Hands Off Parents

This week Steph and Abby discuss an article published in the @lenny blog about infertility. True, they've discussed this before, but this article was different: It doesn't end with a baby. Certainly, not getting what you want is a topic they've gone over but finding your own happy ending is personal. How do others do it? The ladies cover this among (yup) other ramblings ("what is the name of that show about your mother?") and have some laughs at the same time.

This week Steph and Abby discuss a startling new piece from The Atlantic about the iGeneration -- those kids who grew up with social media. some of the statistics on their levels of depression and anxiety are shocking. The ladies ponder what this means for them as parents. Do they hide their kids away from social media in bunkers underground? Is the next generation doomed? Will everyone become obese and live in pods like in WALL-E? Probably, yes. Oh, right, and now can you like them on all the social medias?

This week Abby shares a story about a wonderful visit from her sister that was overshadowed by her mother's attempt to thwart their connection. This is nothing new, but it made Abby question at what point a family member becomes so destructive you want them out of your life. Steph shares her wisdom, and the two think about it as parents, who may one day have to deal with angry children themselves. It's a big question with few answers. To quote the wise-beyond-her-years Iris: "I know that you're my family, but all the time you do things that bother me." Also, Steph did an adult thing for once in her life! Listen to find out more.

This week Steph and Abby discuss a Medium post that's been floating around for a while about a woman writing about her summer of sobriety and being a woman in a drunk world. Abby wants to chat about the parent angle to this story --- being a mom or dad in an alcohol-fueled world. Do we "need" to drink to make our lives better as parents? Are we trying to fit into some sort of cultural model of parenthood (moms drink wine, dads drink beer) or do some of us just want a drink? Is that OK? You tell us - [email protected]

This week Steph and Abby are joined by mother of one and all-around awesome lady, Lauren Friedman - AKA Steph's Soap Opera Friend. Lauren's got a pretty unique story about how her marriage took a turn for the worse after her daughter was born and life was not the magic movie moment she'd imagined. Divorce ensued. A year or so later, after co-parenting, Lauren and her husband realized they wanted back in, so they got remarried. Have a listen and share your own crazy marriage stories with us on Facebook @handsoffparents!

This week Steph and Abby discuss a recent article by a mother who up and moved her family to Ecuador to live their #bestlife. At first the ladies are intrigued, then pissed, then ashamed, then pissed again, then ultimately, they turn it into a conversation about themselves (as they are wont to do). How does a family, with children, plan so well to make a goal such as "move to Ecuador" a reality? Are Steph and Abby just bad planners? Could you all do such a good job of executing a plan? Let them know on Facebook at @handsoffparents

This week Steph and Abby welcome two PTs, Ingrid and Hallie, who have recently launched a new online service for moms, Back After Baby! They developed back after baby to give women easy access to rehabilitation before and after having a baby. Steph and Abby have some serious questions about what these dang kids do to our bodies and, also, how these busy working moms have jobs and lives and kids and then launch a new business! Got any back after baby questions for them? Tweet at @handsoffparents

This week Abby shares a story of what could have potentially been a parenting disaster and how the whole situation has encouraged her to become a better advocate for her kids. And herself? To Steph, fighting is second nature. Is there a good balance between the two? When their health is on the line, do parents just step in the ring and fight? Tell them about your battles at [email protected].

This week, Steph and Abby discuss a recent article about trying to have it all, failing miserably and then coming back from it. They focus on the idea of taking care of yourself -- moms and dads, we need to do this better! But maybe, they aren't sure of what that even means. They also decide self care is a terrible word that implies masturbation. If you want to show them some love, rate them on iTunes!

This week Steph and Abby welcome the two ladies in the world who are funnier than them to the show, comedians Stacey Daniels and Hoja Lopez. And guess what: they have no kids! Huh? No kids? Why have them on the show? For exactly that reason. Remember life before children? Remember the "Do I want kids?" endless list that ran through your head? These ladies share some of their fears of potential parenting (you can't just up and go to Paris on a whim) and fears of not having kids (who will take care of you in old age?). The conversation is fun and funny but also pretty deep and explicit, as usual! Have fun!