The Timms Take

Matt and Rachel discuss play, what it looks like and whether they're good at it. Together they start working towards a grand theory of play. Plus some mail from the deep end! How do you play? Let us know by emailing us at timmstake@gmail.com. Mentioned in this episode: Rachel's bubbly music: " Feels So Right " and " Everything's Right " by Matt Wertz

Rachel and Matt talk about the things they don't want to forget about this season, both things that Oliver and Julian are doing and things that they are feeling and experiencing themselves. We're always looking for more mail! Email us at timmstake@gmail.com. Mentioned in this episode: Rich Roll Podcast with Jessica Lahey: Innoculating Kids Against Addiction

Matt and Rachel discuss the ways that having a second child has changed them from resignation to patience to introversion and all kinds of things in between. Plus, some things that haven't seemed to change at all!  Have you noticed any changes through the podcast? Email us at timmstake@gmail.com!

Rachel and Matt do a snake draft of the services they subscribe to after some brief marital therapy induced by some recent sleepless nights.  Do you have a favorite thing you're subscribed to? Email us at timmstake@gmail.com. Mentioned in this episode: Chris Trager, the fine-tuned machine Getting Things Done by David Allen Our subscriptions: Todoist 1Password Spotify YNAB ; referral link Leag...

Matt interviews Rachel about her experience of instinctive decision making as a mom. Where do they come from? How does she discern when to pay attention and when to trust conventional wisdom despite them?  And stay to the end to hear about Oliver's own parenting techniques! Have instincts of your own? A story where they worked out perfectly (or not so perfectly)? Email us at timmstake@gmail.c...

Matt and Rachel talk about the positive and negative pressures that get applied when they have to parent in public and the way so much of this reflects our own stuff far more than the parenting our kids need! Plus, Oliver on red dye. As always, we welcome your own takes! Email us at timmstake@gmail.com. Mentioned in this episode: Sesame Street's "Good Night, World!" Beth Moore'...

Rachel and Matt talk about the value of studying the loves  and passions of others in the family and some examples of ways they have done that for each other and with Oliver. Plus some brief weather talk and the challenge of working out what's going on with a five month old. Have your own example? Or another family/friend philosophy? Email us and let us know at timmstake@gmail.com. Mentioned...

Matt and Rachel discuss the surprising lack of rules in their family, how that might be a healthy thing and how children (toddlers especially!) help relativize the importance of ironclad boundaries. Have a favorite family rule? Or a personal hard line you will not cross? Email us and let us know at timmstake@gmail.com. Mentioned in this episode: Raising Boys & Girls Podcast The Worry-Free Pare...

Rachel and Matt hit a couple of quick highlights from recent days, and then dive deep on their love of reading, where it came from, how they've cultivated it and some favorites of this year! Have a book recommendation? Or another favorite hobby you're dying to share with us? Email us and let us know at timmstake@gmail.com. Mentioned in this episode: Wayside School Series by Louis Sachar...

Matt and Rachel lament their current four month regression with Julian and reflect on what it's like going back through this all a second time. Whose analogy did you like better? It might be the only thing worth commenting on in this episode. Email us and let us know at timmstake@gmail.com. Mentioned in this episode: Previous sleep regression episodes: Episode 20 (" I declared the regres...

Rachel and Matt talk about the guilt around certain areas that they carry with them about their parenting, how they process that individually and together. How do you grapple with guilt, whether parenting-related or in another part of your life? We'd love to hear about it. Email us at timmstake@gmail.com. Mentioned in this episode: Instagram Reel about " Soaking It All In " The Bear...

Matt and Rachel explore the question "what compelling or interesting things do you bring in your role in our family?" It leads to an interesting and encouraging conversation as they explore their dynamic and how that interacts with early expectations in marriage. Have you had a conversation like this with someone? Inspired by this episode? We'd love to hear about it. Email us at tim...

Rachel and Matt offer a whole episode of TV recommendations. Now that they can't just use Matt's parents' Netflix, they are watching shows one streaming platform at a time. So, if you only subscribed for a month, what do they think you should watch? Listen to find out.  We'd love to hear your recommendations. What are your favorite shows? What should we check out? Why should we...

We're back! Matt and Rachel talk about the future of the podcast and share a few of the things that have happened recently including Julian's birth, Oliver's third birthday and how they feel about it all. As we broaden the topics of the podcast, we're game for anything - send us a note about something you'd be curious to hear our "take" on! Email us at timmstake@...

No, it's not an update; just a couple of tired parents trying to not mislead listeners. More to (maybe) come soon (maybe), we think (possibly)...

One month out from baby #2 and how are we feeling? Rachel and Matt reflect on what they are anticipating, how they've been preparing (and not preparing), and what this might mean for their relationship. Plus an announcement of our upcoming plans (or lack thereof). We welcome mail responses to episodes old and new! Email us at timmstake@gmail.com. Mentioned in this episode: Kate Bowler, "...

This episode is all (and only) the other stuff featuring a new favorite fantasy series, newsletter, another (rival?) podcast and some of Oliver's recent sayings. Links below! Plus Rachel asks for breakfast suggestions. Breakfast suggestions? Future topic ideas? Send them to  timmstake@gmail.com. Mentioned in this episode: Chris Traegar from Parks and Rec The Legendborn Cycle by Tracy Deonn Cr...

In this episode,  Matt and Rachel talk about their recent summit conversation and the way it created a significant "before and after" moment for Matt. How do you practice contentment? Email us at timmstake@gmail.com. Mentioned in this episode: " From the Summit " by Hannah (aka "Blog Crush Lady") Four Thousand Week s by Oliver Burkeman Survivor is back! The Ember mug

In this episode,  Rachel and Matt discuss screen time, how much Oliver gets it, and why it might be helpful for us to just relax a little (or more than a little). Plus a mention of Oliver's first dentist experience. Do you have thoughts on screen time? We know you do! Email us at timmstake@gmail.com. Mentioned in this episode: Emily Oster's Cribsheet " From the Summit " by Hann...

In this episode,  Matt and Rachel rank Oliver's 22 stuffed animals, discussing their rankings in light of affection and emotional reactions, longevity, our personal connections to his animals, places they've been, and their heritage. Disagree with these authoritative rankings? Email us at timmstake@gmail.com. Mentioned in this episode: Photos of Oliver's animals: Almost the Whole Ga...

In this episode, Rachel and Matt share many of the joys they experience as parents of Oliver including the magic of a toddler's head on your shoulder, seeing your child's sense of humor come alive, the funny things they say and much more. We always love mail! Email us at timmstake@gmail.com. Mentioned in this episode: Bluey Ezra Klein Show: " This Is Your Brain on Deep Reading. It&a...

In this episode, Matt and Rachel explore some hopes for the new year (beyond getting potty training settled). They talk about enjoying this stage in Oliver's development, hopes for outside fun and Matt continues to revisit his unhealthy obsession with productivity. What are your hopes for the New Year? We'd love to hear them! Email us at timmstake@gmail.com.

In this episode, Rachel and Matt debrief/vent about a tough week and Matt grapples with the difference between parenting in concept and parenting in reality.  Want to send some encouragement, any encouragement? We'd welcome it! Email us at timmstake@gmail.com. Mentioned in this episode: Jon McLaughlin: Red & Green

In this episode, Matt and Rachel go back and forth talking about what works and doesn't work for convincing Oliver to do what he's asked from preparing him for what's to come to offering a rational explanation to playing games along the way. Have your own negotiating tactic? Email us at timmstake@gmail.com. Mentioned in this episode: Episode 59 on Gentle Parenting How to Talk So Lit...

In this episode, Rachel and Matt talk about their (ahem, Rachel's) toy philosophy and some toys laying around their house that fit into different categories like "best unexpected toy", "most regretted purchase" and more. Plus, stay to the end for a big announcement. Have advice in light of that announcement? Email us at timmstake@gmail.com. Mentioned in this episode: Littl...