Two Parents & A Podcast

This week on Two Parents & A Podcast we’re celebrating Harrison’s BIRTHDAY (with a gift reveal on camera!!), debating a tiny relationship lie that has the internet divided (it involves key lime pie lol), and talking about a parenting question we genuinely didn’t know the answer to: what bathroom should girl dads take their daughters to in public?!  We get into the new screen time guidelines for kids from the American Academy of Pediatrics and why the conversation around screens is shifting from “how much” to “how and why” (+ the new DESSERT analogy we love). Plus: Harrison’s getting in shape before baby boy arrives (+ his new focus on sleep), we officially started our sourdough era, and we’ve got THE SUIT that Harrison plans to wear when he brings baby boy home from the hospital. Later in the episode we talk about a neighborhood school Q&A that made us really excited about the future, whether travel actually helps toddlers hit developmental milestones (spoiler alert: IT DOES!!!), and something we saw that we think is really cool: Costco helping make IVF treatment more affordable for families. Finally, we answer a listener question for Dr. Ari about introducing allergens when a parent has allergies. LOVE YOU GUYS. Thanks for listening!!!!  Timestamps:  00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast! 00:01:38 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HARRISON!  00:07:47 BICKER OF THE WEEK: Is THIS tiny relationship lie OK?!  00:10:35 Asking for forgiveness vs. permission 00:19:41 We’ve got our sourdough starter!  00:23:35 Harrison got the suit he will wear home from the hospital! 00:27:45 Getting in shape before the baby is born 00:32:23 Can lack of sleep cancel out the benefits of exercise? 00:40:33 School Q&A happy hour with neighborhood moms  00:48:58 THINGS WE DMED EACHOTHER: The AAP’s new screen time guidelines for kids 00:59:10 Where should dads take daughters to the bathroom? 01:05:56 Do you remember the first time you got lost?!  01:07:41 We’re going to Disney World!!!! 01:17:38 Travel actually DOES help toddlers hit milestones  01:21:07 THINGS WE DMED EACHOTHER: Costco making IVF more affordable?! 01:24:28 IN THE COMMENTS: A listener question for Dr. Ari: introducing allergens when YOU have allergies?!  01:26:24 LOVE YOU GUYS! #twoparentsandapod --------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our sponsors this week: *Bobbie: If you want to feed with confidence too, head to https://www.hibobbie.com for the formula trusted by 700,000+ parents. *Little Spoon: Simplify your kids' mealtimes. Go to https://www.littlespoon.com/TWOPARENTS and enter our code TWOPARENTS at checkout to get 30% OFF your first Little Spoon order. *Merit Beauty: Right now, Merit Beauty is offering our listeners their Signature Makeup Bag with your first order at https://www.meritbeauty.com *Perelel: Exclusive for our listeners, new customers can enjoy 20% off their first order with code TWOPARENTS - Visit https://www.perelelhealth.com *Cozy Earth: Go to https://www.cozyearth.com/TWOPARENTS for up to 20% off! --------------------------------------------------------------- Listen to the pod on YouTube/Spotify/Apple: https://www.youtube.com/@twoparentsandapod https://open.spotify.com/show/7BxuZnHmNzOX9MdnzyU4bD?si=5e715ebaf9014fac https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-parents-a-podcast/id1737442386 --------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Two Parents & A Podcast: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/twoparentsandapod TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@twoparentsandapod Follow Alex Bennett: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/justalexbennett TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@justalexbennett Follow Harrison Fugman: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/harrisonfugman TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@harrisonfugman --------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House – https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Two Parents & A Podcast we start with an underrated friendship milestone from Sunday night: the friends you can sit in silence with. The ones you can cook dinner with, hang out with, and not feel the need to fill every moment with conversation. Then we recap Jules turning 30 (!!) in New York — including a pro-tip on how to pull off a surprise and a dinner rec that’s AMAZING for big groups. Next we get into one of the funniest internet moments currently taking over our FYPs: burger CEOs going to war on TikTok — and why some brands understand internet culture way better than others. (Yes… we actually called Burger King live on the pod hahaha) From there we talk parenting: handling toddler night wakings, how Harrison has built such a strong bond with Bubs, why we personally won’t use a child safety tether (fancy way to say leash lol), and the mindset shift that’s changed how we think about time with our kids (hint: stop trying to “pass the time”). After our latest flight, we also share our best screen-free tips for flying with a toddler. And we end with a debate: maternity clothes vs sizing up normal clothes — plus the comment section question of the week… are crop tops while pregnant acceptable or not? LOVE YOU GUYS. Thanks for listening!!! Timestamps:  00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast! 00:00:36 The BEST kind of friends: the ones you can sit in silence with 00:03:52 Jules’ 30th birthday recap 00:10:18 The burger CEOs are beefing  00:27:41 Handling toddler night wakings  00:37:07 How to develop a strong relationship with your toddler  00:41:24 THIS is why we will never use a child leash 00:49:12 Why “passing the time” with kids is the wrong mindset 00:54:39 Our best screen-free tips for flying with a toddler 01:08:43 Crop tops while pregnant  01:12:58 Does traveling with your toddler help boost their development? 01:15:03 LOVE YOU GUYS! #twoparentsandapod --------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our sponsors this week: *BiOptimizers: Go to https://www.bioptimizers.com/twoparents and use my exclusive code TWOPARENTS to get 15% off any order *Hers: Visit https://www.forhers.com/TWOPARENTS to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you. *Goodles: Pick up GOODLES on your next shopping trip… it’s available nationwide at Target and Walmart, plus many other major grocery stores and retailers *Quince: Go to https://www.Quince.com/ALEX for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! --------------------------------------------------------------- Listen to the pod on YouTube/Spotify/Apple: https://www.youtube.com/@twoparentsandapod https://open.spotify.com/show/7BxuZnHmNzOX9MdnzyU4bD?si=5e715ebaf9014fac https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-parents-a-podcast/id1737442386 --------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Two Parents & A Podcast: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/twoparentsandapod TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@twoparentsandapod Follow Alex Bennett: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/justalexbennett TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@justalexbennett Follow Harrison Fugman: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/harrisonfugman TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@harrisonfugman --------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House – https://www.justmediahouse.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Two Parents & A Podcast, we’re back with pediatrician Dr. Ari Brown for the ultimate 411 on toddler nutrition and eating habits—from starting solids at 6 months to navigating picky eating without turning dinner into a power struggle. We break down why “food before 1 is just for fun” isn’t actually true, the best first foods to introduce (it’s NOT what you think!), and the biggest choking hazards parents need to watch for—plus how to tell gagging vs. choking in the moment. Dr. Ari also walks us through allergy basics (when to intro + what reactions actually look like), when to ditch the bottle, what a normal toddler day of eating really looks like, and how to think about macros (or honestly… not think about them too much—if your child eats a variety of foods over the week, they’re probably doing just fine). Then we get into the things parents are constantly worrying about: sugar before 2, red dye, ultra-processed “kid foods,” and why toddlers randomly reject foods they used to love. Finally, we cover picky eating red flags, “safety foods,” and the #1 mealtime mistake that actually makes picky eating worse. Timestamps: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast! (feat. Dr. Ari Brown) 00:04:09 Myth BUSTED: “Food before 1 is just for fun” 00:06:34 Best first foods at 6 months (what to start with) 00:15:15 Toddler travel hack: diaper bag food scissors 00:16:05 Biggest early feeding “NO” foods (choking hazards) 00:18:51 Choking 101: what parents actually need to know 00:19:47 Choking stats: how common is it, really? 00:22:51 Gagging vs. choking (how to tell instantly) 00:24:36 Introducing allergens without freaking out 00:29:31 3 feeding myths parents need to unlearn 00:31:22 Ditching the bottle + what if they won’t drink milk? 00:34:03 What a toddler’s day of eating should look like 00:36:38 Toddler macros (and why fat matters) 00:40:25 Foods to limit (processed, fried, “kid food” defaults) 00:42:20 Building a foundation for lifelong eating habits  00:50:32 Should you limit sugar before 2? 00:53:38 Red dye: what’s the actual concern? 00:56:07 “They loved it yesterday…” why toddlers suddenly reject foods 00:58:23 Picky eating: what’s normal vs. a red flag 01:02:51 “Safety foods” (how to use them the right way) 01:03:55 The #1 mealtime mistake that worsens picky eating 01:05:15 Do kids actually need a multivitamin? 01:06:05 Picky eater vs. feeding aversion (the line) 01:09:20 Top 3 fixes for picky eating (from Dr. Ari) 01:10:20 Utensils: when should kids start using forks & spoons? 01:13:31 Thanks for listening! --------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our sponsors this week: *Quince: Go to https://www.Quince.com/ALEX for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! *Care.com: For a limited time, go to https://www.Care.com and use code TWOPARENTS for 20% off your initial Care.com subscription or a Senior Care Advisor Plan. *Ziprecruiter: You can try ZipRecruiter for FREE at https://www.ZipRecruiter.com/ALEX *Veracity: For up to 60% off your order, head to https://www.VeracityHealth.co and use code TWOPARENTS *Magnetic Me: Right now, new customers can get 15% off sitewide at https://www.magneticme.com --------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Two Parents & A Podcast: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/twoparentsandapod TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@twoparentsandapod Follow Alex Bennett: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/justalexbennett TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@justalexbennett Follow Harrison Fugman: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/harrisonfugman TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@harrisonfugman Find our guest: Website | https://www.draribrown.com/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/aribrownmd TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@aribrownmd --------------------------------------------------------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Two Parents & A Podcast, we’re audio only (SORRY, but that’s IRL recording, baby. PS we saw your feedback (THANK YOU!!!) and we’re gonna try this for a few weeks before regrouping). ANYWAYS — we’re starting with a relationship milestone nobody talks about: the first time you see your partner truly sick. It turns out it teaches you just as much about a relationship as your first vacation together… maybe more. From there, we get into the modern logistics of adult life, including the “phone call slot” problem (miss it and you’re benched for the day) and the realization that a shocking number of adults (*cough cough* US) don’t know how to change a tire, write a check, or address an envelope. That naturally leads us into how fast AI is moving, how jobs are shifting in real time (important note: AI still cannot change a tire), and what all of this actually means for people trying to build careers right now. Then we share our top three tips for throwing a baby sprinkle that people will actually enjoy, look ahead to Expo West with a toddler (and why bringing a grandparent as backup is elite strategy), and share that we’ve OFFICIALLY narrowed baby boy names down to four. Then come the debates. Self-checkout tipping… are we doing this now or not? Expiration dates - law or just vibes? (we HAD to get Harrison’s “expert” opinion). And can you ACTUALLY trust Google reviews?! We wrap with a few life things: front porch hangouts with neighbors, pregnancy pee science (why it’s worse lying down and why no one warns you), and a glucose update that involved cake and immediate regret. LOVE YOU GUYS. Thanks for listening!!! Timestamps:  00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast! 00:01:39 The relationship milestone NOBODY talks about  00:08:16 The “phone call slot” problem (miss it and you’re benched) 00:10:28 Schools need a mandatory class called “Life” (changing tires, writing checks, labeling an envelope) 00:17:56 AI is moving FAST… and jobs are shifting 00:23:02 Top 3 tips for the perfect baby sprinkle 00:40:05 Expo West with a toddler (and bringing a grandparent as backup!) 00:47:04 We narrowed baby boy names to 4 00:51:47 Self-checkout tipping… are we doing this now?! 00:59:20 BICKER OF THE WEEK cont: expiration dates - law or “vibes”? 01:03:55 Front porch hangouts with the neighborhood 01:07:05 IN THE COMMENTS: Pregnancy pee science (why it’s worse lying down) 01:08:30 Glucose update: I ate cake and paid for it 01:12:15 Can you trust Google reviews? 01:19:28 LOVE YOU GUYS!  #twoparentsandapod --------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our sponsors this week: *Ollie: Cozy up with your pup this season! Go to https://www.ollie.com/twoparents and use code twoparents to get 60% off your first box! *IM8: Go to https://www.IM8HEALTH.com/TWOPARENTS and use code TWOPARENTS for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets plus 10% off your order. *SKIMS: Shop my favorite bras and underwear at http://www.skims.com/twoparents  #skimspartner *If you want to feed with confidence too, head to https://www.hibobbie.com for the formula trusted by 700,000+ parents *For a limited time, go to https://www.Care.com and use code TWOPARENTS for 20% off your initial subscription or a Senior Care Advisor Plan --------------------------------------------------------------- Listen to the pod on YouTube/Spotify/Apple: https://www.youtube.com/@twoparentsandapod https://open.spotify.com/show/7BxuZnHmNzOX9MdnzyU4bD?si=5e715ebaf9014fac https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-parents-a-podcast/id1737442386 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Two Parents & A Podcast, you get Two Parents for about 10 minutes… and then Jules takes over for Harrison. So for everyone who’s been asking in the comments for more Jules: this one’s for you (hi, mom). (ps. I still will not be going on camera. Don’t push it guys lol -Jules) Before the handoff, we cover a LOT. Pregnancy sickness recovery being wildly unfair, whether we’re accidentally becoming sourdough people (apparently like Taylor Swift?!), and what it’s like doing Expo West with a toddler in tow. We share a Bubber buckle fracture update, a hard parenting rule we learned the hard way (never skip snack time), and get into glucose intolerance… plus the surprising internet consensus that sourdough might actually help?? From there, we talk neighborhood social committees, joining a junior professionals board, and then we officially made it past all the things we had planned to talk about that I could do without Harrison - cue Jules stepping in (being thrust in…). OK we covered - secret “single behaviors” we all do, whether bricking your phone ACTUALLY works, Millennials vs. Gen Z (Jules does, in fact, call Alex cheugy), and the importance of the group text. We also discover you can apparently petition to bring back discontinued flight paths (??), play a round of Two Truths & a Lie (two truths… Jules can’t lie), and have a very real moment about how fast kids grow up. Things We DMed takes a turn with a headline that stopped us in our tracks: a baby born from a womb transplant from a deceased donor — and the bigger ethical conversation that followed. Then it’s Bicker of the Week (expiration dates: law or loose suggestion?), a practical baby #2 conversation about needing a bigger car, why the naughty corner doesn’t actually work the way we think it does. We wrap with a quick note that we are hiring (kind of) — but if you DM us, you’re automatically disqualified. LOVE YOU GUYS. Thanks for listening!!!  Timestamps: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast! 00:03:44 Pregnancy sickness recovery is UNFAIR 00:05:09 Are we becoming sourdough people…? 00:08:34 Expo West… with a toddler  00:09:15 Bubber’s buckle fracture update 00:10:44 Parenting rule: NEVER skip snack time 00:14:12 Glucose intolerance… and sourdough might SAVE me?? 00:19:03 Neighborhood social committees  00:20:51 I joined a junior professionals board… 00:23:58 Harrison taps out, Jules fills in 00:27:17 Secret “single behaviors” we all do 00:29:35 Does bricking your phone ACTUALLY work?!  00:30:54 Millennials vs Gen Z (Jules calls Alex cheugy)  00:33:10 The group text  00:37:49 Wait… you can PETITION to bring back flight paths?! 00:39:13 Two truths & a lie (Jules edition) 00:41:42 Kids grow up too fast 00:42:33 THINGS WE DMED: Baby born from a deceased womb donor?! 00:52:16 BICKER: Expiration dates are law (apparently) 00:58:32 Baby #2 = we need a new car (XL SUV time) 01:06:12 The naughty corner doesn’t work?? 01:08:29 “LinkedIn-ifying” your life vs. reality  01:11:17 We’re hiring… but don’t DM us 01:13:24 LOVE YOU GUYS! #twoparentsandapod --------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our sponsors this week: *Hero Bread: Hero Bread is offering 10% off your order. Go to https://www.hero.co and use code TWOPARENTS at checkout. *Perelel: Exclusive for our listeners, new customers can enjoy 20% off their first order with code TWOPARENTS - Visit https://www.perelelhealth.com *Chime: It just takes a few minutes to sign up. Head to https://www.Chime.com/TWOPARENTS *Function Health: Visit www.functionhealth.com/TWOPARENTS or use gift code TWOPARENTS25 for a $25 credit toward your membership. *Edmunds: If you are planning to buy a car this year or even just starting to think about it, visit https://www.Edmunds.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Two Parents & A Podcast, we’re recapping our BABYMOON in Miami… which did NOT go exactly as planned (read: food poisoning + a hospital visit) — but somehow we still had the best time!! 🤍 We start with the biggest surprise of the trip: Miami Beach being way more family-friendly than we expected (aka we’re already picturing trips with BUBBER and the new little guy). The first day and a half were AMAZING… and then things took a sharp turn. We break down the food poisoning saga, whether it hits harder when you’re pregnant, and the aftermath that involved the BRAT diet, a cold/dark room, and accepting that sometimes your body just decides you’re done for the day (all while Harrison casually coded an app???). From there, we spiral (as we do) into all the debates we had on the trip: is automatic gratuity fair?!, whether Miami prices are actually unhinged orrrr if we’re just being dramatic, and the eternal question — is it ever OK to save pool chairs at a hotel? (Please weigh in.) And OF COURSE, we share our favorite parts of the babymoon — because we’d ABSOLUTELY recommend it if you’re planning one. (But we need to say… sorry in advance if we did a little too much complaining this episode lol). Monday morning brought our first-ever trip to the ER as parents. We share what that experience was like and the #1 thing we learned. We wrap Things We DMed Each Other with Pints & Ponytails (aka Girl Dad Bootcamp), talk about why kids unwind completely differently than adults, and close out with Harrison’s thoughts on the USA vs. Canada hockey game (I got so many messages about this). LOVE YOU GUYS. Thanks for listening Timestamps: 00:00:00 Welcome Back to Two Parents & A Podcast 00:01:45 Miami Beach is way more FAMILY-FRIENDLY than expected 00:05:36 Food poisoning in Miami?! 00:19:29 Is food poisoning worse when you’re pregnant?! 00:21:59 The after math of the hospital trip (BRAT diet + downtime) 00:31:05 Is automatic gratuity in restaurants fair to customers?! 00:34:27 Prices in Miami are UNHINGED 00:43:21 Is it OK to save pool chairs at a hotel?! 00:49:00 Our FAVORITE part of the babymoon 00:55:24 The first time your child goes to the ER.. (+ the #1 thing we learned) 01:05:07 THINGS WE DMED EACHOTHER: Pints & Ponytails (Girl Dad Bootcamp) 01:06:30 THINGS WE LEARNED THIS WEEK: Kids unwind differently from adults 01:09:12 Harrison’s thoughts on the USA vs Canada Hockey Game 01:13:00 LOVE YOU GUYS! #twoparentsandapod --------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our sponsors this week: *Cozy Earth: Go to https://www.cozyearth.com/TWOPARENTS for up to 20% off! *Hers: Visit https://www.forhers.com/TWOPARENTS to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you. *Branch Basics: Get 15% off Branch Basics with the code TWOPARENTS at https://www.branchbasics.com/TWOPARENTS *Fora: Become a Fora Advisor today at https://www.ForaTravel.com/TWOPARENTS --------------------------------------------------------------- Listen to the pod on YouTube/Spotify/Apple: https://www.youtube.com/@twoparentsandapod https://open.spotify.com/show/7BxuZnHmNzOX9MdnzyU4bD?si=5e715ebaf9014fac https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-parents-a-podcast/id1737442386 --------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Two Parents & A Podcast: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/twoparentsandapod TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@twoparentsandapod Follow Alex Bennett: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/justalexbennett TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@justalexbennett Follow Harrison Fugman: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/harrisonfugman TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@harrisonfugman --------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House – https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Two Parents & A Podcast, we’re getting ready to BABYMOON. If you’re watching this, we’re on the beach right now (yay) trying to figure out what you even call a babymoon for baby number two (because “babymoon” feels… aggressive). Sprinkle? Second moon? TBD. Either way, we recorded this episode right before heading out and immediately spiraled. We start with trip planning debates, pregnancy food rules (can you eat beef carpaccio while pregnant?), and the age-old question of what actually matters more at a restaurant: the food or the vibe.  Then we get into the big one: failing the one-hour glucose test. What it means, what it doesn’t, what comes next, and why it’s way less dramatic than it sounds but still mentally jarring when you get the call. From there, we talk about ear piercing timing, leg shaving & making the bed. Mid-episode we cover Valentine’s Day, the jewelry-box-at-dinner move, whether we regret buying so much pink before having a boy, and the very real struggle of finding a nickname for baby boy that YOU GUYS like. Travel etiquette becomes a full debate (as always): reclining seats, switching seats for families, and whether you’re ever obligated to move on a plane. We also get into babysitter etiquette (if you say “help yourself to anything,” do you actually mean anything?), and then unpack the viral Girl Scout story where one girl sold $450k worth of cookies… and where that money really goes. We wrap with a Bicker of the Week, two Things We DMed Each Other (Olympics + Waymo obv), and a parenting takeaway that stuck with us all week: tell kids what TO do, not just what NOT to do. LOVE YOU GUYS. Thanks for listening!!!  Timestamps: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast! 00:04:50 Is there a better name for the second babymoon? 00:07:45 Can you eat beef carpaccio while pregnant? 00:12:42 What matters more: the food or the vibe? 00:15:32 What’s the best made-in-Canada company?! 00:18:18 Dads’ night out 00:19:48 Failed glucose test… now what? 00:27:58 When should kids get their ears pierced? 00:31:22 Fine dining: worth it or overrated? 00:34:33 Asking parents with grown kids: what would you do differently? 00:36:47 The jewelry box at dinner move 00:38:42 Do we regret buying so much pink before having a boy? 00:42:30 We need a new nickname for baby boy 00:43:51 Airplane etiquette: is it okay to recline? 00:47:37 Seat switching on planes: are you obligated to move for families? 00:55:17 Babysitter etiquette: if you say “help yourself to anything,” do you ACTUALLY mean anything? 00:59:48 Girl Scout goes viral for selling $450k worth of cookies… BUT where does the money actually go? 01:04:18 BICKER OF THE WEEK: Is it OK to eat on the couch?! 01:08:24 THINGS WE DMED EACHOTHER: Norway is dominating the Olympics (and their youth sports rules are the opposite of ours) 01:13:25 THINGS WE DMED EACHOTHER: DoorDash drivers are getting paid to close Waymo doors?? 01:16:09 THIS WEEK WE LEARNED: tell kids what TO do (not what NOT to do) 01:17:37 LOVE YOU GUYS! #twoparentsandapod --- Thank you to our sponsors this week: *Merit: Right now, Merit Beauty is offering our listeners their Signature Makeup Bag with your first order at https://www.meritbeauty.com *Edmunds: Checking your car’s value is an easy win to cross off your to do list. Go to https://www.edmunds.com/appraisal/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Two_Parents_Podcast&utm_adgroup=&utm_account=edmunds_marketing&utm_content=Two_Parents_Podcast_q4  *Veracity: For up to 60% off your order, head to https://www.VeracityHealth.co and use code TWOPARENTS *Magnetic Me: Right now, new customers can get 15% off sitewide at https://www.magneticme.com *IM8: Go to https://www.IM8HEALTH.com/TWOPARENTS and use code TWOPARENTS for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets plus 10% off your order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Two Parents & A Podcast, we’re answering YOUR questions - but fair warning: we had a lot to say (40 mins worth) before we got there. In our defense: shampoo recs, steak temperatures, and daddy/daughter dances felt important at the time (LOL).  OK SO FIRST… We talk about 5AM toddler mornings (is this a phase?!), using ChatGPT to survive your inbox, and the very unexpected realization that if you have a nut allergy… you might want to check your shampoo ingredients. We also debate 2-in-1 shampoo (dealbreaker or fine?), and Harrison pitches his “best worst idea of the week”: Tinder… but for streaming services. From there, we get into pregnancy things no one warns you about - including dental issues during pregnancy (are dentists still running the biggest scam in America?! IYKYK) - and why dads showing up to “mommy & me” classes might actually be one of our favorite cultural shifts. We talk daddy/daughter dances, the #1 toddler birthday party idea that parents will actually enjoy, and why themed dinner parties deserve a comeback. Then we spiral into food takes (you can’t order burgers medium-rare in Canada?!), whether sending food back is ever worth it, and finally dive into your Q&A questions: should a new baby bring a “gift” for their sibling, what really matters when choosing an OBGYN, what to prepare for before labor, and what actually belongs in a hospital bag - including the one item I would never, ever skip. We also talk about what we’re most excited for with a baby boy, whether there’s a “best” season to be pregnant, and if we’re planning to open investment accounts for the kids. We wrap with a comment section debate that got people fired up (apparently ppl are really pro-spanking???) and a Bicker of the Week about wearing your partner’s clothes before they do (which OF COURSE is fine IF they are pregnant lol).  LOVE YOU GUYS. Thanks for listening!!!!!  Timestamps: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast 00:03:55 ChatGPT for emails = a legit time-saver 00:05:11 Are 5AM wakeups just a toddler phase? 00:06:39 If you have a nut allergy, check your shampoo ingredients?? 00:11:07 What's the deal with 2-in-1 shampoo + conditioner? 00:12:21 Best Worst Idea of the Week: “Tinder for streaming” 00:15:11 Dental issues during pregnancy 00:17:38 Dads at “mommy & me” classes?!  00:22:28 Are daddy/daughter dances still a thing?! 00:24:51 #1 Toddler birthday party idea (that you’ll actually WANT to attend) 00:25:27 Dinner party theme ideas  00:30:50 You can’t order burgers medium-rare in Canada?!  00:34:17 Are we out on sending food back? 00:36:55 Q&A: Should the new baby bring a “gift” for the toddler? 00:40:30 Q&A: OBGYN experience during and after delivery? 00:48:32 Q&A: What should I prepare for going into labor? 00:50:28 What’s in my hospital bag 01:02:36 Q&A: What are you most excited about with a baby boy? 01:05:27 Q&A: Best season to be pregnant? 01:06:39 Q&A: Are you planning to open 530A accounts for the kids? 01:10:21 In the comments: Does spanking work? 01:13:03 Bicker of the Week: Wearing your partner’s clothes first 01:15:23 LOVE YOU GUYS!  #twoparentsandapod --------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our sponsors this week: *Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at https://SHOPIFY.com/TWOPARENTS *Little Spoon: Simplify your kids' mealtimes. Go to https://littlespoon.com/TWOPARENTS and enter our code TWOPARENTS at checkout to get 30% OFF your first Little Spoon order. *Ollie: Treat your Palentine with Ollie! Go to https://ollie.com/twoparents and use code TWOPARENTS to get 60% off your first box! *Branch Basics: Get 15% off Branch Basics with the code TWOPARENTS at https://branchbasics.com/TWOPARENTS #branchbasicspod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Two Parents & A Podcast, we might have cracked the code on toddler mornings… and it’s not waking up earlier. We’re talking 5am wakeups, third-trimester exhaustion, and the mindset shift that completely changed how we handle that first hour of the day. Instead of surviving it, we’re cooking through it. Eggs, repetition, more eggs, toddler “responsibility,” and why letting Tate crack the eggs might actually be the best parenting hack we’ve stumbled into. From there, we rant about the glucose test (there HAS to be a better way), officially put the induction on the calendar, and share baby names we LOVE but WON’T be using (and why naming a second kid feels wildly harder?? Idk we just need to see the baby). We spiral (naturally) into the Valentine’s Day debate: when someone says “no gifts”… do they actually mean it? Then get into our low-spend month competition with the neighbors (now accepting votes for who you think might win… spoiler alert: it doesn’t seem like it’s gonna be me), what I’m NOT buying this month but really want to, and then talk about a competition that ACTUALLY matters: the Winter Olympics. Harrison has a rant about why it’s somehow harder than ever to actually watch the Olympics. We also unpack the viral Olympian cheating apology and whether that was romantic… or just ????? Then we hit the comment section: is going off-registry rude? are toddlers sitting on restaurant tables actually a crime? and are “self-driving” cars even self-driving? We wrap with something that genuinely reframed our week: toddlers are hardwired to hit, run, climb, and tantrum. It’s NOT personal. It’s developmental. And how you react might matter more than what they do. LOVE YOU GUYS. Thanks for listening 🤍 Timestamps: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast! 00:04:55 The BEST personalized toddler gift (Maria nailed THIS) 00:06:23 Waking up early with a toddler?! Try THIS mindset shift 00:12:53 This the the BEST way to spend the morning with your toddler 00:19:36 If someone says “no gifts”… do they mean it? (Valentine’s edition) 00:23:46 Glucose test rant: there HAS to be a better way 00:28:57 The induction is officially on the calendar 00:30:34 Baby names we like… but won’t use (and why) 00:38:15 Low-spend month (friendly neighborhood competition!!!) 00:41:33 What I’m NOT buying this month (but really want to) 00:44:33 Olympics rant: why is it so hard to watch?! 00:54:36 Olympian apology interview goes viral (cheating confession) 01:00:02 Hockey culture: “lettuce,” “apples,” and other terms you might might also understand if you read hockey romance 01:02:19 In the comments: Is going off-registry rude? 01:06:42 In the comments: Toddlers sitting on restaurant tables 01:12:30 Things we DMed: “Self-driving” cars have human helpers?! 01:20:28 Things we learned: Toddlers are hardwired to run/ hit/ climb/ tantrum 01:23:55 THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!  #twoparentsandapod --------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our sponsors this week: *Hero Bread: Hero Bread is offering 10% off your order. Go to https://www.hero.co and use code TWOPARENTS at checkout. *Chime: It just takes a few minutes to sign up. Head to https://www.Chime.com/TWOPARENTS.  *Little Spoon: Simplify your kids' mealtimes. Go to https://www.littlespoon.com/TWOPARENTS and enter our code TWOPARENTS at checkout to get 30% OFF your first Little Spoon order. *Bobbie: If you want to feed with confidence too, head to https://www.hibobbie.com for the formula trusted by 700,000+ parents. *Perelel: Exclusive for our listeners, new customers can enjoy 20% off their first order with code TWOPARENTS - Visit https://www.perelelhealth.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Two Parents & A Podcast, we’re back with Dr. Ari Brown - board-certified pediatrician and author of the bestselling 411 series - for The 411 on TODDLER DISCIPLINE. And just like last time, she comes in with the calm, practical answers we all need when our toddlers are… doing the most. We start with the big foundational question: what “discipline” actually means (spoiler: it’s teaching NOT punishment) and when it realistically begins. Dr. Ari breaks down the cues that your toddler is ready to be “taught”, why pushback is developmentally normal, and how consistency matters way more than finding the “perfect” consequence. Then we get into the “IS IT NORMAL?!” greatest hits: biting, hitting, head-banging, and public tantrums - what’s actually going on in their brains, what to do in the moment, and the #1 thing parents should avoid (even though it’s everyone’s instinct). We also talk self-regulation, why toddlers borrow our nervous systems, and the biggest mistake parents make when they start trying to “discipline” for the first time: expecting instant results. We also dig into the classic strategies people always debate - time-outs, spanking, and the “if you don’t do X, we’re taking away Y” approach - and Dr. Ari explains what works, what doesn’t, and why consequences need to be logical to actually teach anything.  PLUS: how behavior can shift with a new sibling (who do you think wrote this question in?!??!), how to avoid the good cop/bad cop dynamic, and rapid-fire audience Qs on meal refusal, toddler resistance (“no” to everything), teaching safety without fear, and why kids go through parent-preference phases. Timestamps: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast! (The 411 with Dr. Ari Brown: Toddler Discipline) 00:01:45 Doctor & author weighs in on “does audiobook listening ‘count’ as reading?!” 00:04:00 When should discipline start?! (& what does ‘discipline’ really mean?!) 00:06:47 Signs your toddler is ready for boundaries 00:12:00 IS IT NORMAL?! Biting 00:15:58 IS IT NORMAL?! Hitting 00:21:41 IS IT NORMAL?! Head-banging / hitting themselves  00:23:24 IS IT NORMAL?! Tantrums in public 00:26:28 The #1 thing NOT to do during a tantrum 00:29:30 How toddlers learn self-regulation (and the parent’s role) 00:33:21 The #1 mistake parents make when starting to discipline their kids  00:35:11 DOES IT WORK?! Time-outs 00:39:16 DOES IT WORK?! Spanking 00:46:43 DOES IT WORK?! “If you don’t do X, we’re taking away Y” 00:49:00 New sibling = new behavior? What to expect + how to prepare 00:57:15 Overwhelmed? Dr. Brown’s 5 starter tools for discipline 00:58:24 Good cop vs. bad cop 01:02:38 Audience Q: Meal refusal - how to respond without creating picky habits 01:04:03 Audience Q: Toddler says “no” to everything (shoes, car seat, etc.) 01:06:58 Audience Q: Teaching “danger” without traumatizing them 01:08:15 Audience Q: Parent preference phases (why they pick favorites) 01:09:35 “Terrible twos” rebrand: the Terrific Twos 01:11:26 Thanks for listening! Thank you to our sponsors this week: *Cozy Earth: Go to https://www.cozyearth.com/TWOPARENTS for up to 20% off! *Edmunds: Checking your car’s value is an easy win to cross off your to do list. Go to https://www.edmunds.com/appraisal/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Two_Parents_Podcast&utm_adgroup=&utm_account=edmunds_marketing&utm_content=Two_Parents_Podcast_q4  *SKIMS: Shop my favorite bras and underwear at https://www.skims.com/twoparents  #skimspartner *Ollie: Treat your Palentine with Ollie! Go to https://www.ollie.com/twoparents and use code TWOPARENTS to get 60% off your first box! *GOODLES: Pick up GOODLES on your next shopping trip… it’s available nationwide at Target and Walmart, plus many other major grocery stores and retailers! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Two Parents & A Podcast, we’re very much in planning mode - talking babymoon ideas, future parenting rules (we NEED your thoughts on the bed-making debate), and yet another round of nesting. We start with coffee shop talk (yes, the same one we’ve been talking about for the last two weeks), why good habits take forever to build while bad ones take about two days, and the current parent uniform: sweatsuits with mystery stains. From there, it’s full nesting energy (again) - labeling everything (western shorts, IYKYK), debating whether kids are born Type A or if we accidentally make them that way, and getting into the surprisingly divisive question of whether kids should make their own beds (possibly our first real parenting style disagreement live on the pod??). Then we get into technology and boundaries: the no phones in bedrooms rule, what age kids are actually getting phones now, and how we somehow ended up with a landline (yes, really). We celebrate Maria’s one-year anniversary with us, spiral into celebrity power couples, Grammys discourse, Valentine’s Day card exchanges at school, and our ongoing “no gifts” debate. Mid-episode, we start planning our babymoon (US only, no car required - please send help), talk through joint bachelor/bachelorette parties (fun or a hard no?), share our #1 travel hack that immediately lowers stress (with or without kids), and revisit the ongoing dog conversation - why everyone says we should NOT get one yet, and whether we’re secretly a no-pets house… until the day we’re not (I still cannot believe Harrison asked if I’d consider a pet spider). We wrap with mall nostalgia (or lack thereof), a classic Bicker of the Week (pool vs. no pool - IN TEXAS), and a new behavioral tactic we’ll keep in mind for those future meltdowns: connection before direction. LOVE YOU GUYS. Thanks for listening!!!! Timestamps: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast! 00:02:06 Coffee shops are making coffee “community” again (and we’re obsessed) 00:05:11 Why good habits take forever… and bad habits take 2 days 00:06:50 New parent uniform: mystery stains 00:14:29 Nesting parents - are you labeling EVERYTHING too?! 00:16:10 Are kids born Type A vs Type B… or do we create them? 00:18:40 Are we making our kids make their beds?  00:21:25 The “no phones in bedrooms” rule…  00:23:37 What age are parents giving kids phones now?  00:24:42 We got a LANDLINE… should we do call-ins?! 00:25:37 Maria’s one-year anniversary 00:30:08 Celebrity power couples  00:31:57 Alex Warren at the Grammys 00:35:31 Do schools still do Valentine’s Day card exchanges?! 00:37:53 Valentine’s Day gift ideas for your partner (plus our “no gifts” debate) 00:43:38 We have an outdoor baby 00:45:20 Baby moon help: where should we go?! (US only) 00:47:47 Joint bachelor/bachelorette parties: yes or no? 00:56:21 Our #1 travel hack: DoorDash on landing 00:58:46 Why everyone says we SHOULDN’T get a dog (yet) 01:02:20 Are we a “no pets” house… until the dog day comes? 01:04:55 Would a pet spider be a dealbreaker?! 01:07:38 Why do malls feel so depressing now? 01:08:47 Bicker of the Week: Pool vs. No Pool 01:11:05 This Week We Learned: Connection Before Direction 01:15:18 LOVE YOU GUYS! #twoparentsandapod --- Thank you to our sponsors this week: *Little Spoon: Simplify your kids' mealtimes. Go to https://www.littlespoon.com/TWOPARENTS and enter our code TWOPARENTS at checkout to get 30% OFF your first Little Spoon order. *Doordash: Parenting can be chaotic, unpredictable, and complicated. Delivery with DoorDash isn’t. Get order, delivered. #DoorDashPartner  #DoorDashParents *ZipRecruiter: You can try ZipRecruiter for FREE at https://www.ZipRecruiter.com/ALEX *Quince: Go to https://www.Quince.com/ALEX for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! *Ollie: Head to https://www.Ollie.com/TWOPARENTS, tell them all about your dog, and use code TWOPARENTS to get 60% off your Welcome Kit when you subscribe today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Two Parents & A Podcast, you already know the phase we’re in - MORE nesting, third-trimester TIRED, and getting ready for baby #2 while CONTINUALLY realizing how much community matters. We kick things off with a micro-bicker (is this a new thing?!) that isn’t really a REAL debate because we agree (fake flowers vs real flowers), then get into how I’m scheduling rest for “third trimester tired” instead of fighting it. We revisit last week’s Bicker of the Week (drying off in the shower vs on the bath mat), share a weighted vest update (for those who asked in the comments!!), and talk about what phase 2 of nesting mode looks like when you’re about to have two-under-two (spoiler: toddler-proofing everything). From there, I share my battle-tested opinions on baby shower gifts you should buy that are NOT on your friend’s registry (plus two bonus picks from Harrison that are genuinely top notch). And like speaking of buying things off of registries… we spiral about why every single store now needs your phone number just to let you check out (hard pass). Then we give an update that kicked off a bigger conversation - Tate officially got off a preschool waitlist I put her on at three months old (WOAH), which leads into a conversation about community, the people you surround yourself with, and why that matters more than ever right now. And yes, your village can include DOGS… when it makes sense to add one with kids, what we’re actually considering, and why this question suddenly feels very real. We wrap with a new Bicker of the Week (is it ever okay to talk to your partner once they’ve fallen asleep?) and a really sweet Things We DMed about celebrating other kids’ wins - the kind of reminder that makes you appreciate your village (even if it’s just the folks on the sidelines!!) LOVE YOU GUYS. Thanks for listening :)  Timestamps:  00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast! 00:03:26 Micro-Bicker of the Week: Fake flowers vs real flowers 00:05:45 Scheduling rest for “third trimester tired” 00:08:42 Bicker of the Week Re-Visit: Drying off IN the shower vs ON the bath mat 00:11:19 Weighted vest update 00:13:55 Nesting mode cont’d (and toddler-proofing everything) 00:17:55 Harrison’s cookbook-only cooking era 00:21:58 My top baby shower gifts NOT on your friend’s registry (+2 bonus picks from Harrison) 00:33:30 Why do you have to give your phone number before buying EVERYTHING? 00:44:44 Tate got off the waitlist I put her on at 3 months old 00:50:07 The people you surround yourself with (and why it matters) 00:58:48 We’re getting a dog?! 01:07:46 Bicker of the Week: Is it OK to talk to your partner once they fall asleep? 01:11:27 Things We DMed: Celebrating other kids’ wins 01:16:40 LOVE YOU GUYS #twoparentsandapod --------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our sponsors this week: *Hungryroot: For a limited time get 40% off your first box PLUS get a free item in every box for life. Go to https:// www.Hungryroot.com/TWOPARENTS and use code TWOPARENTS *Edmunds: Checking your car’s value is an easy win to cross off your to do list. Go to https://www.edmunds.com/appraisal/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Two_Parents_Podcast&utm_adgroup=&utm_account=edmunds_marketing&utm_content=Two_Parents_Podcast_q4 *Hers: Visit https://www.forhers.com/TWOPARENTS to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you. *Fora Travel: Become a Fora Advisor today at https://www.ForaTravel.com/TWOPARENTS *Magnetic Me: Right now, new customers can get 15% off sitewide at https://www.magneticme.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Two Parents & A Podcast, we’re talking about a little bit of everything. We start with Austin’s first real snow day (at least since we’ve lived here lol) and how snow days feel wildly different as a kid vs. as a parent. We talk Dry January, whether it’s rude to ask someone why they don’t drink, and a truly wild babysitting story involving lime-a-ritas (the liability alone???). Then it’s parenting and pregnancy updates: how every family develops its own language (how Tate became “BUBBERS”), why we’re capping naps at 16 months, the “unzipping the sleep sack” phase, what’s helped vs. not helped with pregnancy restless leg, and the differences between boy vs. girl pregnancies (cravings, skin, fatigue, emotions, pregnancy brain). We wrap with the fun stuff as always: Harrison’s cookbook era, a great welcome-to-the-neighborhood gift idea, our ongoing couch and dining table saga, Dad’s first attempt at pigtails, Bicker of the Week, and two Things We DMed Each Other that left us speechless. LOVE YOU GUYS. Thanks for listening!!! --- Timestamps: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & a Podcast! 00:03:26 Our first “snow day” in Austin 00:06:05 How children conjure a snow day 00:10:43 “Ghost riding the whip” (and the dumb stuff we did as teens) 00:14:37 Babysitting… but getting paid in lime-a-ritas?! (liability?!?!) 00:16:08 Dry January touch base 00:18:50 Is it rude to ask someone why they’re not drinking? 00:25:12 Every family has their own language (how Tate became BUBBERS) 00:29:28 Why we’re capping Tate’s nap at 16 months 00:31:16 Pregnancy restless leg: what works & what doesn’t 00:33:41 Boy vs. girl pregnancy differences: cravings, skin, emotions, fatigue & pregnancy brain 00:36:38 Harrison’s cookbook era 00:38:28 Welcome-to-the-neighborhood gift idea 00:41:48 The now weekly couch update (lol) + trying to pick a dining table without losing our minds 00:45:43 Toddler sleep sack hacks: the “unzipping” phase + inside-out trick 00:49:23 Dad’s first time attempting pigtails 00:53:28 Bicker of the Week: drying off in the shower vs. on the bath mat (again) + no ceiling fans in Texas?! 00:58:28 Things We DMed Each Other: the cleaner “100 rubber ducks” test (are you kidding?!?) 01:01:38 Things We DMed Each Other: guy climbs a skyscraper with zero safety gear (and he has kids) 01:05:38 LOVE YOU GUYS! --- Thank you to our sponsors this week: Hero Bread: Hero Bread is offering 10% off your order. Go to https://www.hero.co and use code TWOPARENTS at checkout. Cash App: Download Cash App Today: FAMILY10 #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement. Direct deposit and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. Perelel: Exclusive for our listeners, new customers can enjoy 20% off their first order with code TWOPARENTS at https://www.perelelhealth.com Hungryroot: For a limited time get 40% off your first box PLUS get a free item in every box for life. Go to https://www.hungryroot.com/TWOPARENTS and use code TWOPARENTS. Cozy Earth: Go to https://www.cozyearth.com/TWOPARENTSBOGO for an exclusive deal only available Jan 25th – Feb 8th! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Two Parents & A Podcast, it’s one of those episodes where nothing is technically related… and yet somehow it all is. Very Friday energy (but HAPPY MONDAY!!!). We kick things off with Tate entering her unzipping era (a big-girl milestone no one prepares you for!!!) and come to terms with the fact that we’ve officially become the parents we SWORE we’d never be (hahahaha). We have another SHOW REC (is this our new thing???) - His & Hers.. Then react to Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s take on Netflix and filmmaking (I think we agree?? I mean we are to the point that Harrison bought a phone lock box sooooo). Then it’s toddler parent life as usual: discovering that “tractor wheels” are apparently a food, relying on DoorDash as a legitimate parenting strategy, and settling a cohabitating Bicker of the Week we didn’t know we felt so strongly about (do you dry off IN the shower or ON the bath mat??). Mid-episode chaos includes gym drama involving a smoothie bar heist (and learning about Harrison’s fascination with bank robberies?!), home updates (haunted light, breakfast nook plans, and our couch ordered on vibes alone), and a very real debate about whether Dad gets any say in nursery design. We also talk through our night nurse plan for baby #2 — why we’re doing it again and what we learned the first time around. We close with Tate discovering SHOPPPING (hello sparkly cowboy boots), why buying kids clothes for their “future age” is a scam, a viral moment where a mom throws an iPad out the car window (we have thoughts), an alarm clock that charges you to snooze, and the comment section absolutely lighting us up over the word “de-thaw” (WOOPS).  LOVE YOU GUYS!  Timestamps:  00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast! 00:05:18 Tate’s latest “big girl” milestone: the “unzipping” phase  00:07:22 We’ve officially become the parents we SWORE we’d never be 00:10:21 Show rec: His & Hers 00:11:16 Matt Damon + Ben Affleck on Netflix “ruining” movies (kinda true?) 00:13:22 Our continued war against Apple products (phone box, middle of he night Apple Watch)  00:17:45 PSA: “tractor wheels” are apparently actually a top-tier toddler food 00:19:00 Our Friday night parenting hack: DoorDash 00:21:40 Bicker of the Week: dry off IN the shower or ON the bath mat? 00:23:34 Gym chaos: the smoothie bar heist 00:30:46 Home updates: haunted light, breakfast nook plans & the new couch 00:41:13 Hot take: does Dad get a vote on nursery design?! 00:46:11 Our night nurse plan (and why we’re doing it again) 00:51:35 Why you should stop buying “future size” kids clothes  00:53:07 Toddler shopping: Tate picked her own sparkly cowboy boots 00:56:31 Things We DMed Each Other: Mom throws iPad out the car window 00:59:36 Things We DMed Each Other: Alarm clock that charges $10 to snooze 01:01:50 From the comments: “de-thaw” is not a word (apparently) 01:03:04 LOVE YOU GUYS! #twoparentsandapod --------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our sponsors this week: *Merit Beauty: Right now, Merit Beauty is offering our listeners their Signature Makeup Bag with your first order at https://www.meritbeauty.com *Doordash: Parenting can be chaotic, unpredictable, and complicated. Delivery with DoorDash isn’t. Get order, delivered. #DoorDashPartner  #DoorDashParents *Bobbie: If you want to feed with confidence too, head to https://www.hibobbie.com for the formula trusted by 700,000+ parents. *Fora Travel: Become a Fora Advisor today at https://www.ForaTravel.com/TWOPARENTS *Ka’Chava: Rewild your nutrition at https://www.kachava.com and use code TWOPARENTS. New customers get twenty dollars off an order of two bags or more, now through the 31st! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Two Parents & A Podcast, we’re deep in the 1-to-2 kid transition and debating the question everyone has opinions on: is the biggest life shift going from 0–1 kids, 1–2 kids, or 2+ kids? We get into what actually feels different this time around, what we weirdly care less about, and why confidence the second time somehow still leads to reorganizing half the house (yes sorry we’re still on this topic - WE HAVE UPDATES!)  We kick things off with a mommy & me dance class announcement (MELT), argue (bicker but not bicker of the week) about the best Olympic sport, and Harrison makes a strong case for why cookbooks deserve a comeback in 2026 (I feel like I’m still good with google???). Then we get into life with a 16-month-old who has officially become a food critic, the one grocery item we cannot keep stocked, and the recipes currently saving us (ps. COMMENT: Toddler friendly recipes - we are still ISO new ones to try please!!!!).  From there, we explain why we’re ACTUALLY changing the kids’ rooms (I guess we never told you guys lol), recap Tate’s first night in her big girl room (shockingly smooth), and share what we’re buying for the playroom (plus the one thing we’re absolutely SKIPPING).  We also spiral into learning that moms can apparently catch their own babies (hard no for me), admit we’ve changed our minds on a former “must-have” product, and confirm that toddlers humble you daily (in general lol).  Naturally, we end with the important stuff: whether Zoom calls at coffee shops are socially acceptable, if treadmill miles count as real miles (will this be the new listening vs. reading??), why patterned couches might be an elite parenting hack, and whether admin nights are the future of adult friendships. Plus: mahjong with mom friends - and absolute MUST.  LOVE YOU GUYS (thank you for listening!!!!!) Timestamps: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & Podcast! 00:00:32 We’re starting mommy & me dance class!!  00:06:10 What’s the best Olympic sport?!  00:08:08 Cookbooks deserve a comeback in 2026 00:13:55 New recipes for 16-month-olds (because toddlers are suddenly food critics) 00:19:35 Why are we ACTUALLY changing the kids’ rooms?! 00:20:57 4 things we’re ordering for our toddler playroom (and 1 thing we’re NOT) 00:29:25 Tate’s first night in her big girl room  00:33:58 Did you know moms can “catch” their own baby?! 00:35:40 Is the biggest life change 0–1 kid, 1–2 kids, or 2+ kids?! 00:42:26 We CHANGED OUR MINDS on our previously MOST recommended product 00:44:24 What’s the one food you can’t keep in stock because of your toddler?! 00:53:18 Is it socially acceptable to take Zoom calls at a coffee shop?! 00:57:00 Bicker of the Week: Does treadmill mileage count as “real” miles?! 01:04:15 Interior design tip for parents with young children: patterned couches 01:07:40 Things We DMed Eachother: Admin Nights 01:14:52 Mahjong with mom friends 01:16:50 LOVE YOU GUYS! #twoparentsandapod --------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our sponsors this week: *IM8: Go to https://www.IM8HEALTH.com/TWOPARENTS and use code TWOPARENTS for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets plus 10% off your order. *Branch Basics: Head to https://www.BranchBasics.com to shop the Premium Starter Kit and save 15% off with code TWOPARENTS *Quince: Go to https://www.Quince.com/ALEX for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! *Function Health: Visit https://www.functionhealth.com/TWOPARENTS or use gift code TWOPARENTS25 for a $25 credit toward your membership. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Two Parents & A Podcast — we have a LOT of baby #2 updates after our third-trimester OB appointment. Things escalated quickly and apparently Harrison is now delivering the baby??? (Our doctor casually suggested that dads can deliver the second baby (???) and we’re still unpacking that), plus we talk through the breech situation (Harrison keeps calling it “THE BREACH” like a contract hahahah) and why I’m choosing NOT to do anything to flip him. From there, we get into what feels different the second time around — the things we obsessed over with our first baby that we truly do not care about anymore — and why that confidence immediately turned into redesigning half the house. We share nursery plans, the guest-room shuffle, and the logistical chaos of prepping for baby #2 while still very much parenting a toddler. Then Harrison explains why he’s officially OUT on Waymo (parking lot purgatory + surprise “voice of god” moments), and we spiral into Austin’s most unhinged design choice: back-in angle parking (with a bike lane in between, obviously). We also confirm that every couple has a driver — and yes, we know exactly who ours is (spoiler alert: NOT Harrison).  We revisit the audiobooks vs. reading debate (we decided every can participate in book club but Jules has to wear a scarlett letter on her chest), share a nonstick-pan update (turns out “full blast heat” was the problem), and take a nostalgic detour back to 2016 (where were you and why does it suddenly feel iconic?). Plus, we talk about marrying into a marathon family (I’ll watch) and the moment everyone has been waiting for… we break down our 6-minute bedtime routine!!!  And in Things We DMed Each Other: the world’s first “accurate” breastfeeding monitor (do we need this??), a phone-disguising gadget meant to keep babies’ worlds screen-free, and baby sign language — aka how one tiny “more” hand sign changed our entire mealtime experience :)  LOVE YOU GUYS — thanks for listening!! Timestamps: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast! 00:04:40 Second baby energy: what we obsessed over the first time (and don’t now) 00:05:50 House update: Nursery plans + guest room setup 00:11:13 Harrison is officially OUT on Waymos (support your local Uber driver!) 00:18:36 What is the benefit of back-in angle parking?!  00:21:24 Every couple has a driver… and we know who ours is 00:24:20 Audiobooks vs books (the debate continues) 00:28:35 We finally learned how to not ruin our nonstick pans 00:32:40 Our OB says dads can deliver baby #2?! 00:39:07 Why I’m not flipping my breech baby 00:46:20 We’re nostalgic for 2016 00:55:47 Marrying into a marathon family (and why I’ll never run one) 00:59:05 Our 6-minute bedtime routine for a 16-month-old 01:04:39 Things We DMed Eachother: The world's first accurate breastfeeding monitor 01:08:02 Things We DMed Eachother: Keeping your infant’s world phone-free 01:10:16 Baby sign language (and how “more” changed everything) 01:13:33 LOVE YOU GUYS! #twoparentsandapod --------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our sponsors this week: *Ollie: Cozy up with your pup this season! Go to https://www.ollie.com/twoparents and use code twoparents to get 60% off your first box! *Veracity: For up to 45% off your order, head to https://www.VeracityHealth.co and use code TWOPARENTS.   *Bobbie: If you want to feed with confidence too, head to https://www.hibobbie.com for the formula trusted by 700,000+ parents. --------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Two Parents & A Podcast: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/twoparentsandapod TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@twoparentsandapod Follow Alex Bennett: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/justalexbennett TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@justalexbennett Follow Harrison Fugman: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/harrisonfugman TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@harrisonfugman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Two Parents & A Podcast — we are DEEP in nesting mode (like… vacuuming-baseboards level nesting) and officially debating whether audiobooks “count” as reading (jury is still out (kind of) PLEASE settle this debate in the comments). We kick things off with a Bring It On reference (is that anyone else’s FAVORITE movie??). Then we debunk the “gum stays in your stomach for 7 years” myth (plot twist: it does NOT), revisit our gift-returning etiquette as a couple, and activate full “dad mode” with Harrison’s Apple Watch + AirPods case + phone-wallet combo (peak suburban father energy). Then we get into reflecting on our toddler communication ep — pointing, signing, and how much Tate actually understands — plus what to ask when you’re interviewing childcare providers. We also finally finished Heated Rivalry (!!!), immediately disagreed on the best episode with Jules (she says we’re basic), and then spiraled into this week’s Bicker of the Week: Do audiobooks count as reading or no?!  Alex gives a mini Mean Moms book review (and the fictional-defamation drama behind it), we celebrate podcasts arriving at the Golden Globes, and we taste-test Flock’s new Chicken Stick (Alex’s first time live on the pod!!!). Plus — a pregnancy update (the naps are napping), house-project brainstorming, girls’ brunch surprises, Venmo-privacy etiquette, our toddler’s alarming berry budget, and a viral list of places women REFUSE to go on a first date (Waffle House slander will not be tolerated). LOVE YOU GUYS — thanks for listening!! Timestamps: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast 00:03:08 Should you wash your hair before a haircut? 00:05:58 Myth or fact: Does gum really take 7 years to digest? 00:11:43 Returning gifts from your partner — yes or no? 00:14:57 “Dad mode” activated: Apple Watch, AirPods case & phone wallet 00:19:29 Toddler communication — our takeaways from Dr. Ari 00:22:38 What to ask when interviewing childcare providers 00:26:08 We finally finished Heated Rivalry! 00:32:42 Bicker of the Week: Do audiobooks count as reading? 00:37:18 Mean Moms by Emma Rosenblum — thoughts & drama 00:42:50 Podcasts officially hit the Golden Globes 00:46:41 Alex taste-tests Flock’s new Chicken Stick 00:51:32 Nesting mode before baby #2 00:56:33 Pregnancy update — exhaustion & cravings 00:57:56 House projects & planning Phase Two 01:02:36 Girls’ brunch recap 01:04:50 Venmo etiquette — public vs private 01:10:20 The “berry budget” & why kids hate vegetables 01:12:20 Things We DMed: Viral list of places women refuse to go on a first date 01:23:36 LOVE YOU GUYS!  #twoparentsandapod --------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our sponsors this week: *Magnetic Me: Make changing time easier for you and your little one with Magnetic Me’s smart magnetic closures. New customers get 15% off their first order at https://www.MagneticMe.com. *Fora: Become a Fora Advisor today at https://www.foratravel.com/TWOPARENTS *Hungryroot: For a limited time get 40% off your first box PLUS get a free item in every box for life. Go to https://www.hungryroot.com/TWOPARENTS and use code TWOPARENTS.  *Hers: Feel like yourself again, visit https://www/forhers.com/TWOPARENTS to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you. --------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Two Parents & A Podcast: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/twoparentsandapod TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@twoparentsandapod Follow Alex Bennett: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/justalexbennett TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@justalexbennett Follow Harrison Fugman: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/harrisonfugman TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@harrisonfugman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Two Parents & A Podcast, we’re joined again by Dr. Ari Brown — board-certified pediatrician and author of the bestselling 411 series — for a conversation all about toddler talking and communication. You guys loved her last episode, and we’re so excited to officially bring her on as a RECURRING GUEST once a month!! Dr. Ari breaks down what toddlers actually understand before they can talk (spoiler: a lot), what counts as a real “word,” and the core language milestones between 12–24 months. We get into receptive vs. expressive language, nonverbal communication, and the difference between “they don’t understand me” and “they’re choosing not to listen,” which… hits home. We also cover the big “is this normal?” questions — pointing and waving, only repeating you, not responding to their name, mixing languages — and when it’s worth checking in with your pediatrician. Dr. Ari explains why early intervention leads to the best outcomes, and gives simple tools parents can use at home (talk time, books, songs, naming emotions, and turning off our own screens). And because communication and behavior are so connected, we talk through the toddler frustration cycle — the pointing, the grunting, the meltdowns, the boneless moments — and how to help kids feel seen and understood even before they have the words. We’ll go deeper on discipline NEXT MONTH, but this episode gives the foundation every parent needs to understand what’s happening in that little toddler brain!! Timestamps: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast 00:01:20 Reintroducing Dr. Ari Brown 00:03:45 How much toddlers actually understand before they can talk 00:05:10 The speech and language milestones from 12–24 months 00:06:35 Do toddlers really understand the word “no”? 00:10:55 What counts as a “word”? (mispronunciations, animal sounds, sign language) 00:13:10 What toddlers don’t understand at this age 00:15:55 When to bring communication concerns to your pediatrician 00:17:05 How pediatricians evaluate & support a child who isn’t speaking 00:18:30 Rewarding early communication 00:20:55 Why it’s so confusing and frustrating to be a toddler 00:23:58 Handling tantrums and “boneless” moments 00:27:45 Why “no” becomes their favorite word 00:29:50 What toddlers can understand when it comes to discipline 00:34:20 Audience Question: Babbling but no pointing/waving — when to worry 00:38:35 Audience Question: 1-year-old ignores “wait/come here/stop” 00:42:42 Audience Question: Only repeating words — does that count? 00:43:33 Audience Question: Discipline with a speech delay 00:44:27 Audience Question: Multilingual or bilingual schools 00:45:23 Audience Question: Do bilingual kids talk later? 00:46:47 Audience Question: Helping kids feel seen and understood 00:50:10 Understanding communication red flags & early intervention 00:53:45 Summary of communication red flags 00:54:55 Top 3 things parents can do at home for language development 00:57:30 Thank you for listening! Thank you to our sponsors this week: *Chime: Join the millions banking fee-free. Visit https://www.chime.com/TWOPARENTS *ZipRecruiter: Find the best people for your roles at https://www.ziprecruiter.com/ALEX *Skims: Shop at https://www.SKIMS.com and select “podcast” + our show in the survey *GOODLES: Available nationwide at Target, Walmart, and major grocery stores Find our guest: Website | https://www.draribrown.com/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/aribrownmd TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@aribrownmd Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Two Parents & A Podcast — we’re back in ATX and easing into 2026 (our christmas decorations are still up). We kick it off by talking about why traveling with friends (especially with kids) is the ultimate compatibility test, how wild it is that a one-year-old can actually ski (like WHAT), and why our current neighborhood setup feels like college (in the best way!!!).  Then we get into the thing everyone keeps asking: our childcare plan for baby #2. We talk about Maria’s mom (Peggy!! our angel), how the cross-house setup actually works, and what we’re looking forward to most with this set up!   Then we spiral into airline-mile skepticism, childhood “world-class” foods that absolutely do not hold up, and our early thoughts on Heated Rivalry (NOTE FROM JULES: it’s 9pm wednesday night and they’ve texted me that they’ve already changed their minds). Alex explains her beef with dramatic New Year’s resolutions, and Harrison shares the four phone-reduction rules he’s committing to in 2026 — no phone before 8am, no phone at dinner, no phone in the bathroom, and no doom-scrolling in bed. We also talk couples who work out together, our current coffee-order identity crisis, babysitter etiquette (and the horror stories you sent in), “technoference” and how parental phone habits affect toddlers, Illinois’ new paid pumping-break law, and whether caviar really is “breast milk for adults”????  LOVE YOU GUYS and thanks for listening! Timestamps:  00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast!  00:01:32 You learn a lot about people when you travel with them (ESPECIALLY with kids) 00:05:11 Our childcare plan for baby #2  00:11:23 Are airline miles worth it or is the points game a scam? 00:15:05 When “world-class” childhood favorites don’t hold up 00:21:01 We’re watching Heated Rivalry 00:25:42 What’s Alex’s beef with New Year’s resolutions?  00:28:36 Harrison’s 4 phone-reduction goals for 2026 00:33:50 Couples who work out together are 600% more likely to hit their fitness goals 00:36:30 We’re switching up our coffee orders?!  00:40:10 Babysitter etiquette & horror stories 00:46:50 Things We DMed Each Other: “technoference” & parental digital distraction 00:49:22 Things We DMed Each Other: paid pumping breaks for moms in Illinois 00:50:40 This Week I Learned: Is eating caviar for adults kind of like breast milk for babies? 00:53:06 LOVE YOU GUYS! #twoparentsandapod --------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our sponsors this week: *Ollie: Cozy up with your pup this season! Go to https://www.ollie.com/twoparents and use code twoparents to get 60% off your first box! *Nutrafol: Get $10 off your first month’s subscription plus free shipping at https://www.nutrafol.com with code TWOPARENTS. *Quince: Go to https://www.Quince.com/ALEX for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! --------------------------------------------------------------- Listen to the pod on YouTube/Spotify/Apple: https://www.youtube.com/@twoparentsandapod https://open.spotify.com/show/7BxuZnHmNzOX9MdnzyU4bD?si=5e715ebaf9014fac https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-parents-a-podcast/id1737442386 --------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Two Parents & A Podcast: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/twoparentsandapod TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@twoparentsandapod Follow Alex Bennett: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/justalexbennett TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@justalexbennett Follow Harrison Fugman: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/harrisonfugman TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@harrisonfugman --------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House – https://www.justmediahouse.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Two Parents & A Podcast — it’s the FIRST EPISODE OF 2026!! (Happy New Year!!!) And we’re kicking things off with a little Q&A (answering all of YOUR questions!!). We’re talking through what we’ll do differently with baby #2 (and what we’re keeping the same), how we think about screen time for Tate (& baby #2) AND ourselves, and how we navigate parenting style differences with friends as we build our village. We also get into preparing Tate for baby boy, whether sibling jealousy is inevitable, and how we’re balancing friendships with people who don’t have kids — without making it weird. Plus, we share the one thing that made parenting noticeably easier this year that no one really talks about, and our #1 goal for 2026 as we go from a family of three to four. And if you’ve already been through the toddler-to-newborn transition… please DM us your best advice. We’re collecting it all :)  Timestamps:  00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast! 00:01:49 Q&A: Do you rotate who gets up with Tate in the morning and who does bedtime routine? 00:08:07 Q&A: Things you’ll do differently with baby #2? 00:13:27 Q&A: Things you won’t change with baby #2?  00:17:33 Q&A: Starting to get nervous with giving birth - best advice?  00:22:36 Q&A: Opinions on screen time? 00:25:58 Q&A: How do you handle parenting and disciplining differences among friends with kids? 00:31:32 Q&A: How do you think Tate will react once baby boy comes? Any jealousy?  00:34:39 Q&A: Best activities to do with your single friends as a parent? 00:37:49 Q&A: What’s one thing that made parenting easier this year that no one talks about?! 00:39:27 Q&A: What’s your #1 goal for 2026? 00:41:40 LOVE YOU GUYS!  #twoparentsandapod --------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our sponsors this week: *Hero Bread: Hero Bread is offering 10% off your order. Go to https://www.hero.co and use code TWOPARENTS at checkout.  *Perelel:  Exclusive for our listeners, new customers can enjoy 20% off their first order with codeTWOPARENTS at https://www.perelelhealth.com *Hungryroot: For a limited time get 40% off your first box PLUS get a free item in every box for life. Go to https://www.hungryroot.com/TWOPARENTS and use code TWOPARENTS.  *Cozy Earth: Go to https://www.cozyearth.com/TWOPARENTS for up to 20% off! --------------------------------------------------------------- Listen to the pod on YouTube/Spotify/Apple: https://www.youtube.com/@twoparentsandapod https://open.spotify.com/show/7BxuZnHmNzOX9MdnzyU4bD?si=5e715ebaf9014fac https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-parents-a-podcast/id1737442386 --------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Two Parents & A Podcast: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/twoparentsandapod TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@twoparentsandapod Follow Alex Bennett: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/justalexbennett TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@justalexbennett Follow Harrison Fugman: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/harrisonfugman TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@harrisonfugman --------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House – https://www.justmediahouse.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices