One Bad Mother

Biz and Theresa want to know when all this will be over. Are we there yet?? In this stay-at-home "journey," all we want to know is, how close are we to being done with this? Just like a road trip to Grandma's house, we want to know how many more songs we need to play until this trip is complete. Plus, Biz is wallowing, Theresa is back, and we talk with Courtney Enlow about trying to be a Superhero...

Biz is joined by guest co-host Renee Culvert from the podcast, Can I Pet Your Dog? How does COVID-19 affect how we interact with other people's animals? What does it look like to have a dog during this time? Plus, Biz feels normal, we miss Theresa, and we talk with Bess Kalb about her new book, Nobody Will Tell You This But Me.  Follow Bess on Twitter @bessbell and on her website at besskalb.com ....

Biz and Theresa revisit an old college drinking game with a new parenting-during-a-pandemic spin. Never have I ever allowed my children to climb all over me while I eat dinner. "Drink!" We find ourselves doing things differently during this not-normal time, for the better and the worse. Plus, Biz marks the passage of time and Theresa loves Jesse.  Check out Theresa’s book!  It Feels Good...

Biz and Theresa are reminded that this isn't actually normal, even if sometimes our brains try to trick us into thinking that it is. Why is this so hard? Oh yeah...this is absolutely not normal! Also, we are not really doing "fine." It is helpful to acknowledge that and to remember that we are all doing a good job during this very not-normal time. Plus, Biz revisits cake parenting, Theresa doesn't...

Biz and Theresa ask a very important question: How are you? No, really...how are you? We dedicate the entire topic to exploring this question that, although never has a simple answer, has become even more complicated. Have we figured out how to homeschool? Is there crying in homeschool?  Have we figured out our routines? Is crying part of the routine? Are we tired of questions and ready for comple...

Biz and Theresa ponder how the “stay at home” order really amps up the idea that when things go wrong for our kids, it is “ALL YOUR FAULT!!!” “Why didn’t you tell me there was an art assignment? Even though I saw everything you did, you should have told me!” Can we just reply, “We didn’t tell you because we want to ruin your life?” The extra patience we have to call upon is intense and self blame...

Biz and Theresa find ourselves in a familiar place: we need help but feel overwhelmed by ALL the “help.” Social distancing and stay at home orders, closed schools and working from home….yep…everything we ever discussed on the show just got dialed up to eleven. Plus, Biz has a list and Theresa is at home in the world. Suicide Prevention Hotline: Call or chat. They are here to help anyone in crisis....

With most of us confined to our homes and the MaxFunDrive placed on hold, Biz and Theresa drop everything this week to recognize as many of your awesome pandemic-related genius moments as possible. Together we recognize the struggle, accept that it won’t be pretty but it will be something, remember to take the good ideas when they come, and remember that no one is doing “pandemic winning” at us. I...

Biz and Theresa talk about what it is REALLY like when we are home all day with the kids…or better yet…the whole family. Be it a weekend, a sick day, school breaks…summer…it seems like a fun idea in theory but there are a LOT of hours in a day. A lot. Sleep isn’t even safe. Plus, Biz is scared of an uncertain future, Theresa is on edge, and we talk to Ann Napolitano's about her new novel,  Dear Ed...

Biz and Theresa discuss what “alone time” means to us (...besides a code for masturbation). Plus, Biz is dreaming about summer, Theresa has a Target adventure, and we talk to author Aida Salazar about moon ceremonies, celebrating gender expansive kids coming of age, and her beautiful new middle grade novel,  The Moon Within . Find out more about Aida Salazar at Aidasalazar.com . Her book The Moon...

Biz and Theresa discuss our kids’ ability to exploit “Mama’s weaknesses.” "Just one more game?" "You love donuts, can we get donuts?” “Let’s do a movie night!” Sure, it sounds fun, but there are limits that need to be reinforced and bedtimes that need to be kept! We can’t say yes every time…can we? Plus, the lies come easy for Biz, Theresa is full of crisp mountain air, and we talk to Lauren Schne...

Biz and Theresa revisit the trash our kids want to keep. Did we say trash? Treasure! We mean treasure. How have our opinions changed about what to keep and what to toss? If we open a box labeled “kindergarten art” five years after tucking it away in storage, do we still want to save it? Really? Plus, Biz gets the guilt job and Theresa finally shows up. Check out Theresa’s book!  It Feels Good To B...

Biz and Theresa get ready for a visit from Aunt Flo. Just like all family visits, some are welcome and some are not. That's right, we're talking about our periods! We reflect on our experiences getting our periods and discuss how we can prepare our children for puberty. Plus, Biz has a bad feeling about this, Theresa can’t live with them and can’t live without them, and we talk to Maureen Theresa...

Biz and Theresa play doctor and realize we may not be qualified. As soon as we become parents are we suddenly supposed to be medical practitioners? Is “Stop picking it!” not good enough? Plus, Biz visits the stars, rest may not be the best medicine for Theresa, and we talk with Molly Bloom of the podcasts Brains On! and Smash Boom Best . Follow Molly on Twitter @Mollyb and find out more about Brai...

Biz and Theresa try to figure out why we can’t seem to solve our personal challenges the same way we used to, by making a plan and then sticking to it. Surprise! Turns out there are a LOT of reasons why what used to work may not work now that we have kids in our houses. Do we sense a recurring theme here?!?! Plus, Biz misses consistency, Theresa is still ruining birthdays, and we talk to Patrice K...

Biz and Theresa hang ten as we ride the waves of parenthood enjoyment. Is it something that is out of our control or do we have the power to control the tides? More importantly, can we use MORE wave metaphors? Yes. Plus Biz wonders if a witness makes it real and Theresa takes the Docs for a walk. Check out Theresa’s new book!  It Feels Good To Be Yourself  is available now wherever books are sold....

Biz and Theresa talk about a thing that keeps happening where our six-year-olds are going along, having The Best Day Ever, and then suddenly something switches and they decide their day is  ruined  and it is  all Mama's fault . Sure, our kids' emotional regulation skills are in the process of emerging, but that doesn't change the fact that it really sucks to get yelled at! Especially after we just...

Biz and Theresa take turns RIPPING the bandage of trust off our children. Plus, Biz believes there are two types of people in the world and Theresa has frozee toezees! Check out Theresa’s new book!  It Feels Good To Be Yourself  is available now wherever books are sold. Our book  You’re Doing A Great Job!: 100 Ways You’re Winning at Parenting!  is available wherever books are sold. Thank you to al...

Let's celebrate the decade with our 4th Ever HOLIDAY Genius Fail Spectacular Plus Rants show ...take that 20-teens! No matter how much you loved or hated the last 10 years, let's bask in the  glory of how we are all killing it, in good and bad ways. You are doing a good job! Check out Theresa’s new book!  It Feels Good To Be Yourself  is available now wherever books are sold. Our book  You’re Doin...

Biz and Theresa ponder the age old concept: “It’s cute, till it isn’t.” Be it singing or asking questions or adorable bedtime routines, it’s all cute…till it isn’t.  Does it stop being cute with time? When we’re out of patience? When a friend stops by and we notice they don’t think it’s cute? Plus, Biz brought the fudge, Theresa makes some changes and we talk to Jen Lumanlan of the podcast Your Pa...

Biz and Theresa ponder the existential questions surrounding stuffed animals. How many are too many? Do they have souls? If we throw them away will they curse us? Plus Biz has an update and Theresa stops.  Check out Theresa’s new book!  It Feels Good To Be Yourself  is available now wherever books are sold. Our book  You’re Doing A Great Job!: 100 Ways You’re Winning at Parenting!  is available wh...

Biz and Theresa explore apologies. Is saying “I’m sorry” enough or is it more important for kids to learn from their mistakes and accept responsibility for hurting someone else? Can apologizing also be used as an excuse for not wanting to try harder? How do we know if we are setting a good example? Plus Biz is worried, Theresa solves a problem and we welcome back Alli Harper, founder of OurShelves...

In preparation for the holidays Biz and Theresa think about all the weird shit adults do to kids at family gatherings. From pulling coins out from behind your ear to the old “pull my finger” bit, it’s all reflective of the fact that adults may be a little out of touch. That said…quick…pull my finger! Plus Biz has a backyard miracle and Theresa embarks. Check out Theresa's new book! It Feels Good T...

Biz and Theresa continue our "days of the week" series in which we complain about each day of the week. This time our target is Sunday. What was once a day of rest and recovery is now a day of chaos and exhaustion. Is Sunday the new Friday? Plus for Biz nothing has changed, Theresa exists and we talk to Carvell Wallace about parenting advice and Fred Rogers. Follow Carvell on Twitter  @CarvellWall...

Theresa is out sick with the pukes, so the lovely Renee Colvert, of Can I Pet Your Dog podcast, returns as our guest co-host. We explore the art of rudeness in children and dogs. Both can leave a mess on the floor at a guest's house and both generate mixed feelings among us and our co-workers when they show up in the workplace. Plus Biz hates Daylight Saving Time and we speak with Sarah Bowen, one...