logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2022
41m 54s

Care and Feeding | Slate's parenting sho...

Slate Podcasts
About this episode

On this week’s episode: Elizabeth, Zak, and Aymann aren’t shying away from the difficult conversations. First, they answer a listener question about how to handle death with a toddler. Should you take a toddler to their grandparent’s funeral? Should you explain death? Should you let them see you cry? Then, Zak is talking with comedian Chris Gethard about his new essay Dad on Pills, available on Scribd. They get candid about parenting, mental health, and a rather upsetting joke. On Slate Plus, Elizabeth is panicking about school valentines. Are you too? Luckily, Zak and Aymann give us a reality check. 

Recommendations:

Zak recommends finding bridge songs to sneakily swap out kid music.

Aymann recommends Halal Hot Dogs by Susannah Aziz and A Moon for Moe and Mo by Jane Breskin Zalben. 

Elizabeth recommends Don’t Forget to Write.

If you, or anyone you know, are in crisis, having thoughts of suicide, or need help immediately, you can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, anytime, at 1-800-273-8255, or you can find help at suicidepreventionlifeline.org. 

Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. 

Podcast produced by Rosemary Belson.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Jul 2022
Political Gabfest: Lowest Approval Rating
This week, David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Mark Leibovich discuss Biden’s 2024 plans, the establishment Republicans who stand by Trump, and Herschel Walker’s alarming Senate campaign. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:Thank You for Your Servitude: Donald T ... Show More
54m 49s
Jul 2022
Mom & Dad: Second Child Guilt
On this episode: Jamilah, Zak, and Elizabeth share their triumphs and fails, including how Talking Heads came to the rescue—at least temporarily. Then they tackle a question from a listener who is feeling guilt about bringing a second child into their family. They obviously love ... Show More
26m 33s
Apr 2026
What Next - Why So Many Believe the WCHD Shooting Was Staged
Presidential assassinations have been spawning conspiracy theories since Lincoln. But Saturday’s attempted assassination seems about as straightforward as these things can be—so why does it feel like everyone believes it was staged?Guest: Will Sommer, author of the False Flag new ... Show More
23m 40s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2023
My Son Wears Skirts. My Mom Doesn’t Like It.
On this episode: Elizabeth, Zak and Jamilah help a listener decide how to support her skirt-loving eight-year-old-son — and how to get his hesitant grandmother to come around.We also go over some ‘triumphs and fails’ from the past week — and then, if you’re sticking around for Sl ... Show More
24m 30s
Jul 2023
Mom & Dad: Is My Child a Monster?
On this episode: Zak and Jamilah are joined by Leslie Cohen-Rubury — therapist and host of the podcast Is My Child a Monster? They start by talking about lessons from therapy and how Leslie’s show is helping to make therapy advice and resources more accessible. They also help a l ... Show More
23m 13s
Oct 2022
Makeup Bag of Worms
On this episode: Zak, Elizabeth, and Jamilah answer a question about a five year old who is begging her parents to buy her a makeup kit. The letter writer is reluctant as it feels like it’s too early to start caring about beauty standards but… she also doesn’t want to curb her ch ... Show More
29m 17s
Sep 2025
How To Talk To Kids About Death, Suicide, And Other Difficult Topics
<p>CW: Death, Suicide, Tragedy, Divorce</p><p><br></p><p>This week, Jess and Scott tackle difficult conversations: death, suicide, divorce, loss, and tragedy in the news. Drawing from Scott's personal experience with suicide in his family and Jess's expertise as a child therapist ... Show More
35m 30s
Apr 2022
The ‘Cherishing Your Childless Friends’ Edition
On this episode: Elizabeth, Zak, and Jamilah answer a question from a listener who is feeling left behind by her friends who are parents. She says she’s really tried to be supportive and isn’t receiving support in return, especially when she’s celebrating accomplishments like ear ... Show More
24m 4s
Feb 2023
Should You Stay Together For the Kids?
On this episode: Elizabeth, Jamilah, and Zak help a parent who seems like she wants to split from her partner. But she’s worried that if she leaves and ends up splitting custody, their son isn’t going to be well cared for when he’s with his father. Recommendations: Zak recommends ... Show More
19m 37s