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!  

whatfreshhellpodcast.com

Parenting
Comedy
Kids & Family
676
Fresh Take: Debbie Reber on Parenting Kids Who ...
At least 20% of today's kids are “differently wired” with anxiety, ADHD, autism, giftedness, processing disorders, learning disabilities, and more. Guest Debbie Reber explains the parenting “tilts” that work best to support non-neurotypical kids.
34 min
677
I've Figured Something Out...
Have you ever figured out a thing and thought: EVERYONE must know about this? Here are some things some of us have really figured out: how to always know what’s for dinner, how to pack for a trip just once, and how to clean a messy room in 10 minutes.
42 min
678
Ask Amy- My Teen Has Zero Interest In Getting A...
Teens today are driving later than we were and are far less motivated to learn. But isn't driving a skill they're going to want to have at some point? How do we encourage the driver’s license without it becoming something else for us to fight about?
5 min
679
Fresh Take: Kim Williams on the Systems That Wo...
Kim Williams is the host of the podcast Experiencing Motherhood: Single and Black. Kim has built a community of single moms that support one another both online and IRL. We discuss why systems (and support) are especially essential for single moms.
30 min
680
Two Kinds of People: Family Debates
When you're making a bed, which side is up for the flat sheet? Is it ever acceptable to call someone after 8 pm? What is the correct pronunciation of "Reese's Pieces”? We battle to the death over the answers to your most consistent family debates.

42 min
681
Ask Margaret - How Can I Get My Kids to Get Rid...
How do we get kids to buy in to decluttering? Here are four ways to cut down on the stuff.
6 min
682
Fresh Take: Michele Borba on Kids Who Thrive
Dr. Michele Borba is an educational psychologist and parenting expert. Her new book, THRIVERS: The Surprising Reason Why Some Kids Struggle and Others Shine, offers seven “teachable traits" that help kids struggle less and shine more.
36 min
683
When Can We Start Saying Yes?
Vaccines and mandate-liftings feel great. But we somehow thought there’d be a designated day when we’d all dance out into the ticker-taped streets. Without a "you are now free to move about the cabin" announcement, when can we start saying yes?
43 min
684
Ask Amy - The Return to In-Person School Isn't ...
What should parents do when the return to in-person school, after a year of being home with Mommy, is sort of a disaster?
5 min
685
Fresh Take: Joe "Mr. D" Dombrowski on the Fresh...
Joe "Mr. D" Dombrowski is a professional comedian. He also teaches kindergarten. Joe tells us all the fresh hells of this school year from a teacher's point of view, what our kids might need to relearn, and why humor is any teacher’s best friend.
36 min
686
Mom Rock-Bottoms
What’s your mom rock-bottom? The moment when you thought I’m just going to head for the border and start a new life? We asked you all for the worst mom moments you were actually willing to share in open court. Here they are- plus a few of our own.
41 min
687
Ask Margaret - How Do I Get My Kids to Play Tog...
We think of "play" as something that kids should do naturally (and together). But play is something that needs to be modeled and encouraged. Here's how.
6 min
688
Fresh Take: Janice Johnson Dias on Raising Joyf...
Janice Johnson Dias is a professor of sociology whose work focuses on the mental and physical health of girls, Black girls in particular. We discuss change-making, joy, and her book PARENT LIKE IT MATTERS: HOW TO RAISE JOYFUL, CHANGE-MAKING GIRLS.
35 min
689
Letting Kids Make Mistakes
There are benefits to our kids making mistakes, even when it’s hard. Maybe especially when it’s hard. We discuss how the brain learns from a mistake, the benefits of a “growth mindset,” and how we can make our homes mistake-friendly environments.
43 min
690
Ask Amy- When Your Kids' Creative Projects Are ...
When it comes to child's play, the more self-directed and "fun" it is, the bigger of a mess it will probably make. But we don’t have to choose between our children’s unbridled creativity and our own sanity. Here’s how to encourage team mess cleanup.
5 min
691
Fresh Take: Michelle Icard on the 14 Talks Pare...
Michelle Icard, author of FOURTEEN TALKS BY AGE FOURTEEN, says while tweens have begun "the necessary and difficult work of pulling away," they're still at an age where what we say has enormous impact. Here’s how to have those tough conversations.
31 min
692
When It's Okay To Be Emotional In Front of Our ...
Kids shouldn’t have to hold our emotions for us, but is it OK for them to witness our sadness or loneliness? When is shower-crying the better bet, and when are our negative emotions safe for us to express? Can it be a good thing for our kids to see?
40 min
693
Ask Margaret - How Should I Talk to My Child's ...
A listener asks how to get on the same page as her nanny when it comes to disciplining her child.
6 min
694
Extremely Achievable Family Traditions
What are some little things we can lean on right now to create more joy and meaning for our families? We asked for ideas, and we’re talking LITTLE. Preferably free. Not exhausting. Super fun. Lifetime of memories. Here are some of our favorites.
43 min
695
Ask Amy- Should I Be Worried About My Teen's Is...
When is a teen happily isolated– or at least content– and when is it something a parent should be concerned about, particularly during the pandemic?
5 min
696
Moms Are Not Okay
As we come up on the one-year anniversary of a crisis we thought would take a couple of weeks, let's face it: all of us moms are falling apart. How’s it going at our houses? Not great. But here’s what is helping us survive and getting us through.
45 min
697
Ask Margaret - Do I Get a Say On Who My Kids' F...
How much input should we have on our kids' choices of friends? What happens when we don't like the friends our kid is choosing?
7 min
698
BEST OF: Anger Management for Kids
The best way to handle our children’s anger is to equip them with the tools to handle it themselves. Whether your kid is 4 or 14, here’s how to stand outside the storm and get your calm back a little sooner. Get the full transcript: bit.ly/WFHanger.
48 min
699
Setting Boundaries
Boundaries aren’t just for relationships that have already been damaged. Healthy boundaries with our partners, friends, and extended family are what make long-term relationships possible. Here’s how to set boundaries early and often.
42 min
700
Ask Amy- Surviving The "Only Mommy" Phase
A toddler's "only mommy" phase is just that. It's temporary. But it's a struggle for Mom nonetheless, even if her toddler's devotion is adorable. Here's how to get through it.
4 min