On this episode: Elizabeth Newcamp, Zak Rosen, and Jamilah Lemieux help a member of our Facebook group brainstorm ways to keep a 4th grader occupied… that don’t revolve around screentime. With busy schedules and parents working from home, it’s hard to be hands-on. But we have some ideas. We’ll also share a round of recommendations — and then, if you’re in the Slate Plus club, we’ll dispense some highly subjective wisdom about the best times to do… well,...

On this episode: Elizabeth, Zak and Jamilah help a member of our Facebook group who’s worried that her son isn’t making friends… because the kids at school separate into gender cliques, and he’s not into roughhousing “boy stuff.” We’ll discuss how to help this kid feel more comfortable joining games — and whether the teacher needs to be looped in. We’ll also debrief on our week in parenting with a round of triumphs and fails, and then revisit a conversation we had about a toddler with...

On this episode Elizabeth Newcamp, Zak Rosen, and Lucy Lopez help a listener whose toddler has suddenly developed what looks a lot like panic attacks at preschool. Nothing seems wrong at school… but the girl’s dad has been deployed for a while. What’s happening here, and how can you soothe someone so little about such big stuff? Elizabeth wants to share these resources:  Military One Source Sesame Street for Military Families  Maggie the Military Rat  The Invisible String We’ll also...

On this episode: Elizabeth, Zak and Lucy help a listener who’s pretty sure they smelled marijuana when their young teen and a friend got in the car. The parent is wondering if they should have said something… but if so, what? And when is really too young? We’ll also go over our week in parenting triumphs and fails — including an update on Henry’s solo trip in Tokyo — and share some listener mail we got about teenage tattoos. Join us on Facebook and email us at [email protected] to...

On this episode Elizabeth Newcamp, Zak Rosen, and Lucy Lopez weigh in on a classic question: what school is right for your family? Our letter writers’ kid is gifted and their family has fallen in love with a local private school — but they’re also grappling with some guilt. How important is it to give your kid the best, if it also means putting them in a privilege bubble?  They also share some products and activities they’re loving right now. Then, if you have Slate Plus, is yelling actually...

On this episode: Zak Rosen and Elizabeth Newcamp welcome Lucy Lopez to the team as our fourth regular host.  The three of them tackle a letter from a listener who’s dreading the return to work after a year off with their newborn. We’ll offer some advice for how to soften the emotional blow and smooth out the logistical snarls — and, how to find new moments to cherish. We’ll also dive into our week in triumphs and fails, as usual — and then, we’ll share a quick piece of listener mail. Which...

From our friends at Slate's Hear Me Out:… new year, new you? If you’ve resolved to make 2024 your happiest, healthiest, most organized, most peaceful, etc. year yet? You’re not alone. And if you’re pretty sure the people who have made resolutions are doomed to abandon ship before January is over … you’re not alone, either. Nor are you wrong, exactly. In the season of giving, getting, and evaluating self-improvement advice, there’s a line between over-optimism and self-limiting skepticism. And...

On this episode: Zak Rosen, Elizabeth Newcamp, and Jamilah Lemieux help a listener who’s thrilled that she and her siblings all had kids in 2022 — but, as those babies become toddlers, the temptation to compare the cousins is strong. How can this no-drama mama prevent herself and her siblings from falling into this trap… not to mention grandparents and partners? We’ll also dive into our week in triumphs and fails, as usual. We’re off this coming Monday for MLK Day, but we’ll see you back in...

On this episode: Zak Rosen, Elizabeth Newcamp, and Jamilah Lemieux help a listener who is fed up. Her husband works a lot and when he is around he’s only ‘fun dad.’ Upon experiencing burnout, the letter writer asked her husband to pitch in more—to which he suggested ‘hire a nanny.’ Elizabeth, Jamilah, and Zak have suggestions for rebalancing the relationship. They also share recommendations and then, on Slate Plus, they discuss the parenting resolutions they are not going to keep this...

On this episode: Zak Rosen, Elizabeth Newcamp, and Jamilah Lemieux ring in the new year with a name change. We’re now Care & Feeding!  For our first advice of 2024, the hosts help a listener who funds their 18-year-old’s life — but the prospect of a tattoo has the listener second-guessing. Should they try to stop their kid from doing something they might regret (with their parents’ money)... or has that train already left the station? We’ll also dive into our holiday triumphs and fails....

From our friends at Slate's How To! podcast: Allison is on the hunt for her next hobby. One that’s satisfying. One that she can stick with. One that will fit into her family’s very busy schedule. Except…maybe she’s thinking about that last part all wrong. On this episode, Courtney Martin brings on Eve Rodsky, author of Fair Play and Find Your Unicorn Space. Eve argues that drawing—and defending—boundaries for individual, creative pursuits is necessary for living a fulfilled life. She’ll share...

On this episode: Our favorite Plus segments of 2023. Jamilah, Elizabeth, and Zak step back in time to talk tips for winter break, the photos our kids take of us, respecting those kids’ privacy when we talk about them on air, the social media accounts we’re loving, and the parenting trends we wish would disappear. Remember: we’re changing names in 2024! We’re so excited to become Care & Feeding and bring you more great advice from around the Slate Parenting universe. If you’re subscribed,...

On this episode: Jamilah Lemieux, Zak Rosen, and Elizabeth Newcamp discuss their biggest parenting triumphs and fails of the year and reveal their favorite piece of advice they gave or received this year. Also, in grand holiday party tradition, their kids take the mic to answer your listener questions. In Slate Plus, the hosts look to the future and have a few recommendations for starting 2024 off strong.  Join us on Facebook and email us at [email protected] to ask us new questions, tell...

On this episode: the best way to show a solo parent you’re here for them—even if you live far away. Jamilah Lemieux, Elizabeth Newcamp, and Zak Rosen also debate what to do if your kid is constantly coming home from school with gifts. Then they discuss How To ‘Un-Spoil’ Your Kid, According To Parenting Experts by Kelsey Borresen.  Join us on Facebook and email us at [email protected] to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should...

On this episode: a longtime listener writes in hoping for some bedtime guidance. Their kindergartener is a night owl, and a big reader — but now that sleepless nights are impacting his daytime hours, our listener needs help getting him to sleep. We also go over our week in triumphs and fails, and then, if you’re sticking around for Slate Plus: cooking recommendations for a listener, and their newly-un-allergic-to-wheat daughter. Elizabeth recommends: The Complete Cookbooks for Young Chefs...

On this episode: a listener noticed that her six-year-old isn’t sharing well when his friends come over. He even told one friend to leave mid playdate. They’re wondering how to help her kid be a better host and, if things become overwhelming, take some time for himself instead of getting upset.  Recommendations:  Jamilah recommends eating duck.  Zak recommends tossing out the tools you don’t reach for, inspired by Conor Barnes’ 100 Tips For A Better Life.  Elizabeth recommends Group Buy Ins....

On this episode: a listener writes in from the bench. Their kid is in a sports class that’s been overrun by grown-ups and siblings — on the court, doing the drills, and taking up equipment. What’s going on in this class for 3-6 year olds, and is it time to give up? We also go over our week in triumphs and fails, and then, if you’re sticking around for Slate Plus: how can we purge the stuffie plague, and what other toys are collecting dust? Join us on Facebook and email us at...

On this episode: Elizabeth sits down with Alana Best, travel blogger and author of Around the World in Black and White: Traveling as a Biracial, Blended Family. Together, they talk about how to make ambitious travel plans work, even with the littlest kids — and, how to navigate the lived reality of family members who experience the world differently because of the color of their skin. Then, Zak, Elizabeth and Jamilah go over their recommendations for the week:  Elizabeth recommends: Keep...

On this episode: Jamilah, Zak, and Elizabeth help a listener who is conflicted over their vacation plans. Her mother-in-law lives across the country and doesn’t have a super strong bond with her young grandson. They’re wondering if they should spend their precious vacation days visiting grandma or if there’s some kind of compromise.  In Slate Plus, they answer a bonus listener question about unique Christmas and Hanukkah activities that would actually keep older kids engaged.  Join us on...

On this episode: Zak, Jamilah and Elizabeth help a listener who’s actually written in to us before — but this time, he needs help with his brawling toddler. How can parents help their littler kids simmer down – and older kids defend themselves – before anyone gets hurt? We’ll also share some of the letters and voicemails that listeners have sent in recently. And we’re doing a round of recommendations, with a twist: in the spirit of Giving Tuesday, we’re sharing charities that we love to...

Kids generate so…much…stuff. A lot of it is memorable. Videos of their first words? So cute. Colorful drawings that progressively get better? Masterpieces. Trophies, stuffies, books? All valuable. The problem: There’s no way to keep everything. So how do you figure out what to cherish and what to toss? On this episode from our friends at Slate's How To! podcast, co-hosts Carvell Wallace and Courtney Martin bring in Nonnahs Driskill, professional organizer and founder of Get Organized Already....

On this episode: Elizabeth, Jamilah, and Zak help a listener who’s in a quandary. Her young son started copying his Black classmates’ vernacular. She doesn’t know if or how she should correct him.  Recommendations:  Jamilah: Jiffy Cornbread Zak: Proper Noun Song (to the tune of September by Earth, Wind and Fire) Elizabeth: Car Sickness Glasses  Join us on Facebook and email us at [email protected] to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about...

On this episode: Zak, Jamilah and Elizabeth help a listener who’s struggling with a deep pessimism about the state of this country — and he wants to make sure that his kids have some hope to hold onto.  We also go over our week in parenting triumphs and fails. Then, if you’re sticking around for Slate Plus, we’ll share some strategies for explaining the war in Gaza to kids – and hopefully not frightening them in the process. On that topic, here are some resources that our hosts wanted to...

On this episode: Zak Rosen and Elizabeth Newcamp are joined by Dr. Lindsay Cavanagh, a psychologist and military marriage coach. She also hosts a podcast called Married to Military. Lindsay is here to help Zak and Elizabeth answer a listener question about a couple who cannot agree on parenting styles. The letter writer loves to research and consume parenting content. The husband, on the other hand, refuses to do any education and the information discrepancy has led to disagreements on how to...

On this episode: Zak, Jamilah and Elizabeth help a listener who feels like a failure for leaning on YouTube to get their energetic 10-month-old to chill out — so they can handle household stuff for 30 minutes a day. Is this something to feel bad about? We also go over our week in triumphs and fails, and listen in on a real-time parenting moment for Zak. Then, if you have Slate Plus, Elizabeth and Jamilah tackle some common issues that crop up for us around the holidays. Join us on Facebook...