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!
326
Fresh Take: Dr. Tish Taylor on Fostering Connec...
What do we do when it seems like every interaction with our kids is negative? Dr. Tish Taylor, author of "Fostering Connection," explains some strategies for building connection into our relationships with our kids in an authentic way.
31 min
327
Best of: When Is This Going to Be Fun Again?
There really are ways to make our lives as parents more fun and lighthearted, even on a regular Tuesday. Memories aren’t only made at Disney. But it’s okay not to love every moment. Getting rid of the shame around that is the first step to more fun.
48 min
328
Ask Margaret: My Kid Is Obsessed with Getting "...
What do we do when our kids seem more preoccupied with the next gift, toy, or game than the ones they already own? Here's how to contain kids' material obsessions.
7 min
329
Fresh Take: Dr. Lynn Koegel on the Hidden Brill...
What if we focused on the strengths of kids with autism rather than getting caught up in their perceived shortcomings or differing needs? Dr. Lynn Koegel, author of HIDDEN BRILLIANCE, discusses how to go about it.
33 min
330
Your Tween, Explained
The word “tween” was popularized by marketers, who sold preteens stuff by treating them like they’re a lot older than they are. Which might explain why your kid is full of sass all of a sudden. But tweens’ brains really are different—here’s how.
43 min
331
Ask Amy: How Can I Support My Friend Struggling...
How do we best support our friends dealing with infertility? Pretending we aren't aware that they might be sad isn't usually the best approach.
4 min
332
APRIL BONUS TEASER! Our Humble Showbiz Beginnings
Wig mishaps? Check. Booed off the stage? Check. Trapped in a conference room at an audition for eight hours? Check. In this month's bonus episode, Amy and Margaret regale us with tales of their truly humble early years in show business.
10 min
333
Best Of: Yael Schonbrun on "Work, Parent, Thrive"
Do you feel guilty that you're not at work when you're parenting and not parenting when you're at work? Dr. Yael Schonbrun, author of the new book WORK, PARENT, THRIVE, tells us how we can view work and family as connected rather than in competition.
33 min
334
Please Never Say These Things Again
What are the things you would sincerely ask the entire world never to say again? From "it is what it is" to "these unprecedented times," our listeners had answers.
40 min
335
Ask Margaret: Help! My Boys Won't Stop Roughhou...
Do you feel like you're constantly playing referee for your kids' endless physical play? Margaret explains that less interference is actually more when it comes to (safe) roughhousing amongst our own kids.
8 min
336
Fresh Take: Mara Glatzel on Being "Needy"
What if someone told you that as a parent your own needs matter MORE, not less? That's what Mara Glatzel argues in her new book "NEEDY: How to Advocate for Your Needs and Claim Your Sovereignty."
31 min
337
Do We Rush Kids Too Much?
At every age and stage, what we ask of our kids is often well beyond what should reasonably be expected of them. Sometimes challenge leads to growth; other times it leads to stress and overwhelm, and not just for our kids. So how do we push back?
39 min
338
Ask Amy: My Kid Cries Over Everything
When a kid cries over every bump and scrape, are parents supposed to ignore it? Tough-love them out of it? Or consider whether their child must just be more sensitive?
5 min
339
Fresh Take: Beth Leipholtz on Teaching Inclusion
As the hearing mother of a deaf child, Beth Leipholtz is raising her son in both hearing and Deaf cultures. She tells us about her work as an inclusion and accessibility advocate and about her new children’s book, THE ABCs OF INCLUSION.
27 min
340
Even More Minor But Life-Changing Tips
We received so many minor life-changing tips, we're back with part two! From fixing the tomato stains on Tupperware to strategically placed toothpaste, here are more tiny tips to make life a ton easier.
37 min
341
Ask Margaret: My Kid Keeps Running Away!
Preschoolers love to run. It helps them flex their newfound independence and gives them an exhilarating feeling of freedom. But this behavior can be frustrating – and frightening– for parents. So how do we get our kids to stop taking off on us?
6 min
342
Fresh Take: Katherine May on "Enchantment"
How do we find deep meaning in today's world amidst the bad news all around us? Katherine May, author of "Enchantment: Awakening Our Wonder in an Anxious Age," tells us how she gained new perspective and mental energy by rediscovering the power of enchantment.
29 min
343
It's Not "Nagging"
When women ask repeatedly for something to be done– because it wasn’t done the last time they asked– they’re often rewarded by being told they’re “nagging.” How do we push back on the sexism of this word? And are there more effective ways to get those around us to do their share?
38 min
344
Ask Amy: We Have a Newborn - and Houseguests
What happens when the "help" from family right after a baby is born means constant houseguests (and more work?) Here's how to ask for the postpartum help you actually need.
6 min
345
Fresh Take: Dr. Dana Dorfman on When Worry Works
As parents we try to support our children’s current well-being while also setting them up for future success. But when worry begins to drive our parenting decisions, it’s time for a reset. Dr. Dana Dorfman, author of WHEN WORRY WORKS, explains how.
31 min
346
Our Quirkiest Personal Rules
Peanut butter on both sides of the PB&J? Parking in a certain spot at Trader Joe's? Setting the alarm for odd-numbered times? We asked our listeners about the weird rules they have put into place - and Amy and Margaret give a glimpse into their personal quirks too.
38 min
347
Ask Margaret: What Do You Do When Your Kid Ruin...
When our kid throws a fit or storms out of a social gathering, embarrassing themselves AND us, how can we problem-solve in the moment in a way that's not punishing or even more disruptive?
7 min
348
Fresh Take: Francesca Royster on "Choosing Family"
Francesca Royster, author of the memoir CHOOSING FAMILY:A Memoir of Queer Motherhood and Black Resistance, explains what it means to build a “chosen family” of friends, and how to parent while yearning for the world that we want, but don’t have yet.
33 min
349
BONUS TEASER! Our Jobbiest Jobs
What are the worst jobs Amy and Margaret have ever had? Listen to them spill the tea (and ketchup) in this teaser for our March bonus episode.
10 min
350
So What Do You Do All Day?
Tired of people assuming stay-at-home moms have nothing to do? Well, there's not a lot we can do about what other people perceive about stay-at-home-moms, but we can change how we think about our labor as SAHMs to validate ourselves and how hard we really do work.
43 min