Mom And Dad Are Fighting | Slate's Parenting Show

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 recommends the McB

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 Identity Isn't T

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 Learning Network from

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 recommends th

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/HnicihbGDaegWYoU9Recommendations: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 questions, tell us w

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 Recommendations:

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 or an organ

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 Anomia, a

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 virt

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 you want t

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 benefits you

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 praying m

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 Hitchhiker's G

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 in futur

On this week’s episode: Dan and Jamilah are joined by Carvell Wallace to discuss how the Coronavirus has been impacting their areas and what they are going to do if their schools resort to online learning. We also ask Carvell YOUR catch-up questions, as posted on the Slate Parenting Facebook page! For Slate Plus: a listener question from a parent worried about her teenage son and stepson’s not-so-friendly competition for her affection.Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our work.Recommendations:Carvell recommends family time, which we seem to be well on our way to, because we only really have each other.Dan recommends wallpaper. Not the wallpaper that requires messy paste. No, we’re talking the wallpaper that’s essentially a glorified sticker. Patterns everywhere!   Jamilah recommends getting your children involved in politics. Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’

On this week’s episode: Dan and Jamilah are joined by Emily Farranto to answer a question from a listener who works with kids and is thinking about having her own. Is constant contact with kids overwhelming? We also have a question from a mom whose son was hospitalized at 4 months after getting sick. But now her husband’s germaphobia is making daily life difficult. For Slate Plus: what forgotten historical figures would make the best costumes? 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 preordering the picture book Who Will You Be? by Andrea Pippins.Dan recommends Love Letter, a fun, fast card game great for two to four people. Emily recommends Cowboy Magic, a concentrated hair detangler great for horses...and HUMANS! 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 in future episodes. 

On this week’s episode: Dan is joined by Elizabeth Newcamp and Gabriel Roth to answer a question from a mom debating whether her son should take her last name or her husband’s last name. Or they could hyphenate, but will that burden her son later in life? We also have a question from a dad whose son plays travel hockey, even though he sucks at hockey. For Slate Plus, Elizabeth tells us the truth about homeschooling. Sign up for Slate Plus.Recommendations:Dan recommends the graphic novel Snapdragon by Kat Leyh, which is about a girl in a small town who finds a witch in her neighborhood.Elizabeth recommends “Paint by Sticker” books, a great on-the-go activity.Gabriel recommends Music Is My Life: Soundtrack Your Mood With 80 Artists for Every Occasion by Myles Tanzer and Ali Mac. A book that introduces kids to different musical artists.Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to tell us what you thought of today’s show and give us ideas for what we should talk about in future episodes. Got questio

On this week’s episode: Dan and Jamilah are joined by Elizabeth Newcamp to answer a question from a mom worried about her young kids’ safety at the park. Is it okay to tell off older kids for not playing nicely? We also have a question from a listener who is looking to have a child and wants to set healthy boundaries with her mother when it comes to discipline tactics and alcohol consumption. Plus, a BONUS question from a mother who doesn’t know if she can accept the money her parents set aside for her twins’ college fund. For Slate Plus: a discussion about the division of household labor. Have changing views toward gender equality actually affected who does what in the home? Sign up for Slate Plus.Recommendations:Jamilah recommends buying a journal to take with you on trips when children aren’t tagging along. During the trip write notes to them and get others you see to write notes. Then when you get back you have a lovely trip memento that they can read.Dan recommends Street Angel: Deadliest Girl Alive by J

On this week’s episode: Dan and Jamilah are joined by Isaac Butler to answer a question from a mom trying to make up for a verbal slip in a moment of frustration. And we have a question from a mom who wants to fend off family pressure to baptize her child. For Slate Plus: a mini Mom and Dad are Fighting reunion! Dan talks to Allison Benedikt about her adventure taking Sam to the Westminster Dog Show. Sign up for Slate Plus here.Recommendations: Dan recommends Every Kid Outdoors, a program that allows 4th graders to get into all federal lands for free. Jamilah recommends Harlem's Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills by Renee Watson and Christian Robinson. Isaac recommends digging into the Sondheim back catalogue, specifically Company, with your kids. Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to tell us what you thought of today’s show and give us ideas for what we should talk about in future episodes. Got questions that you’d like us to answer? Call and leave us a message at 424-255-7833

On this week’s episode: Dan and Jamilah are joined by poet, performer, and activist Staceyann Chin to field a question from a mom who’s worried she should give her son a year to grow before he starts kindergarten. Scott Brown, author of the YA novel XL and short guy, calls in to help. The hosts also discuss disproportionate expectations of maturity placed on black girls during childhood. For Slate Plus: a question from a mom wondering if she is can worry about her white son’s experience at a school that has predominantly black and Hispanic students. Sign up for Slate Plus here.Recommendations:Jamilah recommends The State of Black Girls: A Go-To Guide for Creating Safe Space for Black Girls by Marline Francois-Madden LCSW.Dan recommends the Newbery-winning comic New Kid by Jerry Craft.Staceyann recommends Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty.Additional Reading: XL by Scott Brown.Why Won’t Society Let Black Girls Be Children? By A. Rochaun Meadows-Fernandez.Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools