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

I have been listening to this podcast (I would have to guess) 8 years. For me the messaging from this podcast is, “It is all going to be alright” and “Don’t take it too seriously.” This was helpful for me as I was going through “everything is serious” in my start as a parent. They can make me laugh and feel good about whatever choices I have made as a parent.

Listening to these ladies got me through the pandemic with 2 kids under 2. Four years later, I’m still laughing, still learning, still listening— and the huge one: not feeling alone in the ups and downs of motherhood/parenthood. Thank you, thank you, Amy & Margaret! 🙏 If you’re a parent, listen, WFH is the best!

I have just listened to one episode so I can only speak to that. But I was honestly so triggered by it I am afraid to listen to anymore. I was super excited about listening after reading the episode descriptions, so many of them are perfectly pertinent for what I am going through raising a toddler right now. But quickly into the episode I decided to listen to first I was like “oh dear…I’m not sure these are my people”…I chose to listen to the episode on parental preference first, because I’m going through that right now with my almost 3 year old and my partner. It’s been going on for over one year where my daughter will only allow her daddy to do bedtime routine, to read her stories, to sit next to her, to comfort her, when she’s sad, to soothe her when she’s injured and basically anything else really you can think of that parents do. She will let me play with her sometimes, but I think that’s just because she’s an only child and has no other option. And it’s not just a comment like “no I don’t want you, I want daddy” it’s crying, sobbing, hyperventilating seeing red near panic attack whenever mom tries to attend any of these needs. I’ve done all the “right things” We stay consistent and still insist on mommy doing bedtime every other night even if it means I’m just sitting next to her bed while she cries herself to sleep for daddy. I don’t show how much it hurts me, even if my heart is breaking inside. I return to my bed and cry myself to sleep. Because I don’t get this time back. While the hosts say they have been through this, it’s obvious they either have not, or they are completely heartless because how could you say someone is “bonkers” for being so upset by this. The way she spoke about her friend who seemed to go through the same thing as me was so demeaning. The way the one host said she is “over caring if her kids like her or not”….that is not someone I would ever take parenting advice from. I did really like one of the hosts and how she presented a lot of research and studies, but the other host was just so heartless and offensive I couldn’t listen to any more.

I’m a grandma who is a three day a week caregiver for my 3 year old grandson, so I am in the trenches (at least some of the time) with the moms of young children. I love the tips and insights that Margaret and Amy offer - with humor! - on a variety of topics that interest me. Their interviews with experts are also very helpful. I highly recommend this podcast.