On this week’s episode: Dan and Jamilah are joined by Slate’s Allison Benedikt. They debate if a letter writer’s bickering parents need to knock it off or if it’s okay to squabble in front of the grandkids.

Then, they sit down with Dr. Tova Walsh, professor of social work at the University of Wisconsin, to discuss her new research about how moms who gave birth in March 2020 are coping with a very strange first year of parenting. 

In Slate Plus: What to do about kids' expensive—but oh so delicious—berry habits. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now at slate.com/momanddadplus to listen and support our work.

Recommendations:

Jamilah recommends Gonanas Banana Bread Mix from Nordstrom Rack. 

Allison recommends Everything Sad Is Untrue: (a true story) by Daniel Nayeri. 

Dan recommends I Was Told There Would Be Mom Friends by Lauren Bans

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. 

Podcast produced by Rosemary Belson. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices