What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood | Parenting Tips From Funny Moms

Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson

real parenting advice from two funny moms

  • 43 minutes 39 seconds
    Is Gentle Parenting "Too" Gentle?

    There's a reason "gentle parenting" has become synonymous in some circles—and on social media—with never ever telling a child "no," even in the most extreme circumstances. But where did "gentle parenting" begin, what does the research really say about it, and what can it actually offer parents in the way of making their lives easier?


    Amy and Margaret discuss:

    • The original definition of "gentle parenting"—and how it leaves the door open for broad interpretations
    • What research has actually shown about the effects of gentle parenting—and how those who consider themselves gentle parents are faring
    • What the disagreements surrounding gentle parenting tells us about parenting in the modern world


    Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode:


    We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website:

    https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/


    What Fresh Hell is co-hosted by Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson.


    mom friends, funny moms, parenting advice, parenting experts, parenting tips, mothers, families, parenting skills, parenting strategies, parenting styles, busy moms, self-help for moms, manage kid’s behavior, teenager, toddler, baby, tween, child development, family activities, family fun, parent child relationship, decluttering, kid-friendly, invisible workload, default parent, gentle parenting, permissive parenting

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    16 April 2025, 9:30 am
  • 43 minutes 37 seconds
    DEEP DIVE: Things That Should Be Fun... But Aren't

    This month's Deep Dive series is all about how much fun we are—or aren't—having while raising our kids. Listen to the whole playlist on Spotify.


    There are some things in life that sound more fun in the planning stage than they are in the execution, and those things are statistically proven to be done more frequently by parents.

    We asked our listeners to tell us their lists of things that should be fun, but aren't. As the record will show, our listeners are sadly, completely correct. Don't say you weren't warned.


    Here's the link to the episode of The Mom Hour episode a few of our listeners mentioned: We Hate Fun!


    Sign up for "What Fresh Hell + " to get every one of our episodes ad-free, plus monthly bonus episodes. Go to whatfreshhell.supportingcast.fm to subscribe in two taps: $4.99 a month, or $39.99 a year.


    We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website:

    https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/


    What Fresh Hell is co-hosted by Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson.


    mom friends, funny moms, parenting advice, parenting experts, parenting tips, mothers, families, parenting skills, parenting strategies, parenting styles, busy moms, self-help for moms, manage kid’s behavior, teenager, tween, child development, family activities, family fun, parent child relationship, decluttering, kid-friendly, invisible workload, default parent, parental stress, emotions, kids emotions, parent emotions, uncertainty, fun with kids, fun parenting

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    14 April 2025, 5:30 am
  • 30 minutes 9 seconds
    Fresh Take: Dr. Rebecca N. Thompson on the Healing Power of Shared Stories

    In this conversation, Dr. Rebecca N. Thompson, author of the new book HELD TOGETHER, shares her experiences as a family medicine physician specializing in women's and children's health, focusing on her journey through pregnancy complications and losses.


    She discusses the importance of storytelling in healing, the interconnectedness of personal and professional experiences, and the collaborative nature of her book, 'Held Together.'


    Through the stories of herself and others, she emphasizes the complexities of motherhood, the medical profession, and the shared struggles that unite us all.


    Rebecca N. Thompson, MD, is a family medicine and public health physician who specializes in women’s and children’s health.


    Dr. Thompson and Amy discuss:

    • Dr. Thompson's journey through pregnancy loss shaped her medical focus.
    • Storytelling can be a powerful tool for healing and connection.
    • Women often hide their struggles due to fear of pity or shame.
    • The importance of sharing personal stories to foster understanding.


    Here's where you can find Dr. Thompson and buy HELD TOGETHER:


    We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website:

    https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/


    What Fresh Hell is co-hosted by Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson.


    mom friends, funny moms, parenting advice, parenting experts, parenting tips, mothers, families, parenting skills, parenting strategies, parenting styles, busy moms, self-help for moms, manage kid’s behavior, teenager, tween, child development, family activities, family fun, parent child relationship, decluttering, kid-friendly, invisible workload, default parent, parental stress, pregnancy, pregnancy loss, new mother, pregnancy complication, miscarriage

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    11 April 2025, 9:30 am
  • 49 minutes 4 seconds
    Should Your Family Get a Pet?

    Are your kids steadily wearing you down on the topic of getting a puppy? Are you convinced that a "low-maintenance" pet like a turtle or fish will be a happy compromise for everyone? Here are some important points to consider if you are thinking about getting a family pet.


    Amy and Margaret discuss:

    • Their soon-to-be-patented "pet decision matrix"
    • Why smaller, "lower maintenance" pets are NOT less work than bigger ones
    • How having a pet affects things like family travel, budget, and household labor


    Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode:



    We're on Spotify! Please rate us and follow us there, even if you listen elsewhere. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend! https://spoti.fi/41ZShqS


    We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website:

    https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/


    What Fresh Hell is co-hosted by Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson.


    mom friends, funny moms, parenting advice, parenting experts, parenting tips, mothers, families, parenting skills, parenting strategies, parenting styles, busy moms, self-help for moms, manage kid’s behavior, teenager, tween, child development, family activities, family fun, parent child relationship, decluttering, kid-friendly, invisible workload, default parent, family pet, family dog, family cat, pet care, getting a pet


    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    9 April 2025, 9:30 am
  • 51 minutes 40 seconds
    DEEP DIVE: When Is This Going to Be Fun Again? Lighthearted Parenting

    This month's Deep Dive series is all about how much fun we are—or aren't—having while raising our kids. Listen to the whole playlist on Spotify.

    We all fall into the trap of thinking that every day with our kids has to contain a “snow globe moment,” a social media-worthy image of perfect joy for our entire family.

    And even if part of us knows that’s not realistic, another part of us thinks that it’s all supposed to be fun. That there must be something wrong with us if we don’t love every single moment of our chaotic lives with little ones.

    But once we kick that shame to the curb, there really are ways to make our lives as parents more fun and lighthearted. Even on a regular Tuesday.

    In this episode, we discuss:

    • How we can be lighthearted, even when things aren’t fun
    • How we can have fun even when things aren’t easy
    • How we can have fun even when our kids definitely aren’t


    Our basic takeaway: parenting definitely gets a little more fun as our kids get a little bit easier… and by “easier,” we mean “not throwing themselves into mortal danger every ninety seconds because they don’t know any better.”

    The first step to having more fun may simply be to wish that it were so. As motivational speaker Danielle LaPorte explains: “Knowing how you want to feel is the most potent form of clarity you can have.”


    We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website:

    https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/


    What Fresh Hell is co-hosted by Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson.


    mom friends, funny moms, parenting advice, parenting experts, parenting tips, mothers, families, parenting skills, parenting strategies, parenting styles, busy moms, self-help for moms, manage kid’s behavior, teenager, tween, child development, family activities, family fun, parent child relationship, decluttering, kid-friendly, invisible workload, default parent, parental stress, emotions, kids emotions, parent emotions, uncertainty, fun with kids, fun parenting

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    7 April 2025, 5:30 am
  • 46 minutes 20 seconds
    Fresh Take: Kate Swenson, Carrie Cariello, and Adrian Wood on Parenting Kids with Autism

    Even though there is more awareness about neurodivergence in today's world, there's still a lot most people don't know about what it's like parenting neurodivergent children. Kate Swenson, Carrie Cariello, and Adrian Wood, authors of the new book AUTISM OUT LOUD, discuss their individual journeys parenting a child with autism from diagnosis to young adulthood.


    Kate, Carrie, Adrian, and Margaret discuss:

    • Figuring out what success looks like for your child with autism
    • How an autism diagnosis affects family dynamics
    • Processing the grief that accompanies an autism diagnosis


    Kate Swenson is the creator of the blog and Facebook page Finding Cooper’s Voice. She speaks regularly about autism, parenting, and motherhood, and is a contributor to TODAY Parents, The TODAY Show, and the Love What Matters blog.


    Carrie Cariello is the author of What Color Is Monday, Someone I’m With Has Autism, and Half My Sky. 

    Adrian Wood is the creator of the vlog Tales of an Educated Debutante. She has a PhD in Educational Research and contributes to TODAY Parents, The TODAY show, and the Love What Matters blog.


    Buy AUTISM OUT LOUD: https://bookshop.org/a/12099/9780778368366

    Find out where the Autism Out Loud book tour is headed at https://autismoutloudbook.com/


    Here's where you can find Kate:

    Here's where you can find Carrie:

    • @whatcolorismonday on FB
    • @carrie_carriello on IG
    • www.carriecariello.com
    • https://substack.com/@carriecariello

    Here's where you can find Adrian:


    We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website:

    https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/


    What Fresh Hell is co-hosted by Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson.


    mom friends, funny moms, parenting advice, parenting experts, parenting tips, mothers, families, parenting skills, parenting strategies, parenting styles, busy moms, self-help for moms, manage kid’s behavior, teenager, tween, child development, family activities, family fun, parent child relationship, decluttering, kid-friendly, invisible workload, default parent, parental stress, emotions, kids emotions, parent emotions, uncertainty, autism out loud, autism after high school, autism and young adults, neurodivergent children, parenting neurodivergent children, autism, autism spectrum disorder, autistic children, special needs children, special education,

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    4 April 2025, 9:30 am
  • 48 minutes 46 seconds
    Extremely Achievable Self-Care

    Let's face it—we moms need self-care options that don't cost a lot, take a lot of time, or require any childcare. The members of our Facebook group came through again with some excellent, easy, no-cost/low-cost forms of self-care that will help you take back a little bit of your day—and your sanity!


    Amy and Margaret discuss:

    • Their favorite forms of easy self care
    • Their opinions on pickles
    • Stores that are extra fun even if you're only window shopping



    We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website:

    https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/


    What Fresh Hell is co-hosted by Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson.


    mom friends, funny moms, parenting advice, parenting experts, parenting tips, mothers, families, parenting skills, parenting strategies, parenting styles, busy moms, self-help for moms, manage kid’s behavior, teenager, tween, child development, family activities, family fun, parent child relationship, decluttering, kid-friendly, invisible workload, default parent, self-care

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    2 April 2025, 9:30 am
  • 38 minutes 34 seconds
    DEEP DIVE: Is This Supposed to Be More Fun?

    This month's Deep Dive series is all about how much fun we are—or aren't—having while raising our kids. Listen to the whole playlist on Spotify.

    When parenting feels like all work and no play, we may resignedly think "Well, that's the way it's supposed to be." But if you feel like parenting is more draining than fulfilling, there are ways to bring more presence, joy, and fun into the mix.

    Amy and Margaret discuss:

    • Why having fun as a family usually means doing what kids think is fun, which is not the same as US having fun
    • What psychologists say is required in order to have fun—and why those same things can be in short supply in our lives as parents
    • The role of "flow" in fun, and whether eight hours of video games might start to have diminishing returns


    Sometimes parenting isn't fun. The reasons for that aren't our fault, and losing the guilt that it's not all more fun can really help. On the other hand, if it's never fun, there might be some rearrangements of our family life that can occur...and we've got ideas on how to start.

    Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode:


    We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website:

    https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/

    What Fresh Hell is co-hosted by Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson.

    mom friends, funny moms, parenting advice, parenting experts, parenting tips, mothers, families, parenting skills, parenting strategies, parenting styles, busy moms, self-help for moms, manage kid’s behavior, teenager, tween, child development, family activities, family fun, parent child relationship, decluttering, kid-friendly, invisible workload, default parent, parental stress, emotions, kids emotions, parent emotions, uncertainty, fun with kids, fun parenting

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    31 March 2025, 5:30 am
  • 45 minutes 46 seconds
    Fresh Take: Kristen Meinzer and Jolenta Greenberg on Friendship Dynamics

    When we're the kinkeeper in our friend group—aka the one who organizes the get-togethers, remembers the birthdays, and sends out availability polls—it can get overwhelming, and we can even find ourselves resentful over it. Kristen Meinzer and Jolenta Greenberg, hosts of the podcast "How to Be Fine," discuss how to approach conversations with friends about sharing the kinkeeping burden more evenly.

    Kristen Meinzer and Jolenta Greenberg host the podcasts "By The Book" and "How to Be Fine." The current season of How to Be Fine is all about the loneliness epidemic and friendship quandaries, from jealousy to BFF breakups.

    Kristen, Jolenta, Amy, and Margaret discuss:

    • Why new friends can actually be better than childhood friends sometimes
    • What to do when one person is doing all the administration and planning in the friend group
    • How to make friends as an adult


    Here are links to some of the things we mentioned in the episode:


    Here's where you can find Kristen and Jolenta:


    We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website:

    https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/

    What Fresh Hell is co-hosted by Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson.

    mom friends, funny moms, parenting advice, parenting experts, parenting tips, mothers, families, parenting skills, parenting strategies, parenting styles, busy moms, self-help for moms, manage kid’s behavior, teenager, tween, child development, family activities, family fun, parent child relationship, decluttering, kid-friendly, invisible workload, default parent, parental stress, kids stress, gender roles, gender equity, gender stereotypes, self help, friends, loneliness, female friendship, adult friendship, making friends as adults, kinkeeping, people pleasing, people pleaser

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    28 March 2025, 9:30 am
  • 45 minutes 43 seconds
    How to Be Connected (But Not Too Connected) with Our Kids

    We want to build a family that feels close and connected, but how do we know when the boundaries in our relationships are too porous? Here's what family enmeshment means, what it looks like, and how to look for signs of enmeshment in our relationships with our kids.


    Amy and Margaret discuss:

    • The family systems theory and how it relates to enmeshment
    • How clear boundaries create safety in relationships
    • How enmeshment in family dynamics affects stress tolerability



    Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode:


    We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website:

    https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/


    What Fresh Hell is co-hosted by Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson.


    mom friends, funny moms, parenting advice, parenting experts, parenting tips, mothers, families, parenting skills, parenting strategies, parenting styles, busy moms, self-help for moms, manage kid’s behavior, teenager, tween, child development, family activities, family fun, parent child relationship, decluttering, kid-friendly, invisible workload, default parent, cognitive labor, emotional labor, mental load, second shift, family meeting, partners, marriage, spouse, relationships, couples, enmeshment, family enmeshment

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    26 March 2025, 9:30 am
  • 46 minutes 18 seconds
    DEEP DIVE: Does Having Kids Make Us Happy?

    This month's Deep Dive series is all about how much fun we are—or aren't—having while raising our kids. Listen to the whole playlist on Spotify.

    The world wants us to believe that having kids will bring us untold happiness. It's a love you've never known! Your life will never be the same! The reality is a little more complicated, and that can be quite confusing. As psychologist Jean Twenge points out, "Parents might believe that it's their fault when the transition to parenthood is difficult, rather than seeing it as something that everyone experiences."

    So: does having kids make us happy? Is that even the right question? Is it supposed to? Are the benefits that come from parenting different, and perhaps larger, than happiness?

    Here are links to some writing and studies on the topic that we discuss in this episode: 


    We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website:

    https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/

    What Fresh Hell is co-hosted by Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson.

    mom friends, funny moms, parenting advice, parenting experts, parenting tips, mothers, families, parenting skills, parenting strategies, parenting styles, busy moms, self-help for moms, manage kid’s behavior, teenager, tween, child development, family activities, family fun, parent child relationship, decluttering, kid-friendly, invisible workload, default parent, parental stress, emotions, kids emotions, parent emotions, uncertainty, fun with kids, fun parenting

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    24 March 2025, 5:30 am
  • More Episodes? Get the App