How do you find an authentic mom group that lets you be yourself, especially when you're the only mother of color there? Helena Andrews-Dyer discusses learnings from mothers with different lived experiences with Molly and Blaire. Helena Andrews-Dyer is an award-winning culture reporter for The Washington Post, covering the intersection of popular culture, race, politics and art in the nation’s capital. Her third book, “The Mamas: What I Learned About Kids, Class and Race From Moms Not Like Me,” was published by Crown in August 2022.  Helena, Blaire, and Molly discuss: The "second knowing ..read more

How do we make time for our partners when all of our time is taken up with work and kids? We asked our listeners for date night ideas ranging from fancy to simple - and how to work those special times into your regular schedule. Molly and Blaire discuss: How to schedule and stick with regular date nights Why regular dates are beneficial for you, your partner, and your kids Cheddar Bay biscuits The secret to date night is it doesn't have to be fancy - it can be anything from a walk around the block to a night out on the town hopping from restaurant to restaurant - or you can stay home and ro ..read more

How can we tell what our babies need from the sound of their cries? Here's how to play detective when your baby is upset - and how to try and problem-solve when it seems like nothing is working. Molly and Blaire discuss: The different sounds babies make when they are hungry, tired/uncomfortable, bored, or sick Crying spells Jetsons thermometers Sometimes your baby is hungry, sometimes they have a hair wrapped around their toe, and sometimes they just need a good cry - so do adults! But just because it's normal for babies to cry for no reason doesn't make it any easier for us to hear it. Som ..read more

How do we instill a love of reading in our kids from a young age? Author and educator Maya Smart shares simple strategies for developing language skills in young kids. Maya Payne Smart is a parent educator, literacy advocate, and the author of Reading for Our Lives: A Literacy Action Plan from Birth to Six. Her website, MayaSmart.com, publishes new book lists, literacy activities, and other free family resources weekly to help parents play their dual roles as first teachers and educational advocates. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from the Medill School at Northwestern University an ..read more

How do we instill a love of reading in our kids from a young age? Author and educator Maya Smart shares simple strategies for developing language skills in young kids. Maya Payne Smart is a parent educator, literacy advocate, and the author of Reading for Our Lives: A Literacy Action Plan from Birth to Six. Her website, MayaSmart.com, publishes new book lists, literacy activities, and other free family resources weekly to help parents play their dual roles as first teachers and educational advocates. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from the Medill School at Northwestern University an ..read more

This just in: violence in play is normal behavior. But today parents tend to take it more seriously. Here's why it's natural for kids to incorporate play-fighting with guns and swords into their games– and when to let it go versus intervene. If something doesn't sit right with you, it's good to check in with kids about it later – but remember that kids use play as a way of processing the world. Links!  Virginia Sole-Smith for Parents Magazine: "Should Parents Be Concerned About Violent Play?" Dan Shapiro for CHADD: "Children and Violent Behavior: Where it Comes From and What to Do" R ..read more

Feeling exhausted from keeping up with all of your responsibilities as a mother, partner, and professional? You may be experiencing mom burnout. Here's how to spot the signs and take baby steps towards climbing back out of the emotional, physical, and mental pit we sometimes find ourselves in. Blaire and Molly discuss: The differences between depression and burnout The right way to make garlic bread Key symptoms of burnout The resources available to moms in this situation vary greatly, but if you can, asking for help - from your partner, your boss, your friends, your relatives - is a great p ..read more

Wish someone would give you a pat on the back for keeping track of all the water bottles or knowing which dishes are dishwasher-safe? Grace Farris, author of "Mom Milestones," is here to give us moms the credit we deserve for the little things that no one else notices. Grace Farris is a mom, doctor, and illustrator. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Vogue, BuzzFeed, and Cup of Jo. The New York Times' Wirecutter called her book Mom Milestones “an affirming read for new moms in particular, a literary road map of the very-hard-but-very-good path that lies ahead.” Grace, Molly, and Blai ..read more

Do you look in your bank account and wonder where all your money has gone? We asked our listeners for the small ways they save and and budget every month to make money less of a mystery. Molly and Blaire discuss: Blaire's amazing Poshmark selling skills Why it's important to pay yourself first Sinking funds Investing a little bit of time in some of these solutions reaps big rewards budget-wise, so seriously, start eensy teensy tiny. Look in your fridge to see what you need to use up before going to the store. Join Facebook Marketplace or your local "Buy Nothing" group. Budgeting is a muscle ..read more

Are we creating unrealistic expectations when we praise our kid just for waking up in the morning? Turns out there is too much of a good thing, but we can also reframe how, when, and why we praise our kids. Molly and Blaire discuss: Praising process over achievements The three s's of praise Praise inflation Kids can sense when praise isn't genuine. Instead of congratulating them on their every action and creating an unrealistic standard for praise in the future, focus on encouragement without value judgement or "I" statements. Links! Paul L. Underwood for The New York Times: "Are You Overp ..read more