The Timms Take

In this episode, Matt and Rachel share the results of Timms Take Trivia, discuss the merits of Disney as a vacation destination and recap their recent trip. Plus, stay till the end for a little tension on the podcast about the different ways Matt and Rachel approach post-vacation life. Have your own opinions about Disneyland or DisneyWorld? Let us know at timmstake@gmail.com! Mentioned in this epi...

We made it! 50 episodes! To celebrate, Matt reflect on 50 episodes of podcasting, have a very special guest on and preview a listener quiz. That's right, here it is - for you oh dear listener, CLICK HERE FOR TIMMS TAKE TRIVIA . You can take this at any time, but if you want to be eligible for the Timms Take Prize Pack, be sure to complete it by Friday, December 10. As always, thanks for liste...

In this episode, Matt and Rachel revisit their conversation about traditions, Matt issues a public statement and they share some "Key Plays" in Oliver's recent development.  We want to hear about your traditions! What has sizzled? What has fizzled? Let us know at timmstake@gmail.com! Mentioned in this episode: The Bible Ride (tragically out of print, but available on Ebay!) Shauna N...

In this episode, Matt and Rachel discuss a packed work week for Rachel, how they think about Santa and the Tooth Fairy and offer some of their favorite things in "I'm Not Just a Parent!" Tooth Fairy: Creepy or magical? You decide. Let us know at timmstake@gmail.com! Mentioned in this episode: " The Tooth Fairy, Santa, Parents, and God " by Lydia Musher The West Wing Weekly...

In this episode, Matt and Rachel make a promise to revisit traditions soon, discuss how to cultivate space for wondering about the world together and hear about Rachel's go-to places for Oliver's clothing. There's a lot packed in there! Let us know how you maintain wonder in the midst of a full life by sending us a note at timmstake@gmail.com! Mentioned in this episode: Coffee &...

In this episode, Matt and Rachel talk a little about birthdays, traveling with toddlers and expectations before diving into a larger discussion about "good enough parenting." Stick around for a Field Guide for Parents and a bonus poem read by Rachel. Let us know your thoughts how to let go of perfectionism and let your child be their own person at timmstake@gmail.com! Mentioned in this e...

In this episode, Matt and Rachel revisit Rachel's travel preparations and their effectiveness (or not) and Matt brings an unexpectedly spicy take about holiday traditions. Yes, they will be working through what comes up in this episode for sometime. Let us know your thoughts on family or individual traditions at timmstake@gmail.com! Mentioned in this episode: The " Haters Gonna Hate &quo...

In this special pre-vacation edition, Matt and Rachel preview their upcoming trip and the steps they [editor's note: Read, Rachel] have taken to ready Oliver (and themselves) for traveling to the Midwest. They also wrestle with the risk this entails in a pandemic and how to be hospitable to others as they travel. Think Rachel's plans were successful (or not). Let us know at timmstake@gma...

In this episode, Matt and Rachel respond to some mail, discuss sleep training (and reflecting back on decisions you already made) and they premier a new segment: Instagram Unposted. Have opinions about sleep training and the article we discussed? Read it (see link below) and reach out to us at timmstake@gmail.com! Mentioned in this episode: Emily Oster, " Sleep Training: Is It Bad? " Par...

In this episode, Matt and Rachel recap their recent Yosemite modeling experience (and first night away from Oliver!), talk about hills they will and won't die on, and Rachel shares a favorite product in a new segment. Have opinions about the blog post we discussed? Read it (see link below) and reach out to us at timmstake@gmail.com! Mentioned in this episode: Odessa James Photo (our friend Sh...

In this episode, Matt and Rachel reach into the mailbag, offer their takes and experiences with intensive parenting, expectations for a parent-child relationship in adulthood and share a significant Oliver milestone! Have opinions about the article we discussed? Read it at the link below and reach out to us at timmstake@gmail.com! Mentioned in this episode: "Parents Are Sacrificing Their Soci...

In this episode, Matt and Rachel give an update on the state of the podcast, respond to some mail, and talk about toxic positivity in our parenting language. Also, some field guide tips on managing toys!  Have opinions about narrating children's emotions or anything else we talked about? Let us know at timmstake@gmail.com! Mentioned in this episode: Instagram Account: @biglittlefeelings Here...

In this episode, Matt and Rachel look back at the past year through the lens of wins, losses and draws. Want a full recap of Oliver's first year? Well, go back and listen to the archive. But want a glimpse into a few things that stand out? This is your episode! As always, we'd love to hear from you, particularly if you know the latest about wipe technology. Reach out at timmstake@gmail.c...

In this episode, Matt and Rachel talk about Oliver's reaction to Matt's haircut, his general "sour patch" tendencies and what Rachel thinks of people who call each other "Mom" and "Dad". ;) Plus, we talk about some non-parenting related things in our segment "I'm Not Just a Parent." As always, we'd love to hear from you. Reach out at timm...

In this episode, Matt and Rachel talk about their recent vacation, the challenge of loving Oliver well in hard seasons and some recent bathtub slips. As always, we'd love to hear from you. Reach out at timmstake@gmail.com! Mentioned in this episode: Here's what Matt and Rachel were trying to describe when talking about the ring stacking thingy .  More info about TSA Precheck  

We're on vacation this week! So no new episode today, but we promise we'll make it up to you with an episode coming later this week. In the meantime, you can always build up our backlog of mailbag notes by emailing us at timmstake@gmail.com. Talk to you soon!

In this episode, Matt and Rachel revisit some highlights from a packed couple of weeks including a date night at Golden One Center, a visit from the grandparents and Oliver's baptism. Want to get on the ground floor of Rachel's Sellable Forms? We're accepting business inquiries at timmstake@gmail.com. And by business inquiries, we just mean regular mail/interaction. :) Mentioned in...

In this episode, Matt and Rachel reveal the winner of the guessing competition in our last episode, talk about Oliver's first visit to the church nursery (well, really Rachel's feelings around that), Oliver's squirming ways, the joys and challenges of mealtime and oh so much more. Want to take a shot at that prize with an unprecedentedly good piece of mail? Email us at timmstake@gma...

In this episode, Matt and Rachel talk about Oliver's recent 9-month appointment, unstructured play time, family pace and rest, and a couple of new hobbies for us! There's a lot in here. :) Plus, can you guess what Matt was struggling with throughout the episode? Email us at timmstake@gmail.com to win a prize (I don't know what it is, but I'm sure it will be good). Mentioned in...

In this episode, Matt and Rachel talk about Oliver's cannibalistic tendencies (mostly joking!), nap transitions, his Spring collection and the impact of a baby on the practicalities of our faith - what in the world does church look like without an open nursery and a 9 month old? We had questions for you too - what have you done about traditions for your young kids? Do you have any good sustai...

In this episode, Matt and Rachel take a larger look back at the past year and some of the particular losses in light of the many complexities that came with it. But the episode ends on a lighter note with some mail! As always, we would love to hear from you! You can reach out to timmstake@gmail.com and be featured in a future mailbag segment. :) Mentioned in this episode: The Bell Tower Podcast: H...

In this episode, Matt and Rachel talk about their big beach day, Oliver's noise at the dining table, and Rachel brings a spicy take about the recent toxic metals in baby food situation (okay, it wasn't that spicy). As always, want to write in? You can reach out to timmstake@gmail.com. We'd love to hear from you! Mentioned in this episode: Our new Baby Beach Tent (Oliver nap approved...

In this episode, Matt and Rachel talk about Oliver's personality and newfound movement abilities, Matt affirms Rachel's grocery cart challenges from last time and they offer a couple of cleaning recommendations. As always, want to write in? You can reach out to timmstake@gmail.com. We'd love to hear from you! Mentioned in this episode: Tody (Cleaning App) More info about Apple Famil...

An apology: Phew boy, sorry for the audio here folks. Lots of heavy breathing and plosives hitting the mic. If you need to skip and move on, we understand. We'll have it fixed for next time, but there was too much good stuff here to just rerecord. So if you're willing to suffer through it, here's what you'll hear: In this episode, Matt and Rachel talk about transitioning to the...

In this episode, Matt and Rachel talk about baby giggles, a soon-to-come transition for Oliver, current events and work life. It's a packed episode! As always, we'd love to hear from you! You can reach out to timmstake@gmail.com.