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We Knows Parenting

Comedian couple Beth Newell (Reductress) and Peter McNerney (Story Pirates) discuss their two children and offer up non-expert opinions on parenting.

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We’ve reached the end (probably). This is it (we think): the final episode of We Knows Parenting (unless we change our minds and come back which is possible). Goodbye forever (or for a lesser amount of time than forever).  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We Don’t Knows

After last week’s deleted episode debacle things turn around and suddenly feel a little less like the end of the world…. and then Maeven sticks a crasin up her nose.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You Drivin’ Me Crasin

This week Peter’s new computer destroys the episode before release. After a full meltdown, Peter picks himself off the floor, cuts together a mini episode with Bryn, then goes back to bed. See you next week.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mini We Knows - Brynterview

This week Beth makes it clear that she doesn’t want to be on your reality show, Peter isn’t so sure, Maeven turns 4 and Bryn destroys a cake.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Narwal Cake

This week Bryn breaks everything, Maeven decides to pee in her pants (a lot) and Beth and Peter brainstorm Coronavirus baby names.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You Don’t Get Clothes

For their 100th episode, Beth and Peter decide to celebrate by losing power while trying to record an episode then throw in the towel and decide to just take a week off. THEY’VE EARNED IT!  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Power Outage

Quarantine life continues as a masked Peter ventures to the grocery store, Bryn quotes Sonic the Hedgehog, and the podcast recording is interrupted by sisters, dogs, children and TURKEYS?!?!  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Turkeys!!!

This week at “Aunt Ali School” the kids learn about the three branches of government, which leads them to write a new constitution, create a government and write a bill about “butt slapping.”  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Butt Slap Bill

The family adjusts to a completely new life in a new state, in a new town, with no school, and no friends, and no structure, and no schedule. You know what that means: time for Daddy School!  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daddy School

This week school is shut down, work is cancelled, social distancing is in full effect, the family prepares to get out of town, and everything is crazy. But other than that, everything is great!  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Social Distancing

This week Maeven discovers the comedy or Modana, Peter is too tired and Bryn hits Beth with some devastating news: she’s fired.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mommy’s Fired Forever

This week Bryn learns about time, life, death, extinction, boobies and yoga, and then explains them all to anyone who will listen. Then the whole family agrees that everyone is welcome, except for Daddy.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No | Daddy

This week Peter shares an article about why we don’t listen, Maeven takes up the air drums, Beth shares her love for pogs, and Bryn lists the presidents – all four of them.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pogs & Beyblades

This week Beth and Peter are home alone after shipping the kids off to Nana and Grandad’s. How do they celebrate? By getting super sick and doing absolutely nothing. Meanwhile, Bryn and Maeven compete in a biggest sun competition.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Biggest Sun Competition

This week, Bryn can’t figure out cups, Maeven decides to grow out her bangs, Peter’s on HBO’s “High Maintenance,” and Beth unpacks a Would You Knows Scenario in which she’s her own grandmother.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tit Snake

This week, while Peter solo parents in New York, Beth calls in from out of state with special guest and co-author Jackie Ann Ruiz. Beth and Jackie’s book “There’s No Manual: Honest & Gorey Wisdom About Having a Baby,” is available TODAY wherever you get books!  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s No Manual

Bryn and Maeven put their mouths on everything and end up in urgent care, Beth and Peter peek into their own futures, and thank you for preordering Beth’s new book, “There’s NO Manual,” out on February 4th!  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Impetig-uh-oh!

This week Bryn debuts his newest character, “Guy pretending to get it,” Beth and Peter try to rebuild their village and this podcast (finally) gets a listener pregnant.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We All Scream for Kids?!

Nana and Grandad come to town for a second Christmas, Beth and Peter discuss the grieving process, Siri won’t stop interrupting, and finally, some big news...  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stomp! Stomp! Clap!

This week Peter and Beth ask the big questions. When did the kids get huge? When will the bathroom be finished? Do sports based disciplinary systems work on kids who have never seen sports?  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Penalty Box

The family makes it across the country and back, Beth and Peter talk about problem solving with kids instead of trying to control behavior, and then review Frozen II.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let it Go!

Bryn redeems himself at the Kindergarten Holiday sing-a-long, Bryn and Maeven stop by to bring some chaos to the podcast and Peter goes to the gem shop.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Double Santas

The family’s collective and never-ending cough is grossing everyone out, Peter and Beth discuss “men-tuition,” and Meaven’s Sunday fashion choices hit the town.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Men-tuition

Peter and Beth discuss the value of modeling kindness, marvel at how well behaved and truly terrible their kids can be in the same week, and ask the age old question: is this interesting?  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is This Interesting?

Peter and Beth discuss the lies of Thanksgiving, why babies are hell beasts, and how Home Alone holds up as a holiday kids movie.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Don’t Forget About Me...

Beth wrote a book! There's No Manual: Honest and Gory Wisdom About Having a Baby is coming February 4th. Pre-order today! In honor of the book announcement Peter and Beth decide to plug everything that they’ve neglected to plug over the past 80 episodes. Get ready, because this episode is shameless. Happy Thanksgiving!  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shameless Plugs

Bryn and Maeven meet their new baby cousin and have very different reactions; Beth and Peter get great renovation advice from a Senator’s wife; and a Would You Knows scenario tests Peter’s spiritual open mindedness.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ve Been Warned!

After three days of data entry and Walking Dead binge watching, Peter loses his mind and has very intense nightmares; Bryn guest hosts the podcast; Maeven refuses to be told what to do; and Peter and Beth share a healthy list of book recommendations from their amazing listeners.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Featuring Bryn McNerney

Peter and Beth take an emotional labor quiz, Maeven loves being a girl, and Bryn, after being caught in a lie about his teacher “loving it” when he talks about butts and farts, doubles down on the lie by threatening to call the police on Peter if he dares ask his teacher about it.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daddy for Mayor

Halloween festivities continue as the family heads cross county to the Great Jack-o-Lantern Blaze, Peter and Beth try to think of books about boys doing emotional labor and girls being ass holes, and Peter stands firm on his views of peanut butter.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Blaze

The family has a full family Halloween weekend at the Scare Fair as well as the Halloween parade, Beth answers the easiest hypothetical question ever asked, the kids love Forky and Peter finally tells the world how he really feels about Blippi.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Scare Fair

Beth heads out into the woods with a bunch of moms during a full moon, Peter hates Facebook happy birthdays, Bryn is a brat and Maeven asks the age old question “do we have bones in our butts?”  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jet Lagged

Peter comes home late to record the podcast after having three full drinks, Beth transcribes the greatest pieces of bath time theater ever recorded and Peter and Beth almost don’t argue about how much peanut butter can be left in the jar before you throw it away.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#bigbootydaddy

The family heads to a baby show, Beth fails to convince a conservative cab driver, Maeven flirts with Bryn’s best friend and Bryn volunteers to help his gay aunt find a man to marry.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Watch and Learn

This week at school Bryn learns what a fire alarm is... by setting it off, Beth heads out of town, Peter yells at some kids on a playground and Maeven gets curious about bodies.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Skitters and Nerbs

The family takes a trip to Vermont for a wedding and, despite Peter leaving Beth on the side of a highway, it’s a lovely time for all. Then Beth and Peter answer some listener mail and ask the age old question: foreskin or not foreskin?  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Or the Highway

This week, Beth goes to a bean store, Maeven has ‘the best day ever,' Peter loves school lunch, and during Bryn’s first week of kindergarten he comes home with a book he’s written called, The Butt World.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Butt World

Beth and Peter go on, not one, but TWO date nights in one week, talk about religion's role in the family, and unpack a Would You Knows scenario in which Maeven has shark-based premonitions.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Godless Children

This week Beth and Peter recap Bryn’s birthday, play fuck, marry, kill with the Wild Kratt’s, Steve Irwin, and Ace Ventura, and Beth refuses to let blondes off the hook.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I Hav’ta Have ‘Em!

This week Bryn tuns five and he’s letting everyone know about it, Beth learns to be selfish, Peter loves rules and Maeven lives life to the fullest in her new pink tracksuit.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You Are Coming to My Party

Maeven debuts her newest character, Peter and Beth discuss the problematic messaging of the Berenstain Bears, and the new neighbors interrupt the podcast recording.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tina the Cheese Woman

In preparation for Beth leaving town for a wedding, Peter and Beth record a night early, much later than usual and after an incredibly bumpy Uber ride.  Does Peter make it through the recording? It’s debatable. Also, Bryn and Maeven chime in… mostly about farts.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Abrupt Exit

This week Beth and Peter prepare for Bryn’s 5th birthday by rehashing the brown cow cake argument, admitting that they have no plan and then asking the listeners to plan the party for them.  Then they prove once again why the podcast deserves reviews titled “A very sexy podcast for parents.”  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Almost Five

A new week brings new neighbors, a new bed, and a new appreciation for a lazy day.  Beth shares an article about the history of mothers’ lack of alone time, Peter catches up on some old lister mail and Bryn writes a book about the Sun… farting.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Farting Sun

After a whole bunch of driving, roadside tantrums, algae blooms, the full Les Miz soundtrack and a little bit of Dramamine, the family vacation season officially draws to a close.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spooooky Hollow

After a remarkably stress-free family vacation, Peter’s new medication makes him so crazy that Beth and Peter have to scrap an entire episode, then fight all night, and re-record a day late. It sounds terrible and it was, but things end up better in the end.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cousins and Beta Blockers

For four days, Peter spends the weekend in the Berkshires, the kids with Nana and Granddad and Beth home alone. The result? Everyone has the time of their lives. Peter and Beth then finally spill the beans on that big reveal that they’ve been teasing for weeks.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Family(less) Vacation(s)

Bryn graduates pre-k. Peter gets his father’s day gift of a broadway show. And everyone needs to cut back on the ice cream.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pool Party

For Father’s day Peter gets to choose how the family spends the day and he chooses: nothing. It’s everything he hoped it would be.  Beth and Peter talk about the neuroscience of dad brains and Bryn refuses to put on his shoes... or do anything that you need him to.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dad Brains

This week: Peter and Beth’s downstairs neighbors confront them about their “loud love making” and Maeven discovers Beth’s vibrator.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sexy Parents

On their way back from a family trip to Atlanta, the whole family gets trapped in the airport for 8 hours. Do the kids fight non-stop? Do Beth and Peter drive each other crazy? Does getting home at 2am tear them apart? No, actually it’s fine. It’s shockingly fine. Later, Peter takes the kids for a long walk during which they say a lot of funny stuff, Beth shares an article about preparing yourself emotionally for childbirth, then Peter and Beth say naughty words.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nailed It!

In preparation for the family’s big Memorial Day Weekend trip to Atlanta, Peter and Beth are recording early and separately! Beth shares her experience meeting a sex therapist at a bar and what she learned, Peter plays a new game with the kids called “What’s Better?” and then Beth and Peter get political!    Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Double Solo Grab Bag

This week it gets hot and humid and as a result Peter gets cranky, then Bryn and Maeven get cranky, then Peter gets more cranky, then the kids get more cranky, then things get whiny and fights about nothing grow and multiply, then Beth comes home and has to record a podcast with an incredibly whiny, cranky and whiny Peter.  And then he writes a stupid show description that no one likes, him most of all! He’s not acting out YOU’RE acting out!!!  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter Hates the Heat and Everything Else

Peter and Beth complete their first year as parenting podcasters and celebrate in much the same way they celebrate their wedding anniversary: by being nice to each other, but not really doing anything special.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy (Podcast) Anniversary

This week the family drives to Connecticut to see some dinosaurs with Nana and Grandad where Bryn learns to face his fear of volcanoes. Later, he decides that he hates skating, but love worms.  Beth and Peter unpack a couple of Would You Knows scenarios and read some listener mail that rewrites the Easter Bunny’s original story.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Dinosaur Place

This week the family celebrates Maeven’s 3rd birthday with fun times, a lot of pink and too much sugar. Peter gets the news that Bryn did not get into the dual language program and feels so sad that he accidentally leaves the groceries in the car for half the day. Beth and Peter answer some listener mail about tarot cards and the worst things Bryn and Maeven have gotten into while unattended in the morning. They then get a very exciting phone call during the podcast that they can’t talk about, but spend a lot of time talking about how they can’t talk about it.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daddy Makeup Tutorial

Beth and Peter are joined by three very special guests, Chuck Bryant (Stuff You Should Know, Movie Crush), Ophira Eisenberg (NPR’s Ask Me Another) and Abbi Crutchfield (Late Show with Stephen Colbert), at Littlefield in Brooklyn for their very first live recording of We Knows Parenting. During the show, Chuck enjoys criticizing Peter’s ability to explain a Would You Knows scenario succinctly, Abbi reveals her need for only five hours of sleep a night, Ophira shares her “angry” face and fun is had by all.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Live from Brooklyn (w/ Chuck Bryant, Ophira Eisenberg & Abbi Crutchfield)

Our live show in Brooklyn is one week away! Get your tickets now at weknowsparenting.com.  This week Peter and Beth record early before she goes to LA for the week.  Bryn bumps his face on the wall and gets a mouth full of blood.  He does not enjoy it.  Maeven get spiteful at Peter’s attempts to stop her from repeatedly dumping out a box of paints.  While Beth is away Peter attempts to interview the kids, but forgets to plug in the nice microphone.  It’s funny, but boy does it sound terrible. The kids are asleep now, so deal with it.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Defiance

Beth drives Bryn and Maeven across the state and the only thing that stops the kids from going car stir crazy is a stop to a zoo, a couple of museums and a bunch of ice cream. Meanwhile, across the country in LA, Peter, with no children to worry about, does his first escape room.  Peter and Beth discuss the benefits of a physical books over ebooks, debate a future Bryn dating hypothetical and wonder what E.T.’s mom was doing while waiting for her son to phone home.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ice Cream on My Pants!!!

This week Peter does his best to get work done after Maeven decides to take a sick day, Beth accuses Peter of having a “man cold” and Bryn has a lot to say… all the time. Then, while recording the episode a  technical difficulty forces Peter and Beth to re-record the same segment about emotional labor three times. Do they sound frustrated and tired? You be the judge.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sick-ish

Bryn hits the ice for his first ever skating lesson and Peter gets emotional. The kids’ lies get more elaborate, Beth gets Bryn to use the bathroom by getting him to imagine the shame of peeing his pants in front of his friends and at bedtime Peter gets too into the mechanics of not only how an old woman could swallow a fly, but also of how swallowing a horse would likely kill a person.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ice Time!

Beth joins Peter to record this week’s podcast after a night out with the girls and three old fashions. Peter and Beth attend Bryn’s Pre-K parent teacher conference where they learn that he’s terrible with scissors. They sign Bryn up for skating lessons, confront Meaven's lies and Bryn’s potty mouth, and then discover that the Inuit people seem have it right when it comes to lying to your kids. Oh, and Beth loves Pokemon.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Psyduck v. Charlamagne

This week Bryn and Maeven discover the power of lying and then do it a lot, very badly.  Peter visits the local elementary school to see the bilingual program in action. Beth and Peter discuss midwifery care in the U.S, take listener questions about “sanctimommies” and Veganism and then Peter introduces his hit new character: the male doctor who only understands what you’re talking about if your are talking about penises.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liars and Cheats

At the end of a very hard week, things are suddenly good, except for the twelve-hundred calories of milkshake that Peter ingests right before recording, causing him to hate himself and everything else. Beth discovers a local infrared sauna that may or may not be run out of a van. Peter and Beth debate the merits of having a second child with your ex, unpack an international Would You Knows scenario and answer some listener mail about March Madness potty training, staggering bedtimes and more forest based pre-school.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Milkshakes and Other Bad Ideas

The family returns from a much needed, long-weekend, mid-winter, indoor pool vacation during which Maeven decides that she knows how to read and Bryn throws a beach tantrum. Peter shares an article about how a nation’s level of income inequality effects parenting styles. Then, while unpacking a Would You Knows scenario, in which Maeven can talk to dead people, Peter and Beth try their best to remain civil while discussing their VERY different belief systems surrounding spirituality, and in this goal, they do… okay.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

RELAX!

Beth and Peter attend an info session for the local dual language kindergarten program and are now suddenly feeling very competitive about getting Bryn into the program.  Valentine’s day brings the first fully stress-free date night in a while followed the next day by Beth and Peter’s first big fight in front of kids old enough to not only understand what their parents are yelling at each other but also to respond.  Bryn demands that Peter apologizes to Mommy.  In this week’s Would You Knows Beth unpacks a Freaky Friday scenario that neither she nor Peter can remember if they’ve done before and then announce the first We Knows Parenting Live Show coming up in April.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Full Family Fight

This week everything is fine and it’s totally weird.  Peter and Beth aren’t sure how to handle it when their kids are mostly reasonable and don’t put up too much of a fight.  Things are good… and it’s terrifying. Instead of complaining, Peter shares a bunch of rapid fire parenting “fun” facts including one about a city in India that drops babies from a 50 foot tower (and catches them). You know, for “fun.” Beth and Peter then answer some listener mail about how moms and dads prepare (or don’t prepare) for the coming of a new baby.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everything is… Fine

Beth returns from her mom-cation to find that parenting is a bit easier when you’re well rested.  Peter compliments Beth for her handling of a Bryn tantrum, but mostly to take credit for the tactics she used. Beth and Bryn encounter a real life Would You Knows scenario and live to tell the tale. Peter shares a study on quality of time vs. quantity and agrees with the results mostly because it justifies his own behavior, Beth turns cleaning into a game, and some listener mail prompts the question: what to do with all this snot?  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Snot!

While Beth lives it up on her solo vacation to the Cayman Islands, Peter whips the kids into shape with the power of silence, clear boundaries, a strict bedtime and (more than) a little help from Grandma.  Despite being incredibly helpful with the kids Peter’s mom refuses to be a guest on the podcast and he’s forced to interrupt Beth’s vacation for a last minute recording, which she is, of course, MORE than happy to do. He then calls his best friend Nick for a spooky Would You Knows scenario.  And just when you think that one episode of talking about different names for vaginas is enough Peter and Beth talk about it a whole lot more.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beth Takes a Momcation

After swearing he would never wear his pink striped pants again, Bryn pulls a 180 and declares pink to be his favorite color. Maeven, with an unwavering devotion to all things pink, is not impressed and possibly a little bit threatened. For MLK Jr. Day, Peter stays home with the kids and attempts to teach them a lesson about inclusion by forcing Maeven’s My Little Ponies to invite Bryn’s Rock Lords to their dance party. Some rock/pony based biases are revealed. Inspired by a listener email, Peter and Beth wrap up the episode by brainstorming an appropriate, kid-friendly name for vagina — Peter makes a strong case for "hooha."  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rock Lord and Pony Party

This week Bryn gets bullied for wearing pants with a pink stripe on it and then starts having nightmares that he pretends to not be bothered by. Are these things related? Peter reads Bryn and Maeven’s answers from their new question-a-day “journal.” Peter and Beth discuss the impostor syndrome that comes with being a new parent and answer a listener question about whether it’s better to let kids learn by making their own mistakes or by you telling them what’s what.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bullied in Pink

After a week off and a mostly successful holiday season, the whole family returns home and finds that they must completely rebuild all the pre-holiday routines. Peter and Beth binge home improvement shows resulting in Peter throwing away half of his clothes, Beth relates to a twitter thread about setting clear boundaries with your kids, then Peter and Beth are defeated by the most detailed and devastating Would You Knows scenario to date.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We Survive the Holidays

Happy New Year! To celebrate, Bryn decides to throw up at daycare. In this mini episode Bryn shares his sick day experience. We’ll be back next week with a brand new regular episode.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mini We Knows - Sick Day

After a brief week in review in which Bryn, the most performative four-year-old around, shocks the world by clamming up and crying his way through the Pre-K Winter concert performance, Beth and Peter dedicate the rest of this last episode of the year to the first ever Would You Knows Year End Spectacular.  What is a Would You Knows Year End Spectacular? Great question. Take a listen and find out!  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Would You Knows Year End Spectacular

Maeven decides that she will never sleep ever again leading Peter and Beth to slowly lose their minds while a sleeping Bryn seems entirely unaware that the person he shares a room with has been screaming “Mommy” for an hour and a half. Beth researches famous celebrity deaths of 2004 after Bryn declares that before he was born he had been dead for 10 years. Bryn learns (not only) how to cook from watching Peter and Beth, but also, how to act stressed while cooking.  Finally, Beth and Peter revisit last week’s Would You Knows? scenario after a listener accepts the challenge to make it more specific.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maeven is a Monster

Peter and Beth start the podcast by sharing something intimate – too intimate maybe – and Peter regrets it. Now that Bryn has started to cooperate more, Maeven has decided that it’s her turn to make everything difficult for no reason by objecting to all things always (expect for potty training which she is nailing). Peter and Beth then discuss some listener mail about the difference between abusive parents and parents that simply scream too much, and how to explain anatomy to your kids without reinforcing a strictly binary view of gender. Then Beth knitpicks another Would You Knows scenario about time travel.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sex… Awkwardly Acknowledged

This week Peter loses his mind and in an utterly desperate attempt to get Bryn to cooperate threatens to throw away all of his toys.  Maeven begins potty training and may or may not be using the threat of peeing her pants to assert her power.  Peter shares an article about how girls views of themselves has evolved over the years while society’s hasn’t kept pace. Peter and Beth then answer some listener mail about “Resistance Peeing.”  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Resistance Peeing

For Thanksgiving the whole family manages to fly across the country (and back) without getting into (too many) fights or meltdowns. Only after they return home does a week’s worth of meltdowns happen in a single night sending Peter into a rage spiral moments before recording this episode.  As he calms down, Peter and Beth confuse the difference between community and regional theater, debate when it’s appropriate to use bribery cookies and then apologize profusely for insulting people with a hyphenated last names in the previous episode. WE’RE SORRY!  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Air Travel: Harder With Kids

Bryn starts waking up early to secretly watch South Park while everyone else is still asleep. The kids impress Beth with their intuitive grasp of a new social media app. Bryn has a full meltdown after being denied the opportunity to destroy a full shelf of pottery at an arts and crafts store. Beth and Peter learn about parental leave in the Czech Republic, lambast hyphenated last names, prepare for a cross country flight on the busiest travel day of the year and then accidentally reveal that all four grandparents are getting kid painted mugs for Christmas. Instead of editing it out of the recording, they decide to leave it in to see if their parents still listen to the podcast.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You're All Getting Mugs for Christmas

With only two major tantrums and zero planning Beth and Peter declare victory on Halloween.  The family goes out to lunch with Grandma and Grandpa where Peter and Beth fight about whether to use YouTube to keep Bryn at the table or not. Peter then traumatizes Bryn by telling him that someday he’ll have to move out. Beth and Peter answer some listener mail about the unintended message of gender reveal videos and how to deal with a toddler that cries whenever anything changes. Finally, Beth shares an article about accepting compromise in both your family and work life for the sake of the other. Also, a lot of candy is eaten.  Like, a gross amount.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Must. Eat. Candy.

The dreaded daycare meeting about Bryn’s listening skills happens and it’s...fine. The whole family spends the weekend actually doing family stuff, first going to a pumpkin “blaze” and later to the aquarium with Nana and Grandad. Peter and Beth talk about the pros and cons (but mostly the cons) of only one parent learning the gender of a baby in utero and then answer some listener mail. Peter then messes up the recording and debates whether he should complete the episode on his own or wake up Beth, who is still recovering from a cold, to re-record a segment.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

B.R.Y.N. That Spells Maeven

After daycare raises some concerns about Bryn’s “listening” skills, Peter and Beth start to realize that maybe not everyone thinks their kids are as great as they do. They then give Bryn a crash course on the concept of selfishness, realizes they’ve neglected to teach Maeven numbers, and then ultimately (and perhaps too quickly) decide to forgive themselves for their failures as parents. Peter and Beth then discuss a study about the effects of praising kids for their intelligence vs. effort and read some listeners mail about the appropriate amount of time and temperature in which it is acceptable to leave your kids in the car.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our Kids Are Perfect... Right?

This week, while Beth is out of town, Peter celebrates his birthday by staying home with a vomiting Maeven.  Bryn has his first play date without his parents and is later praised for his bilingual skills.  Beth unpacks a Would You Knows scenario about discovering something scandalous in a teenaged Maeven’s diary.  Peter and Beth answer some listener mail about a toddler’s preference for mom over dad. And Finally, Bryn creates the perfect joke... about butts.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What Did the Butt Say to the Skunk?

This week, SCANDAL!!! While Peter is out of town, Beth throws all the podcast rules out the window and decides to record her half of the podcast without Peter. The single topic she decides to discuss, inspired by a listener email, just happens to be one of Peter’s biggest flaws. Peter, not knowing that any of this has happened, returns home just as Beth is leaving town on her own work trip to find half a podcast awaiting his response. This one gets personal.  It’s our very first dual solo episode.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beth Hijacks the Podcast

This week Beth and Peter go back to school for pre-k parents night and quickly revert to their school-aged selves; Peter gets competitive with the other parents about who can draw the best picture and Beth stresses about following the rules. Later, at a family trip to a local farm, Peter and Beth’s individual bad habits combine to maximize their parenting ineffectiveness in the face of a Bryn mud puddle melt down. Meanwhile, Maeven starts making up words, Peter learns some tips about healthy eating and Beth discusses how she would handle coming home to find that Bryn and Peter had switched bodies in a Freaky Friday “Would you Knows” scenario.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beth and Peter Win Pre-K Parents Night

Just when Peter and Beth start to feel like things are settling down, for no discernible reason Bryn decides to make tantrums a daily, morning and evening, routine. Book throwing, TV banishment and tactless attempts to pit Mommy and Daddy against each other then ensures.  Peter and Beth unpack a study about how kids have twice as many neural pathways in their brain that fade away if not utilized before age 10 and then answer listener questions about biracial dating, paying kids for chores and whether asking your kids to keep secrets is ok.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Good Old Fashioned Tantrum

After returning home from a long weekend without kids Beth takes Bryn and his best friend out to dinner where they proceed to walk around the restaurant telling strangers that they are beautiful. Peter shares an article that connects bilingual education with stronger empathy skills. Peter and Beth jump into the mail bag to catch up and some listener mail about being a non-parent listener, intrinsic vs. extrinsic rewards, and the effects a mourning parent has on their children.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pollo, Oh Boyo

After returning home from a fun-filled Labor Day weekend getaway, both the kids decide to contract Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease putting Bryn’s attendance to his first day of PreK in jeopardy. Beth records her half of the podcast via iPhone while having the time of her life in beautiful Portland, Oregon, while back home, Peter interviews the podcast’s very first guest, John DIxon, about his and his wife’s ongoing journey to adopt a baby.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hand, Foot & Mouth, Oh My!

For Beth’s birthday Peter exceeds her expectations by setting them super low. He is inspired to buy Maeven hair clips after binge watching, side-by-side, the Marvel Cinematic Universe and RuPaul’s Drag Race.  Peter and Beth assure a listener that their oldest child will never not have attention, discuss a study that finds men are doing more housework than ever before but not nearly as much as they think, and spitball a movie idea in which their kids are turned into bats.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Drag Queen Hair Clips

Things get rowdy at Bryn’s 4th birthday party after an oinking pig toy is repurposed as a fart machine. Beth gets emotional after receiving a letter from PreK addressed to “The Parents of Bryn McNerney.” Peter shares an article about the chores pay gap between daughters and sons. Beth and Peter decide how they would handle having a baby with a few extra fingers and then catch up on some listener mail. Oh yeah, and Maeven barfs.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pig Fart Party

This week Peter and Beth reveal how the notorious Brown Cow Birthday Cake turned out. Peter wonders if explaining the concept of death to Bryn was a good idea. Beth shares an article about how dads are more likely to seek advice on the internet anonymously. As a result, Peter definitely does NOT get super defensive about the implications and what follows ISN’T the the most intense and genuinely emotional debate that Beth and Peter have ever had on the podcast.  I don’t care what you’ve heard.  That’s simply NOT true. I’m NOT… I mean PETER... is NOT defensive.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter is NOT Defensive

While at the Newell family reunion Bryn learns to swim (his own way) and then gives Beth and Peter a taste of their own parenting medicine.  Back home Beth and Peter prepare for Bryn’s upcoming fourth birthday,  Peter has a contentious exchange with a cake designer about the existence of brown spotted cows, Beth shares a study that challenges the validity of parenting styles and a listener ‘Would You Knows?’ asks Peter and Beth to debates who gets the last two seats on an alien rescue ship.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Now Brown Cow (Cake!)?

Bryn decides to be “sick” on the last morning that Peter and Beth have available to record before heading out on vacation.  The result... is a disaster.  In between his monkey screams, demands for milk and occasional tears Peter and Beth attempt to explore the science behind why kids love sugar, explain their love languages and discuss what they would do if Bryn returned from the future to criticize their parenting.  In the end, does Bryn ruin the episode or does he improve it?  You be the judge.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bryn Ruins a Podcast Recording

Beth and Peter finally get into the birth story – the good one. In early 2016 Beth and Peter find themselves in financial trouble, with a broken down minivan and 2nd baby due at any minute. Do they make it to the hospital? Does Beth’s sister’s Honda Fit come out unscathed? And what is so special about the parking lot of the local School of Rock? Answers to these questions and more.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Born in a Car

Peter drives the kids across the country alone and is very proud of himself. We wonder how to appropriately acknowledge and discuss race with a three-year-old. Peter shares a study about driving while distracted by children. Beth unpacks this week’s ‘Would You Knows?’ to figure out how she would handle Maeven being recruited by Yale at age 4 and we read some listener mail about deceiving your kids.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More Vacation Vomit

After Peter misses the the application deadline Bryn finally gets into Pre-K. Peter shares statistics about how kids’ ability to wait has improved over the past 50 years. We play another round of “Did You Knows What He Said?”,  find out who Bryn’s favorite daddy is and read some listener mail.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who’s Your (Favorite) Daddy?

Beth has time alone. Peter doesn’t sleep. We confirm that clowns are scary, discuss what to do when your child believes they have mind powers, speculate why the birth rate is dropping and gush over how much we love our new couch and the company that made it: Joybird.  We love Joybird. Joybird did not sponsor this episode, we actually just love Joybird.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#joybird

Beth is working more. Peter jams with another Dad. Bryn’s tantrums get physical. We discuss the story of 13-year-old frozen embryo and play a game of “You Knows What He Said?”  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dad Jams

Beth accidentally locks Maeven in the apartment. Peter goes on a playdate. We discuss a study of kid’s reactions to breaking their toys, play a game of real or fake Bryn quotes, and hypothesize what to do with a leaky diaper on a rush hour train.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.