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!
701
Oh No, It's Fall! (With Guest Biz Ellis from On...
Do you love crunchy leaves and chunky sweaters? Or do shortening, darkening days fill you with nothing but pumpkin-spiced dread- especially this year? We talk about our Halloween and Thanksgiving plans- and how we can use them to fight off pandemic doom and gloom- with Biz Ellis of One Bad Mother.
47 min
702
Ask Margaret - How Can I Keep My Kid Safe While...
A listener who has very little familiarity with gaming wonders how to keep kids safe while playing online.
7 min
703
Bonus Episode: Ask Us Anything!
Bonus Episode! We told you to ask us anything. You kept it PG (thank you) and we’re giving you the answers: What shows are we binging? What gets us dancing in our kitchens? What do our kids think of this show?
45 min
704
Never Thought I'd Say This (Pandemic Edition)
“Don’t you dare hug Grandma.” “Stop playing on the floor and get on screen.” “Yes, we can go to the playground, but you may not play with the other children.” We discuss all the things we (and our listeners) never thought we’d say– and now are.
46 min
705
Ask Amy- My First-Grader is Giving Me Homework ...
A listener's first-grader is already totally burned out on homework. Amy offers tips on motivation (and a little pandemic compassion).
4 min
706
Fresh Take: Dr. Jill Stoddard Tells Us How To M...
Dr. Jill Stoddard is the author of BE MIGHTY: A Woman's Guide to Liberation from Anxiety, Worry & Stress Using Mindfulness and Acceptance. Jill explains why trying to suppress anxiety is counterproductive and how getting clear about our values helps.
37 min
707
Getting Better At Saying 'No'
Saying ‘no’ doesn’t come easily to a lot of us. (The world likes it that way.) But when you’re seething with resentment because you’re running the school auction by yourself, AGAIN, might there be a better way? Here’s how to get better at saying no.
46 min
708
Fresh Take: Jessica Lahey on "The Gift of Failu...
We interview Jessica Lahey, author of the bestseller THE GIFT OF FAILURE: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed. Jess tells us how to apply the book’s ideas to pandemic life, at-home learning, and living together 24/7.
45 min
709
Why The Pandemic is So Hard On Moms
A recent study showed 80% of people who stopped working during this pandemic are women. There's so much more to do right now, and while the work is less invisible now that everyone’s home to see it, moms are still doing a lot more than their share.
47 min
710
Ask Amy- How Can I Get My Kid To Take Her Medic...
A listener wonders how to get a 4-year-old to take a truly disgusting medicine without spitting it out.
5 min
711
How Mad Should I Be About This?
Sometimes you’re bothered by a friend or loved one’s carelessness, but then think: is it me? In this episode we consider “crimes” committed by various spouses, children, and mothers-in-law against our listeners and decide just how mad they should be.
45 min
712
Ask Margaret - My Husband is a Bad Disciplinarian
Margaret answers a question from a listener frustrated that her husband has such a hard time disciplining their 5-year-old.
6 min
713
Fresh Take: Meredith Masony of "That's Inapprop...
Amy and Margaret interview Meredith Masony, creator of That’s Inappropriate, an online community of 3 million strong-minded moms. Meredith’s new book (09/01/20) is ASK ME WHAT’S FOR DINNER ONE MORE TIME: Inappropriate Thoughts on Motherhood.
36 min
714
Things We Can't Live Without (Fall 2020)
Here are the snacks, shows, accessories, and blankets that get us through the days right now. Some for our kids; most are just for us. Have something you can’t live without? Tell us in the FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/whatfreshhellcast
45 min
715
Ask Amy: My Tween Has Suddenly Stopped Speaking...
A listener wonders how to deal with her own hurt feelings now that her 12-year-old daughter has suddenly stopped speaking to her. Should she say something to her daughter? Submit your parenting questions: questions@whatfreshhellpodcast.com.
6 min
716
The Back-To-School Hell (Pandemic Edition)
Back-to-school 2020 was not the finish line we imagined; it’s a reminder that a Return To Normal is nowhere in sight. But the anticipatory anxiety we have about what might happen could be worse than what does. Can we separate uncertainty from threat?
45 min
717
Ask Margaret -My Daughter Says She Thinks She L...
Margaret answers a question from a listener who is concerned about her daughter's self-image.
6 min
718
Fresh Take: Tina Payne Bryson on "The Bottom L...
Amy and Margaret interview Tina Payne Bryson, author of THE BOTTOM LINE FOR BABY: From Sleep Training to Screens, Thumb Suck to Tummy Time—What the Science Says, an A-Z guide for childcare controversies– and the science (or lack thereof) behind them.
35 min
719
The Constant Negativity Is Getting Old
Negativity is contagious (no duh). We can set limits on the whining and the “No!”, but maybe detaching our emotional states from those of our cranky children is the best place to start. A neutral response makes negativity less interesting sooner.
44 min
720
Ask Margaret - My Two-Year-Old's Tantrums Are B...
A listener is getting worn down by her toddler's frequent tantrums.
6 min
721
We Did Not Sign Up For Being With Our Spouses 2...
Absence really does make the heart grow fonder. Which may explain some of the domestic tension that’s coming from being with our spouses 24/7. We used to have to plan date nights to reconnect- should we now schedule time apart? Guest: Damona Hoffman.
51 min
722
Ask Amy- I Feel Guilty Not Playing With My Only...
A listener dreads “playing pretend” with her 3-year-old. But her child is an only child, and right now she is that child’s only playmate. How can she put limits on it without disappointing her child? How can she enjoy the playtime they do have more?
6 min
723
Okay, We Might Have Overthought That One
All mothers overthink sometimes. Isn’t that the exact assignment the world gives us? Only to then mock us relentlessly for having done so? But yes, we admit: here are a few of the parenting topics that, looking back, we just MAY have overthought.
43 min
724
Ask Amy- Why Does My Kid Always Want To Pretend...
A listener asks: “Does anyone else have a kid that always wants to play the “mean” guy? My almost 3-year-old son always wants to play the villain, and hardly ever the hero or “nice guy”. Is this normal? Or am I raising a future bad boy?
4 min
725
Ditching What Doesn't Matter (With Guest "The L...
Momming is hard. Whether we’re stressed perfectionists or hot messes, our homes and relationships get happier when we do what matters, skip what doesn’t– and clarify what goes in what pile FOR US. Guest: Kendra Adachi, author of THE LAZY GENIUS WAY.
48 min