Hands Off Parents

This week, Abby breaks down a bit in her frustrations with disciplining her kids. What should you do to channel all of that kid rage? Why do you feel like you're being held hostage in your own home? How do you get kids to listen when you don’t even know how to talk to them? If only there was a book! Steph reminds her that there is and Abby should listen to this podcast named Hands Off Parents. So should you!

Are your kids back to school yet? Did you breathe a sigh of relief or is the back to school craziness making you...er... crazy? This week, Steph and Abby are joined by mother of 25 and all around amazing parent, Annie Stein. The three women share their first week of school successes and failures, among other back to school topics (make lunch the night before or...?) Share your own back to school stories on their Facebook page.

In honor of the fact that it's the first day of school here in Houston, and Steph and Abby are having all kinds of trouble getting their s**t together, we present a rebroadcast of an episode from TWO years ago! It's the Hands Off Parents Back to School Throwback episode!

On this episode, Steph and Abby are joined by a very special guest: elementary school teacher and parent of two, Brooke Smith! Brooke shares with the ladies all of the darkest secrets from the depths of the teachers' lounge: What makes parents really, really annoying? How can we form better relationships with teachers? And seriously, how much are the teachers talking smack when we forget things like book covers and dressing our kids in matching socks?

Brooke gives the ladies some very practical and hilarious insights on life as a teacher and parent, including what we can all do to make the back to school transition as neat as the hair on our kids' heads that we didn't comb at all.

Back with a brand new episode next week! xoxo

This week Steph and Abby chat about a New York Times piece that's been making the rounds about parenting in a time of fear. This kicks off a lively and scattered conversation about leaving your kids in the car, shaming moms into thinking that they are not good enough and feeling bad about yourself in general. And organizational systems or the lack thereof. Oh, you forgot that Steph and Abby meander in their conversations? Well, welcome back!

Meander at them on their Facebook page!

This week Steph and Abby welcome Tish Ochoa, mom, business owner and PTO officer. With Abby entering "real school" she has many questions about the PTO, starting with, "So... what's the PTA then?" Tish shares some horror stories but also some of the reasons she feels it's worth being an active school parent. Are you in the PTO? PTA? Do you know the difference? Share in the comments!

The summer of mat... JK! Stephanie returns!! Huzzah!

Yay! Stephanie returns!! Abby and Steph discuss all the things you might not want to hear: maternity, quitting dairy as a nursing mother, postpartum blood, "wait, you also have a toddler?!" and Ugh you are still wetting the bed? It's a classic Hands Off episode if you ever knew one!

This week Abby welcomes back Maryocéane Guy, a now regular guest on the show. Both women are facing a crisis: Their kids are starting real school in the fall and it's frightening. But more than that, Mary has realized that she needs to let go of some things to make this transition smooth for her daughter but also herself. Boundaries are tough! You know what else is tough, audio recording- Forgive Abby for the low volume. Turn your headphones up.

This week Abby and Dennis (yep!) welcome Roxanne Werner, a mother and foster parent, whose story is not uncommon. Roxanne and her family welcomed a 4-day old baby into their home and ... we're not going to spoil it. You gotta listen.

The summer of maternity rolls on! This week, Abby welcomes back the lovely Annie Stein. Annie is an old-pro at how to deal with a crew of kids over the summer, and she shares her tips. As helpful as this, Abby has way more questions for Annie that deal with control—of your kids, your life, your friendships? The ladies decide that summer is tough with kids, and, oh yeah, life with kids in general. What are you doing this summer?! Maybe writing a review on iTunes? That sounds awesome.

The summer of maternity continues! This week Abby welcomes back Dennis Draper, a foster parent to a troubled teen. Dennis shares his touching story about the challenges to raising a teen, a foster, and a child that has mental health issues. These are all tough topics but so important to discuss. Mental Health issues are no joke. If you have any that you would like to share, post to the @handsoffparents Facebook page.