In this episode, Matt and Rachel share the results of Timms Take Trivia, discuss the merits of Disney as a vacation destination and recap their recent trip. Plus, stay till the end for a little tension on the podcast about the different ways Matt and Rachel approach post-vacation life.

Have your own opinions about Disneyland or DisneyWorld? Let us know at [email protected]!

Mentioned in this episode:

• Confessions of a Midlife Travel Blogger: Why I’m Never Taking My Kids to Disney
• Mamison dishwashing gloves
• Bookshop.org
• The Bentgo Box we used for Oliver's snacks.
  • Matt references his Cannarf experience with the Bentgo box. Learn more about the Cannarf Rating Scale here.
    
    

In this episode, Matt and Rachel revisit their conversation about traditions, Matt issues a public statement and they share some "Key Plays" in Oliver's recent development. 

We want to hear about your traditions! What has sizzled? What has fizzled? Let us know at [email protected]!

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Bible Ride (tragically out of print, but available on Ebay!)
• Shauna Niequist on Coffee & Crumbs

In this episode, Matt and Rachel discuss a packed work week for Rachel, how they think about Santa and the Tooth Fairy and offer some of their favorite things in "I'm Not Just a Parent!"

Tooth Fairy: Creepy or magical? You decide. Let us know at [email protected]!

Mentioned in this episode:

• "The Tooth Fairy, Santa, Parents, and God" by Lydia Musher
• The West Wing Weekly
• Only Murders in the Building
• A very cute picture of Oliver dressed up as Daniel Tiger.
• Inspector Gamache Series
  

In this episode, Matt and Rachel make a promise to revisit traditions soon, discuss how to cultivate space for wondering about the world together and hear about Rachel's go-to places for Oliver's clothing. There's a lot packed in there!

Let us know how you maintain wonder in the midst of a full life by sending us a note at [email protected]!

Mentioned in this episode:

• Coffee & Crumbs 
• "Stay Baffled" by Courtney Martin 
• Target Baby Clothes
• H&M Baby Clothes
• Primary Baby Clothes 
• See Kai Run Shoes: The link is to the Knit Walker which is what we have for Oliver. 

In this episode, Matt and Rachel talk a little about birthdays, traveling with toddlers and expectations before diving into a larger discussion about "good enough parenting." Stick around for a Field Guide for Parents and a bonus poem read by Rachel.

Let us know your thoughts how to let go of perfectionism and let your child be their own person at [email protected]!

Mentioned in this episode:

• Austin Kleon's website
• "The Good Enough Parent is the Best Parent" by Dr. Peter Gray 
• Brave New Mama by Vicki Rivard

In this episode, Matt and Rachel revisit Rachel's travel preparations and their effectiveness (or not) and Matt brings an unexpectedly spicy take about holiday traditions. Yes, they will be working through what comes up in this episode for sometime.

Let us know your thoughts on family or individual traditions at [email protected]!

Mentioned in this episode:

• The "Haters Gonna Hate" gif from Luke's email (thanks for the letter Luke!).
• Creating Your Own Traditions (Not Somebody Else's) by Traci Smith
• Goodreads 
• Pinterest

In this special pre-vacation edition, Matt and Rachel preview their upcoming trip and the steps they [editor's note: Read, Rachel] have taken to ready Oliver (and themselves) for traveling to the Midwest. They also wrestle with the risk this entails in a pandemic and how to be hospitable to others as they travel.

Think Rachel's plans were successful (or not). Let us know at [email protected]! We'll follow up next episode. :)

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Jet Lag App. This has been rebranded since Rachel used it for Australia, but it's the same idea.
• The Allender Center Podcast Series on Summer Hospitality

In this episode, Matt and Rachel respond to some mail, discuss sleep training (and reflecting back on decisions you already made) and they premier a new segment: Instagram Unposted.

Have opinions about sleep training and the article we discussed? Read it (see link below) and reach out to us at [email protected]!

Mentioned in this episode:

• Emily Oster, "Sleep Training: Is It Bad?"
  • ParentData (Emily Oster's newsletter)
  • You can find links to Emily's books at emilyoster.net
• Precious Little Sleep by Alexis Dubief
• The Modern Family episode featuring Cry It Out: "Up All Night"  
• Rachel mentions that Matt is an Enneagram 1. Here's a summary of what that means for those unfamiliar with the Enneagram.
• Goat House Brewery

In this episode, Matt and Rachel recap their recent Yosemite modeling experience (and first night away from Oliver!), talk about hills they will and won't die on, and Rachel shares a favorite product in a new segment.

Have opinions about the blog post we discussed? Read it (see link below) and reach out to us at [email protected]!

Mentioned in this episode:

• Odessa James Photo (our friend Shelby's insta - because that's what the cool kids would call it and we're cool models now). 
• A few pictures of yours truly in Yosemite. 
• Featured in the Timms Take: "Pick a Hill to Die" by Hannah BCL ("Blog Crush Lady") 
• Capital Books in Sacramento
• Bringing Up Bookmonsters by Amber and Andy Ankowski:
• Product Placement with Rachel: The Ezpz Mini Mat