Just Winging It

23 // Breastfeeding

It's one of those subjects we don't hear much about before having kids, and then suddenly breastfeeding—whether or not to, how to, and the countless challenges that arise—became a major focus of life when raising a new baby. It's also a topic with fierce opinions behind it.

You won't hear those opinions here, but John and Patrick feel like it's worthwhile to share some of their perspective as dads through this critical aspect of child-rearing. Needless to say, they play the supporting role. So how do dads lean in to that and help moms navigate this often-stressful and deeply emotional stage of parenting?

And some bonus Furby circuit bending audio! Take a listen to Patrick's FUZZY LOGIC: Music for Circuit Boards.

22 // Attaining Joy

Do what makes you happy... right?

 

We spend much of our lives in pursuit of it—in the US, it's right there in our Declaration of Independence—but is happiness all it's cracked up to be?

 

In this episode, Patrick and John continue spelunking into the meaning of life cave. Thankfully, they can follow two far smarter guys on this journey, through a discussion of The Book of Joy, a reflection on joy by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, written by Douglas Abrams. Future guests on the show? We'll work on it.

 

Cover photo credit: Tenzin Choejor

21 // Childcare?

After a week off from the show, John and Patrick have a lot to catch up on. Which means an episode chock-full of tangents... and maybe something to do with the topic of childcare.

Summer is ending, vacations are over, and it's time to transition into a new school year. The dads chat about some of their experiences (stresses!) with daycare, nannies, preschool, and now starting a child in kindergarten.

20 // Family Vacations

The anticipation! The excitement! The 'womp, womp.'

Vacationing with kids is a whole new experience, loaded with emotions and expectations spanning the full spectrum. Patrick and John reflect on past trips with their young families, touching on the wonder and the crazy that comes with long car rides, amusement parks, and sleeping away from home.

19 // Kids Birthday Parties

Whether you're planning or attending a birthday party for the kiddos, the experience can be more than a tad overwhelming. Celebrating these significant milestones while not getting carried away is a challenge—especially when you're hosting. Who gets invited? What's the theme? And where the heck are all these kids going to fit?

John and Patrick chat about hosting their kids' birthday celebrations and what they think makes for a successful party.

But first! They spend a half hour talking about robes, how their balancing time these days, a food update, coyotes, Angela Lansbury, and more.

18 // Sharing a Passion for Movies

Introducing your children to movies is yet another awesome responsibility. After all, nobody wants their kids to grow up having awful taste in cinema. So how do you start their motion picture journey?

Patrick and John think back to the magical experiences they had watching some of their favorite movies, talk about why the art form has been so important to them, and walk through how they intend to share that passion with their kids.

17 // Judging Other Parents

IT'S JUDGMENT DAY, WINGLETS.

It doesn't take long for new parents to start getting relentlessly judged. Before we leave the hospital, we find out we aren't swaddling the baby with the latest, hottest technique. Or we aren't breastfeeding her properly. Or we're putting too many layers of hats on her and now she looks too much like a snowman.

But just as we find ourselves being judged, we find ourselves judging others as well. And suddenly we find ourselves wondering: what's with all the judging? Is there something useful at the heart of this? Are we all just spite-filled monsters?

John and Patrick have no idea, but they had a lot of fun talking about it.

Judge for yourselves.

16 // Screen Time

These days it seems screens are like cigarettes for kids. Are they the health-hazard we’re hearing about all the time in the news or a new technology for us to embrace? Let’s get real on what it means to parent kids with 21st century technology.

John and Patrick share their experiences with their kids’ screen time, distinguishing between the wide spectrum of media and technology—and exploring how the heck to deal with it all in a sensible way.

Some further listening/reading on the subject:

Can You Balance Screen Time And Family Time? On Point, WBUR

‘Screen Time’ For Kids Is Probably Fine FiveThirtyEight

15 // Irrational Fears

There's a lot to be fearful about when it comes to raising another human being. And it feels like the more information we have access to, the longer that list of fears has become.

 

Patrick and John sort through the many fears parents shared with them, and chat about navigating the line between rational and irrational.

14 // Answering the "Why" Question

Nobody told us we need to know the answer to every question our kids ask us. But why does it feel like we sorta do need to know?

 

John and Patrick work through their approach to responding to that favorite follow-up "why" question that kids have, and why talking about why matters at all.

 

But first: why levitation might be possible!