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
851
Ask Margaret - The Bedtime Routine is Out of Hand!
Margaret answers a question from a mom whose four year old is stretching bedtime to the max.
8 min
852
The Great Regression: Why We're All Acting Like...
Many kids are exhibiting regressive behavior right now. Lots of adults too: Zoom with your summer camp friends much? It’s normal to seek the security of the past in times of stress.Here’s how to let regression be, and how to address it productively.
41 min
853
Getting Literally Anything Done (with guests La...
After 2 months of this new normal our to-do lists are running away from us. How do we get to what matters in the extremely limited bursts of kid-free time we might have? Guests: Laura Vanderkam and Sarah Hart-Unger, co-hosts of Best of Both Worlds.
53 min
854
Ask Margaret - Should I Sleep-Train During the ...
Margaret answers a question from a mom who is trying to decide whether or not to sleep train her 7-month-old while quarantined.
5 min
855
We'll Call It a Win! Microscopic Mom Victories
We asked all of you to tell us your “mom wins” since quarantine life began. Whether it’s synchronized napping, picky eaters trying meatballs, or a 5-year-old who finally slept past 7 a.m., we salute all these miniscule victories. Happy Mother’s Day!
44 min
856
Ask Amy - How Can I Help My Child Who is Having...
Amy answers a question from a listener whose daughter is struggling with nightmares.
5 min
857
Maintaining Momentum (Or Not)
A body in motion stays in motion; once at rest, it’s hard to regain momentum. But is continuous momentum possible during this very strange limbo? How can we keep running this marathon when we don’t even know what mile we’re in? What works right now?
46 min
858
Ask Margaret - I'm Burnt Out on Trying to Get M...
Margaret answers a questions who is struggling to get her toddler to perform when relatives call.
7 min
859
What Kind of Monster? Quarantine Edition!
What kind of monster decides to go keto during a pandemic? Trades away toilet paper for sourdough starter? Finishes Mom’s chocolate stash? Slices an avocado horizontally? Our listeners weigh in with the straws that will break their quarantine backs.
44 min
860
Ask Amy - My Teenagers Are So Done With Quarant...
Amy answers a question from a listener whose teenagers are really, really over being stuck at home.
7 min
861
Stay-At-Home Revelations: Things We've Learned
As we round the curve into what’s been a full month of Uno, math worksheets, and never going anywhere, we’ve all learned a few things. Here are our stay-at-home revelations about our homes, our cooking, our relationships, our kids, and the Big Reset.
44 min
862
Ask Margaret - My Kid Won't Play Alone
Margaret answers a question from a listener whose kid always wants mom to play with him.
5 min
863
What's Working Right Now
Here’s what’s actually working right now- for our anxiety, our family chore buy-in, our kitchen ennui, and our senses of hope. (Our number one tip: try never to interrupt a happy quarantined family while they’re doing whatever is making them happy.)
45 min
864
Ask Amy - How Do I Talk to My Kids About Missin...
This week Amy answers a question from a listener whose child is missing a big milestone event.
5 min
865
It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint!
Homeschooling feels doable when it’s a snow-day novelty. It feels different when you’re relearning middle-school math while also conference-calling from home and running a kitchen serving three meals a day. Here's how we're coping & keeping it going.
43 min
866
Ask Margaret - How Seriously Should I Take This...
Margaret answers a question from a listener who is trying to decide how much to homeschool her kids.
5 min
867
How Are We Going to Keep These Kids Busy?
Most of us have a new reality: we have to keep our kids busy. Here are ideas for keeping kids of all ages occupied, both inside and outside, using materials you probably already have around the house— and preferably, without parental oversight.
40 min
868
Ask Amy - How Can I Get My Big Kids to Pitch In...
This week Amy answers a question from a mom who wants her school-aged kids to do their part in the kitchen.
5 min
869
Gaming: Not All Bad! (Thank Goodness)
Studies show our kids’ gaming doesn’t necessarily correlate with lower grades, hyperactivity, or aggressiveness. But ask any parent: Fortnite, Super Smash Bros, or Xbox can make one cranky zombie. Here’s how to set gaming rules for your household.
45 min
870
Ask Margaret - How Do I Get My Kids to Help Kee...
Margaret answers a question from a listener who wants to know how to encourage her kids to keep their rooms and the playroom clean.
5 min
871
Real Self-Care for Moms
Is “self-care” a facial? A mammogram? A big glass of wine? All of the above- provided they’re things that protect you, or relax you. But for self-care to work, you have to practice it all the time, not just on the bad days. Here’s what works for us.
45 min
872
Ask Amy - How Do I Get Grandma to Limit Screen ...
Amy answers a question from a listener who wants her own mom to stop relying on screens when she's babysitting.
5 min
873
Do In-Laws Get a Bad Rap?
In-law relationships are close by design, not by choice. No wonder conflicts can arise. But a good in-law relationship, if it’s possible, is worth investing in. Here’s how to have difficult conversations- and more importantly, when to let things go.
46 min
874
Ask Margaret - Should I Take My Child to a Fune...
Margaret answers a question from a listener who is worried about taking her young child to a funeral.
4 min
875
Where Did This Kid Come From? When Our Kids Are...
Our kids can make us the craziest when their behavior is the most baffling to us. But unfamiliar doesn’t mean wrong. That our kid is different from us— even in ways we think might make their lives harder— is not necessarily something we need to fix.
43 min