What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face...
When you're a parent, every day brings a "fresh hell" to deal with. In other words, there's always something. Think of us as your funny mom friends who are here to remind you: you're not alone, and it won't always be this hard.
We're Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables, both busy moms of three kids, but with completely different parenting styles. Margaret is a laid-back to the max; Amy never met a spreadsheet or an organizational system she didn't like.
In each episode of "What Fresh Hell" we offer lots of laughs, but also practical advice, parenting strategies, and tips to empower you in your role as a mom. We explore self-help techniques, as well as ways to prioritize your own needs, combat stress, and despite the invisible workload we all deal with, find joy amidst the chaos of motherhood.
If you've ever wondered "why is my kid..." then one of us has probably been there, and we're here to tell you what we've learned along the way.
We unpack the behaviors and developmental stages of toddlers, tweens, and teenagers, providing insights into their actions and equipping you with effective parenting strategies.
We offer our best parenting tips and skills we've learned. We debate the techniques and studies that are everywhere for parents these days, and get to the bottom of what works best to raise happy, healthy, fairly well-behaved kids, while fostering a positive parent-child relationship.
If you're the default parent in your household, whether you're a busy mom juggling multiple pickups and dropoffs, or a first-time parent seeking guidance, this podcast is your trusted resource. Join our community of supportive mom friends laughing in the face of motherhood!
226
I Love My Family But...
Mothers would do anything for their families, but they would also like them to stop saying and doing some things that drive them absolutely bonkers. Here are some of the things our mom friends can't stand.
42 min
227
DEEP DIVE: Birth Order: Can We Fight It?
Based on our own families and our families of origin, we're calling it: birth order is a thing. But is it a problem? Does it matter if our own birth order has shaped who we are and how we parent?
40 min
228
Fresh Take: Kelly Corrigan on Letting Big Kids Go
Kelly Corrigan, host of "Kelly Corrigan Wonders", discusses with Amy how she has navigated the emptying nest and her continually changing relationships with her older children.
40 min
229
How Is It Still Winter? Stuff for Kids to Do Wh...
Winter isn't over, no matter what the groundhog said, and we've got bored and noisy kids stuck inside on long and gray afternoons. Here are some fun ways to keep kids busy during any stretch of cold or rainy weather.
45 min
230
Ask Margaret: How Do I Help My Kids Through a B...
How can we prep our kids for a cross-country move? Here's what worked for Margaret to establish connections for herself and her kids in a new town.
8 min
231
Fresh Take: Adam Flaherty and Marc Checket of "...
Why is it rare for men to discuss parenthood when they're together? What's the difference between being a "dad" and being a "father"? Adam Flaherty and Marc Checket, co-hosts of the podcast "Modern Dadhood," discuss gendered perceptions of parenting.
35 min
232
Why Is It Easier to Solve Other People's Problems?
Why is it so much easier to solve other people's problems than our own? How do we transfer that clarity to others—and how do we gain that clarity when it's our own problems we're struggling with?
39 min
233
Ask Amy: How Do I Get My 8-Year-Old to Read a R...
How can we encourage kids to read REAL books, not the gross-out books they prefer? And does it really matter as long as they're reading something? Here are some tips to get reluctant readers turning the pages.
6 min
234
Fresh Take: Dr. Linnea Passaler on Healing Your...
When our nervous systems are continuously dysregulated, it leads to unwanted phsyical and emotional symptoms. Dr. Linnea Passaler, author of HEAL YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM, discusses how to address the root causes of dysregulation, especially for mothers.
32 min
235
We Just Don't Get It: Stuff That Everyone Likes...
We asked our mom friends what trends, average daily occurrences, and certain superstars they just don't get—don't understand the hype around. Here is all the funny stuff that everyone likes but us.
40 min
236
Ask Margaret: What Should I Do When Friends Exc...
How do we handle it when our kids are excluded from social circles? Ostracization when you're a kid stinks, but it's part of life. Margaret shares her own parenting tips for when kid social dynamics go sour.
5 min
237
Fresh Take: Jessica McCabe on How to ADHD
How do we effectively parent kids with ADHD—and how do we effectively parent when we're the ones with ADHD? Jessica McCabe, author of the new book HOW TO ADHD, details day-to-day strategies for those with ADHD, whether it's you or someone you love.
33 min
238
Why Do Moms Get All The Blame?
Whatever goes wrong, experts have traditionally agreed: it's all mom's fault. Why do moms get all the blame? Who and what else do we give a pass when we stop looking for other causes (and solutions)?
40 min
239
Ask Amy: My Kid Is Always Saying "That's Mine!"
Do your toddlers and preschoolers love to shout "That's mine!" We explain why that's a phase, and offer some parenting tips for promoting sharing between little kids.
6 min
240
Fresh Take: Andrea Owen of "Make Some Noise"
Women are told to stay strong—but that advice can make us afraid to ask for the help we need. Life coach Andrea Owen gives us strategies and tools that push back on traditional self-help.
33 min
241
Why Kids Need More Time To Play
Kids today spend 11 more hours a week on school and homework than we did. That means a lot less time to play. A new study theorizes that this decline is directly related to the decline in kids' mental health.
40 min
242
Ask Margaret: How Do I Get My Baby Sleeping Thr...
When are babies ready to sleep through the night? When they're old enough and big enough, how can we encourage longer nighttime stretches of sleep—for everyone?
8 min
243
Fresh Take: Dr. Camilo Ortiz on How to Help Kid...
How can we best protect kids from anxiety? We need to balance our desire to keep our children safe with letting them learn and grow on their own. Psychologist Dr. Camilo Ortiz explains how to let kids explore and learn without our oversight.
33 min
244
What We're Taking Into The New Year (with Life ...
How can we enter the new year with a confidence in what we already have and do well, rather than a list of things we have to fix? Life coach Ann Imig shares strategies for discovering and cultivating our existing personality strengths.
41 min
245
Ask Amy: All My Kids Do Is Fight!
Constant sibling fighting doesn’t last forever. It just feels that way. Let go of feeling guilty your kids aren’t living in perfect harmony. Pretend you’re parent to a dog and a rooster– who expects them to share? Sometimes it’s easiest to separate.
5 min
246
BEST OF: Ryan Wexelblatt on How To Help Kids Wi...
Ryan Wexelblatt, aka the “ADHD Dude,” coaches kids and parents about executive dysfunction. Ryan offers helpful perspectives and useful tips for creating scaffolding for our kids with ADHD, without becoming overly accommodating.
36 min
247
BEST OF: Things Change, and That's OK! How Pare...
Our kids get older, and so do we. That’s Just Facts. And that our relationships with our kids will therefore change as they grow? Truth. But does that mean you have to therefore cherish every moment, because it’s all less wonderful each day? Nope.
45 min
248
BEST OF: Lisa Damour Tells Us How To Deal With ...
Powerful emotions in teenagers are a feature, not a bug. But when kids are dysregulated it can feel like something parents are supposed to fix. Dr. Lisa Damour, author of THE EMOTIONAL LIVES OF TEENAGERS, tells us how to become "safe containers."
33 min
249
BEST OF: The Smallest Hills We'd Die On
The book is always better than the movie. Brunch is dumb. And wind chimes are mean. We asked you about the smallest hills you have died on—the petty grudges you just won’t wave the white flag for no matter what. And we came across some fightin’ words.
41 min
250
BEST OF: Family Holiday Traditions: The Good, T...
There are some holiday traditions families really treasure. There are others moms dread but feel obligated to continue. Here’s how to create a holiday season that works for everyone- including the default parents who do most of Santa’s heavy lifting.
41 min