Mom And Dad Are Fighting | Slate's Parenting Show

On this week’s episode: Dan talks with Emily Oster, professor at Brown University and data-driven parenting author. She also writes ParentData, an evidence-based newsletter that has been a vital resource for many parents navigating the pandemic. Emily and Dan talk about how families should act now that more families are falling into the ‘mixed-vaxxed’ category and what to expect for the upcoming spring and summer.  Dan, Jamilah, and Elizabeth also tackle a question from a listener who has fallen out of love with professional sports. Now his little boys are starting soccer. Should he jump back into the sports fandom or is it okay to stay out of the fray? (Overtime: We chatted with soccer legend Abby Wambach last year about raising competitive athletes, especially when the parents aren’t sporty. Check it out.)  In Slate Plus: The hosts share the soundtracks to their parenting. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Recommendations: Eli

On this week’s episode: Jamilah and Dan are joined by longtime friend of the pod, Jessica Winter. Jessica just released her next novel, The Fourth Child. They answer a question from a mom of a little boy whose current friend group is all girls. She’s worried that he’s going to be ditched and without a group of friends as they all age. Then they tackle a question from a mom who has had it with her kids’ shouting a rather annoying nonsense word. In Slate Plus: Inspired by Jessica’s little deconstructor, they’ll be commiserating over the worst things their kids have destroyed. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Recommendations: Jessica recommends picture books by Melissa Iwai.  Dan recommends The Fourth Child by Jessica Winter.  Jamilah recommends So Delicious’ Dairy Free Oatmilk Peanut Butter and Raspberry frozen dessert.  Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of to

On this week’s episode: Dan, Jamilah, and Elizabeth argue about if teenage drivers should chip in for the privilege of driving, especially when the teen in question is not making a ton of money. Then they jump into a couple’s argument over swearing in front of the kids.  In Slate Plus: It’s the classic debate. Oatmeal raisin v. chocolate chip cookies. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our work.  Recommendations: Elizabeth recommends Prodigies online music lessons.  Jamilah recommends Sabai Design.  Dan recommends If I Ran the Circus by Dr. Seuss.  More Jamilah!:  Slate Live’s Wild and Wise Doing the Most Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes.  Podcast produced by Rosemary Belson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode: Elizabeth, Dan, and Carvell commiserate with a parent whose teen is taking every little correction to heart. Then Elizabeth sits down with Erika McLemore (@sitbymyfire on Instagram) to discuss how parents should incorporate lessons on Indigenous peoples, cultures, and land acknowledgements into play. She also shares a bunch of wonderful resources for parents and kids to continue educating themselves on language, history, and current issues central to the Indigenous experience.  In Slate Plus: Slate’s Holly Allen stops by to talk about her powerful new bathroom cleaning tool. A blacklight! Let's just say she can't unsee what she saw... Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Recommendations: Dan recommends East: 120 Vegetarian and Vegan recipes from Bangalore to Beijing by Meera Sodha.  Carvell recommends breaking out the Mario Kart games with the family. Not only is the Nintendo Switch great, but he also recomm

On this week’s episode: Jamilah and Elizabeth are joined by Zenovia Stephens, founder and CEO of Black Kids Adventures. They strategize ways a mom can help her tween power through her Sunday night blues. Then they debate if large age gaps between kids really leads to emotional distance and weak bonds between siblings.  In Slate Plus: Zenovia talks about the importance of getting yourself and your kids outside. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Recommendations: Elizabeth recommends a wireless pocket microscope for outdoor adventures.   Zenovia recommends Vanicream Moisturizing Cream.  Jamilah recommends cooking with flavored butters, specifically truffle butter.  Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes.    Podcast produced by Rosemary Belson. Learn more about your ad choices

On this week’s episode: Dan, Elizabeth, and Jamilah debate how to negotiate a ceasefire in the backseat of the minivan. They also counsel a mom whose daughter will not quit it with the fake cough.  In Slate Plus: They send platonic Valentines to friends who have made these trying times a little easier. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Recommendations: Elizabeth recommends Tea Time Around the World by Denyse Waissbluth.  Jamilah recommends supporting small, local pharmacies.  Dan recommends Whirley Pop, Amish Country Blue Popcorn, and Trader Joe’s Everything But Elote for the perfect popcorn experience.  Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes.    Podcast produced by Rosemary Belson.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode: Elizabeth, Jamilah, and Dan answer a question from a mom with an ongoing head injury. She wants to be there for her energetic 3-year-old. But the commotion sometimes hurts. How can she get her little one to play quietly?  Then the hosts answer a question about being a fun adult figure for her friends’ kids.  In Slate Plus: Get ready to refresh your shelves because the hosts have a lightning round of book recommendations. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Recommendations: Dan recommends Artistic Stamp.  Jamilah recommends giving press on nails a try.  Elizabeth recommends Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty.  Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes.    Podcast produced by Rosemary Belson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode: Dan, Jamilah, and Elizabeth talk with New York Times columnist Ron Lieber about his new book, The Price You Pay for College. He’ll explain why college costs so much, what parents and students should be asking when picking a school, and how to deal with not being able to afford your kid’s dream school.  Then the hosts answer a question from a mom who is struggling with resentment and regret over having a kid at all. In Slate Plus: Slate’s Rebecca Onion joins to discuss the politicization of kids’ safety and helicopter parenting in the Trump era. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Recommendations: Elizabeth recommends LuminAID Solar Lanterns. Jamilah recommends Highlights Magazine. Dan recommends actually filling out a One Line a Day journal. You can also text one line a day to Qeepsake.  Also Mentioned: I Used to Worry About Being an Overprotective Parent. Then Came the Trump Era by Rebecca Onion, whi

$On this week’s episode: Jamilah, Dan, and Elizabeth debate how to teach a kid about dinosaurs when the parents differ ideologically about evolution and creationism. They also answer a question about prepping a teen for her first concert by herself, whenever it’s safe to see live music again.  In Slate Plus: The hosts discuss the best hand-me-downs they’ve received and what they are most excited to pass along to their kids. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Recommendations: Dan recommends Wingspan.  Elizabeth recommends Warmies.  Jamilah recommends Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Cinnamon Coffee Cake Muffins.  Also Mentioned: Evolution Education in the U.S. Is Getting Better by Glenn Branch and Ann Reid.  Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes.    Podcast produced by Rosemary Bel

On this week’s episode: Elizabeth, Jamilah, and Dan debate if it’s OK to teach your child to use gendered titles of respect, like sir and ma’am. Then they answer a mother who seems to do the lionshare of housework. Now her husband wants to seize an opportunity to be a stay-at-home father and she’s worried she will no longer be as valuable to the family.  In Slate Plus: What to do if you’re the rebel and your kid is the one who loves rules. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Recommendations: Dan recommends going to a different city—sans kids—and taking a walk with a friend.  Jamilah recommends Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good by Adrienne Maree Brown. Elizabeth recommends Niksen: Embracing the Dutch Art of Doing Nothing by Olga Mecking.  Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in f

On this week’s episode: Jamilah, Elizabeth, and Dan answer a question from a family where one parent feels that giving the sex talk to a tween violates the child’s privacy. Then they’ll debate what to do about a husband who regresses into a surly teenager when his parents are around.  In Slate Plus: The parenting story of the weekend: Bean Dad. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Recommendations: Elizabeth recommends the 1000 Hours Outside printable. There is also a daily tracker available.  Dan recommends World of Snacks. Jamilah recommends Healthy Roots Dolls. Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes.    Podcast produced by Rosemary Belson.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode: Our favorite Plus segments of 2020. We’ve got some funny stories about odes to neighborhood racoons and barfing kids. We’ve got therapeutic screams into the void. We also have important segments on colorism, racism, and equity and how the pandemic is impacting the adoption system.  If you like what you hear on the show, sign up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our work. In Slate Plus: We have a bonus behind-the-scenes clip of Jamilah trying to determine how devastated Dan will be about Eddie Van Halen passing.  Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes.  Tune in to The Kids Are Asleep, the hilarious Slate Live show hosted by Jamilah. Watch it on Slate’s Facebook or YouTube on Thursdays at 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT.    Podcast produced by Rosemar

On this week’s episode: We gathered all of the Mom and Dad are Fighting hosts, kids, and partners around the mic for a holiday party extravaganza. It’s an abundance of chaos and cheer to make up for all of the canceled holiday parties this year. Up first is Triumphs and Fails with a twist. Then the kids and partners answer listener questions about them. Followed by a super silly round of everyone’s favorite—Would You Rather.  In Slate Plus: Everyone is revealing the holiday traditions that they can’t live without. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Recommendations: Alia recommends an adult paint by numbers kit. Lyra recommends playing Broken Picturephone. Harper recommends Hello Curls Curl Definer Spray and an Erin Condren academic planner. Naima recommends watching Speechless, which aired from 2016-2019 and is now streaming on Hulu.   Jeff recommends a Quadrilla Marble Run.  Henry recommends Purrble. A stuffed animal that teac

On this week’s episode: Elizabeth, Jamilah, and Dan answer a question about a little girl who wishes her Memaw and Pepaw would be better grandparents. They also debate what to do when a beloved stuffed animal gets lost and your kid is heartbroken.  In Slate Plus: Slate’s Sam Adams joins to talk about kids texting, emailing and finding their written voice. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Recommendations: Dan recommends installing a wireless mesh network. Jamilah recommends Trader Joe's Sipping Chocolate. Elizabeth recommends the December Following Directions printable from Peanut Butter Fish Lessons.  Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes.  Tune in to The Kids Are Asleep, the hilarious Slate Live show hosted by Jamilah. Watch it on Slate’s Facebook or YouTube on Thursday

On this week’s episode: Jamilah, Elizabeth, and Dan weigh in on whether you are a jerk for uninviting a family from your pod’s holiday plans. Should you follow invitation etiquette during a pandemic? Then they debate how to handle a parent giving a kid a book that might be too mature. Is it too late to take the book back? Or should you prepare to explain the mature content?  In Slate Plus: The hosts reveal the worst gifts they’ve ever given and received. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Recommendations: Dan recommends A Map to the Sun by Sloane Leong. Elizabeth recommends USPS Operation Santa.  Jamilah recommends Black Kids Adventures and Black Adventure Crew, which you should also follow on Instagram.  Games Galore:  Sommify Pandemic Root Rummikub The Floor is Lava  Yogarrr! Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about wh

On this week’s episode: Dan, Jamilah, and Elizabeth answer a question about a kid who was told Santa wasn’t real. Now she is basing her continued belief on whether or not she gets a horse for Christmas. They also answer a question from a sister who is worried about her younger brother’s slacking in school.  In Slate Plus: How are Santas adapting? Is it time to retire the tradition of sitting on Santa’s lap? Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Recommendations: Jamilah recommends Eczema Honey products. Elizabeth recommends Mail Order Mystery. Dan recommends “Christmas Wrapping” by the Waitresses and “Christmas on Riverside Drive” by August Darnell.  Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes.  Tune in to The Kids Are Asleep, the hilarious Slate Live show hosted by Jamilah. Catch i

On this week’s episode: Dan, Jamilah, and Elizabeth gather around the virtual Thanksgiving table to share the major and minor things that got them through this wild year. They also answer a listener question from a mom nervous about changes to her kids’ education as they move across the country.  In Slate Plus: Dan, Jamilah, and Elizabeth duke it out over the best and worst Thanksgiving foods. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Recommendations: Elizabeth recommends using Native-Land.ca to learn about Indigenous lands. If you’d like to learn about land you are on, you can also text your city and state *City, state” 1-907-312-5085 or to LandAcknowledgement on Facebook Messenger. Elizabeth also recommends following sitbymyfire on Instagram. She has a wonderful list of picture books for Native American Heritage Month.  Jamilah recommends peanut butter cups from Emerald Sky Edibles, if you are in a location where cannabis is legal.

On this week’s episode: Elizabeth and Jamilah debate how to have conversations with kids about body types. How do you model a healthy body image with your child? They also give advice on what to do when your child has a deep emotional attachment to a fruit. This might be a good time to talk about the life cycle of produce.  In Slate Plus: Elizabeth and Jamilah talk about two new released studies showing how the pandemic is making mothers more frustrated with their partners and kids. They even talk about some of the challenges they’ve faced while trying to balance working from home and taking care of their children. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Recommendations: Jamilah recommends getting your car wrapped at an auto body shop. Elizabeth recommends Fun-Schooling Journals from Thinking Tree Books. Bonus Links: There were two new studies released showing how the pandemic is making mothers more frustrated with their kids and pa

On this week’s episode: Jamilah, Elizabeth, and Dan debate when it’s appropriate to celebrate a sibling’s pregnancy, especially if the road to conception has been tough. How can you delineate between excitement and celebration so the mom-to-be feels supported without feeling pressure to share the news with others, if that’s not something she’s comfortable with at this stage? They also advise a family who has realized—they don’t actually know how to have fun as a unit. It turns out, the key to family fun is that someone is probably always not thrilled. But, sometimes, you just gotta suck it up.  In Slate Plus: The hosts compete over who has allowed their kid to see the worst TV show. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Recommendations: Dan recommends Flamer by Mike Curato. Elizabeth recommends Flipbelt’s running pants.  Jamilah recommends shopping for the holidays at Kido. Bonus Links: The Rise and Fall of Baby Einstein by Rut

On this week’s episode: With votes still being tallied, Dan and Jamilah are joined by Slate’s Dahlia Lithwick to debrief about the election and figure out how to talk about what’s going on with kids. They’ll answer a question from a parent who asks: How can you tell your kids it’s going to be OK if you’re just not sure that it will? They’ll also answer a question from a mom who is grappling with how much screentime is too much for her kids who are glued to The Simpsons.  In Slate Plus: Dealing with a politically divided country is one thing. But what should you do when you and your children are on the opposite ends of the political spectrum? Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Recommendations: Dahlia recommends helping your kids have relationships with adults who aren’t you, which is especially important during the pandemic.  Jamilah recommends purchasing pet insurance.  Dan recommends the game Tokaido.  Join us on Facebook and