Child Mind Institute) Busy Toddler This Simple Balance Special thanks to our sponsors: Hey Honey is the first complete skin care line infused with Honey and Bee Propolis. Get 20% off your first order by going to heyhoney.com and using code FRESH at checkout. Calm is the # 1 mental wellness app that gives you the tools to improve the way you feel. Go to calm.com/toddler to get 40% off a CalmPremium Subscription! Choose Lovevery and take the guesswork out of your child’s play! Get free shipping when you sign up to receive your play kits at lovevery.com/laughing. Home Chef meals come right to your door with fresh, perfectly pre-portioned ingredients and an easy-to-follow recipe card. For a limited time, go to homechef.com/laughing for $90 off your first month. That’s a value of 10 free meals!  Betterhelp Start taking charge of your mental health– no matter where you live! Go to betterhelp.com/laughing to get 10% off your first month of counseling. dosist health offers an advanced assortment of plant-based CBD+ products designed to help address specific needs like, sleep, calm and relief. Use promo code TODDLER20 for 20% off your purchase through 11/30/21 at dosisthealth.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Studies indicate that up to 50% of children experience a sleep problem. When babies and kids don't sleep moms don't sleep either– so this week we're talking to a sleep expert! Becca Campbell is the founder and creator of Little Z’s® Sleep Consulting , where parents can easily get sleep help through online courses for children ages 0-5 years old. Becca's courses and her Little Z's Sleep Podcast have helped thousands of families around the world make sleep a thing. In this episode Becca brings the knowledge on the four types of newborns how sleep schedules should change a little bit every month during your child's first year of life the right age to drop the naps for good when kids can successfully share a room (and sleep at night) what "overtired" looks like in a toddler what to do when your kid naps at daycare, and then isn't tired at bedtime Doing the extra work around sleep is worth it in the long run– and Becca is full of terrific advice. Special thanks to our sponsors: Calm is the # 1 mental wellness app that gives you the tools to improve the way you feel. Go to calm.com/toddler to get 40% off a CalmPremium Subscription! Choose Lovevery and take the guesswork out of your child’s play! Get free shipping when you sign up to receive your play kits at lovevery.com/laughing. Home Chef meals come right to your door with fresh, perfectly pre-portioned ingredients and an easy-to-follow recipe card. For a limited time, go to homechef.com/laughing for $90 off your first month. That’s a value of 10 free meals!  Betterhelp Start taking charge of your mental health– no matter where you live! Go to betterhelp.com/laughing to get 10% off your first month of counseling. dosist health offers an advanced assortment of plant-based CBD+ products designed to help address specific needs like, sleep, calm and relief. Use promo code TODDLER20 for 20% off your purchase through 11/30/21 at dosisthealth.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mom guilt. Mom rage. Shame. We feel the things. Then we feel bad about feeling the things. Which doesn't help us feel any better. In this episode we discuss how to acknowledge, anticipate, sit with, process, and redirect these feelings, without beating ourselves up for having felt them in the first place. Here are links to some of the writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode: Pooja Lakshmin for The New York Times: Saying No Is Self-Care For Parents Motherly: Mom Rage is Real-and it's a sign that mother's needs aren't being met  Lauren Smith Brody for Today's Parent: Why mom guilt is the biggest lie of all Special thanks to our sponsors: Calm is the # 1 mental wellness app that gives you the tools to improve the way you feel. Go to calm.com/toddler to get 40% off a CalmPremium Subscription! Choose Lovevery and take the guesswork out of your child’s play! Get free shipping when you sign up to receive your play kits at lovevery.com/laughing. Home Chef meals come right to your door with fresh, perfectly pre-portioned ingredients and an easy-to-follow recipe card. For a limited time, go to homechef.com/laughing for $90 off your first month. That’s a value of 10 free meals!  Betterhelp Start taking charge of your mental health– no matter where you live! Go to betterhelp.com/laughing to get 10% off your first month of counseling. dosist health offers an advanced assortment of plant-based CBD+ products designed to help address specific needs like, sleep, calm and relief. Use promo code TODDLER20 for 20% off your purchase through 11/30/21 at dosisthealth.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you have little ones, you end up with a mountain of stuff you probably didn't need to buy– and a few things that are total sanity-savers. In this episode we're talking about all the stuff that got us through, and still is! Most of these are to help us take care of the kids. A few of them are just for us. Here's a list of all the must-haves we discuss.... If your podcast app doesn't support clickable links, you can also find this list on our website: https://www.toddlerpurgatory.com/things-we-cant-live-without. Blaire & Molly’s Suggestions: Boppy Nursing Pillow https://amzn.to/2XEGIrI Oxo Wipe Dispenser https://amzn.to/3nKkfnU Utility Cart https://amzn.to/3CshR9D Inglesina Fast Table Chair https://amzn.to/3CshR9D Baby Brezza Formula Dispenser https://amzn.to/2XBhpH1 Baby Merlin Sleep Suit https://amzn.to/3zkcpU0 SwaddleMe Swaddle https://amzn.to/39daMgo Keekaroo Changer https://amzn.to/3lwXdOM Boon Countertop Drying Rack https://amzn.to/2VVdQec Yeti Coffee Tumbler https://amzn.to/3kjJCuM WildBird Ring Sling Carrier https://amzn.to/3zjL4l0 Disposable Placemats https://amzn.to/3klyaPk Boudreaux’s Butt Paste https://amzn.to/3zt4TGB Frida Nose Sucker https://amzn.to/3kpHv8D Listener Suggestions: Yeti Rambler https://amzn.to/3zsp5Iu Thermos Funtainer https://amzn.to/3km7HRA Fillable Baby Spoons https://amzn.to/3zpzsx0 Hatch Clock https://amzn.to/3krXd3g Sleek Socket Outlet Protector https://amzn.to/3tVBbJ3 Kindle Fire for Kids https://amzn.to/3nPnydv Eufy Security Camera https://amzn.to/3AvjLFJ Magnatiles https://amzn.to/39kpQZN As an Amazon Associate, Toddler Purgatory may earn affiliate income from qualifying purchases. Special thanks to our sponsors: Calm is the # 1 mental wellness app that gives you the tools to improve the way you feel. Go to calm.com/toddler to get 40% off a CalmPremium Subscription! Choose Lovevery and take the guesswork out of your child’s play! Get free shipping when you sign up to receive your play kits at lovevery.com/laughing. Betterhelp Start taking charge of your mental health– no matter where you live! Go to betterhelp.com/laughing to get 10% off your first month of counseling. dosist health offers an advanced assortment of plant-based CBD+ products designed to help address specific needs like, sleep, calm and relief. Use promo code TODDLER20 for 20% off your purchase through 11/30/21 at dosisthealth.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mom tribes and parent posses: do we need friends who are also fellow parents? If we don’t have a group of those, how do we set about finding or creating one?  70% of moms agree that their “inner mom circle” is their primary means of daily support. Some of us find that soft place to fall really quickly, and some of us struggle, for reasons that are in and/or out of our control.  In this episode we discuss how to create our own mom tribe– or parent posse– and what expanding our friend circle beyond just female parents can bring our own bumpy experiences finding mom friends, and why it was hard at first how the pandemic has made it harder how text and Facebook connections can be really helpful too Speaking of virtual mom groups and parent posses– join us in the What Fresh Hell Facebook group! and tag us: #toddlerpurgatory Here are links to some of the writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode:  Dr. Sarah Blaffer Hrdy: Mothers and Others: The Evolutionary Origins of Mutual Understanding Coffee and Carpool: 10 Easy Steps For Introverts To Find New Mom Friends  Jenna Autuori Dedic for Parents: How to Make New Mom Friends During the Pandemic Special thanks to our sponsors: Calm is the # 1 mental wellness app that gives you the tools to improve the way you feel. Go to calm.com/toddler to get 40% off a CalmPremium Subscription! Choose Lovevery and take the guesswork out of your child’s play! Get free shipping when you sign up to receive your play kits at lovevery.com/laughing. Betterhelp Start taking charge of your mental health– no matter where you live! Go to betterhelp.com/laughing to get 10% off your first month of counseling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are our kids ready to start school? Are *we* ready to let them go? It's complex. In this episode we talk about how we've gotten our kids ready for their new school experiences, what "school readiness" actually entails, and what options might be available if you believe your youngster is not developmentally ready for the demands of an all-day academic program. Here are links to some resources and articles we discuss in this episode: Fiona Tapp for Parents: Kindergarten Readiness Skills: A Checklist for Parents Scholastic Parents: Is Your Child Ready for Kindergarten? The Skills They'll Need This Fall Jessica Smock for Scary Mommy: It’s Okay If Your 5-Year-Old Isn’t Ready For Kindergarten allianceforchildhood.org parentsacrossamerica.org kaboom.org Special thanks to our sponsors: Calm is the # 1 mental wellness app that gives you the tools to improve the way you feel. Go to calm.com/toddler to get 40% off a CalmPremium Subscription! Choose Lovevery and take the guesswork out of your child’s play! Get free shipping when you sign up to receive your play kits at lovevery.com/laughing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nobody tells you that the four-day potty training plan might take 6 weeks. Or that you should always have crayons and paper in the diaper bag. This episode is full of boredom busters, potty training tips, and all the best stuff somebody really should have told us ahead of time! Got a topic idea or a question you'd like to hear on the podcast? Leave us an email on our website: https://www.toddlerpurgatory.com/contact/ Special thanks to our sponsors, including: Choose Lovevery and take the guesswork out of your child’s play! Get free shipping when you sign up to receive your Play Kits at lovevery.com/laughing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Babies are mysterious creatures, which is why Molly and Blaire took to the What Fresh Hell Facebook group to ask: "What is something you wish someone had told you before having a baby?" From how long it can take to get pregnant, to the likelihood your little one will love carrots for a year before turning on them for no apparent reason, laugh along as Toddler Purgatory gets to the bottom of all the things nobody ever told us before we had kids. Please "follow" or "subscribe" us wherever you listen so you never miss an episode! Find all the places you can listen on toddlerpurgatory.com. Special thanks to our sponsors, including: Choose Lovevery and take the guesswork out of your child’s play! Get free shipping when you sign up to receive your Play Kits at lovevery.com/laughing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most kids are somewhat finicky about what they'll eat. Some are full-blown picky eaters, who won't eat chicken nuggets unless they're dinosaur-shaped. And even then only if the ketchup isn't touching them on the plate. People who say "Your kids will eat when they're hungry enough!" mean well. They are also incorrect. So what's a parent to do? Keep feeding the picky eater the three foods she'll eat, or keep offering her other foods she won't? In this episode, we discuss why kids are so often picky in their eating, what parents can do to encourage eating new things without causing huge battles, and how to recruit our picky eaters in that process. Enjoying our podcast? Please give us a rating/review on Apple Podcasts! https://www.podpage.com/toddler-purgatory/rate/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're all ready to go All The Places after being stuck at home for so long, but traveling with little ones presents a few layers of challenge. How far in a day is too far? Does visiting family count as a "vacation"? What's the right age for Disney World? If the kids are happy at the indoor hotel pool, and you never get to the sightseeing, do you still win Parent of the Year for remembering the swim diapers? We discuss everything about vacationing with littles with guest Julia Edelstein, the editor-in-chief of Parents. Julia began her career at Time Out New York Kids, then served as health editor at places like Good Housekeeping and Real Simple before stepping into her current role leading America's most influential media brand for parents. She's also the mom of two boys, ages 6 and 4. We discuss this article in this episode: Jamie Hergenrader for TripSavvy: 2021 Trend Report Shows a Rise in Family Travel and the "Flexcation" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kids are bananas. Some particularly so. But why are some kids seemingly born to scale the kitchen cabinets before they can walk? And are there are any future upsides to having been a “danger baby”?  In this episode, Molly and Blaire discuss the many benefits of “free play,” the differences between danger and risk, how we can teach our little ones to be safely courageous, and what child development specialist Rebecca Weingarten calls “constructive failure.” Here are links to some of the writing on the topic and other things discussed in this episode:  https://health.usnews.com/wellness/for-parents/articles/2017-05-11/9-ways-to-cultivate-courage-in-kids https://www.todaysparent.com/kids/kids-health/why-our-kids-should-take-risks-sometimes-even-slightly-dangerous-ones/ Shakira’s song “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” https://youtu.be/pRpeEdMmmQ0 Special thanks to our sponsor for this episode:  Lovevery's play kits are designed by experts for your child’s developing brain, with unique, one-of-a-kind activities and playthings that are built to endure plenty of play. Get free shipping when you sign up to receive your Play Kits at lovevery.com/laughing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Help a new podcast out! Hit "Follow" or "Subscribe" wherever you listen to Toddler Purgatory! Why are little kids obsessed with the most random things? If your little one has ever insisted on sleeping with a hairbrush, or going to preschool every morning with the same tiny school bus clenched in her fist, you know exactly what we're talking about. Turns out, kids' brains at this age are wired for what psychologists call "extremely intense interests." These obsessions offer dependability; order and control ,in a world where our kids don't have much of either; and even social icebreaking, since that other 3-year-old playing with dinosaurs is probably just as interested in a deep-dive discussion of their many types as your kid is. In the case of construction vehicles and garbage trucks, there's also "cathartic destruction," and who can't use a little of that when they're having a bad day? In this episode, Blaire and Molly discuss their own kids' extremely intense interests and why they make their little ones tick. They also refer to the "Dinosaurs and Trains and Superheroes and Nerf Guns: Boy Obsessions" episode of What Fresh Hell, which you can find here: https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/dinosaurs-and-trains-and-superheroes-and-nerf-guns-boy-obsessions/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The sun is out, the masks are coming off, and we’re just beginning to come to terms with what the heck that all was. For our little ones, pandemic life *was* normal life. In this episode, Molly and Blaire talk about their toughest pandemic moments and what worked to get their families through.  Molly mentions What Fresh Hell's interview with Dr. Harold Koplewicz- you can find that episode here: https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/fresh-take-dr-harold-koplewicz-on-the-best-way-to-support-our-kids/ Check out the first three episodes of Toddler Purgatory right now- and help a new podcast out hitting "subscribe" or "follow" for Toddler Purgatory in your favorite podcast player: Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/toddlerpurgatory Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3nYMJbs Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vV0ZIMTcyMzIwMDk5Mg== iHeart: https://iheart.com/podcast/81711771/ Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/toddler-purgatory You can also find us at toddlerpurgatory.com or on the socials at #toddlerpurgatory. New episodes every other Tuesday! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kids whine because it works– studies show that the human brain is uniquely unqualified to tune it out. Because it’s a “low-power strategy of dominance.” And because we often cave to it pretty quickly– which unfortunately leads to more of the same. In this episode, Molly and Blaire talk about when their little ones whine, and what they've been doing to escape from Whine Town. Check out the first three episodes of Toddler Purgatory right now- and help a new podcast out hitting "subscribe" or "follow" for Toddler Purgatory in your favorite podcast player: Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/toddlerpurgatory Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3nYMJbs Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vV0ZIMTcyMzIwMDk5Mg== iHeart: https://iheart.com/podcast/81711771/ Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/toddler-purgatory You can also find us at toddlerpurgatory.com or on the socials at #toddlerpurgatory. New episodes every other Tuesday! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aren’t toddlers just the best? Are they not also, at times, the WORST? Blaire Brooks and Molly Lloyd welcome you to Toddler Purgatory, where life with littles is not all bad, but definitely less than perfect. In this premiere episode Blaire and Molly discuss the many challenges of life with the tiny, ruthlessly honest, tantrum-having, often stinky carbon copies of themselves they have running around their respective homes. Check out the first three episodes of Toddler Purgatory right now- and help a new podcast out hitting "subscribe" or "follow" for Toddler Purgatory in your favorite podcast player: Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/toddlerpurgatory Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3nYMJbs Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vV0ZIMTcyMzIwMDk5Mg== iHeart: https://iheart.com/podcast/81711771/ Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/toddler-purgatory You can also find us at toddlerpurgatory.com or on the socials at #toddlerpurgatory. New episodes every other Tuesday! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Toddler Purgatory. Parenting little kids isn't awful. It's just... intense. With Blaire Brooks and Molly Lloyd as your guides, raising little ones just became a lot more fun. Molly's the mom of a 4-year-old. Blaire has 2 and 4-year-olds. They're both hilarious, smart, and ready to tackle new parenting topics in every episode with some real talk, some expert advice, and a ton of laughs. If you're a fan of What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood and have kids six and under– or have just been wondering where to find another fun, funny, and helpful podcast–you're going to love Toddler Purgatory. New episodes every other Tuesday. Thanks for following, subscribing, and listening! You can also find us at toddlerpurgatory.com, and on social media #toddlerpurgatory syU9EspIo5fOzFHh7MSr Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices