Care and Feeding | Slate's parenting show

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

On this week’s episode: Elizabeth, Jamilah, and Zak help a parent who has been monitoring their teenage daughter’s text messages. Have they crossed a line, or are they doing their due diligence to ensure their child is safe? Then they answer a question from a parent whose 2 year-old daughter wants her ears pierced. How early is too early, and who should be making this kind of decision? On Slate Plus, the hosts talk about how one Black mother’s video about her night doula went viral, sparking a debate about privilege, luxury, and the expectation that mothers, particularly Black mothers, must be suffering to succeed at motherhood. Recommendations:Zak recommends calling your kids' creative hobbies an art practice.Jamilah recommends Passing on NetflixElizabeth recommends the book Letters From Father ChristmasJoin 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

On this week’s episode: Elizabeth, Jamilah, and Zak help a parent who is sick of their generous neighbors constantly sending over hand-me-down toys. The letter writer is already running out of space in their house. Is it OK to simply refuse? Can they donate the toys? Would tossing the toys crush the neighbors’ generous spirit? Then they answer a question from a dad whose daughter needs surgery. How can he explain the procedure without frightening her?On Slate Plus, the hosts talk about how this time of year forces families to really figure out how they’re celebrating the holidays and, in turn, how religion operates within their family. 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 @MenWithThePot on InstagramJamilah recommends Love Life on HBOElizabeth recommends a printable Christmas reading calendar. 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 Amber Smith advise a listener who wants to provide their preschooler with a less whitewashed history of Thanksgiving. They have some helpful tips for explaining the real thanksgiving in a more realistic, age-appropriate manner. Zak then sits down with Jenny Rosenstrach, bestselling author and creator of Dinner: A Love Story, to strategize how to include your child in holiday cooking and avoid Empty Celebration Syndrome. If you want to hear more of Zak’s conversation with Jenny, check out The Best Advice Show. On Slate Plus, Zak, Jamilah, and Amber recount some Turkey nightmares and share their attempts at tricky new dishes.Recommendations:Jamilah recommends taking time to pause and play with your child this holiday season.Amber recommends baby sock-shoes, Grookz.Zak recommends bringing your child to the bookstore and supporting your local book sellers.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 Kevin Bendis and 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: Elizabeth, Jamilah, and Zak help a parent who is in over her head when it comes to bath time. Her little one used to love taking baths but has since changed her mind. Now bath time is a nightmare for both of them. Then they’re joined by Dr. Syra Madad, an infectious disease epidemiologist with New York City Health + Hospitals and Harvard’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. She shares how parents can keep their family, especially kids who are still too young to be vaccinated, safe during the holiday season. On Slate Plus, the hosts talk about how they’re approaching the holidays this year. Recommendations:Jamilah recommends Root Magic by Eden Royce. Zak recommends unsubscribing to EVERYTHING! Elizabeth recommends the Back to the Roots Organic Mushroom Grow Kit. 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, Elizabeth, and Greg Lavallee advise a listener whose rambunctious little one is on his third visit to the emergency room. How can our listener teach him that he can get hurt if he keeps up with the daredevil antics? They also debate how to talk to kids about screen time and how to set up healthy boundaries with devices. On Slate Plus, they lament the impending winter clothes chaos. Recommendations:Greg recommends asking your cool adult friends to give your kids compliments. Elizabeth recommends Aaron Slater, Illustrator by Andrea Beaty. Zak recommends taking yourself to the movies. The new Wes Anderson film, The French Dispatch, is a great pick-me-up. 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