Biz and Theresa ask if "parenting karma" is real and if just by saying something good is happening with sleep, eating, potty training….anything…you will JINX it and whatever was good will be bad. Just to be safe….let's say it is true. Plus, Biz doesn't know what actually is easier, Theresa’s kids are clutter prodigies, and we talk to Margot Black, author of Where’s My Award! How to Get Baby Barf out of a Red Carpet & Other Tales from a Working Mom in Hollywood . http://margotblack.com/ Share...
May 19, 2016•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 155
Biz and Theresa try to remember what we thought being an adult was going to be like when we were kids and wonder if we lived up to those expectations. Well, Biz did eat three boxes of fruit roll ups because “she could” so that was something! We also discuss what we may or may not be able to do to help our kids become adults. Surprise! It probably involves work. Plus Biz goes on a field trip, Theresa tries to talk about something nice, and we call Dr. Dan Siegel , co-author of The Whole Brain Chi...
May 13, 2016•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 154
Biz and Theresa jump on Trolley and head into Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and wonder if all that singing is just a way to keep Mom Tiger from having a psychotic break? Plus, Biz needs a break herself and Theresa does The Hustle. We also talk with the wise and wonderful Maureen Campion of MarriageGeek.com and the new book Heal Your Birth Story about helping our relationships survive the early years with young kids and helping ourselves to heal from unresolved baggage about our birth experiences. ...
May 06, 2016•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 153
SAND! Biz and Theresa dig deep to talk about how sand is everywhere and probably full of cat pee but we're going to keep going back for more regardless. Plus you're going to hear Biz roar, Theresa is a brand new person, and we talk with artist, writer, comics creator and father of five, Ben Hatke. Share your genius and fail moments! Call 206-350-9485* *Be sure to tell us at the top of your message whether you're leaving a genius moment, a fail, or a rant! Thanks!! Share a personal or commercial ...
Apr 29, 2016•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 152
Biz and Theresa open old wounds and share some of our most mortifying moments from childhood! We wonder how these experiences will come into play when our own kids inevitably experience embarrassing moments of their own. Plus, Biz hangs ten, Theresa watches it all go down the drain, and we talk to Catherine Newman about her new memoir Catastrophic Happiness: Finding Joy In Childhood’s Messy Years . Share your genius and fail moments! Call 206-350-9485* *Be sure to tell us at the top of your mess...
Apr 21, 2016•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 151
Biz and Theresa explore what it's like when we have a lot of hard days in a row. You know, when you think you're almost over the hump of one problem and then three new ones crop up? It's enough to make a sleep-deprived mama cry...and we do! Plus, Biz's six-year-old now knows the word "sexy" but not exactly how to use it, Theresa longs for a commune lifestyle, and no guest this week means Theresa has extra time to unburden herself and get some validation from Biz, and we discover a new OBM mantra...
Apr 14, 2016•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 150
Heads up! There are some discussions about miscarriage in this episode, so please be forewarned if that's a trigger for you. Or, maybe NAPTIME is a worse trigger?! We wouldn't blame you if that's the case. Naps or the lack thereof can be a real son-of-a-somethin' and despite a cumulative four kids and nearly twelve years of parenting between us, Biz and Theresa don't necessarily have the answer to the question, "How do I get my kid to take a nap?" Luckily, we get a visit from Julia Aziz. Her boo...
Apr 07, 2016•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 149
Biz and Theresa hash out the possible reasons why Biz can’t stop saying “no” to EVERYTHING her kids want to do, even when there is no good reason for it. “No, you can’t play with that toy that is totally yours and is actually fine for you to play with! Wait, I mean, ok.” Plus, Biz feels cheated by TV again, Theresa survives an epic public temper tantrum, and we ask why so many kids were eating cake in the 50’s?! And, we have an incredibly helpful conversation about talking with our kids about se...
Mar 31, 2016•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 148
It's the final week of #MaxFunDrive 2016! Support the show at MaximumFun.org/donate . Thank you! This week, Biz and Theresa talk about all the ways "date night" can go terribly wrong for parents and zero in on some tips for actually making date nights great. Plus, Biz is in Spring Break Hell, Theresa is in another, less festive hell, and we talk with Caitlin Krapf, Co-Producer of the documentary film Sex(Ed) , about the fascinating history of Sex Education in the United States. Share your genius...
Mar 22, 2016•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 147
It's the #MaxFunDrive! Support the show by visiting MaximumFun.org/donate . Thank you! This week, Biz and Theresa are talking about the guilt and drama surrounding family dinnertime. So sit still, eat your dinner, and bond with your family for goodness sake! Dinner time is supposed to be relaxing! DON'T WE LOOK RELAXED? Plus, Biz steels herself for spring break, Theresa finds the fun in four, and we welcome back economist and author of Expecting Better, Emily Oster, to explore the recent CDC war...
Mar 16, 2016•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 146
Biz and Theresa try to decide how important OUR style is when it comes to what our kids wear. And does what they wear reflect on the job we're doing as their parents? “I swear my two-year-old really does love vintage! HE picked this out!” When "should" our kids be dressing themselves and what "should" we be doing to help? (If your kid isn't already dressing herself, eh, she probably will once she's in college.) Plus, Biz bears witness, Theresa can't see, and we talk to veterinarian Dr. Katie Gie...
Mar 10, 2016•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 145
Biz and Theresa get deep and talk about...stickers! Where do they get stuck in YOUR house or car? Is permanent sticker damage to furniture avoidable or inevitable? Has exhaustion led to a lack of caring about the answer to any of the above questions? Whatever the answer, just like the sticker on Biz's childhood luggage says, "Keep Truckin’.” Plus, Biz wins big, Theresa has a toddler sleep update and PeachieMoms.com founders Amanda Edwards and guest Jen McLellan join us to talk about body love fo...
Mar 04, 2016•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 144
Biz and Theresa admit there are some (ok, MANY) times when we behave almost exactly like our toddlers. Shouldn't we have more patience for their shenanigans when the reality is we totally "get" why they're acting out most of the time because we'd like to stomp our feet and throw things, too? Plus, Biz gets through a challenging experience with her kids and Theresa is confused because things seem to go smoothly for a whole f*cking hour! And we're joined by Courtney Wyckoff, creator of MommaStrong...
Feb 25, 2016•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 143
Biz and Theresa just want to have a good time this week while simultaneously not talking about being a parent! So, we talk about some remarkably not-kid-related stuff, from karaoke to what we'd do with a million dollars to favorite childhood memories. Don't worry, we can't spend an ENTIRE show avoiding the whole parents-of-young-kids thing. This episode has genius moments and failures, and some honest status updates from life at home, where Biz's family has put her to the test with multiple illn...
Feb 19, 2016•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 142
Biz and Theresa discover the joys of homework. How does our history of loving or loathing homework play into what we want for our kids? Who is homework for kids under age six *really* for? If my kid pastes the square into the circle, are we out of Harvard? Plus, Biz becomes the Big Ketchup house, Theresa becomes an aunt, and we talk to former NCIS agent Heather Ryan about empowering ourselves and our families to stay safe. Share your genius and fail moments! Call 206-350-9485* *Be sure to tell u...
Feb 12, 2016•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 141
Biz and Theresa discuss the ways our children are different from their siblings and from us! How dare they each be unique individuals?! Plus, Biz finds her Fight Song, Theresa gets as serious as she can with a four-year-old, and we're still laughing from our chat with the lovely and charming Barrie Hardymon, NPR’s Weekend Edition Book Editor, mom of two, and author of the article, I Had A C-Section And I Loved It . Share your genius and fail moments! Call 206-350-9485* *Be sure to tell us at the...
Feb 05, 2016•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 140
Biz and Theresa discuss the ways our kids' appearance and actions do or do not directly reflect on us as their parents. Why do we take credit for certain traits but shrug off other traits as being influenced by others or "just the way they were born"? Is it important for kids to reflect positively on their families or more important for them to be their own people and make their own way? Plus, Biz takes responsibility for her words, Theresa is excited, and we are joined by Helen Ellis, author of...
Jan 29, 2016•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 139
Trigger warning: Biz and Theresa talk about online parenting discussion groups! How is it possible these places can range from amazing lifelines to awful wells of judging and hostility? Why do we go to parenting message boards and why do we stay? How can we dodge the landmines? ("I was just looking for some toddler snack ideas! How did this post become about vaccinations?") Plus, Biz is paralyzed, Theresa's car breaks down on family vacation, and we get to know Brian Gordon, the very funny and c...
Jan 22, 2016•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 138
Biz and Theresa realize we need more time to check in on what's been going on recently. From favorite shows to the noise of clutter to feminist fireside chats with children, we let the little things in life take over the show this week and it feels good to catch up! Plus, we talk to Bianca Jamotte about her hilarious video series Real Mommy Confessions which serves as a reminder that none of us are perfect. Amen. Share your genius and fail moments! Call 206-350-9485* *Be sure to tell us at the t...
Jan 14, 2016•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 137
Biz and Theresa return from the holidays to reflect on toys that suck and wonder: is this a good way to teach kids that life will never be what you expect and nothing's actually as cool as the advertisement suggests? Sure! Plus, Biz finds herself in a "Noon Year’s Eve" hell, Theresa is just glad it's all over, and we talk to blogger and author Kristin Quinn about Misadventures In Mommyhood . Share your genius and fail moments! Call 206-350-9485* *Be sure to tell us at the top of your message whe...
Jan 08, 2016•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 136
Biz and Theresa reflect on 2015 and look back at the resolutions we made a year ago to see how we did! (Surprise: it's a real mixed bag.) Then we talk about all the awesomeness that 2016 has in store, from our kids gaining more independence to us recommitting to doing stuff we actually WANT to do to all the great sleep we're sure we're going to get (ok, maybe not all our expectations are 100% realistic but we can dream)! Plus, we get a visit from pediatrician Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson who helps us g...
Dec 24, 2015•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 135
Don’t listen with your kids because Biz and Theresa talk about Santa this week! Are we LYING to our kids? Or, creating a joyful and magical fantasy world for them? Regardless, this is a great chance to talk about all the different ways people celebrate the holiday. Plus, we invent a new holiday this week! The first ever "Step Back Day" will be Monday, December 21st! HOW WILL YOU CELEBRATE? And, we talk with Candace Wahl of the blog Our Misconception about infertility and hard choices. Share your...
Dec 17, 2015•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 134
Biz and Theresa talk about kids' books and outside of a few, how totally horrible they can be. Is it ok to just skip pages or not even let our kids know some classic children’s literature exists? What about books about TV shows or merchandise -- “And then the little Hot Wheel saved Christmas!” HUH?! Plus, Biz is desperate to hear "those three little words" from Ellis, Theresa is on the other side of Oscar’s surgery, and we have a blast talking about children’s music with performers Andrew and Po...
Dec 11, 2015•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 133
Some people know they want kids and some people know they don’t, but what if you don’t care one way or the other, is that even an option? Biz and Theresa say it's actually a viable one! We hash out what goes into making those big decisions in our lives. Plus, Biz's littlest turns two and Theresa gears up to take one of her kids in for a surgical procedure. Share your genius and fail moments! Call 206-350-9485* *Be sure to tell us at the top of your message whether you're leaving a genius moment,...
Dec 04, 2015•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 132
Biz and Theresa wonder why we have this feeling that we're supposed to spend the holidays happily cooking traditional favorites in the kitchen with our children by our sides, when in reality that seems utterly impossible. Is it us? Is it our children? Is it the media? SOMEONE MUST BE TO BLAME! Plus, Biz has an exciting "mom moment," Theresa is still in the darkness, and we chat with the charming and talented Amy Helm about her beautiful new solo album while she sits in the school parking lot wai...
Nov 25, 2015•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 131
Biz and Theresa talk about school lunches and wonder: how did we go from, “Yay, my child ate something to keep him going!” to, “I AM A FAILURE AS A MOTHER! I LEFT THE CRUSTS ON THE SANDWICH!?” Regardless, it is probably time to throw lunch guilt away with your retainer. Pauline Campos of AspiringMama.com and the new memoir BabyFat , joins to talk about post-birth body image. Share your genius and fail moments! Call 206-350-9485* *Be sure to tell us at the top of your message whether you're leavi...
Nov 20, 2015•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 130
Biz and Theresa talk about which TV and movies are and aren't O.K. to show our kids and it turns out to be kind of a personal choice. YOU MEAN THERE'S A PARENTING ISSUE WHEREIN THERE'S NO CLEAR RIGHT OR WRONG? Who knew?! Plus, Biz stops expressing her opinions and Theresa is "prettier than Daddy." Share your genius and fail moments! Call 206-350-9485* *Be sure to tell us at the top of your message whether you're leaving a genius moment, a fail, or a rant! Thanks!! Subscribe to One Bad Mother in ...
Nov 13, 2015•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 129
Biz and Theresa talk about all the reasons we love playgrounds and all the reasons we fear them. Isn't it OK that some parents are following their kids around and others are letting their kids run free? Why do we feel so judgy and so judged?! Plus, Biz reaches a point of acceptance about the seemingly never-ending challenges that her youngest child poses and Theresa makes her LAST cup of coffee (sob!). And, we talk with the lovely and charming Anna Lefler, author of the enjoyable new novel, Pres...
Nov 06, 2015•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 128
Biz and Theresa get into the spirit of Halloween with a discussion about costume pressures for kids and a whole other set of costume pressures for us moms. Should we give up and resign ourselves to sad witch hats? Plus, Biz just finished running the annual elementary school carnival and Theresa celebrated her two-year-old's birthday by taking him on a six-hour plane ride. And Jena Pincott joins us to talk about debunking myths about pregnancy in her wonderful book, Do Chocolate Lovers Have Sweet...
Oct 30, 2015•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 127
Biz and Theresa explore how intoxicating it is when we see our kids having fun and, just like being intoxicated, how bad it feels when we try to capture that buzz again and just can’t. Plus, Dr. Jessica Zucker returns to talk about postpartum anxiety and anxiety surrounding miscarriage, and shares with us her beautiful new line of pregnancy loss cards that we hope will reduce the stigma associated with miscarriage and grief. Our line of Parenting Merit Badges has launched! Watch and share our vi...
Oct 16, 2015•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 126
