When your child calls from school because they forgot their lunch or homework, do you rush to save the day, or let them face the consequences?

In this episode, Vanessa and her sisters are tackling the tough question of when saying "no" is actually the more loving choice. They reflect on their own family experience with "parallel work" — being available to help, but only when asked — and explore how small moments of discomfort can build long-term resilience.

They also break down a few key factors to consider: safety, whether it's a pattern or a one-time mistake, and how to offer grace without creating entitlement.

This episode is all about raising independent kids — and having the courage to step back when it counts. DM us your stories (we can share anonymously!) so we can all feel a little less alone in the process.

In this episode, Vanessa is joined by her sisters as they tackle a question many parents quietly wrestle with: are we spoiling our kids, or simply loving them well? From sharing their own "Cinderella story" childhood memories and the differences between oldest and youngest siblings, to reflecting on modern pressures like TikTok unboxings and overindulgence culture, they explore where generosity can tip into excess. Drawing on insights from experts like Dr. David Bredehoft, Jean Illsley Clarke, and Ron Lieber, the conversation dives into gratitude, entitlement, financial literacy, and the values we model through our everyday decisions. It's an honest, thoughtful discussion about what they'd do again, what they might change, and how to raise kids who feel both deeply loved and well-grounded. Download the Chatbooks app today to get started! Follow us on Instagram!

If you grew up in the '90s or early 2000s, chances are The Care and Keeping of You played a starring role in your introduction to puberty—especially if no one at home was talking about it. For so many families, those conversations were awkward, avoided, or skipped altogether. But what if they didn't have to be?

In this episode, Vanessa is joined by Julie Taylor as they ask the question: how can we take the cringe out of puberty and replace it with honesty, confidence, and care? Joining as an expert guest is Dr. Cara Natterson—pediatrician, author, and podcaster—who served as a medical consultant on The Care and Keeping of You and has spent her career helping kids and adults navigate puberty with clarity and compassion. Dr. Natterson shares why these conversations matter, where we tend to go wrong, and how we can do better—for the next generation and ourselves.

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Vanessa is joined in this episode by her four sisters! They chat about real scenarios that have happened both when they were in school as children, and to their own 30+ children that they have amongst them. The discuss how they react as moms when they get a call from the school about a child's behavior and how to not immediately jump into protective mode while still making room for discipline. They also ask the community to share how they've handled a tricky situation with a teacher.

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In this episode, Vanessa is joined by writer, author, content creator, and host of the Be There in Five podcast, Kate Kennedy. Together, they explore how the things we love, like pop culture and trends to hobbies and nostalgia, can help us better understand ourselves and connect with others. Together, they talk about curiosity, empathy, and why certain interests that are often dismissed as "silly" or mindless actually matter.

Vanessa shares insights on parenting, judgment, and the science behind curiosity, including how paying attention and staying open can bring us closer to our kids, our communities, and ourselves. This conversation is a reminder that curiosity isn't just about learning more — it's about staying connected.

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Accounts mentioned:

• @sharonsaysso
• @lucyontheground

In this episode, Vanessa is joined by her daughters, Laken and Claire, for an honest, thoughtful conversation about Christmas: what makes it magical, and what so often turns it into work.

Together, they reflect on childhood memories, evolving traditions, and the pressure to make everything "just right." They talk openly about perfectionism, anxiety, and OCD, and how the holidays can intensify spiraling thoughts—especially for moms and daughters who care deeply.

This episode is an invitation to slow down, embrace uncertainty, and protect the feeling of Christmas from the pressure to perfect it. Because the magic isn't found in doing more, but rather in presence, connection, and tenderness.

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The teenage years bring big emotions, shifting boundaries, and a new kind of loneliness for moms. With kids' stories becoming more private, we explore the big question: how do we find support without oversharing? Ashley Reeves joins Vanessa in this episode as they dive into vulnerability, safe friendships, resilience research, and why a strong community isn't just good for moms—it's protective for our kids. An essential listen for anyone parenting teens.

Books:

Tiny Humans, Big Emotions

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Vanessa is joined by her sisters in another episode where they discuss the sneaking out hijinks they all got up to in a family of 12 kids as well as how they deal with their own families' stories of teens sneaking around. They wrestle with the big question: how do you trust your kids and let them have their own freedom while also protecting and doing your duty as a parent when it comes to curfews, bedtime, and rules of the home?

Vanessa's sister Shelly also shares about an upcoming product she and her husband are working on called Analog that helps protect families from the dangers of sneaking around online. She provides a checklist to watch out for:

• Set a baseline
  • Check and recheck the parental controls because they do reset
  • Don't let kids delete or install apps without permission
  • Limit screen time on apps
• Also watch out for:
  • Kids changing the timezones
  • Redownloading apps
  • Using VPNs
  • Using Siri to get around certain parental controls
  • Friends' phones

Growing up, Vanessa's family was basically two animals away from running a full-on zoo—but parenting with pets? That's a whole different story. In this episode, she sits down with Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt—New York Times bestselling author, animal advocate, and mom—to ask the big question: Are pets really worth it?

They talk about the beauty and chaos of raising kids (and animals), how pets teach responsibility and empathy, and the heartbreak that comes when it's time to say goodbye. Katherine shares stories from her new children's book Kat and Brandy—inspired by her own childhood pony—and offers thoughtful advice for families deciding whether to add a furry (or feathered!) friend to the mix.

Whether you're a lifelong "animal person" or still dodging your kids' puppy PowerPoints, this conversation will make you laugh, reflect, and maybe even rethink what "family" really means.

Katherine's book is out now! Order Kat and Brandy today!

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Have you ever felt lonely—even when your life is full of people? Vanessa has too. In this solo episode, she opens up about the sneaky kind of loneliness that shows up when you're busy doing everything for everyone else and the friendships that fill your soul get pushed aside. From comparing yourself online to craving real connection, she's getting honest about what it feels like and what she's doing about it. Plus, she shares her favorite "dopamine questions" to help spark meaningful conversations and rebuild connection—one small step at a time. Get started with Chatbooks!