Mom And Dad Are Fighting | Slate's Parenting Show

On this week’s episode: Jamilah, Dan, and Elizabeth debate the pros and cons of learning pods and homeschooling for the upcoming school year. Why are people doing it? Who does it benefit? Who does it harm? Then, for parents who have decided to homeschool their own children due to health concerns, Elizabeth talks homeschooling 101 with two homeschool extraordinaires: Monica Olivera of MommyMaestra and Latonya Moore of Joy in the Ordinary.  In Slate Plus: Allison Benedikt debriefs Dan on her kids’ in-person summer camp experience. 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 the board game Betrayal At House On The Hill.  Elizabeth recommends a kid-friendly meditation device called Zenimal.  Jamilah recommends The Kids Are Asleep. Stream the hilarious Slate Live show via Slate’s Facebook or YouTube on Thursdays at 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT.  Additional Recommendations: The Latest in School Segregation:

On this week’s episode: Elizabeth, Jamilah, and Dan answer a question from a boss who is trying to figure out how her company can support employees who are caring for kids. They also talk with Slate’s Rachelle Hampton about student loan debt. She has some advice for parents sending their kids to college about deciding when and if debt is worth it. In Slate Plus: Should parents tickle 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: Dan recommends pickleball, small tennis or enormous human sized ping pong. But whichever way you look at it, pickleball is a great sports equalizer and a lot of fun.  Jamilah recommends A Kids Book About Divorce by Ashley Simpo. Elizabeth recommends Rocket to the Moon!: Big Ideas That Changed the World by Don Brown and Junior Ranger NASA badges.  Additional Recommendations: Debt Nation by Rachelle Hampton. The Six-Hour Workday Graphic Catch Jamilah’s new Slate Live show: The Ki

On this week’s episode: Dan is joined by four of Slate’s Ask a Teacher columnists to candidly discuss back to school plans. Brandon Hersey, Cassy Sarnell, Matthew Dicks, and Amy Scott outline their district’s plans and debate if current guidance, or lack of guidance, is enough to keep students and staff safe. If the school opts for a version of in-person classes, can teachers keep everyone safe? What will happen if, or when, a student or teacher gets sick? Will online education be effective, especially for students whose parents are working or don’t have the proper resources to attend online classes? In Slate Plus: Triumphs and Fails from Dan and Amy Scott. 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 classic southern dessert: Banana Pudding.  Catch Jamilah’s new Slate Live show: The Kids Are Asleep. Catch the first show on Thursday July 16 at 7:00 p.m. PST. Stream it on Slate’s Facebook page or YouTube

On this week’s episode: Jamilah, Dan, and Elizabeth weigh in with their best tactics to locate a young child in an emergency. They also answer a question from a mom who really wants to give her young daughter a sibling but is debating if the extra chaos is worth it.  In Slate Plus: Summer camp-esk activities that kids can do independently. 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 Doodleville by Chad Sell. Elizabeth recommends DIY tie-dye masks.  Jamilah recommends You Were Born For This: Astrology for Radical Self-Acceptance by Chani Nicholas.  Additional Recommendations and Resources:  Jamilah’s new Slate Live show: The Kids Are Asleep. Catch the first show on Thursday July 16 at 7:00 p.m. PST. Stream it on Slate’s Facebook page or YouTube channel.  Taking Cara Babies 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 g

On this week’s episode: Elizabeth, Jamilah, and Dan answer a question about a 3-year-old who forces himself to pee immediately after drinking water. We also have a follow-up question from a parent whose child recently came out to her as trans. Slate’s Evan Urquhart joins the hosts to help advise the parent on how to best support her son.  In Slate Plus: We have a plethora of fun, achievable outdoor DIYs for you to try with your family this summer. 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 Perfect Tunes by Emily Gould.  Jamilah recommends Women, Race, & Class by Angela Y. Davis.  Elizabeth recommends the game Tiny Polka Dot. Additional Recommendations and Resources:  Catch “Living Single But With Barbies” on Jamilah’s Instagram.  Get your kids hooked on Oliver’s favorite math game, Prodigy.  “My Parents Still Struggle to Know Me After I Transitioned Late” by Evan Urquhart.  Check out PFLAG, which

On this week’s episode: Dan, Jamilah, and Elizabeth answer a question from a parent wondering if it’s okay to benefit from the grandparent babysitting service when the other grandkids are left out. They also answer a question from a soon-to-be step-aunt who wants to make a good first impression on the pre-teen.  It’s fireworks season and the hosts swap funny amature fireworks stories in this week’s Slate Plus segment. 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 The Sunday Read: ‘Facing the Wind’ by Carvell Wallace. Elizabeth recommends constructing outdoor toy car ramps using deck railing.  Jamilah recommends The DB Method, if you are looking to maximize your gluteus maximus.  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 Belso

On this week’s episode: Elizabeth, Jamilah, and Rebecca are joined by Trina Greene Brown, the founder of Parenting for Liberation, to answer questions about race and police violence. The first question is from a parent puzzling over an appropriate age to introduce her kid to privilege and institutionalized racism. The second question is from a mom whose young son enjoys interacting with the police. Is there a good way to explain police violence to a toddler?  We have a very special Slate Plus segment this week. Jamilah is joined by Dr. Kira Banks to answer a listener question about colorism and complexion bias. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Recommendations: Rebecca recommends laughing at really, really bad TV shows like Strange Evidence, Catfish, and Ancient Aliens.  Elizabeth recommends two podcasts. For kids: So Get Me podcast by the Alphabet Rockers. For adults: The Black History Bootcamp by GirlTrek. Jamilah recommen

On this week’s episode: Elizabeth, Jamilah, and Dan talk with comedian Mike Birbiglia about his new book, The New One: Painfully True Stories From a Reluctant Dad. They discuss what it’s like to not connect to your newborn right away, finally understanding parenting cliches, and comedy during quarantine. The hosts also answer a question from a parent who feels that their young one is transitioning from mommy to mom way too early.   For Slate Plus, Slate Staff Writer Ruth Graham joins to discuss adoption influencers. 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 You Pick Tonight, a father-daughter double feature podcast from Dan and Lyra.  Jamilah recommends It’s Just a Plant: A Children’s Story about Marijuana by Ricardo Cortés. Elizabeth recommends learning to make balloon animals with your kids.  Other Recommendations and Resources:  Transgender Children & Youth: Understanding the Basics “Gender Identit

On this week’s episode: Dan, Jamilah, and Elizabeth answer a listener question about introducing kids to consuming news. What news sources are age-appropriate? How can parents contextualize current events for kids? The hosts also answer a question from a mom worried that getting a cat will cause tension in the house.  For Slate Plus, they discuss J.K. Rowling’s new children’s story The Ickabog and the children’s illustration contest that’s accompanying the book. 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 Me and My Feelings: A Kids' Guide to Understanding and Expressing Themselves by NBCT Vanessa Green Allen, M.Ed. Elizabeth recommends giving your kid a toolbox. It’s a great place to store all the little treasures that get picked up in the great outdoors.  Dan recommends ditching your current lawn mower for an electric lawn mower.  Kids News Resources: KidNuz, a daily podcast for kids.  The Learni

On this week’s episode: Dan, Jamilah, and Elizabeth talk to Elmo about his new show, The Not-Too-Late Show, and how life at home is going for him and his family. Parents, if you want to listen to the family-friendly Elmo segment with your kids, zip ahead to 14:30. Autumn Zitani, curriculum producer for Sesame Street and the Not-Too-Late Show, joins the show to talk about what kids will learn from the new show and how this will fit into evening routines. They also answer a listener question from a mom worried her independent yet introverted preschooler is enjoying being home during the pandemic a little too much.  For Slate Plus, Dan discusses using emergency paid leave through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. 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 signing up for the summer reading program at your local library, since quite a few libraries are running virtual programs. Jamilah recom

On this week’s episode: Dan, Jamilah, and Elizabeth answer a question from a listener who really wants to celebrate her son’s graduation. But her senior wants zero acknowledgement of the milestone. They also answer a question from a mother whose 9-year-old has a name that sounds vulgar when said aloud.  For Slate Plus, beloved former Mom and Dad are Fighting co-host Allison Benedikt tells a wild story about a questionable neighborhood raccoon, a heartfelt shower song, and makeshift trap. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Please take our quick survey about the show: https://forms.gle/HnicihbGDaegWYoU9 Recommendations: Dan recommends You Must Remember This, a podcast about forgotten Hollywood history by Karina Longworth.  Elizabeth recommends a free app called Seek by iNaturalist.  Jamilah recommends cooking with Coconut Liquid Aminos Garlic Sauce.  Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questi

On this week’s episode: Dan, Jamilah, and Elizabeth answer a question from a parent worried about pretend play that involves imagined violence. Plus, we have personalized game recommendations with Jessica Waldock from the homeschool and parent blog, The Waldock Way. It’s our Everyone Is Fighting Now segment this week, and it’s for all ages. To listen to Everyone Is Fighting Now, zoom ahead to about 35:50. For Slate Plus, Slate’s Heather Schwedel explains the baby name that stumped the world. 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 signing up your kids for Outschool, which has Zoom classes for different age levels. Plus, the classes are really cheap!  Jamilah recommends revisiting the classic, and relatively progressive, show: The Golden Girls.  Elizabeth recommends ordering the Gottwals Books Survival Packs, from Gottwals Books in Georgia. Here's the order form for the personalized pack.  Game Reco

On this week’s episode: Dan, Jamilah, and Elizabeth answer a question from a listener whose stepmother wants to be called grandma. While the letter writer is thrilled her stepmother wants to be so involved with her granddaughters, how will she explain to her daughters that their grandmother isn’t her biological mother? On our Everyone Is Fighting Now segment this week: is it finally time to attempt an at-home haircut? The hosts talk to 9-year-old barber Neijae Graham-Henries and her mother Jamie. To listen to Everyone Is Fighting Now, zoom ahead to about 32 minutes. For Slate Plus, how are systems like adoption and foster care are faring during the pandemic? 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 Zoom Pranks on Professors, Wild PowerPoint Parties, and a Billion Memes by Laura Bennett. Elizabeth recommends reaching out to seniors in your community by sending cards. You can find a local organization o

On this week’s episode: Dan, Jamilah, and Elizabeth revisit last week’s quarantine pod discussion and talk to Dr. Saskia Popescu about the risks of being in contact with another family during stay-at-home orders. Plus, LEGO Masters contestant Boone Langston joins to talk about awesome builds, the show and how kids can up their LEGO game. It’s our Everyone Is Fighting Now segment this week, and it’s for all ages. To listen to Everyone Is Fighting Now, zoom ahead to about 51:00. Or if you are listening to the Plus episode, go to 45:13. For Slate Plus, are some kids happier during quarantine? 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 being on top of your Mother’s Day plans. If you need an idea, this questionnaire is a great, free project to do with your young ones.  Jamilah recommends What's the Big Secret?: Talking about Sex with Girls and Boys by Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown.  Dan recommends

On this week’s episode: Dan, Jamilah, and Elizabeth debate the advantages and risks of adding families into their quarantine bubble. Social distancing guidelines and epidemiologists have warned about increased risk of catching Covid-19 with increased exposure to others. But what if absolute social distancing isn’t working for your family?  For the Everyone is Fighting Now segment, the hosts answer a question from a listener who is worried her daughter is more convinced than ever that her imaginary dragon friend is real. Dr. Stephanie Carlson, Distinguished McKnight University Professor and Director of Research at the Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota, joins the hosts to determine if the letter writer should keep interacting with the dragon. If you’d like to listen with kids that can handle a conversation about make-believe friends, zip ahead to about 41:00. Or if you are listening to the Plus episode, go to 35:45. For Slate Plus, how helpful are coronavirus specials, like Elmo’s

On this week’s episode: Dan, Jamilah, and Elizabeth advise a mom whose son’s “mommy-only” phase isn’t helped by the fact that her husband doesn’t like little-kid games. How can he engage while being entertained? Plus, Dan tells a story about theater, college decisions, and the importance—or unimportance—of due diligence. It’s our Everyone Is Fighting Now segment this week, and it’s best for teenagers. To listen to Everyone Is Fighting Now, zoom ahead to 33:30. Or if you are listening to the Plus episode, go to 27:37. For Slate Plus, how do you respond when your child calls you stupid for the first time? 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 creating a Covid-19 time capsule with your kids so, years from now, they can reflect on this period.  Jamilah recommends EasyWash Mobile Washer to help remove dirt when you are hand washing your clothes.  Dan recommends hanging a hammock, perfect for when yo

On this week’s episode: Jamilah and Elizabeth are joined by Rumaan Alam to discuss splitting custody during coronavirus. Can one parent, concerned about safety, keep the child without first discussing it with their co-parent? How can this issue be resolved without escalation?  For our new family-friendly segment, Everyone Is Fighting Now, the hosts are joined by Megan Ryder Sanders, a zookeeper at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado. Megan answers questions from kids, including: how the animals are doing, if zookeepers are being paid, and how much elephants eat. To listen to the family-friendly segment zoom ahead to 39:00. Or if you are listening to the Plus episode, go to 34:30. For Slate Plus, we answer a question from a listener whose three year old is NOT warming up to her new baby brother. 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 ensuring that the actions you take while staying at home benefit

On this week’s episode: Dan, Jamilah, and Elizabeth discuss updating your will. It’s important to have an updated contingency plan in these uncertain times. But how can you be sure if you are leaving your kids to the right people? They also answer a letter from a mom who is going stir crazy after a few days at home with her child. How can parents be stimulated while playing, sometimes boring, games with their kids? For Slate Plus, we have quarantine schedule mutiny! We’ll hear from the mom who received a three page letter of protest AND the son who wrote the manifesto. 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 Hard Day’s Night, the 1964 Beatles documentary. Jamilah recommends dating apps, especially if you are looking for a male partner. Quarantine is forcing them to up their convo game. But steer clear of those looking for quarantine buddies. Elizabeth recommends raising caterpillars, ladybugs, and p

On this week’s episode: Dan, Jamilah, and Elizabeth discuss parenting anxiety. Is it OK for a letter writer not to be overprotective? Or does parenting anxiety keep children safe? They also answer a letter from a woman whose stepdaughter is struggling on the other side of the country. How can you help when you’re so far apart? For Slate Plus: Dan, Jamilah, and Elizabeth turn their host mics over to THEIR KIDS! The mini-hosts tell us what they like and don’t like about staying home with their parents. 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 requests that you stay in the house and pay attention to the news. Please, please, stay in the house. Elizabeth recommends A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: The Poetry of Mister Rogers by Fred Rogers and Luke Flowers. Perfect for poetry tea time in your house. Dan recommends reading to your kids, even if they may seem a smidge too old. He’s reading The Hitchh

On this week’s episode: Dan and Jamilah are joined by official third host of Mom and Dad are Fighting… Elizabeth Newcamp! They discuss their new homeschool schedules and Elizabeth gives Dan and Jamilah tips on how to make their plans attainable, especially since they are also working from home. For Slate Plus: TV shows and movies for quarantine entertainment that will entertain kids and parents alike. 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 practicing gratitude within the home by writing notes to your partner or writing down a few moments at the end of the day with your kids. Dan recommends a label maker. Great for when your milk really needs to be labeled COW JUICE.  Jamilah recommends reading “America Is a Sham” by Dan Kois.   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 for what we should talk about i