This week the guys are going against everything they've ever promised, diving headfirst into your parenting dilemmas... with a sprinkle of advice for the Doters.

💥 Does moving away from your best mate mean the friendship is destined for the group chat graveyard?

🚸 What age should kids be allowed to walk to school on their own?

🍺 And how on earth do you tell your partner it's time to ease up on the booze... without it backfiring?

As always, Ash has some seriously good advice that every couple could take something from.

Plus, Matt shares a worrying update after Buster is rushed in for emergency surgery.

And if you're wondering why Matt's wearing a very special T-shirt, it's for Frankie, the daughter of one of our favourite guests, Jackson.

The shirts are raising money to support children living with cerebral palsy. If you'd like to help out (and score a great tee), you can grab one here.

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If you need a shoulder to cry on: 

Two Doting Dads Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/639833491568735/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTwoDotingDads 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twodotingdads/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@twodotingdads  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Ash is up in arms over a betrayal of the highest order after walking in on his wife in... let's just say, a compromising position.

Meanwhile, Matt faces the ultimate dilemma: spend the evening watching a war documentary with his mum or having sex with Laura. You won't believe who wins.

Ash opens up about why he's changing the way he reacts to sport in front of Oscar, while Matt has an emotional conversation with his girls about heaven that might just leave you reaching for the tissues.

Plus, the best parenting lies we've heard in a long time... you'll want to write them down. 

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If you need a shoulder to cry on: 

Two Doting Dads Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/639833491568735/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTwoDotingDads 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twodotingdads/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@twodotingdads  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

School's back, which means the guys are already feeling defeated by the daily lunchbox battle so they've called in the expert – qualified nutritionist Jules from The Bable (The Baby Food Bible) – to show them not only how to pack a healthy lunchbox the kids will actually eat but how to feed children confidently from babies right through to the school years.

With Matt navigating solids with Poppy, Jules shares everything any new parent needs to know about breastfeeding, introducing solids, baby-led weaning, fussy eaters, family meals and some genuinely game-changing lunchbox hacks that even the boys couldn't believe.

Then it's time for the ultimate lunchbox battle.

The guys go head to head with their lunchboxes and Jules will be the judge. There are some brutal scores, plenty of laughs and one clear winner crowned the supreme lunchbox master.

If mealtimes feel like a daily battle in your house, this episode is packed with practical advice you'll actually use.

To buy a Baby Food Bible or Lunch Box Bible head here. 

Or you can follow Jules here and The Baby Food Bible here. 

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If you need a shoulder to cry on: 

Two Doting Dads Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/639833491568735/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTwoDotingDads 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twodotingdads/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@twodotingdads  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ash has survived the school holidays… barely. With the entire household struck down sick for eight days, he became the designated nurse: cooking, cleaning, and running the ship solo. 

Matt's back from said Bali with tales of parent-child massages, the cruellest security camera prank ever played on a seven-year-old, and Ash shares the sacred flannel wash system for dodging Bali belly,

Matt and Ash also take aim at this year's report cards. Apparently every kid in New South Wales is just "satisfactory". Ash unveils his masterstroke of parenting: the family Uno ladder, a whiteboard scoring system that's ended bedtime meltdowns once and for all.

Plus, some breaking news from the world of science that'll have every dad "looking after his health" 21 times a month, Ash cops a shout-out on another podcast (as "Jamie", naturally), and a trip to the soccer fields ends with poor Lenny copping a rocket to the face and a concussion. Twenty Pokémon cards later, all is forgiven.

If you need a shoulder to cry on: 

Two Doting Dads Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/639833491568735/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTwoDotingDads 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twodotingdads/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@twodotingdads  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matt's back from Bali and he's got beef... with the nonnas of this country, who apparently think it's fine to kiss children they've never met in airport elevators. Ash also unveiled the greatest travel hack of all time: April's buffet tackle box, a Kmart special that's fed the family for an entire holiday.

Matt and Ash also weigh in on the great plane seat debate, why the red-eye flight home is a rookie error, and whether telling your kids the screens are "broken" counts as good parenting (it does).

Plus, a Par-Rant about car park vultures circling mid-nappy-change, whether you're a good parent if all you do is bring home the money, and the daycare sickness dilemma splitting one very pregnant listener.

If you need a shoulder to cry on:

Two Doting Dads Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/639833491568735/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTwoDotingDads

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twodotingdads/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matt's on the brink after a house full of nits and a swimming lesson that never happened. He's also discovered that entertaining a baby is a lot harder than it looks after realising he has no idea how to play with Poppy.

Despite being sick, Ash has loaded up on vitamins and is ready to vent, starting with the ever-growing list of foods Oscar has decided he's scared of.

Plus, the annoying things kids do that are actually signs you're nailing parenting, and the parenting faux pas Matt says you'll regret if you don't avoid it.

If you need a shoulder to cry on: 

Two Doting Dads Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/639833491568735/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTwoDotingDads 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twodotingdads/ 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Confession: we thought we knew how periods worked. We absolutely did not.

This week we're getting a proper education from Jackie from The Nourished Cycle.

She schools us on every stage of the menstrual cycle including why we really need to know when the luteal phase is, why PMS isn't as simple as we've been led to believe and how we can better prepare our daughters for when that first period arrives.

There were plenty of genuine mind-blown moments in this one and whether you're raising daughters, living with a woman or just wondering how you've made it this far without knowing any of this, you'll walk away with a whole new understanding.

Plus exactly what tools you'll want to keep in your family's sanitary tool kit.

If you'd like to follow or get in touch with Jackie you can find her here.

If you need a shoulder to cry on: 

Two Doting Dads Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/639833491568735/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTwoDotingDads 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twodotingdads/ 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ash is sick, in denial that school holidays have started and has a newfound respect for every woman who's ever had an epidural after seeing the size of that needle.

Meanwhile, Matt's just landed from the Gold Coast and is already off to Bali (must be nice), but not before spiralling over the family plane seating plan.

The guys tackle the screen time debate, why parents might be getting pocket money all wrong, the canteen gossip that's draining your wallet, and why a dad settling a baby in public gets a standing ovation while mums don't even get eye contact.

If you need a shoulder to cry on: 

Two Doting Dads Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/639833491568735/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTwoDotingDads 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twodotingdads/ 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ash's sick, so naturally the episode goes completely off the rails.

This week we're discussing the deeply concerning music our kids know all the words to, whether there's an acceptable playlist for sex (and just how much mood lighting is too much), plus a Doter Hack from a listener who's found a genius way to get the kids out the door in the morning.

Then we tackle the debate that's got parents arguing online: should a dad have used the women's toilets to help his young daughters?

It's a bit of a mixed bag this week... but so is parenting.

If you need a shoulder to cry on: 

Two Doting Dads Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/639833491568735/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTwoDotingDads 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twodotingdads/ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@twodotingdads  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Ash takes Oscar on a trip to make some core memories which might just earn him Dad of the Year.

Meanwhile, Matt is trying to avoid kicking off another sibling rivalry while celebrating Marlie's birthday, but one very unimpressed child isn't exactly sold on the entertainment.

Plus the boys settle the debate on Australia's favourite biscuit, say goodbye to one of our OG listeners and finally retire one of the worst nappy bags we've ever seen (sorry, Vic).

And Ash has a new book! You can preorder it here

If you'd like to send some kids' artwork to hang in the studio - email us at [email protected] or DM us for the address.

If you need a shoulder to cry on: 

Two Doting Dads Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/639833491568735/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTwoDotingDads 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twodotingdads/ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@twodotingdads  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've had plenty of parenting experts on the podcast lately and while we've loved every bit of advice they've shared, today's guest brings something just as valuable.

Jackson Wray isn't a doctor or parenting guru. But he's an expert in showing up every day for his daughter, Frankie.

Frankie is four years old and lives with severe cerebral palsy, blindness and epilepsy. While many might expect Jackson's story to be one of heartbreak, it's actually one filled with love, gratitude and positivity.

Together with his wife Alex, Jackson shares glimpses into their family's life, and it's impossible not to be inspired by Frankie's determination and joy. She continues to prove that her diagnosis doesn't define what's possible.

This conversation is full of perspective, hope and a reminder of what really matters in parenting. We hope you love it as much as we did.

It's one that will stay with you long after it ends.

If you'd like to follow Jackson, Alex & Frankie's story you can do so here. 

If you'd like to buy a Frankie t-shirt to support a charity that helps her you can get them here.

If you need a shoulder to cry on: 

Two Doting Dads Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/639833491568735/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTwoDotingDads 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twodotingdads/ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@twodotingdads  

Hosts: Matty J & Ash Wicks

Producer: Vic

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.