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!
201
DEEP DIVE: 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
202
Fresh Take: Diane Boden, "Minimalist Moms"
How can parents embrace a minimalist mindset when we've got partners or kids who aren't exactly looking to get rid of things? Diane Boden, host of the "Minimalist Moms" podcast, explains how to declutter your home when you're short on time and patience.
32 min
203
How Involved Should We Be with Our Kids' Schools?
How do we find a balance between keeping abreast of our kids' grades and going all in on their science projects? Here's what the data says about the relationship between parent involvement in school and academic achievement.
44 min
204
DEEP DIVE: Matthew Fray on Strengthening Our Re...
We’ve all left dishes by the sink. Either that, or we’ve yelled at our partner for doing so. In this episode, Matthew Fray explains how leaving dishes by the sink caused his marriage to implode—hint: it wasn’t just about the dishes.
38 min
205
Fresh Take: Amy Shoenthal on "The Setback Cycle"
How can we embrace setbacks in life so that we can learn from them? Amy Shoenthal, author of the new book THE SETBACK CYCLE, explains the science of framing our setbacks to help us more than they hurt us.
33 min
206
Our Lowest-Stake Conspiracy Theories
We asked our listeners for their lowest-stake conspiracy theories. From suspiciously ineffective close-door elevator buttons to lip balms that make chapped lips worse, here are our favorites.
38 min
207
DEEP DIVE: When Our Partners Just Don't Get It
It was my husband. In the kitchen. With the dirty cup. AGAIN. Our partners do things that drive us mad. And sometimes it affects our parenting or our marriages. How do we make our partners truly understand what we need? Besides hiding all the cups?
40 min
208
Fresh Take: Dr. Gabor Maté and Dr. Gordon Neufe...
We mostly think that it's both unavoidable and appropriate for kids to shift their focus from their parents to their peers as they grow. In their newly revised book HOLD ON TO YOUR KIDS, Dr. Gabor Maté and Dr. Gordon Neufeld explain why we should push back on "peer orientation."
27 min
209
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
210
DEEP DIVE: Teaching Kids Patience
If patience is a virtue, it’s not one often practiced by preschoolers. There are reasons why very small children have a hard time waiting. Sometimes very big kids as well. As in grownups. Here’s why being patient matters, and how to introduce it.
39 min
211
Fresh Take: Kelley Coleman on Parenting a Disab...
Kelley Coleman, author of the new book EVERYTHING NO ONE TELLS YOU ABOUT PARENTING A DISABLED CHILD, offers perspective and reassurance for families on this journey—1 in 6 families, according to the CDC.
35 min
212
When One Family Member's Moods Are Running the ...
How do we cope when one family member's irritability, tantrums, or anxietiesa take over the household? When one person's moods become the family's weather, it's important to acknowledge what's happening.
41 min
213
DEEP DIVE: Getting Your Kids To Talk To You
Getting your kid to talk to you is never easy (unless you're 15 minutes late for an appointment, car keys in hand). Since “How was school today?” is apparently the worst thing parents can ask, here are some parenting strategies that actually work to get kids talking- at every age.
48 min
214
Fresh Take: Simone Davies and Junnifa Uzodike o...
How can we raise independent and empowered kids? Simone Davies and Junnifa Uzodike, authors of THE MONTESSORI CHILD, discuss the core principles of the Montessori parenting style and how it fosters independence in children.
29 min
215
Getting Unstuck (with Blaire and Molly from "Un...
When we're overwhelmed with the busyness of life, how do we find space to reclaim our creative joy? Blaire Brooks and Molly Lloyd, hosts of the new podcast "Unsticking It," tell us how to get unstuck and reignite our creative sparks.
38 min
216
DEEP DIVE: Getting Kids to Cooperate
Getting kids to cooperate is a challenge at all ages and stages. Here are some parenting strategies for determining when kids are old enough to pitch in and for asking for help in a kid-friendly way.
39 min
217
Fresh Take: Gwenna Laithland, "Momma Cusses"
Gwenna Laithland, creator of @mommacusses and author of MOMMA CUSSES, explains how responsive parenting works for her.
37 min
218
Two Things Can Be True
When we are in a disagreement, it feels like only one person can be in the right (and it's definitely you). But two things can be true. Here's how understanding that can change your partnership and your parenting.
40 min
219
DEEP DIVE: Is Comparing Our Kids Ever Useful?
It’s hard not to compare kids to their siblings, particularly when their personalities can seem so diametrically opposed. If we notice those differences as parents– and compare our kids, implicitly or explicitly– is that a good thing or a bad thing?
39 min
220
Fresh Take: Ginny Yurich of "1000 Hours Outside"
Ginny Yurich, founder of the 1000 Hours Outside movement, tells us how prioritizing unstructured outdoor play for her entire family has actually made parenting easier.
39 min
221
The Parents Had a Point
Have you ever gone back to watch your favorite TV shows and movies from when you were a kid, only to discover that they hit pretty differently? Here are some pop culture touchstones that, upon rewatching, make us think the parents might have had a point.
42 min
222
DEEP DIVE: Why Are Our Kids Such Total Opposites?
It’s not your imagination: kids raised in the same family push in opposite directions. Why do siblings, especially closely-spaced or same-sex ones, deidentify? We discuss the three theories out there, and whether parents need to do anything about it.
42 min
223
Fresh Take: Charles Duhigg on Supercommunicators
Why do we sometimes feel like people have heard what we've said but they haven't really listened? Charles Duhigg, author of the new book SUPERCOMMUNICATORS, explains how parents can have truly productive and meaningful conversations with their spouses, children, and friends.
29 min
224
The Power of "Not Yet"
If our children don't reach milestones at the "correct" time, are we failing as parents? Here's how the power of "not yet" can transform our outlook and empower our kids.
37 min
225
DEEP DIVE: Middle Kids
Most of us assume middle kids get the short end of the parenting stick. But some experts believe their place in the birth order makes them uniquely poised to succeed. Are there lifelong benefits for kids who grow up with a little benign neglect?
40 min