On this episode: Play the music and light the lights! Lucy Lopez, Elizabeth Newcamp, and Zak Rosen are getting crafty and talking Muppets! The Muppet Show is back with a really fun, exciting special. The ‘Rents talk about Miss. Piggy, the musical guests, and we hear from the kids on what they thought. While they’re dishing about Kermit and crew, Zak and Elizabeth each share how to make a craft that is perfect for Valentine’s Day. The whole family will love this episode! 

For Zak’s craft you’ll need an empty toilet paper roll or two, some paint (ideally acrylic but any will work) and then a canvas of some type - t-shirt, piece of paper, anything you want.

For Elizabeth’s craft you’ll need paper, scissors, a stapler (or a paperclip if you’re Zak) and a ruler. 

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth. Video production by Micah Phillips. 

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When we think of rituals, we tend to think of face masks and wellness trends. But there are actually ways to use rituals to help heal grief and deal with stressful times. On this episode, Lucy Lopez, Elizabeth Newcamp, and Zak Rosen are joined by ritual expert Betty Ray to talk about creative ways to help children process grief and big emotions, how to use ritual to create safety and expression, and much more.

Later in the show, they share their Triumphs and Fails. Lucy reveals that her kid is happily trolling a family member, Zak shares a beautiful family ritual, and Elizabeth is in the thick of it medically. 

Mentioned in the Episode

Pandora’s Way - A daily ritual app

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth. Video production by Micah Phillips. 

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If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.

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On this episode: Lucy Lopez, Elizabeth Newcamp, and Zak Rosen, like a lot of people in America right now, are feeling stressed and overwhelmed over what is happening in Minneapolis and across the country. Recently, the situation in Minneapolis escalated even further when federal agents shot and killed ICU nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretti. This is just the latest in a massive upheaval in the city since thousands of armed and masked Department of Homeland Security agents were sent into the city in December. 

They start the show checking in with each other about how they’re all doing right now and try to help each other process these times. Lucy opens up about being an immigrant in Miami during all this, Elizabeth shares the complicated situation on military bases, and more.

Later in the show, they’re joined by Slate writer Shirin Ali to talk through her latest piece, “Minneapolis Is Just the Beginning” and talk through ways families can prepare in case ICE comes to their city.

Helpful Resources and Mentioned in the Show

5 Calls (For calling your lawmakers)

Minnesota State Senator, Erin Maye Quade’s TikTok with advice

AACAP Resource Library on Children, Families & Immigration

10 Strategies for How Schools Should Respond to Help Children Impacted by ICE Raids

We The People Activist Toolkit

No Kings website

Adopt a Day Labor Corner 

Publishing for Minnesota 

How Immigration Enforcement Became So Violent - What Next

Everyone Saw CBP Kill Alex Pretti - What Next

Video production by Micah Phillips. 

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Join us on Facebook and email us at [email protected] to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.

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On this episode: Lucy Lopez, Elizabeth Newcamp, and Zak Rosen want you to know that you’re still a great parent, even if you don’t sit by your kids’ bedside to gently wake them up. It’s okay! The ‘Rents sit down and debunk some of those pretty parenting tips you see all the time on Instagram. You know the ones. They have a really aesthetic, soothing background, and then say something wild like “Meaningfully listen to everything your kid says.” We can try to gentle it up all the time BUT sometimes we just don’t care what the kids are saying! Come for the debunking, stay for a relatable venting session.

Then, they answer a listener question: Is it okay for a parent’s daughter, who is very interested in learning about other cultures, to have a Sari/Saree? They want to nurture the interest but is it culturally appropriate?

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth. Video production by Micah Phillips. 

Follow us on YouTube! 

Join us on Facebook and email us at [email protected] to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.

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On this episode: Lucy Lopez, Elizabeth Newcamp, and Zak Rosen want you to know that it’s GOOD to ask for what you need! A listener’s non-verbal kid seems to be doing great at school, but the school hasn’t been communicating with mom about what’s going on for her kid during the day. Should she reach out and ask for more? Or be happy that her kid is happy?

But first, they share their latest Triumphs and Fails: Zak loses his temper at Niagara Falls, Elizabeth is struggling with Teddy’s reluctance to go…anywhere, and Lucy is living in a theater house with both girls getting the leads in their school plays.

Want to know what Slate parenting columnist Nicole Chung thought about the listener’s letter? Check out the Care and Feeding column, “I Need Something More From My Son’s Already Overworked Teacher. I’m Scared to Ask for It.”

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth. Video production by Micah Phillips. 

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Join us on Facebook and email us at [email protected] to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.

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On this episode: Lucy Lopez, Elizabeth Newcamp, and Zak Rosen are doing a deep dive on child safety at home. They bring on expert Holly Choi from Safe Beginnings to talk about the most dangerous parts of your home, tips for safety classes, why those de-choking devices aren’t worth your money, and more.

But first, it’s mailbag time! We read EVERY email you send and every comment you post on our socials, but we’ve been behind in sharing them on the show. So the ‘Rents dig into some of your comments and advice. 

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Join us on Facebook and email us at [email protected] to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.

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On this episode: Lucy Lopez, Elizabeth Newcamp, and Zak Rosen get into a listener’s question about whether or not to gift a gaming counsel to their college kid. They bought the gift when the kid was doing well in school, but now they’re struggling again. Should that matter? 

But first, they share their latest triumphs and fails. Elizabeth is in her Worm Era and explains the wonders of vermicomposting. Then Lucy and Zak commiserate on how they handled some very big feelings from their teen and near-teen. Lucy worries she has become super cringe, while Zak responded to his eight-year-old as if HE was the eight-year-old. 

Mentioned in the Episode

The FBI Song from the Banna Slug Stringband

Worm Ohana

I Bought My Kid a Present. Now I’m Having Second Thoughts. - Care and Feeding Column

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth. Video production by Micah Phillips. 

Follow us on YouTube! 

Join us on Facebook and email us at [email protected] to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.

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On this episode: Lucy Lopez, Elizabeth Newcamp, and Zak Rosen are digging into parenting styles. The new book on the block is Lighthouse Parenting: Raising Your Child With Loving Guidance for a LIfelong Bond, out in March. And it got us thinking: are all these different parenting styles - Tiger Mom, Gentle Parenting, Free Range, etc - kinda trash? They dig into their styles, how to make different styles work for you, and more.

Then, while Lucy and Zak don’t LOVE to read parenting books, they all share books that they actually got something out of. 

Mentioned in the Show:

Want to Raise Resilient Kids? Try Lighthouse Parenting from Parents.com

Middle School Magic from Care & Feeding

Glow-up Self-Love Workbook for Teen Girls by Light It Up! Publications 

Cribsheet by Emily Oster

The Whole-Brain Child by Dr. Daniel Siegel

The Daily Dad

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth. Video production by Micah Phillips.

Join us on Facebook and email us at [email protected] to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.

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On this episode: Lucy Lopez, Elizabeth Newcamp, and Zak Rosen are talking New Years Resolutions. Do they kinda suck? Maybe! But the ‘Rents are sharing their goals and ambitions for 2026 anyway. 

But first, they share their latest triumphs and fails. Elizabeth’s involves fire. Zak’s involves free activities. And Lucy’s involves a sisterly text message. 

Join us on Facebook and email us at [email protected] to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.

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On this episode: Lucy Lopez, Elizabeth Newcamp, and Zak Rosen are going into the vault. In a very special episode, we’re sharing some of our favorite Slate Plus bonus episodes for freeeee!!! We bring you episodes on Halloween costumes, the best lullabies, and more. If you like what you hear, you should absolutely consider subscribing to Slate Plus! This is just a little taste of the fun we have on the Plus Playground. If you sign up you’ll also get an ad-free experience across the network, bonus episodes on lots of other Slate podcasts, and much more. And, you’ll be helping Care and Feeding stay on air.  Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth. Video production by Micah Phillips. 

Join us on Facebook and email us at [email protected] to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.

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The hosts are on vacation this week! So we're taking you back in time with one of our favorite episodes of the year.

Elizabeth and Zak talk with Ash Brandin, author of Power On, about managing screen time without guilt or panic. They discuss realistic strategies and why screen time doesn’t define parenting quality. Then, a listener’s question about school tech mandates gets some thoughtful answers. Plus, Slate Plus offers kid-friendly tech picks.

If you’re not part of the Slate Plus community, we hope you’ll consider joining! Keep reading to learn how.

Join us on Facebook and email us at [email protected] to ask questions, share feedback, and suggest future topics. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an extra weekly grab-bag of content on the Plus Playground, an ad-free experience across the network, and support the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus — or try it out on Apple Podcasts.

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