Care and Feeding | Slate's parenting show

On this week’s episode: Zak, Jamilah, and Elizabeth answer a complicated question about navigating unwanted attention—especially if the attention may be chalked up to a child’s appearance. Then they are joined by Deborah Farmer Kris, parent educator, education journalist, children’s book author, and founder of Parenthood365. They talk about how to help kids identify and manage their emotions—and what parents can learn themselves in the process. Check out Deborah’s new book I Love You All the Time. On Slate Plus, they discuss Just How Helpful Is Childhood Therapy? by Melinda Wenner Moyer. Recommendations:Elizabeth recommends Night Zookeeper.Jamilah recommends Hey Girl! empowerment journal.Zak recommends Teen Lives, Interrupted by COVID. Listener-recommended Resources:Judi's House resourcesWhen Dinosaurs Die: A Guide to Understanding DeathWhen Someone Very Special DiesHelp Me Say GoodbyeLove is ForeverLifetimesThe Invisible String Finding the WordsIf you want to listen to the original question, here’s the episode: The “Taking a Toddler to a Funeral” Edition.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: Jamilah, Zak, and Elizabeth dive into the complicated world of cotillions. A listener is wondering if she should enroll her biracial daughter if all of her friends are participating. Kristen Richardson, author of The Season: A Social History of the Debutante, joins to give some wonderful context and advice. They then tackle a question about sending a toddler to summer camp. On Slate Plus, they’re daydreaming about family vacations. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now at slate.com/momanddadplus to listen and support our work.Recommendations:Zak recommends one piece SORRY!Elizabeth recommends the L.L.Bean Sonic Snow Tube.  Jamilah recommends Tinder Swindler. 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, Zak, and Aymann aren’t shying away from the difficult conversations. First, they answer a listener question about how to handle death with a toddler. Should you take a toddler to their grandparent’s funeral? Should you explain death? Should you let them see you cry? Then, Zak is talking with comedian Chris Gethard about his new essay Dad on Pills, available on Scribd. They get candid about parenting, mental health, and a rather upsetting joke. On Slate Plus, Elizabeth is panicking about school valentines. Are you too? Luckily, Zak and Aymann give us a reality check. Recommendations:Zak recommends finding bridge songs to sneakily swap out kid music.Aymann recommends Halal Hot Dogs by Susannah Aziz and A Moon for Moe and Mo by Jane Breskin Zalben. Elizabeth recommends Don’t Forget to Write.If you, or anyone you know, are in crisis, having thoughts of suicide, or need help immediately, you can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, anytime, at 1-800-273-8255, or you can find help at suicidepreventionlifeline.org. 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: Zak, Jamilah, and Elizabeth debate if there's proper etiquette when asking if a kid is vaccinated. Plus, they have some ideas for how to smoothly handle the interaction if the answer is no. Then, they take on the case of the annoying neighbor. Should you tell the kid to buzz off if he can’t play nice? On Slate Plus, secrets, secrets are no fun… but are they outright bad? Recommendations:Jamilah recommends Budsies.Elizabeth recommends the Buddha Board.Zak recommends creating photo albums.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.Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now at slate.com/momanddadplus to listen and support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode: Elizabeth, Zak, and guest co-host Jaime Green attempt to fix a communication disaster. Our listener received some long-awaited genetic testing results and she was crushed when her partner seemingly couldn’t care less. Can she make him care? Then Elizabeth talks with Larissa Maloney of Active Kids 2.0 about how parents and kids can stay active at home. On Slate Plus, Jaime’s extremely relatable article about how hard it is to be a parent of a kid under five inspired a cathartic round of screaming into the void. Recommendations:Zak recommends Le Petit Chef by Opinel. Jaime recommends Mommastrong. Elizabeth recommends A Year of Wonder: Classical Music For Everyday by Clemency Burton-Hill. 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.Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now at slate.com/momanddadplus to listen and support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode: Jamilah, Elizabeth, and Zak open up their cookbooks and share their favorite kid-friendly vegetarian recipes. They also debate how to help kids form sibling bonds that will last long after childhood. Then, we are joined by Rachelle Hampton and Madison Malone Kircher, hosts of ICYMI, Slate’s podcast about internet culture. They explain Elmo’s viral feud with a pet rock. If you want to hear even more, check out their episode. Elmo also joined our show if you want to take a listen. In Slate Plus, the hosts are revealing what games and books they can’t live without right now. Recommendations:Elizabeth recommends writing and submitting poetry. There are additional resources on Poetry Teatime. Zak recommends using musicals to transition your kids to more grown-up music. Jamilah recommends checking out her Instagram or Twitter to read her big story that’s being published today!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.Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now at slate.com/momanddadplus to listen and support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode: Zak, Jamilah, and Elizabeth help a mom understand her new step-daughter’s personal boundaries and love language. Then they have some wonderful tips for a mom of twins who has quite the conundrum. One of her daughters has needed a lot of medical care and procedures, including brain surgery. Now her other daughter, who is non-medically complex, is jealous of all the attention her sister is receiving and asking to go to the doctor daily. How can she make sure the needs of both of her daughters are met? In Slate Plus, the hosts are spiraling about the future—and those summer camp applications that are starting to pop up certainly aren’t helping. Recommendations:Jamilah recommends Trader Joe’s Southern Greens Blend and Fermented Garlic. Elizabeth recommends the podcasts How to Be an Earthling and Who, When, Wow! Zak recommends taking yourself on a solo date! 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.Don't miss the member-exclusive segment on MADAF every week. Sign up for Slate Plus now at slate.com/momanddadplus and you'll also get to skip the ads, read everything on Slate.com, and support this show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode: Our favorite Plus segments of 2021. We revisit one of the funniest—yet most horrifying—bathroom discoveries. We uncover the soundtracks to our parenting and brainstorm the School House Rock songs we need right now. We also gripe about Yes Day and hide from our kids. Don't miss the member-exclusive segment on MADAF every week. Sign up for Slate Plus now at slate.com/momanddadplus and you'll also get to skip the ads, read everything on Slate.com, and support this show.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 Zak advise a mom who is feeling hurt that her mother-in-law has swooped in and taken over traditional “mom moments” behind her back. Is there a way to politely tell her that she needs to stay in her own lane? Then the hosts share the most useful piece of advice they received this year. In Slate Plus, they play a round of holiday hot takes which includes the classic conundrum: should you just tell your kids Santa’s a myth? Recommendations:Naima recommends Roc, which you can watch on Pluto. Henry recommends Nocs Provisions Zoom Tube. Oliver recommends the app hoopla. Teddy recommends Story Time Chess. Noa recommends peeling grapes to make them juicer. 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 Zak help a parent who feels conflicted about traveling to see family during the holidays. They love their relatives and rarely see them, but they are exhausted and not so excited to make the trek this year. Should they still go? Then, a listener’s toddler is afraid of everything. How can they validate their child’s experience while helping them navigate a sometimes scary world?  On Slate Plus, the hosts talk about Zak’s quarantine ennui. He’s been marooned at home for days and days. Will this pandemic ever end? Commiseration ensues. Recommendations:Zak recommends playing catch with balloons (rather than heavier balls) with your littlesJamilah recommends buying a synthetic Christmas treeElizabeth recommends Tiny Schoolhouse Calendars 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 Zak Rosen.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices