05/09/2024
Mom Guilt Is Real, but So Is Healing On this episode: we present two very special segments celebrating the lifelong journey of being a mom.
First up: Dr. Lindsay Cavanagh is back for mini therapy sessions with Jamilah, Lucy and Elizabeth — who each share a nagging guilt they have about being a mom (and a daughter).
Then: Zak, our r
05/06/2024
Should a 6-Year-Old Go on Solo Walks? On this episode: Zak, Jamilah and Lucy answer a question about a very independent kindergartener. This member of our Slate Parenting Facebook group has a six year old who’s taking solo walks around the neighborhood… and while his parents are cool with it, the neighbors aren’t. How can this mom field
05/02/2024
Kid-Friendly Kitchen Adventures (feat. Priya Krishna) On this episode: Zak sits down with Priya Krishna, New York Times bestselling author of Indian-ish, to talk about her new cookbook for kids: Priya’s Kitchen Adventures. We’ll talk about formative international foods, picking up new culinary skills, and – of course – how to get picky eaters onboard.
04/29/2024
That Nagging Feeling That You’re Bad at Parenting On this episode: Zak, Jamilah and Elizabeth give a pep talk to a listener who’s not sure she’s doing this right. Her toddler is behind his peers by a few metrics, and this parent knows it’s not a big deal… but the thought still lingers.
We also dole out a round of recommendations — and then, for Sl
04/25/2024
My In-Laws Have Guns. I Don’t Trust Them. On this episode: Elizabeth, Jamilah and Zak help a listener who’s worried about firearms in their in-laws’ home. They have a strained relationship already, and a recent argument led to threatening words that are lingering. If this parent wouldn’t let their kids be in a friend’s house with guns, shou
04/22/2024
When – and Why – Are Teens Using Cannabis? On this episode: Zak sits down with Dr. Nicole Schultz of UC Davis to talk about teens and marijuana. It’s a different world than when we were growing up — so we have Dr. Schultz share her understanding of why and how teens are using cannabis.
Elizabeth, Lucy and Jamilah also share a round of recom
04/18/2024
Ask A Weed Mom On this episode: Elizabeth, Lucy and Jamilah answer questions from our Slate Parenting Facebook group about using marijuana as a mom. As 4/20 approaches, we decided there was no better time to tackle big-picture questions about substance use… and practical stuff too, like where to hide your stash wi
04/15/2024
Parenting While Polyamorous On this episode: Elizabeth sits down with Jes Daylover and her metamour, Ash, of the Remodeled Love podcast, to talk all things polyamory and parenting. There are a lot of misconceptions out there about what polyamory is and isn’t — so we think you’ll love hearing about how it works as a parenting c
04/11/2024
Longtime Listener, First-Time Parent On this episode: Elizabeth, Lucy and Zak help a longtime listener who’s expecting her first baby. We’ll offer suggestions for how to manage your whole life changing in an instant – plus, enjoying the before-times, and staying afloat in the aftermath.
We’ll also debrief with a round of triumphs and
04/08/2024
What’s the Deal With American Baby Food? On this episode: a Swedish member of the Slate Parenting Facebook group is getting ready to visit the U.S. with her baby and is wondering about all things puréed, squished, and jarred. We’re here to help.
We’ll also share a round of recommendations — and then, for Slate Plus, we convene a meeting
04/04/2024
Will My Picky Eater Ruin Our Trip? On this episode: Elizabeth, Lucy and Zak put the “feeding” in Care & Feeding by answering a question about traveling with a picky eater. Going to Kenya is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity… so should a kid with an American kid’s palate be the reason it doesn’t happen?
We’ll also debrief with a round
04/01/2024
Why Can’t I Find (Or Keep) A Babysitter? On this episode: Zak, Jamilah and Elizabeth help a listener who’s having trouble securing a babysitter for their toddler… and starting to resign themselves to just not going anywhere. We’ll talk about what might be causing the end of the teenage babysitter, and some childcare solutions that might be
03/28/2024
My Son’s Getting Ready to Walk Home Alone On this episode: Elizabeth, Jamilah and Zak help a member of the Slate Parenting Facebook group who’s getting ready to have their 10-year-old walk home from school. Communication without a phone is one thing… but what about tracking and other bells and whistles?
We’ll also debrief with a round of t
03/25/2024
Helping Little Wild Things Learn To Read On this episode: Zak, Jamilah and Lucy offer some quick advice to a listener who’s wondering how to help a young student with possible ADHD focus up, particularly about homework.
Then, Elizabeth sits down with Australian author Sally Rippin to discuss her book Wild Things — the story of her neurodi
03/21/2024
A Teacher Weighs In On Grades On this episode: Lucy, Jamilah and Zak ask a teacher! We heard your desire to hear from the professionals about education… and we’re so excited to welcome dad, 9th grade English teacher, and longtime C&F listener Jeff Olsen Biebighauser to the show. We’ll talk through grades, homework, and the art o
03/18/2024
Does Identity Need To Be Taught? On this episode: Elizabeth, Jamilah and Lucy answer a question from the Slate Parenting Facebook group… about whether identity is implicit or explicit in the way we raise kids. This mom is “an invisible minority three times over…” and musing on whether her kid would pick up on those things, even if
03/14/2024
“You’re Mad At Me” and Other Big Feelings On this episode: first, a quick update about our discussions on grades. TL;DR: We hear you, and we’re already working on ways to do better.
Then: Lucy, Elizabeth and Jamilah help a listener who wrote in looking for advice on a 7-year-old’s big feelings. This girl is showing some signs of negative
03/11/2024
Should I Allow Compliments About How My Kid Looks? On this episode: Elizabeth Newcamp, Zak Rosen, and Jamilah Lemieux answer a question that someone actually posed to Jamilah on Instagram… about whether it’s okay to entertain compliments about your kid’s appearance. A facilitator at school has suggested redirecting to character compliments when this
03/07/2024
Listeners Graded Our Take On Grades On this episode: Zak, Elizabeth and Jamilah open the Care & Feeding mailbag to talk, once again, about grades. A lot of you have thoughts about our take on grades (namely, that they’re bullsh*t), so we thought it was time to revisit the conversation… but include you, too.
We’ll also debrief on our
03/04/2024
Kids Are Loud. Will Earplugs Help Me Cope? On this episode: Elizabeth Newcamp, Zak Rosen, and Jamilah Lemieux talk about cutting through the noise. A member of the Slate Parenting Facebook group recently posted asking about earplugs — but there are lots of strategies for tuning out, and dealing with, the noise and energy of kids in your hous
02/29/2024
The Pop Culture Moms Who Changed Us On this episode: Jamilah sits down with Andie and Sabrina of Pop Culture Moms, ABC’s newest podcast. The three talk through the origins of the show (and Andie and Sabrina’s friendship), and the onscreen moms who shaped our understanding of motherhood.
We’ll also debrief on our week in parenting wi
02/26/2024
You Know What? Grades Are Bullsh*t. On this episode: Elizabeth Newcamp, Zak Rosen, and Lucy Lopez answer a question from the Slate Parenting Facebook group… wondering what counts as a good grade, and what the consequences should be at home for bad grades. We come in hot with a dismissal of the whole premise. It’s great.
We’ll also s
02/22/2024
Checking Our Voicemails (Romance Edition) On this episode: Elizabeth, Zak and Lucy dive into the voicemails you left us about last week’s special After Dark episodes. We’re so glad that these got you talking — so we’re closing the loop on Elizabeth and Jeff’s morning routine, and how to deal with mismatched sex drives.
We’ll also debrief o
02/19/2024
Decoder Ring: Why Did We All Play The Recorder? We’re off today for President’s Day, but we didn’t want to leave you empty-handed. So! We’re sharing a great episode from our friends at Decoder Ring — where they’ll answer great questions about everything from the baby on board sign to why we all played the recorder in school.
If you like what you