These Can't Be My Kids

The conversation delves into the challenges and rewards of parenting adult children, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries and maintaining a close bond. It explores the sacrifices and struggles of motherhood, highlighting the significance of education and the enduring love and support for children. The episode concludes with final tips for parenting adult children and a heartfelt Mother...

In this episode, we’re talking about the moment disrespect stops being something you brush off… and becomes something you have to confront. What happens when your child crosses a line you never imagined they would? Not just attitude. Not just frustration. But words, actions, and patterns that force you to pause and ask, “What am I allowing?” This conversation is honest, uncomfortable, and necessar...

Season 3 starts right where we are—no script, no perfect answers, just real conversation. In this episode, we’re talking through what it actually feels like when parenting shifts. The roles change, the dynamics change… and sometimes you’re left figuring it out in real time. This isn’t a how-to. It’s an honest conversation about the moments that don’t get talked about enough—the in-between, the unc...

Motherhood doesn’t end when your kids turn 18—it just changes jobs. In this episode, Karen and Leila unpack the invisible weight moms keep carrying long after their children are grown. From being the “emotional ATM” and late-night crisis contact to managing everyone’s appointments, birthdays, and breakdowns, the mental load is real . Karen shares what it’s like to carry it all as a single mom with...

🍗✨ What would you do if you cut open your chicken nugget and found… NOTHING? Amanda Reed did just that — and her viral call-out to Walmart had the internet screaming. We’re breaking down the saga of the hollow nugget , the audacity of it all, and why sometimes you’ve got to laugh (before you cry over your snack). 🎧 Tap in to this week’s It’s the Audacity for Me segment — because breading withou...

When it comes to dating, parents spot the warning signs long before their grown kids do. From disrespectful communication and financial messes to couch-surfing partners and drama-filled “situationships,” the red flags wave loud and clear—but love can make our kids blind to them. In this episode, Leila and Karen share personal stories, break down the most common red flags in adult children’s relati...

When your neighbor’s tree is two houses away but somehow becomes your full-time problem… the audacity writes itself. In this episode of It’s the Audacity for Me , Karen and Leila dive into the hilarious story of a woman who tried to get her neighbor’s tree cut down with notes, city complaints, and even a threat to run for mayor. From petty neighbor drama to over-the-top entitlement, we break down...

In this brutally honest and hilariously relatable episode of These Can’t Be My Kids, Leila and Karen dive into the chaos of parenting adult children—where the messes aren’t diapers, they’re emotional breakdowns, surprise Venmo requests, and existential career pivots. From financial fiascos to relationship drama and identity reinventions, “Shit Happens” explores the unpredictable reality of guiding...

This week on “It’s the Audacity for Me,” Leila and Karen unpack the jaw-dropping case of a Wisconsin teen who allegedly killed his parents, lived with their bodies for weeks, and then plotted to assassinate the U.S. president. This story has audacity stacked on audacity.

From tears in Colorado to boundaries in Mansfield, this is a soul-stirring call to every momma still trying to rescue grown folks while losing yourself. If your cape is dragging, this episode will help you fold it up, breathe deep, and reclaim your peace. DM us your “cape moment” and tag #HeavyCape and #TheseCantBeMyKids .

...because the cyclist wasn’t the problem. This week, Karen and Leila break down a viral clip that had us clutching our steering wheels. A woman in traffic decides the real villain of her day… is a cyclist legally using the lane. The biker’s chill. But sis in the car? She’s got full-blown road rage and zero understanding of traffic law. Watch the clip. Stay for the commentary.

Kamoni booked a one-way ticket to Colombia with nothing but his checked bag and his last paycheck, and a dream he clearly borrowed from someone else. No itinerary. No Spanish. No travel insurance. Just vibes and a passport after getting fired Mid-Week. He landed in Bogotá like he was starring in his own travel documentary—except there was no crew, no budget, and no plan. Within two weeks, he’d spe...

The Car? The Coffin? Or No Accountability? You tell us. This episode dives into grief, gaslighting, and general accountability. #ItsTheAudacityForMe #NewEpisodeAlert #TuneInTonight #FYP

You gave them the résumé, the references, and the ride to work. They gave you tardiness, attitude, and a termination notice with your last name on it. In this brutally honest and hilariously painful episode, Leila unpacks what happens when your adult kids fumble the professional opportunities you built from scratch. From missed shifts to missed signals, it’s a masterclass in entitlement and the fi...

Ever been blindsided by a Performance Improvement Plan that felt more like a corporate breakup letter than a growth opportunity? In this episode, Leila and Karen dive headfirst into the absurdity of being placed on a PIP—especially when the only thing that needed improving was management’s self-awareness. Whether you’re currently on a PIP, survived one, or just love a good workplace drama, this ep...

In this episode, Karen and Leila connect with another mom of adult children and dive deep into the hilarious and horrifying aspects of parenting. #TheseCantBeMyKids #fyp #Podcast #ParentingPodcast

You ever meet someone and barely finish learning their name before you're hit with an invite that screams, “Pack your bags, empty your wallet, and pretend we’re besties”? Yeah, us too. This episode spills all the tea on a bachelorette invite that had us blinking in disbelief—complete with group chat drama, five-star expectations, and a price tag that said “ma'am, be serious.” We hadn’t even RSVPed...

Motherhood doesn’t end when they move out—it just evolves into emotionally-funded chaos, surprise Venmo requests, and 2AM therapy texts. In this episode, Karen breaks down the science of stress-induced heartache with a hilariously honest look at Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy, aka Broken Heart Syndrome: a temporary condition where emotional whiplash causes the heart’s left ventricle to balloon, usually...

Feeling drained, frustrated, and questioning every parenting decision you’ve ever made? You’re not alone. Grab your favorite drink and join Karen and Leila as they unpack the chaos of parenting adult children—sharing firsthand experiences with the stress, the drama, and those jaw-dropping moments that make us say, These Can't Be My Kids! How do we set boundaries when our children repeatedly make p...

In this episode of These Can't Be My Kids, we tackle the age-old struggle of parental favoritism—or at least the perception of it. When adult children are convinced, you coddle one, enable another, and outright neglect the third, how do parents keep the peace? Is fairness even possible, or is it just another myth of parenthood? Join us as we dig into the guilt, the accusations, and the exhausting...

In this laugh-out-loud episode, we dive into the hilariously confusing world of reverse parenting—when our adult children decide it’s their job to teach us how to be responsible grown-ups! From lectures about relationships to unsolicited advice on handling our health (as if we haven’t been doing it for decades), we share the absurd moments when our kids take charge and treat us like clueless rooki...

This week, we’re talking about the kind of stories that make moms everywhere shake their heads and say, “What the H***” One of our sons decided a ridiculous tattoo was a great idea (spoiler: it wasn’t), and another thought sneaking into abandoned buildings was a fun weekend hobby. From ink regrets to urban adventures, we’re sharing the laughs, the gasps, and the FOOLISH! Moments that come with our...

Karen and Leila sit down for an honest conversation about the unseen sacrifices parents make—those quiet, everyday choices that our children may never fully grasp. They take a deep dive into the meaning of sacrifice, as Karen opens up about her personal struggle with feeling responsible for the way her children behave. Together, they explore the different ways parents give of themselves, from time...

Listen as we share stories of how JUDGEMENTAL our kids can be towards the people who gave birth to them. Do you have judgmental children? Adult Children who criticize you about your clothing, your relationships, the way you spend your money? If so, then you can relate to our stories and would love for you to not allow us to feel alone. Send us your stories at stories@thesecantbemykids Don't forget...

From the unexpected sass to the downright baffling comments, adult kids have a way of leaving us speechless. Whether it’s the tone that stings or the words that make us wonder if we raised them right, their wild and wacky remarks can feel like a rollercoaster ride. Join us today as we share our personal experience with our own adult children, sharing our feelings, our surprises and the exasperated...