The Preferred Parent

Mama's Night Out

This week, Kate spent her first night(s) away from her baby for a humor writing reunion! Claire also spent her [insert large number here]th night away from Rodney for one of the final weeks at her job. What was the trip like for Kate? Has travel away from family gotten easier or harder for Claire? Kate and Claire discuss how spending time away from your family can be occasionally guilt-inducing, but also restorative to your sense of self. Mostly, just tune in to hear Kate gush about St. Nell’s (guess what her plug is this week…you’ll never guess!). Weekly Plugs: St. Nell’s Humor Writing Residency [https://www.stnells.com] Emily Flake [https://www.emilyflake.com] Baby shoes with traction [https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-first-walker-shoes/] Reusable water balloons [https://go.shopmy.us/p-61046627] Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo. Music by Christopher Morucci Follow @whatchaexpecting [https://www.instagram.com/whatchaexpecting/].

Big Feelings

This week, Kate and Claire (mostly Claire) are having some big feelings about big feelings. As Rodney has fully entered his tantrum-having toddler era, Claire is struggling to navigate whether to give him what he wants to hold her ground. (She definitely never gives in, obviously.) Kate and Claire marvel at the size and newness of all their kids’ feelings, and reflect on the big stuff making them feel big feelings right now as grown ups. Who knew big feelings weren’t just for kids?! Weekly Plugs: You Make My Heart Go Vroom [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/you-make-my-heart-go-vroom-rose-rossner/1139924893] Boogie Manja Sketch Show [https://www.ticketweb.com/event/boogiemanja-brooklyn-improv-the-lab-tickets/14884313?pl=brooklynimprov&REFID=brooklynWP] How to Be a Saint [https://bookshop.org/p/books/how-to-be-a-saint-an-extremely-weird-and-mildly-sacrilegious-history-of-the-catholic-church-s-biggest-names-kate-sidley/ab3bbc9b541f9454?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=dsa_nonbrand&utm_content=%7Badgroupname%7D&utm_term=dsa-19959388920&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=12440232635&gbraid=0AAAAACfld43BZU_sjPZ5THkTpaT9qpH_J] Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo. Music by Christopher Morucci Follow @whatchaexpecting [https://www.instagram.com/whatchaexpecting/].

The Preferred Parent

This week, Kate and Claire discuss who is and is not currently the preferred parent in their household. Is it permanent? Is it cyclical? Does breastfeeding have anything to do with it? And, how can Claire sabotage Cody so that she can finally have a turn? Real-Life Example of Rodney Preferring Cody [https://www.instagram.com/p/DXjtexijRDs/] Weekly Plugs: Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies [https://sugarspunrun.com/brown-butter-chocolate-chip-cookies/#wprm-recipe-container-10411] (undercooked) Salted Brown Butter Rice Crispy Treats [https://smittenkitchen.com/2009/11/salted-brown-butter-crispy-treats/] Trader Joe's Brownie Bites [https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/sea-salt-brownie-bites-074143] Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo. Music by Christopher Morucci Follow @whatchaexpecting [https://www.instagram.com/whatchaexpecting/].

Hanging with the Big Kids

This weekend, it finally happened…Kate’s family hung out with Joe’s family (and Claire’s family wasn’t even invited!) How did Joe’s kids react to having a baby in their space? How did Anthony respond to playing with such bigger kids? How will Claire ever forgive them for not flying her out for this epic hang? Kate, Claire and Joe discuss how hanging with the big kids can push you to stretch out of your comfort zone. Tune in for the heartfelt stories, stay for the babka lore. Weekly Plugs: Garlic [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garlic] Purse pouches [https://go.shopmy.us/p-56923344] Ponchos [https://www.uline.com/BL_3371/Reusable-Poncho] Kossar’s [https://kossars.com/new-york-lower-east-side-kossar-s-bagels-and-bialys-main-location-west-72nd-st] Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo. Music by Christopher Morucci Follow @whatchaexpecting [https://www.instagram.com/whatchaexpecting/].

Time to Explore!

This past weekend, Claire brought Rodney to a play cafe and an indoor playground. It was (mostly) super fun at the time, but reflecting on the experience, obviously, has sent her into an existential crisis. When you experience something as a parent that you enjoyed as a child, it can be really rewarding – and, surprise surprise, also anxiety inducing! What places are Kate and Claire excited to take their kids that they visited in their childhoods? And should Claire have said something to those 8 year olds who got in Rodney’s way at the indoor playground? Weekly Plugs: New York Botanical Gardens [https://www.nybg.org/] Tiny Tots [https://www.tinytotsindoorplay.com/] Air fryers [https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-air-fryer/?ds_c=22653916267&gclsrc=aw.ds&&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=22653916267&utm_term=air%20fryer%20reviews&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22653916267&gbraid=0AAAAADwd30g8lvvOM_wiJRURIHX0UxkVm&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2MbPBhCSARIsAP3jP9yOrE2P1Rspbarf8T_jospnHEm_j8mvat89bNKcbKXA-u62ZAWh4PEaAjdUEALw_wcB] Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo. Music by Christopher Morucci Follow @whatchaexpecting [https://www.instagram.com/whatchaexpecting/].