
Care and Feeding | Slate's parenting show
Jamilah Lemieux, Zak Rosen, Elizabeth Newcamp, and Lucy Lopez share triumphs and fails and offer advice on parenting kids from toddler to teens.Want more Care and Feeding? Subscribe to Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes with exclusive advice. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of the Care and Feeding show page. Or, visit slate.com/careplus to get access wherever you listen.
Latest episodes

Jul 3, 2025 • 42min
Comebacks For “I’m Bored”
On this episode: Zak, Elizabeth and Jamilah talk about summer boredom. We get questions about this every year — so we’re coming in early this year with some ideas for how to handle that classic, but dreaded, complaint… that no, really, there’s nothing to do.
And after that, of course, we’re sharing a round of triumphs and fails.
Join us on Facebook and email us at careandfeedingpod@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. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.
If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.
Podcast produced by Maura Currie.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 30, 2025 • 41min
What Counts as Screentime?
On this episode: Zak, Lucy and Elizabeth chat about screentime. We’ve got two great questions that are variations on the theme: are podcasts screentime? And you missing out on something if your little ones don’t get to watch a certain children’s YouTuber? We’ll discuss.
After that, we’re circling up for a round of triumphs and fails, because why not? And if you stick around for the Slate Plus Playground, we’re talking about water safety and whether the color of your swimsuit really matters.
If you’re not part of the Slate Plus community, we hope you’ll consider joining! Keep reading to learn how.
Join us on Facebook and email us at careandfeedingpod@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. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.
If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.
Podcast produced by Maura Currie.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 26, 2025 • 49min
DOGE Cut My Job. How Do I Tell My Kid?
On this episode: Zak, Elizabeth and Jamilah help a listener who’s just lost her job due to DOGE cuts – and now, she’s trying to figure out how to explain what’s happening to her elementary schooler. And, they’re getting ready to move back to the States after working and living overseas. There’s a lot to unpack, and we’ll do what we can to help.
And after that, of course, we’re sharing a round of triumphs and fails.
Join us on Facebook and email us at careandfeedingpod@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. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.
If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.
Podcast produced by Maura Currie.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 23, 2025 • 57min
My Tween Girls Are Jealous of Each Other
On this episode: Zak, Lucy and Elizabeth chat about sibling spats. Our question is from the mom of three tween girls who are jealous of each other — so we’ll talk about dealing with unfairness, and keeping the peace.
We’ll also check in and share what’s on our minds this week. And if you stick around for the Slate Plus Playground, we’re talking about our parenting “shoulds.”
If you’re not part of the Slate Plus community, we hope you’ll consider joining! Keep reading to learn how.
Join us on Facebook and email us at careandfeedingpod@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. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.
If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.
Podcast produced by Maura Currie.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 19, 2025 • 1h 29min
Encore: Talking to Kids About Racism
First, an announcement: we’re excited to show you our new best-of playlist. Let us know if we’ve done an expert interview that you think is missing from the list.
In this episode from 2020, where Elizabeth, Jamilah, and Rebecca Lavoie were joined by Trina Greene Brown, the founder of Parenting for Liberation, to answer questions about race and police violence.
We’ve also unlocked the Slate Plus bonus segment from this episode, where Jamilah was joined by Dr. Kira Banks to answer a listener question about colorism and complexion bias.
Resources:
Parenting for Liberation
Parenting for Liberation podcast
Parenting for Liberation: A Guide for Raising Black Children
Raising Equity
Raising Equity YouTube channel
Raising Equity podcast
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? by Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum
The Color Complex: The Politics of Skin Color in a New Millennium by Kathy Russell, Midge Wilson and Ronald Hall.
A History of Policing, an online class by Freedom Lifted for young people.
The “American Police” episode of NPR’s Throughline podcast.
Rebecca Lavoie’s instagram post of Henry’s protest sign.
Join us on Facebook and email us at careandfeedingpod@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. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.
If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.
Podcast produced by Maura Currie and Rosemary Belson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 16, 2025 • 58min
This Is Your Last Parenting Book
On this episode: Elizabeth and Lucy sit down with Meagan Francis – she’s a parenting writer and the author of the new book, The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read. It’s all about embracing the teen years and your impending empty nest.
And if you stick around for the Slate Plus Playground, Zak and Jamilah join Elizabeth to talk about what they hope an empty nest looks like.
If you’re not part of the Slate Plus community, we hope you’ll consider joining! Keep reading to learn how.
Join us on Facebook and email us at careandfeedingpod@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. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.
If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.
Podcast produced by Maura Currie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 12, 2025 • 58min
C&F 101: Love and Baby Skin
On this episode: Zak and Elizabeth introduce a series-within-a-series called Care and Feeding 101 — where we’re walking you through all things baby, with the help of some truly amazing experts. Think of it like the baby book that we know you don’t have time to read.
In Volume One: Zak meets some seasoned sex and relationship coaches who just had a baby. And Elizabeth invites Dr. Sheilagh Maguiness to bust the top myths about baby skin.
Join us on Facebook and email us at careandfeedingpod@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. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.
If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.
Podcast produced by Maura Currie.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 9, 2025 • 42min
Your City Could Be Better For Parents
On this episode: Zak, Elizabeth and Lucy chat with Diana Lind, an urban policy expert and writer, about her thoughts on parent-friendly cities. We’ll talk about ways that cities do – and could – make housing, third places, transportation, and more work better for more families.
And if you stick around for the Slate Plus Playground, Diana hangs out for a conversation about why kid activities have to be so. boring. for. adults.
If you’re not part of the Slate Plus community, we hope you’ll consider joining! Keep reading to learn how.
Join us on Facebook and email us at careandfeedingpod@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. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.
If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.
Podcast produced by Maura Currie.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 5, 2025 • 1h 7min
Planners and Calendars and Lists (Oh My)
On this episode: Zak, Elizabeth and Lucy talk about executive functioning. Listeners reliably chime in when Elizabeth and Lucy talk about their planners, their calendars, and their methods of staying sane… so today, we’re diving into the ways we keep track of everything. Most of the time.
After that, of course, we’ll circle up for a round of triumphs and fails.
Join us on Facebook and email us at careandfeedingpod@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. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.
If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.
Podcast produced by Maura Currie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 2, 2025 • 35min
My Toddler’s Officially Overweight
On this episode: Zak, Elizabeth and Jamilah help a listener who just got told that her toddler is overweight. Now, she’s wishing the pediatrician hadn’t said anything — and she’s also feeling like she failed as a parent. So, we’re here to explain how she didn’t fail… and talk about what healthy bodies can look like.
And then, we’ll circle up for a round of checkins… and on Slate Plus, we muse on whether it’s just a phase.
If you’re not part of the Slate Plus community, we hope you’ll consider joining! Keep reading to learn how.
Zak’s check-in: un-unibrow?
Elizabeth’s check-in: date with Oliver <3
Jamilah’s check-in: age brackets
Join us on Facebook and email us at careandfeedingpod@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. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.
If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.
Podcast produced by Maura Currie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices