Amy and Margaret discuss why kids become intensely obsessed with the things they love—whether it’s dinosaurs, Pokémon, sharks, or Spider-Man—and how those fascinations manifest throughout their childhoods.
They explore the developmental benefits of "intense interests," from mastery and comfort to confidence and identity. They break down when an obsession is typical and when it may need gentle guidance.
Finally, they discuss how to connect with kids through their intense interests—and then use them as bridges to broaden kids' horizons.
Correction! Comedian Sasha Baron-Cohen and psychologist Simon Baron-Cohen are neither siblings (as Amy claims in the episode nor uncle/nephew (as Margaret believed); they are first cousins.
Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode:
Winnicott, D. W. for The International Journal of Psychoanalysis: Transitional objects and transitional phenomena; a study of the first not-me possession
Dr. Judy De Loache et al for Developmental Psychology: Planes, Trains, Automobiles—and Tea Sets: Extremely Intense Interests in Very Young Children
Lisa Joseph et al for Autism Research: Repetitive behavior and restricted interests in young children with autism: comparisons with controls and stability over 2 years.
Our episode "Dinosaurs and Trains and Superheroes and Nerf Guns: Boy Obsessions"
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website:
https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/
Get 50% Off Monarch Money, the all-in-one financial tool at www.monarchmoney.com/FRESH
Ready to raise money-smart kids? Start now with your first month FREE at acornsearly.com/FRESH!
Head to GigSalad.com and book some awesome talent for your next party, and let them know that What Fresh Hell sent you.
intense interests in children, transitional objects, child psychology, special interests autism, supporting kids interests, mom friends, funny moms, parenting advice, parenting experts, parenting tips, mothers, families, parenting skills, parenting strategies, child development, family activities, family fun, parent child relationship,
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38:47
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38:47
DEEP DIVE: Kendra Adachi (The Lazy Genius) on Compassionate Time Management
We're so glad to be talking to Kendra Adachi again this week. Kendra is the host of the Lazy Genius Podcast and the two-time New York Times bestselling author of The Lazy Genius Way and The Lazy Genius Kitchen. In this interview, we discuss what Kendra calls "compassionate time management" and her newest book, The PLAN: Manage Your Time Like a Lazy Genius.
Kendra shares insights on productivity, pivoting in the face of unexpected life events, and the pitfalls of traditional time management. "The Plan" emphasizes a more holistic and compassionate approach geared towards women's realities. Its key principles include starting from where you are, accessing softness, and making small adjustments. We are so here for it!
Here's where you can find Kendra:
https://thelazygeniuscollective.com
The Lazy Genius Podcast
Buy THE PLAN: https://bookshop.org/a/12099/9780593727935
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website:
https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/
mom friends, funny moms, parenting advice, parenting experts, parenting tips, mothers, families, parenting skills, parenting strategies, parenting styles, busy moms, self-help for moms, manage kid’s behavior, teenager, tween, child development, family activities, family fun, parent child relationship, decluttering, kid-friendly, invisible workload, default parent
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45:04
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45:04
Fresh Take: Irin Carmon, UNBEARABLE
Content note: This episode discusses complications of pregnancy, including pregnancy loss and maternal death.
Amy and Margaret sit down with journalist and author Irin Carmon to discuss her new book, UNBEARABLE: Five Women and the Perils of Pregnancy in America. Through research and deep reporting, Carmon exposes the complicated reality of being pregnant in today's America. Whether a pregnancy is wanted or unwanted, Carmon reveals how bias, systemic failures, secrecy and shame, and our changing policies have had profound effects on that experience and on maternal health.
They discuss:
The historical roots of reproductive medicine
Why women across every belief system are affected by criminalization, neglect, and medical bias
The myth of the “perfect pregnancy” and how silence around childbirth harms all mothers
The complicated consequences of abortion bans and restrictions on reproductive health care
Why maternal care should center respect of women’s autonomy, dignity, and humanity
Carmon offers not just critique, but hope, showing how individual courage and systemic change can coexist.
Here's where you can find Irin:
https://irincarmon.com
@irincarmon on IG
@irin on X
Buy UNBEARABLE: https://bookshop.org/a/12099/9781668032602
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website:
https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/
Get 50% Off Monarch Money, the all-in-one financial tool at www.monarchmoney.com/FRESH
Ready to raise money-smart kids? Start now with your first month FREE at acornsearly.com/FRESH!
Head to GigSalad.com and book some awesome talent for your next party, and let them know that What Fresh Hell sent you.Irin Carmon interview, Unbearable book, pregnancy in America, maternal health crisis, criminalization of miscarriage, abortion bans impact, reproductive health care, women’s autonomy,
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43:07
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43:07
Introducing: So Your Parents Are Old
Sharing an episode of the new podcast So Your Parents Are Old. Journalist Vanessa Grigoriadis talks to friends, experts, and celebrities about the chaos of dealing with aging parents. From Medicaid nightmares to emotional meltdowns in storage units, it’s a brutally honest, often hilarious look at one of life’s most disorienting stages. Come for the catharsis, stay for the gallows humor and unfiltered conversations.
Find more episodes of So Your Parents Are Old at https://link.mgln.ai/whatfreshhell
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3:53
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3:53
How Kids Spend Their Time (And How They Should)
How are our kids actually spending their time — and is it aligned with what we value for our families' lives and for our children's well-being?
This week, Amy and Margaret discuss:
How sleep too often loses out to homework and activities
Time tracking and the sobering truth it can show about how many hours a week our kids actually spend on screens
How outdoor time and free play, too often in short supply, affects creativity, independence, and self-regulation
Strategies for families to audit time, realign priorities, and invite kids into decision-making
It's worth the effort to track how our time is actually spent. As Annie Dillard said: “How we spend our days is how we spend our lives.”
Here are links to some of the resources we mention in the episode:
Gretchen Livingston for Pew Research Center: The way U.S. teens spend their time is changing, but differences between boys and girls persist
Cleveland Clinic: How Much Sleep Kids Need: Recommended Hours by Age
Dahl KL, et. al: Time Playing Outdoors Among Children Aged 3-5 Years: National Survey of Children's Health, 2021.
Yeshe Colliver et. al for Early Childhood Research Quarterly:
Free play predicts self-regulation years later: Longitudinal evidence from a large Australian sample of toddlers and preschoolers
Our Fresh Take with Christina Martin on How Children Learn Through Play
Our Fresh Take with Lenore Skenazy, author of FREE-RANGE KIDS
Our Fresh Take with Ginny Yurich, host of the 1000 Hours Outside podcast
Our Fresh Take with Laura Vanderkam, time-tracking expert
Sign up for the What Fresh Hell newsletter! Once a month you’ll get our favorite recent episodes, plus links to other things to read and watch and listen to, and upcoming special events
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website:
https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/
Get 50% Off Monarch Money, the all-in-one financial tool at www.monarchmoney.com/FRESH
Ready to raise money-smart kids? Start now with your first month FREE at acornsearly.com/FRESH!
Head to GigSalad.com and book some awesome talent for your next party, and let them know that What Fresh Hell sent you.
How kids spend time, kids and screen time, parenting priorities, unstructured play, outdoor play for kids, kids and sleep needs, family time management, limiting screen time, Annie Dillard quote parenting, homework vs sleep, raising independent kids, parenting podcast, What Fresh Hell episode, time tracking for families, free play benefits
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Sobre What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood | Parenting Tips From Funny Moms
When you're a parent, every day brings a "fresh hell" to deal with. In other words, there's always something. Think of us as your funny mom friends who are here to remind you: you're not alone, and it won't always be this hard.
We're Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables, both busy moms of three kids, but with completely different parenting styles. Margaret is a laid-back to the max; Amy never met a spreadsheet or an organizational system she didn't like.
In each episode of "What Fresh Hell" we offer lots of laughs, but also practical advice, parenting strategies, and tips to empower you in your role as a mom. We explore self-help techniques, as well as ways to prioritize your own needs, combat stress, and despite the invisible workload we all deal with, find joy amidst the chaos of motherhood.
If you've ever wondered "why is my kid..." then one of us has probably been there, and we're here to tell you what we've learned along the way.
We unpack the behaviors and developmental stages of toddlers, tweens, and teenagers, providing insights into their actions and equipping you with effective parenting strategies.
We offer our best parenting tips and skills we've learned. We debate the techniques and studies that are everywhere for parents these days, and get to the bottom of what works best to raise happy, healthy, fairly well-behaved kids, while fostering a positive parent-child relationship.
If you're the default parent in your household, whether you're a busy mom juggling multiple pickups and dropoffs, or a first-time parent seeking guidance, this podcast is your trusted resource. Join our community of supportive mom friends laughing in the face of motherhood!
whatfreshhellpodcast.com
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