Fiction writer Patti Callahan Henry tells a story cataloguing the ways she's screwed up as a mom, and how these moments become stitched, along with others, into the tapestry of the experience of parenthood, or what she calls "the daily-ness that changes everything." (Her latest novel, The Bookshop at Water's End, is out this July. Rock it!)

Katy and Alison talk about their own screw-ups, what being the best parent we can be actually means in that space of "the daily-ness," and that weird moment of catching a glimpse of at your growing kid and thinking, "Wait. Who are you, again?"

Have a thought about this week's show? Let us know about it. Or, leave a message with your parenting moment of glory, failure or insight at 678-379-3748.

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Like this way, for example. Here's one way not to do it.

We rarely talk about it, and yet it happens to so many of us, and often when it does, it wounds. In this episode, Soniah Kamal tells about a miscarriage that hit her hard. Her essay, called "The Face of Miscarriage," appeared in a slightly different form in the New York Times. Alison and Kate also discuss why, exactly, there is such a cultural taboo around the m-word. 

Also in this episode, the great manners our toddlers learn…from other people.

Note: This episode contains explicit detail about miscarriage. It's definitely not for kids, and if such material really bothers you, this may be a good one to skip.

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IMAGE COURTESY OF FLICKR USER LISA BOUCHARD/FLICKR CREATIVE COMMONS

In this episode, Megan Sexton tells a story about families on the cusp of change, and road-trip hotels from hell.

Speaking of cusps, Kate and Alison talk about how parenting has divvied their lives sharply into before and after.

Have a thought about this week's show? Let us know about it. Or, leave a message with your parenting moment of glory, failure or insight at 678-379-3748.

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In this episode, Susan Rebecca White tells a story of raising her kid to raise hell in an unfair world. Her story includes perhaps the world's greatest mother-in-law, with the world's greatest line: "That man don't have a heart; he has a thumping gizzard."

Also, Kate and Alison talk about organic paint at day-cares, and the unfairness implicit in that world.

Have a thought about this week's show? Let us know about it. Or, leave a message with your parenting moment of glory, failure or insight at 678-379-3748.

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Bedtime rituals. Friend or foe?

In this episode, Kate Tuttle tells the story of how her child's preferred bedtime routine grew and grew, from a simple tune involving a mockingbird, to a complicated performance involving a cornucopia of unlikely child's toys…and one sanctimonious bunny.

Also, Kate and Alison explain just where the hell they've been. They're sorry and they've missed you so much. Really. Mom always comes back, and here they are. Finally, Alison tells us why she'll never, ever, EVER sing "You Are My Sunshine" to her own daughter. Like, ever.

Have a thought about this week's show? Let us know about it. Or, leave a message with your parenting moment of glory, failure or insight at 678-379-3748.

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Kids and religion.

A lapsed Southern Baptist takes his Jewish wife and kids to breakfast with a not-so-lapsed family friend. In this episode's hilarious story, Jack Walsh navigates how complicated it can get talking with your kids about religion--not to mention, listening to what they have to say. Also, Kate and Alison talk about their own choices and conundrums when it comes to faith and their kids--and just what the heck a godparent does, anyway.

Have a thought about this week's show? Let us know about it. Or, leave a message with your parenting moment of glory, failure or insight at 678-379-3748.

Subscribe in iTunes here.

Mean girls.

Sometimes they don't magically disappear after adolescence. Tricia Sterns tells a story about dealing with the grown-up variety, while her daughter is dealing with a whole middle-school mean girl army. It's witty, poignant, and lovely.

Also, one heroic listener tells us about the time she had to call TWELVE parents to let them know their families likely had a brand-new parasite. Fun times! And Kate and Alison talk about the moment you move from being your boyfriend's kid's friend, to her step-parent. And-! the Girl Scout sash of parenting skills! 

Have a thought about this week's show? Let us know about it. Or, leave a message with your parenting moment of glory, failure or insight at 678-379-3748.

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"Oh, surely you know. Everybody knows."

"Parenting is never so simple as it appears in a Chevy Silverado commercial." This from Adult Swim's Matt Hutchinson, who parses the differences between TV-ad fatherhood and the real thing.

Matt tells the harrowing story of teaching his six-year-old to ride a bicycle, employing actual audio from the experience he recorded on-the-sly. It's painfully hilarious.

Also, it's not: Kate and Alison talk (briefly) about raising kids in a brave new world. Also, switch witches, shelf elves, AND…Tantrum goes where no parenting podcast has gone before….That's right, it's paternity test time for one of our readers. Tune in for the shocking conclusion.

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A joyful experience through and through.

What exactly does a child need?
Some real talk about organic paints, yoga for toddlers and other things promised us by the daycares we covet. When does important shaping of early development become fetishism of childhood?

Also, when kids eat cat food, and comparing our kids on the playground. THAT can only lead to good things, right? And speaking of comparing, Chris Alonzo brings us a story about his unique family arrangement. It looks nothing like what society tells you it's supposed to look like, and yet, it works. Except when it doesn't.

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Chris Alonzo at Tantrum, live at Kavarna

…in which Alayna Huft Tucker tells a story about the physical bond we have with our kids, and something that happened very early in her daughter's life that threatened to break that bond. (Folks looking to avoid stories about real bad stuff, you're safe with this one.)

Also, let's be real: nobody likes Elmo. But he has been there for us like no one else when we're, say, sick in the bathroom and our kids need not to be throwing knives at each other. And, Alison talks about learning all she needed to know about childbirth…from online cat videos.

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IMAGE COURTESY OF FLICKR USER MARIA ANTONIETTA/FLICKR CREATIVE COMMONS

Alayna Huft Tucker at Tantrum, live at Kavarna