A For Effort

We are thrilled to have Monica Packer with us in this episode as we chat all the things we THOUGHT we knew before we had kids. It was only a matter of time though before it became apparent just how little we knew. And boy, did our kids make that apparent. It's because of us that we have as much humility as we have ;)

We're thrilled to have a special guest with us today, Monica from About Progress. She's not just a fellow parent but also a passionate advocate for progress, especially in the messy journey of parenting. Monica is known for her expertise in supporting women, helping them live with purpose, and connecting with their greater potential.

If you haven't already, make sure to check out Monica's podcast, About Progress, and follow her on Instagram @aboutprogress. Trust us; she's a wealth of knowledge that you don't want to miss.

Getting to Know Monica:
We're diving right in! Monica, tell our listeners more about yourself and your mission. We know we can't do it justice, so we'd love to hear from you directly.

Parenting Realities:
Now, onto the real talk about parenting. A For Effort podcast aims to prevent unintentional birth control, but if you're on the fence about having kids, stick around—listen with open hearts and eyes. These real and raw insights from parents might just teach you something valuable.

Listener Submissions:
We asked our listeners to share what they thought they knew going into parenting but soon realized they knew nothing. Let's dive into some of these eye-opening submissions:

1. Magical Recoveries: Kids complaining about stomach pain is a daily occurrence, but the magical recovery when they cuddle up with a parent is a true miracle.
2. Fashion Expectations: Expectations of cute Janie and Jack outfits turned into the reality of the trendy, effortlessly disheveled looks.
3. Dirty Dishes Dilemma: The struggle with dirty dishes multiplying faster than rabbits, and the challenge of stacking them like a game of Jenga.
4. Co-Sleeping Confessions: From being against co-sleeping to just wanting to sleep – a candid revelation.
5. Patience Tested: Parenthood as a crash course in patience, with a reminder to be gentle on oneself.
6. Unexpected Affection for Kids: A surprising turn from not liking kids to realizing they're actually great, the essence of the A For Effort podcast.
7. Parenting Multiple Personalities: Parenting multiple kids compared to solving a Rubik's Cube – an ever-evolving challenge.
8. Freedom and the Little Sidekick: A reflection on the total lack of freedom with a little one always by your side.
9. Breastfeeding Expectations: The assumption that breastfeeding would be natural versus the reality.
10. Yelling and Parenthood: The unexpected realization of yelling despite hating it when parents yelled.
11. Adult Growth: The revelation that adults do the most growing in the parenting journey.
12. Sleep Struggles: The challenge of getting kids to sleep and the underestimation of its difficulty.
13. Eating as a Living Thing: The misconception that kids instinctively eat to survive.
14. Textbook vs. Parenting: The vast difference between textbook child development and the unpredictable reality of parenting.
15. Poop-Centric Conversations: How much of the day and conversations revolve around another person's poop.
16. Influence Over Behavior: The realization that having influence over children's behavior is more challenging than expected.
17. Parenting Feast: The humorous realization that parenting is simply the practice of eating your words.

Closing:
And there you have it, folks! We hope you enjoyed these honest and relatable insights into the world of parenting. Before we wrap up, take a minute to rate, review, comment, and share your thoughts. We appreciate each one of you and look forward to connecting with you in the next episode. Be a friend to everyone! Bye!

Honestly, you already knew this, but we all occasionally need the reminder. It's the small things that really add up to big things. When you get that early morning workout in. When your kids get dressed for school without your prompting. When none of the crayons slip into the washer or dryer... all of it. It's just so refreshing to find sanity in those small things.

Introduction:
Lately, life has been all about the small things that keep us sane, those tiny victories that save us from running away to join the circus or Disney on Ice – wouldn't that be cool? Today, we're shining a spotlight on these unsung heroes, the minuscule victories that turn into big wins by the end of the day.

The Power of Small Wins:
In this episode, we explore the importance of the small things that make a huge difference in our daily lives, helping us keep it together – well, most of the time. Because let's face it, sometimes there's just no hope at all.

Listener Submissions:
We reached out to our amazing listeners and asked them about their small wins, and boy, did they deliver! Here are some of the gems they shared:

1. Exercising Before Kids Wake Up: The mythical "pre-dawn" victory of getting a workout in before the chaos ensues. The struggle to prepare stealthily is real, but the feeling of being wide awake when the kids wake up is unbeatable.
2. Neighborhood Synchronization: Living in a neighborhood with families of similar ages and trading services, creating a parenting alliance. It's not just a neighborhood; it's a support system that makes parenting a tad bit easier.
3. The Magic of Chocolate: One listener simply said, "Chocolate…" because sometimes, a little sweetness can turn the day around. Peanut butter enthusiasts can relate to this secret indulgence.
4. To-Do Lists with Deadlines: Writing to-do lists with deadlines based on priority, turning daily tasks into urgent missions. Crossing off tasks is not just a win; it's a testament to parental prowess.
5. Prepping for the Next Day: Getting things ready the night before, from outfits to lunches, creating a smoother morning routine.
6. Kids Turning Clothes Right Side Out: A listener's dream come true – kids turning their clothes right side out before tossing them into the hamper. Laundry enlightenment at its finest!
7. Costco Grocery Delivery and Time Affluence: Embracing modern conveniences like grocery delivery, monthly house cleaning, and telemedicine services as sanity savers. The holy trinity of parental survival!
8. Meal Planning: A shield against the 5 PM panic – meal planning as a way to stay organized, avoid grocery store impulse buys, and tackle the witching hour with a plan.
9. Gratitude Practices: A listener shared the power of gratitude practices in finding joy amidst the chaos of parenting. How does gratitude whisper in their ear during the never-ending laundry saga?
10. The Ultimate Life Hack: "My Wife": A humorous yet heartfelt acknowledgment that a wife is not just a life hack but the Swiss Army knife of marriage, seamlessly handling various aspects of family life.
11. Scheduled Chore Days: Some parents swear by scheduling specific days for certain chores. A parenting strategy that might be beyond the capabilities of others – do you schedule chores in your home?

Closing:
Thank you to our amazing listeners for sharing your small wins and parenting life hacks. Before we go, please take a moment to rate, review, comment, or share your thoughts. We appreciate each and every one of you. Be a friend to everyone! Bye!

We know you love your Honda Odessy and your Toyota Sienna. But does it have a built in vacuum or even better, a built in ROOMBA??? We didn't think so. But thanks to Megan and her ingenuity you will soon be able to find such features in our dream car.... THE VACAY!!! No one knows about it yet, it's not even on the market, but you heard about it here first and because of that you get first dibs when it comes out... but it'll be awhile. We hope you're patient!

It's our annual visit back to the land of "Glad I did, Wish I had, Looking forward to..." In this episode the listeners share what they did in 2023 and what they wish they had done. Frankly it seems like it was an overall good year for you listeners and we hope that positive momentum carries you, crowd surfing style, into 2024. You have some great things to look forward to and we are cheering you on big time! Keep it going, guys, you're crushing it!

Title: Glad I did, Wish I had, Looking forward to...

Introduction:

• Dive into the comedic chaos of listeners' reflections on 2023 and their wild aspirations for 2024.
• Last year's episode got us chuckling over 2022 reflections and dreams for 2023. 

Glad we did:

• Megan's adventure out of her comfort zone sounds —a year full of growth, emotionally, mentally, and even physically! 
• Amanda's recount of 2023 might as well be titled "How I Survived a Year of Endless Chaos."

Listener Highlights:

• From embracing Swiftie fever to celebrating baby arrivals and epic family vacations—cue the confetti and baby giggles!
• We're cheering for the grandparent squad and the heroic finishers of school! Go, you!
• Beyond thrilled for the person who discovered the joy of running again. You've got this!

Wish we would've:

• The collective wish for less stress... 
• Let's commiserate over failed workout goals while balancing a plate of nachos on our laps. It's all about that healthy balance, right?
• We dissect fitness stats while contemplating if lifting a TJ's bag counts as strength training. Asking for a friend.
• Dive into nutrition facts, hidden ingredients, and a book recommendation. Outlive—because reading about aging is the new fountain of youth!

Looking forward to in 2024:

• Get ready for less butt wiping and more toddler shenanigans—bring on the chaos!
• And the countdown begins for missionary returns, retirements, and kid-free vacations. Can we get a hallelujah?

Closing Thoughts:

• We wrap up with the perfect parenting motto: "Be like Bandit and Chili from Bluey." Yes, animated characters are our role models too!

Conclusion:

• Thank you, listeners, for this hilarious rollercoaster of reflections! Here's to more laughter, surprises, and crazy adventures in the upcoming episodes.

She walked in with her fresh cut fringe and tan trench coat, and had us all swooning at her accent as she talks the monarchy, fashion and parenting in the UK. Our good friend Caroline McNiven is in the hot seat for this episode and she's answering all our questions!

Segment 1: UK Fascination

• Amanda's summer fling with the UK, wondering why English accents make everything cooler.
• Megan's Spice Girls souvenir heartbreak 

Segment 2: Caroline's Qualification as a UK Expert

• Caroline's rise to UK expert status, confessing to her favorite game of confusing everyone with British lingo.

Segment 3: Monarchy and Fashion in the UK

• Royal gossip: To keep or not to keep the monarchy? Caroline dishes on Meghan and Harry.
• The British fashion scene - classy vibes and the occasional embarrassment.

Segment 4: Parenting Styles - USA vs. UK

• Exploring parenting across the pond, from tea parties to little accents sneaking into bedtime stories.

Segment 5: "Love it or Leave it" - Uniquely American Things

• A cheeky game rating American Football, the mystery of American cheese, peanut butter mania, and more!

Conclusion:

• England, we still love you despite the obvious lack of Spice Girls merch

Note:

• Episode maintains a playful and humorous tone, blending personal anecdotes with comedic takes on UK culture and American quirks.

We recorded this episode at our local recording studio here in SLC. If you ever need to record something in a beautiful setting, among talented people, check out Worthful Media! They have the most creative space we've seen, and Christine and her crew are as good as they come. Tell them Megan and Amanda sent you! xx

We asked and you responded: what do parents really want for Christmas?? What do you give the people who have it all?? Well apparently they simply need a thank you note, probably a little caffeine and a few more hours in the day. It's not much to ask for, is it? How hard can it be?

Podcast Episode Show Notes: 

Introduction:

• Sponsored by Mariah Carey's Christmas anthem, the official soundtrack of every parent's December.
• Reflecting on what parents truly want for Christmas – hint: it's not just clean air and world peace.

Segment 1: Listener Responses - What Parents Want for Christmas

• Survey exposes the holiday desires of parents: appreciation, more time, sleep, and an escape – aka vacation.
• Majority wish: A vacation! 51% of listeners yearning for Santa to put them on a plane.

Segment 2: Specific Wishes from Listeners

1. More Energy:
   • The eternal struggle between extra sleep and the prime hours of 7-9pm.
   • No magic shortcuts for more energy – just a reliance on preworkout and morning exercise.
2. Kids Not Being Sick:
   • Celebrating the preemptive sickness strategy: "Cough on us now, but not over Christmas!"
   • Nervous anticipation of the impending puking doom when school ends.
3. Matching PJs:
   • Unwrapping the Christmas PJs drama and Amanda's quirky Christmas Eve traditions.
   • Kids' love for holiday PJs, even in July 
4. Kids Throwing Away Their Own Garbage:
   • Offering condolences to the brave soul dreaming of kids responsibly handling trash.
5. New Wardrobe and Time to Shop:
   • Costco finds don't count in the quest for a new wardrobe.
   • A loving nod to the joy of discovering hidden gems in the aisles of Costco.
6. More Time:
   • The ongoing quest for more hours, contemplating whether it's about time or a need for a superhero mindset.
   • The Mom Orchestra conductor juggling chaos with grace and a dash of chaos.

Segment 3: Parenting Affirmations

• Proclaiming 2024 as the year of positive parenting affirmations – because why not?
• Two affirmations: Being the funniest person your kids know, unintentionally, and a master negotiator turning tantrums into giggle-fests.

Conclusion:

• Saluting the hilariously relatable wishes and parenting affirmations.
• Wishing listeners a Christmas filled with unexpected laughter and parenting triumphs, even if they come in the form of accidental humor.

Note:

• Episode maintains a whimsical and humorous tone, connecting with parents through shared comedic experiences and playful reflections on the chaos of Christmas wishes.

And this time we actually mean it! There is minimal sarcasm in this episode as we, your hosts, with the help of you, the listeners, sell everyone else on why having kids is so wonderful. If you’re on the fence, we hope this episode gets you off the fence and over to our side of the yard. We got more fun toys over here anyway…

Introduction:

• Sponsored by Mariah Carey's unofficial holiday anthem and the real MVP of December.
• Diving into the most wonderful time of the year: the holidays and parenting.

Segment 1: The Comedy of Parenting Origins

• Origin story: the podcast's birth from a mission to counter the unintentional birth control narratives.
• An encounter with a neighbor reinforcing the societal skepticism around parenting.

Segment 2: Parental Wonders According to Listeners

1. Watching Cartoons Sans Judgment:
   • Escaping the adult judgment zone by diving into kids' movies.
   • Because who doesn't want to know every word to every Descendants song?
2. Unexpected Collections:
   • The unintentional joy of collecting rocks, buttons, and rubber bands.
   • An unintentional "collector" title passed down from the in-laws – who knew?
3. Handy Diapers and Wipes:
   • The eternal love affair with wipes, the superheroes of cleaning.
   • DM for a damp wipe package from Santa – the unsung hero of cleanliness.
4. Perfect Excuses:
   • Mastering the art of using kids as the ultimate excuses.
   • Late nights? Sorry, gotta put the kids to bed! Sick kid? Instant pass on everything – no questions asked.

Segment 3: Creating Holiday Magic and Other Laughs

• Becoming holiday magicians, adding it to the resume ASAP.
• Selling points for having kids, including driving the minivan yacht and exploring uncharted territories in stores.

Segment 4: Unwritten Perks and Quirky Submissions

• The unspoken perks of having kids – jumping lines, free ice cream, and discounts at the barber.
• Listener submissions: avoiding jobs, not feeling the pressure to be rich, and the deep realization that kids help us become our best selves. Deep, right?

Segment 5: Serious Moments and Real Parenting Perks (But Still Funny)

• Acknowledging serious perks with a humorous twist.
• Kids' motivating energy levels – the driving force for staying fit (and playing at the playground).
• A built-in audience for jokes, even when they don't land. Because someone's gotta laugh.
• The hilarious world of misused words and phrases by kids – a language only parents understand.
• Embracing the forgiveness of children – even for dinner disasters that aren't just burning food.

Conclusion:

• Celebrating the absurdly wonderful aspects of parenting beyond the chaos.
• Urging a shift in focus from the challenges to the countless ridiculous perks.
• Wishing listeners a holiday season filled with unexpected laughs and parenting triumphs.

Note:

• Episode maintains a humorous and playful tone, emphasizing the comedic side of parenting and encouraging listeners to share their own laugh-out-loud moments.

If your family does not have a family motto yet, do no worry. In this episode we give you many ideas that you might wanna take for a spin with your own family. Megan decided to try "make good choices, but use your discretion!" after recording this and Amanda is going to stop saying "don't be dumb." Progress was made and new mottos are being formed! All thanks so our loyal listeners who have way better family mottos than we do;)

SHOW NOTES
Title: "Family Mottos: Quirks and Quips We Live By!"

Introduction:
Welcome to our world of family mottos—where wisdom meets whimsy! From the profound to the downright hilarious, these phrases are the unsung heroes shaping family antics and wisdom. Get ready to chuckle and reflect as we unravel the quirks and quips our listeners swear by.

Segment 1: The Power of Family Phrases

• Ever wondered about the impact of family mottos? We dive into their mysterious influence on shaping character and household dynamics.
• Discover the curious tales behind households with mottos and the lingering effects they have on family members.

Segment 2: Mottos Unveiled!

• Brace yourselves as we unpack a lineup of family mottos submitted by our listeners—ranging from profound mantras to side-splitting reminders.
• Laugh along as we share anecdotes and interpretations of these cherished phrases.

Segment 3: Parental Wisdom & Practical Hilarity

• Parenting mottos bring a whole new level of wit! Join us for some laughs and insights into the gentle reminders parents constantly dish out.

Conclusion:
From serious life lessons to comedy gold, family mottos shape our lives in unexpected ways. Keep the tradition alive and share your favorite motto with us! Until our next episode, remember: "Make good choices but use your discretion!" Thanks for tuning in to our wild journey through the world of family quirks and wisdom!

The Holidays are here and we're going to make the next month easy for you by sharing all of our favorite TJ's products! We've got things for the parents, the kids and the party that you'll inevitably end up hosting! But hopefully it's all made easier and even MORE FUN by heading into the store with our list in hand. 

All the products we talk about are listed here:

• Minty flavored cocoa truffles
• Trio of Almonds
• Candy Cane Almonds
• Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s/chocolate covered JoeJoes
• Autumnal pie truffle sampler
• The Balsam candle
• The Red Berry Forest candle
• Candle dozen
• Balsam hand soap and lotion duo
• The Brazilian Body "kit" 
• The 12 days of Body Products
• Gingerbread Ice Cream
• Decked Out Christmas Cookies
• Eggnog Yogurt (gotta try these)
• Gingerbread house kit
• Dollar Advent calendar
• Mini chocolate peppermint ice cream cones
• Meringue peppermint things
• Cranberry and blueberry goat cheese log
• Winter Wassail Punch
• Feta and caramelized onion pastry bites
• Mini quiche duo

Let us know if you try and of these products and what you think! Tag is on Instagram or give us a shout! 

Introduction:

• Kicking off the holiday hilarity with a festive episode that promises taste tests and laughs.
• A special dive into Trader Joe's seasonal offerings that range from adult treats to kiddie delights.

Segment 1: Grown-Up Grub - Because Adults Need Treats Too

• Minty flavored cocoa truffles: The secret weapon for surviving holiday chaos – one cocoa truffle at a time.
• Trio of almonds and Candy Cane almonds
• Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s/chocolate-covered Joe-Joes
• Autumnal pie truffle sampler
• Non-edible products:
  • The Balsam candle and the Red Berry Forest candle
  • Candle dozen
  • Balsam hand soap and lotion duo, and The Brazilian body kit
  • The 12 days of body products

Segment 2: Kids' Corner - Sweet Treats for Santa's Little Helper

• Gingerbread Ice Cream, Decked Out Christmas Cookies, and Eggnog Yogurt: Kid-tested, elf-approved treats that might even get Santa to share.
• Gingerbread house kit and Advent calendar: DIY projects that make parents question their architectural skills.
• Mini chocolate peppermint ice cream cones and Meringue peppermint things: Because nothing says "merry" like a mouthful of mini delights.

Segment 3: Holiday Party Menu - Because Calories Don't Count During the Holidays

• Truffle Dip
• Cranberry and blueberry goat cheese log
• Winter Wassail Punch
• Feta and caramelized onion pastry bites and Mini quiche duo
• Pepper jelly and weirdly named crackers

Conclusion:

• A riotous exploration of Trader Joe's holiday offerings – the good, the nutty, and the unexpectedly named.
• Urging listeners to embark on their own festive taste tests and share their reactions.
• Wishing everyone a holiday season filled with laughter, tasty treats, and more laughs.

Note:

• Episode maintains a humorous and playful tone, turning the taste test into a comedy show with quirky commentary on Trader Joe's festive offerings.

You will not regret listening to this episode. We can promise you that. Brooke Romney is as classy as she is genuine, and as kind as she is sharp. She talks us through all the nuances of teaching kids manners in today's world. Why even take the time to teach them how to talk to adults? Do they need to really look people in the eyes? What's the point of all these lessons? We go through all of this together and enjoy every moment of it! Hope you will, too!

Purchase Brooke Romney's latest volume of manners here: 52 Modern Manners for Today's Kids

Looking for the teen versions? Find 52 Modern Manners for Today's Teens Vol. 1 and 52 Modern Manners for Today's Teens Vol. 2 using these links, or search for them on Amazon!

Wondering what the best gifts for your family and friends are this holiday season? Grandpa Beck has you covered! Check out Grandpa Beck’s Games and use the code    AFOREFFORT for 20% OFF YOUR PURCHASE!