The J-Pops: Attempting Parenting in Japan

Months 8, 13, 25, 27, pregnancy week 31. The J-pops are back! Two of them anyway. This week, Joe and Justin catch up on what has occurred during the two-month J-Pop hiatus, they give their recommendations for kids' books, TV, and music, and they fall just a little bit more in love. It's in the subtext, but it's there. Please send any questions or comments to us by email at info@thejpop...

Months 6, 11, 23, 24, & pregnancy week 24. This week Justin is still in America, but has deigned to join Mark & Joe to discuss the merits and further merits of the Japanese childcare leave system, which is not something Joe has experienced. There's all the usual favourites, plus the bits you don't like very much. Watch out for a made-up Dad Joke from Joe, you can tell which one it...

Months 5, 11, 23, 24, & pregnancy week 22. This week Mark & Joe are mostly on their own, as Justin abandoned them for America! Actually, it was more a scheduling conflist that kept us apart. We'll be back to normal next time. For this episode the main topic is the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Please send any questions or comments to us by email at info@thejpops.com.

Months 5, 10, 22, 24, & pregnancy week 20. Wow, the list of ages is getting long. Partly because there's another baby on the way, and partly because we have a new host who brought along a baby of his own! Welcome Joe! He's guest-hosted a time or two, so J-Pop regulars will known him well. Today, he catches us up on Yuki, his 10 month old. Other topics for discussion include: wisdom tee...

Months 4, 22, & 23. This week Justin drops some life-changing news on us! What could it be?!?! Plus, we talk about the terrible twos... or as it's known in Japan - the Devil's two year old. Please send any questions or comments to us by email at info@thejpops.com.

Months 4, 21, & 23. Japan has lots of rules, and we wonder how this impacts a kid's mental state. This week, we look at a study or two and discuss our personal experiences/concerns about childhood mental health. Also, there's some Noto earthquake round up. Please send any questions or comments to us by email at info@thejpops.com.

Months 3, 21 & 22. This week Justin recounts he and his family's experience getting stuck in the Noto Peninsula during the 2024 New Year's Day Noto Peninula Earthquake for 5 days in an evacuation shelter with no water, no power and limited food. Please send any questions or comments to us by email at info@thejpops.com.

Months 3, 20, & 22. J-Pop Jeff Wu takes a turn in the guest host seat today. He's a Japan resident from Taiwan with a 10-month-old baby boy. His wife is also from Taiwan, so he talks about navigating parenthood in Japan without a citizen in the family. We also discuss moving the Christmas holiday, public baths, large fish, and Christmas parties. Please send any questions or comments to us...

Months 3, 20, & 21. What does it mean to be the oldest child? How about the youngest? We discuss whether it matter in determining the outcome of a person's personality. There's also some toddler development talk and Xmas movie recommendations. Please send any questions or comments to us on the website formerly known as Twitter at @JPopsPodcast or by email at info@thejpops.com.

Months 2, 20, & 21. It's a rite of passage for any parenting podcast: the poop episode. This week we scat about toddler constipation and how to alleviate it. We stray off topic a few times, but it all keeps coming back around to poop. Please send any questions or comments to us on the website formerly known as Twitter at @JPopsPodcast or by email at info@thejpops.com.

Months 2, 19, & 21. Tantrums are easily the most enjoyable part of raising toddlers, right? No? Well this week we discuss them in full detail including ways to prevent them and get through them. It's a real minefield out there, so be careful. Please send any questions or comments to us on the website formerly known as Twitter at @JPopsPodcast or by email at info@thejpops.com.

Months 1, 18, & 20. This episode could save your baby's life! And we're not just whistling click bait. That is, once you further learn about the safety tips we discuss in today's episode from more reputable sources, you'll better know how to handle emergencies. So go do that! Topics also include: colic, twins vs not twins, and a very special Brian in Fukuoka contribution. Pleas...

Months 1, 18, & 20. This week we dive back into deciding whether some parenting thought are deep or high with a quiz, plus get into onomatopoeia for everyday things. Please send any questions or comments to us on the website formerly known as Twitter at @JPopsPodcast or by email at info@thejpops.com.

Months 18, 19, & a 2-week-old. Screen for young kids is an evil, right? Maybe. Probably. This week we look at an interesting article on screen time that puts it in a slightly different light. There's also talk of health checks, trading babies, and peeing one's pants. Please send any questions or comments to us on the website formerly known as Twitter at @JPopsPodcast or by email at inf...

Months 17, 19, & ...another newborn! This week we talk about how the birth of Emma went and give updates on our toddlers. There's talk of boneless ham, daycare adventures, and even Jenny McCarthy for some reason. Please send any questions or comments to us on the website formerly known as Twitter at @JPopsPodcast or by email at info@thejpops.com.

Months 17, 18, & pregnancy week 37. Toddlers gonna YouTube, so the J-Pops bring you the choicest channels to entertain/educate them. Other talking points include: in-laws in the house, the ABCs, giant Costco teddy bears, and cornhole. Please send any questions or comments to us on the website formerly known as Twitter at @JPopsPodcast or by email at info@thejpops.com.

Months 16, 18, & pregnancy week 35. Lots of updates and sickness talk this week. Nico had adventure time for the past 2 weeks with the overseas grandparents visiting, and Koda was dealing with yet another illness that he defeated. Never a dull moment with toddlers. Please send any questions or comments to us on Twitter at @JPopsPodcast or by email at info@thejpops.com.

Months 16, 17, & pregnancy week 33. Obon vacation is kicking off, and the J-Pops have the kids at home for a while. We talk family Obon plans, as well as a COVID week for one pop and a cruise week for the other. Please send any questions or comments to us on Twitter at @JPopsPodcast or by email at info@thejpops.com.

Months 15, 17, & pregnancy week 31. It's hot. Summer is happening in Japan again and we've got some sweaty toddlers. We talk about ways to keep them (and you) cool while having fun in the sun. There's also some dad jokes, Japanese of the day and a question or two. Please send any questions or comments to us on Twitter at @JPopsPodcast or by email at info@thejpops.com.

Months 15, 16, & pregnancy week 29. The J-Pops are unfit parents... in that they've really let themselves go. Today we talk about carving out time for diet and exercise with a baby in the house, baby sign language fails, the Tanabata holiday, and much, much more. Please send any questions or comments to us on Twitter at @JPopsPodcast or by email at info@thejpops.com.

Months 14, 16, & pregnancy week 27. Ever wondered what parenting style is the best? We talk about it this week and try to figure out why raising humans isn't easier. Please send any questions or comments to us on Twitter at @JPopsPodcast or by email at info@thejpops.com.

Months 14, 16, & pregnancy week 25. Updates galore and then we get down to the issue of screen time for babies. Other talking points include vendettas against Elmo and Emo. Please send any questions or comments to us on Twitter at @JPopsPodcast or by email at info@thejpops.com.

Months 14, 15, & pregnancy week 23. This week we talk yet again with our good friend and newly minted J-Pop Joe! We talk with him about worrying too much, not enough, gender issues, and sleeping arrangements. We also have some more fun with ChatGPT. Please send any questions or comments to us on Twitter at @JPopsPodcast or by email at info@thejpops.com.

Months 13, 15, & pregnancy week 21. Anyone in Japan knows that we had big ol' earthquake recently, and one of the J-Pops reports from the epicenter! There were some health issues at the other J-Pop's, so we have front-line reporting from the doctor's office as well. Our main topic though is the kids showing favoritism toward one parent over the other (spolier alert: both our kids f...

Months 13, 14, & pregnancy week 19. It's time to ask the age old question: how do our kids stack up against their peers? But more specifically, are they reaching their milestones? With the help of ChatGPT we take a few quizzes to determine how they're doing and go over typical milestones for a 13 month old and a 15 month old. We also discuss high fevers, dealing with stuffy noses, and...