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!
26
DEEP DIVE: Decision Fatigue—And Why It's Especi...
The more decisions you have to make, the more difficult it can become to make them. Decision fatigue is cumulative, and when it happens, we get frustrated more easily. Here's how to make fewer, better decisions.
44 min
27
Fresh Take: Anna Fader and Amelia Eigerman
How can we get our grumpy travelers on board with summer vacation? Anna Fader and Amelia Eigerman, authors of the new MOMMY POPPINS TRAVEL JOURNAL AND ACTIVITY BOOK, have practical parenting tips for harmonious summer travel.
35 min
28
Moms and Anxiety
As moms, we worry pretty much nonstop about our kids. But is that normal? Should we be THIS anxious? Here's how anxiety specifically manifests in moms and some practical tips for countering it.
42 min
29
DEEP DIVE: Making the "Invisible Workload" Visible
Many of the things we take on in our family's daily lives go without notice or recognition by the people we live with. That doesn't mean it's not work. Here's how to make the "invisible workload" more visible.
36 min
30
Fresh Take: Susan Dominus
Do siblings have more influence on each other than parents do on children? Susan Dominus, author of the new book THE FAMILY DYNAMIC, discusses the power of parental expectations in shaping kids and what we can learn from highly successful families.
35 min
31
Finding Summer Camps
How are we going to find affordable activities/childcare for our kids all summer long? It's a question we ask every year. Here are some tips on finding summer camps and activities that fulfill both your needs and your kids'.
38 min
32
BEST OF: What Fresh Hell Is Mother's Day?
Why do moms have mixed feelings about Mother's Day? Turns out Anna Jarvis, the holiday's founder, had second thoughts. Perhaps for good reason. We talk the ups and downs of Mother's Day.
39 min
33
Fresh Take: Jessica N. Turner on Rising from Gr...
How do we deal with the hard things in life that will inevitably come our way? Jessica N. Turner, author of the new book I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE BETTER THAN THIS, discusses how she processes difficult experiences with a healthy perspective.
34 min
34
Maternal Gatekeeping: Is It a Thing?
Is maternal gatekeeping merely the manifestation of an overly controlling mother who thinks only she knows what her baby needs? Here's what maternal gatekeeping is really about and how we can all work to counter it even before children arrive.
41 min
35
DEEP DIVE: Mom Rage
Mom rage engenders debilitating shame. Where did it come from? Are we actually the worst parent who’s ever parented? But mom rage has common triggers and a predictable path along which it builds- which also means there are things we can do about it.
42 min
36
Fresh Take: Tamron Hall
Where kids grow up, whether it's in the countryside or in the big city, has a huge impact on their sense of self. Tamron Hall, author of the new NYT-bestselling book HARLEM HONEY, discusses how kids can learn about the world at large by first exploring their own neighborhood.
37 min
37
I Wish I'd Done This Sooner
Most people have at least one habit or hack that they wish they had started long ago. We asked our listeners what they wish they'd done sooner, and they had a whole host of excellent ideas.
38 min
38
DEEP DIVE: 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
39
Fresh Take: Jessica Slice on Parenting While Di...
Most people have at least one habit or hack that they wish they had started long ago. We asked our listeners what they wish they'd done sooner, and they had a whole host of excellent ideas.
36 min
40
Is Gentle Parenting "Too" Gentle?
Gentle parenting may strike some people as too permissive. But part of that stems from the fact that its definition has been warped by social media. Here's what gentle parenting originally meant and some useful parenting tips we can take away from it.
37 min
41
DEEP DIVE: Things That Should Be Fun... But Aren't
Nerf guns. Beach vacations. Corn mazes. Parades. What do these things have in common? They really should be fun—but aren't.
37 min
42
Fresh Take: Dr. Rebecca N. Thompson on the Heal...
How can women feel empowered in sharing their stories of pregnancy complication and loss? Dr. Rebecca N. Thompson, author of the new book HELD TOGETHER, discusses how her own experiences led her to seek out others with similar stories and discover the power of storytelling to heal.
24 min
43
Should Your Family Get a Pet?
Are you on the fence about getting a family pet? Do your kids swear they'll do all the caretaking once it arrives? Here are some factors to take into consideration before pulling the trigger on this big decision.
43 min
44
DEEP DIVE: 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.
45 min
45
Fresh Take: Kate Swenson, Carrie Cariello, and ...
What does successfully parenting a child with autism look like? Kate Swenson, Carrie Cariello, and Adrian Wood, authors of the new book AUTISM OUT LOUD, discuss their own struggles and small victories parenting children with autism.
40 min
46
Extremely Achievable Self-Care
Self-care can take the form of spa days or expensive treats, but what if we only have five minutes before our toddler wakes up? Our audience came up with plenty of easy, no-cost/low cost forms of self-care that can be done with very little effort.
43 min
47
DEEP DIVE: Is This Supposed to Be More Fun?
Pinterest promised us picturesque family photos at golden hour and meaningful conversations around the dinner table every night. No one told us parenting would be easy, but is it supposed to be this hard? Here’s how to inject more fun into parenting.
32 min
48
Fresh Take: Kristen Meinzer and Jolenta Greenbe...
What do we do if we're consistently the planner/admin/organizer in our friend group—and we're tired of it? Kristen Meinzer and Jolenta Greenberg, hosts of the podcast "How to Be Fine," discuss how to navigate tricky friendship dynamics.
40 min
49
How to Be Connected (But Not Too Connected) wit...
How can we create close relationships with our kids without becoming an "enmeshed" family? Here's what enmeshment looks like, how it happens, and how to keep appropriate boundaries in your parent/child dynamic.
39 min
50
DEEP DIVE: Does Having Kids Make Us Happy?
Studies show an uncertain connection between becoming a parent and increased pleasure, so asking whether having kids makes us happy is complicated– and might not be the point. What are parenting’s rewards? What can we do to raise happiness levels?
40 min