This is Why We’re Late

This Is Why We're Late is back with another real-life summer recap! This week we're sharing our latest adventures, the mid-summer meltdown that reminded us we're not responsible for keeping our kids happy every second of the day, and what it's really like traveling with kids when absolutely nothing goes according to plan.

From unmet expectations to unforgettable memories, we're talking about embracing the chaos and finding the good in the mess. So crack open a Diet Coke and join two parents who, even after 10 years of doing this, are still learning, still failing, and still laughing along the way.

August is almost here, the school-year starting line is in sight, and relief is coming, y'all!

It's only been a month of summer... so why does it feel like we've run a marathon? This week, we're checking in from the trenches of summer break as two work-from-home parents with four kids under 10. Between the endless snack requests, a bucket list that's collecting more dust than checkmarks, and keeping a fearless toddler entertained, we're just trying to survive until bedtime. We also share our thoughts on Toy Story 5 and why we think it's the perfect movie for millennial parents. If summer has you hanging on by a thread, grab an ice-cold Diet Coke and join us—you are definitely not alone.

What should kids simply do because they're part of the family, and what deserves an extra reward? In this episode, we unpack how we approach chores in our busy family of six, why everyone pitches in, and how we're trying to raise kids who see themselves as valuable members of the team. It's not a perfect system, but it's helping us build responsibility, ownership, and a home where everyone contributes.

When the chaos of summer looms and your house feels like a full-blown circus, this episode is your survival guide—minus the clown costumes.

Grace and Daniel navigate the wild ride of balancing work, kids, and the endless summer bucket list that makes you wish for a vacation from summer itself.Ever wonder how to keep six kids entertained without losing your mind? We break down their epic “summer bucket list” that includes everything from sleep-under experiments to lemonade stands with a side of sibling negotiations. Spoiler: there's no hamster in sight, but there is a hilarious debate about boy chores vs. girl chores, and a detailed critique of the latest popular camp prices that’ll make your wallet sweat.You'll discover:

• The insider secrets to unplugging and trusting your kids with mall adventures and slime-free assignments
• Creative strategies to dodge the summer slump—because yes, Kumon isn’t just a fancy word for “never-ending homework”
• How working from home transforms summer chaos into family adventures, and why dad’s push to get a pet hamster might be the greatest mock trial ever
• Plus, Daniel’s bold take on trash Jenga and the secret to surviving toddler animal attacks—all served with a hearty side of humor

This episode isn’t just for busy parents—it's a hilarious, relatable escape hatch for anyone living through the “I-have-no-idea-how-we’ll-do-it” summer chaos. Essential listening if your house is about to turn into a beach resort or a full-blown comedy show.

Get ready to embrace the chaos, laugh at the madness, and learn how to turn summer from a stress-fest into an epic adventure—because if they’re going to fight over the backseat, it might as well be while hanging out with you.Perfect for tired parents, summer planners, or anyone who’s ever wondered what the heck they’re doing when the kids are home 72 days straight. Hit play now—your sanity can wait.

Most parents will tell you they’re experts at being late—which means we’re basically professional chaos coordinators. But behind the casual “we’re just a little behind” lie weeks full of busy kids, lost keys, and life doing its best to throw us off course. In this episode, Grace and Daniel finally sit down after a whirlwind five-week break, spilling the real behind-the-scenes on their crazy, beautiful journey — including motherhood, marriage, and the chaos that keeps their family running.

They break down the art of balancing work, family, and a full calendar without losing your mind (or your marbles). You'll discover: how they navigate busy football seasons at 5 p.m. games, the honest truth about sleep deprivation, and the surprisingly profound lessons they’ve learned about raising resilient, compassionate kids. Plus, get a sneak peek into their hilarious Hawaiian adventure and what the future holds for their growing crew—spoiler: it involves lots of love, a big family, and maybe a few more trips to the fridge for Diet Coke.

Spring Break sounded like a dream… until reality packed its bags too. In this episode of This Is Why We’re Late, we’re taking you along for the wild ride of traveling across the country with four kids in tow. From packing for a family of six (how is it possible to need this much stuff for one week?!) to navigating time zone changes and keeping a one-year-old entertained on a five-hour flight—we’re in the thick of it.

We also share the surprisingly sweet side of the trip: a place where kids run free until sunset, neighbors actually say hello, and life feels just a little bit slower (and kinder). But don’t worry—it wouldn’t be our story without a little chaos. We’re talking about the flight home from hell, complete with a sick toddler and two very tired parents just trying to survive the day.

At the end of it all, we love traveling with our kids… but let’s be honest—calling it a “vacation” feels like a stretch. This was a full-on work trip. Tune in for the laughs, the real talk, and the reminder that sometimes just making it home is the biggest win. ✈️

Podcast: This Is Why We’re Late
Episode Title: Keeping the Spark Alive (Even When the Kids Won’t Go to Bed)

In this episode of This Is Why We’re Late, we’re diving into one of the biggest challenges couples face after kids enter the picture—how to keep the romance alive when life is busy, loud, and exhausting. Between school drop-offs, bedtime routines, and everything in between, it can be easy for marriage to move to the back burner. But we believe it doesn’t have to.

We talk about taking the Five Love Languages test and how the way we give and receive love can shift over time—especially as seasons of life change. What made you feel loved when you were newly married might look completely different after years of parenting together.

We also get real about what it means to show up for each other when you’re tired. Marriage after kids isn’t always candlelight dinners and grand gestures—it’s often the small, intentional moments that keep the connection strong.

One of the practical things that has helped us is our 2-2-2 rule:

• A date night every 2 weeks

• A quick getaway every 2 months

• A longer vacation every 2 years

We share how we try to make this work in real life, why prioritizing time together matters, and how scheduling connection can actually protect spontaneity in the long run.

Most importantly, we talk about how marriage isn’t meant to stay the same—it’s meant to grow, evolve, and deepen over time. The goal isn’t just to survive the busy seasons of parenting, but to keep discovering new ways to love and support each other along the way.

If you’ve ever wondered how to keep your relationship strong while raising kids, this conversation is for you. Because sometimes the reason we’re late… is that we’re still figuring out life, love, and marriage together. ❤️

In this episode of This is Why We’re Late, we dive into the messy, humbling, and sometimes hilarious world of disciplining our kids—without all the extra drama. We share a bit about the homes we grew up in: loud, busy households full of sibling fights, questionable decisions, and the occasional time we got away with things we probably shouldn’t have. Those experiences shaped the way we parent today, for better or worse.

We talk honestly about the challenge of staying calm and keeping your cool—even when your kids definitely aren’t. From the differences in parenting boys vs. girls to the daily need for forgiveness and repair in our own home, this conversation is a reminder that parenting rarely goes perfectly. We discuss the grace parents need for their kids—and for themselves—because every parent misses the mark sometimes.

But at the heart of it all, we come back to this: disciplining our children is a vital and loving part of parenting and childhood. It doesn’t have to be loud or dramatic, but it does have to be intentional.

Going from one child to two doesn’t just add a baby — it changes everything.

In this episode, we’re talking about the jump no one fully prepares you for. The logistics double. The noise multiplies. The guilt gets louder. The patience gets thinner. And somehow… so does your margin.

We’re diving into the real, unfiltered side of becoming a parent of two:

• The emotional whiplash of loving a new baby while missing your first.

• The mental load that suddenly feels heavier than expected.

• The shift in your identity — again.

• The sibling dynamics that start from day one.

• And why this transition can feel harder than becoming a parent the first time.

If you’ve ever thought, “Why does this feel so much harder than I expected?” — this episode is for you.

Because you’re not failing. You’re not crazy. And no, it’s not just you.

Welcome to the beautiful, stretching, chaotic leap from one to two.

In Episode 2 of This is Why We’re Late, we rewind to where it all began—saying “I do” at just 21 and 23. We share what it really looked like to build a marriage in the middle of our twenties while we were still figuring out who we were individually.

From navigating personal hardships in the early stages of our relationship to learning how to have the hard conversations most couples avoid, we talk honestly about the foundations that carried us through the ups and downs. We explore what it means to grow alongside your partner without losing yourself—and why placing unrealistic expectations on each other can quietly erode even the strongest love.

Seventeen years together and nearly twelve years married, we’re grateful for every lesson, failure, and growing pain. This episode is about building something that lasts—on purpose, through honesty, and with the courage to grow together.