A For Effort

In this episode, we dive into the chaos and charm of international family travel with the savvy Megan Chung from @megtravelswithkids. Megan shares why traveling with kids is worth the effort, how it builds empathy, and why you shouldn't wait until retirement to see the world—because who knows if your knees will hold up? Megan also spills her secrets on using credit card points like a travel ninja—think $1,200 hotel nights for free thanks to points! Whether you're dreaming of travel, already packing, or just here for the relatable parenting stories, this episode will inspire you to pack the kids, grab the snacks, and book that flight!Follow Megan Chung on Instagram @MegTravelsWithKids for all her travel tips and tricks!

We all know those families with 4+ girls or 9 sons. And we can't help but wonder, what is that like??? Well the parents have finally spoken and they are not wrong! They are reiterating things we already know and validating the vast amount of rocks boys must bring into the home. 

In this short episode, we share some of the things that no one would miss if they were to fall off the face of the earth tomorrow. If we got something wrong and you feel you would miss one of the mentioned things. Then let us know so we can make a correction, because if you'd miss it, then we want it to stay! 

What are the unspoken (or very explicitly stated) rules that govern your home? In this episode, we dive into the house rules that shape daily life—from the universally accepted “no shoes inside” policy to more unique ones like keeping a “gunny sack” for misplaced items. We share listener-submitted rules, childhood house rules that have stuck (or been abandoned), and whether Megan should keep responding on the phone with “This is she.”Tune in for a relatable conversation on boundaries, manners, and the tiny laws that keep homes running smoothly. Do you enforce screen-free weekdays? Require “one polite bite” at dinner? Let's talk house rules!

Is it just us or do we miss all things that remind us of our youth? Whether that be pushing our kids in the stroller, to birthday parties at McDonald's or simply studying for a test in the campus library, turns out we all miss things. 

In this episode, we spill the tea on parenting's greatest truth: kids are walking chaos machines. From pretzel salt explosions to the infamous kitchen strainer puke bucket (yes, it's as bad as it sounds), we share tales of epic messes with listeners who've battled Vaseline carpets, bean bag guts, and toddlers armed with paint and raspberries. Their advice? Stock up on magic erasers, bleach, and baby wipes. Embrace the mess, and remember: if you haven't cleaned up at least 4.5 messes today, are you even parenting?

It's worth a wonder if we are more or less strict than our parents were, or maybe even about the same! In our humble opinions, we're just as strict just in different ways. And it kinda sounds like we're all in similar boats! 

What started out as a simple cleaning up of games, turned into this very long episode of us dissecting all the things you were all banned from growing up. But apparently not only were you deprived, but the tables have turned and now you're depriving your kids of DIFFERENT THINGS! We all do it. It's just how we parents roll. But from bikinis to Cheetos to The Simpsons, we're here to listen and validate. References we make in this episode that might be helpful to have here:- Food rating app: Yuka- Album your kids might like: Safety Kids by Janeen Brady

We ring in the new year by spilling our origin story—two moms, eight kids, 40 chickens, and one fateful park playdate that led to podcasting glory. From recording under a freeway to a basement filled with kid chaos, we let you in on our  journey of balancing parenting and podcasting. We dish on favorite episodes, awkward beginnings, and crowd-sourcing parenting wisdom on Instagram—all while PROVING that raising kids is messy, hilarious, and very much worth podcasting about. As Amanda says, proof is in the pudding.

It all started with a hockey bench chuck full of every item you might need in case of an emergency. Because if you have to hunker down at the hockey game for 3 days, you need to be prepared!!! Unless this is your 1000th hockey game, and your kid is much older, in which case you bring a drink just for yourself and settle into your empty bench. And honestly, there's no shame if you bring the Mary Poppins bag because guess what?? We all did it!!!! 

Well, this episode is either going to make us look really cool or really dumb, or if we've done it right, BOTH!!! But if nothing else, maybe you've learned a new word or two. So the next time a Gen-Z-er talks about their "mog algebra teacher" you can act like you actually know what they're saying. Although we still really don't. 

And just as fun as the adults, if not slightly more though, gifting the kids in our lives! They are what makes it fun! So let's see what was mentioned in this episode!Gifts for kids that were mentioned and submitted by the listeners:- Chiefs gear- Jungle Jumperoo - Cheaper option at Walmart- Rush Hour - Uno - Grandpa Becks games- Busy Board -  Magical Bitzee- Nugget Couch- trip to Legoland - passes to local destinations- passes to keep them active: rock climbing gym, skiing, rec center, etc. - tickets to shows: Disney on Ice, concerts, etc.- Electric scooter - Kangaroo bouncing shoes- Wood Engraving pen - EzyRoller mini ride on toy - Shock Potato

We're trying to make it easy for you! Because going in blind to the holiday season is just the worst feeling. In this episode we mention the following potential gifts:- Bidet (Amanda's favorite submission!)- Running shoes- Blanket- Back scratcher- Classes or experiences together- Anything cordless, electric or smart- Cuts Clothing - A Guide to being a gentleman - or something along these lines with some nice cologne and a tie.- Personal fire pit- Any "meat accessory."- Spa date- Red light therapy mask - Made by Mary jewelry. - teeth whitening- replacement of kitchen items that are old and tired- GC to a bookstore- Lastly and most importantly, ASK THEIR FRIENDS what they've been talking about recently. Hopefully this gives you some ideas or direction! We're trying to set you up for success this holiday season and we have great confidence in you! Cheers!

We all have memories (traumatic or not) of Thanksgivings past, and in this episode the listeners share theirs! From turkey travails to food fails and Amanda's passive aggressive wardrobe reminders, we're feeling exceptionally thankful for the start of this holiday season. Pass the pie around while you listen, but you can keep that cinnamon applesauce to yourself, please and thanks!

You asked, and we delivered! We're talking snacks today and send you off to the store with a list of all our favorite items to get you through the day. Because we all know, any problem can be solved with a snack;)Grocery lists:- Apples- Rockit apples (Walmart or Target)- Steamed sweet potatoes (teal bag, Costco)- PB pretzels (Kroger or other store brand)- Barely dried strawberries (Costco)* Any other dried fruit is a great snack, just check for added sugar.- Seaweed aka Dandruff of the Sea (any store)- Salsa (TJ's mild salsa is delicious) + cottage cheese + chips (Siete brand from Costco OR On the Border "lightly seasoned" from your local store. It's a black bag)- All the veggies to make your own veggie tray- Archer brand mini jerky sticks (Costco)- Earths Best mini meatballs (Walmart or Target)Amanda's quick protein pancakes:BASE:- eggs (use at least 2, I use 4)- Heaping scoop of cottage cheese- Kodiak Cakes buttermilk pancake mix (I use about half the bag)- Water to make it the right consistencyADD COLOR:Pink: 1 raw beet, peeled + 1 scoop Just Ingredients Strawberries and Cream protein powder. Orange: 1 raw sweet potato, peeled + 2 raw carrots + good dash of cinnamonGreen: handful spinach, 1 zucchini + banana + cinnamonBlend your base and a color choice together in a powerful blender until completely smooth, pour onto skillet. Top with butter and syrup, watch kids devour. HAPPY SNACKING!xo

Cream Puff and Croissant here to talk all things nicknames. If you don't have any in your arsenal, we highly suggest it! Cleverly using a nickname or pet name for your kids can lighten any situation and is guaranteed to make them smile. Happy listening, Baby Cakes!

If you want to experience complete joy, total excitement and a righteous amount of pride, then there is only one way to feel all of that. It comes by way of sticky little humans who have no concept of space or noise. And somehow, someway, they bring us the most fulfillment. Go figure.

It's that time of year again! Spooky season! Amanda loves any opportunity for Prank Sinatra to pay a visit, and Megan hates it all because she startles easier than a newborn baby. In this episode we talk candy trends of 2024, family costumes, treat strategies, and favorite Halloween handouts from childhood... like sloppy joes, of course. Hoping your kids bring home a certain orange-wrapped candy this year from their trick-or-treating excursions?? Remember, what you put into the world comes back to you (thanks,John).

We all have it, and if you don't, well then you win. But that one, or maybe those two, small things that are non-negotiable that you absolutely need to survive another day in parenthood. For some it's a good drink, for others it's a good nights rest. And for kids, it's basically just taking care of their biological needs and a roll of tape. Simple things really. 

Remember when parents used to say, "Get a job!" to their teens? Nowadays some parents aren't so sure about that command. In this episode we  debate whether or not teens today should seek employment. We also get to reminisce with you about the jobs many of us held as teens, and share a few of our favorite memories from the good 'ole days. Plus, parents weigh in on their dream jobs (besides being a parent, of course)! 

This episode has us feeling nostalgic as listeners tell us what they remember from their school days.Do kids use hall passes at school in Kazakstan? Does our elementary student ID number follow us for the rest of our life? Listen in as we ponder on these baffling questions, and hear The Mayor and The Queen share a few of their own school memories, I beg of you...

Who would want to leave their darling children for longer than 24 hours? Turns out, nearly 90% of the parents we surveyed would! However, the real dilemma for most parents is determining who to leave our little angels with... will it be Grandma and Grandpa? The college kid down the street? The teen from our church congregation? They all have their pros, with a few cons possibly sprinkled in. Narrow down your babysitter list as listeners share their worst babysitter experiences, and remember to give everyone a little bit more grace. After all, no one can love your kids as much as you do. 

They wanted to suck us in, and boy did they! Did you even know "rage bait" was a thing?? We did not until this episode and honestly, it worked. They got us, but they also got some good conversations going. So although it's unanimous that NO ONE will be paying for playdates anytime soon, it is good to just be aware of the kind people hosting our kids. Let's make sure our village knows how much we appreciate them. And watch out for that rage bait!

Today we're talking about finding things to celebrate in our kids lives. Because kids do a lot of cool things and it's good to shout the good news sometimes. It might be easier to rail on them, but it's more important to build them up to others and to THEM! So we gush and are positive in the first half, then we get our friend Doorly on the phone and talk about her experience with older kids before we dive into the embarrassing moments. Which in our opinion are just as important! Because remember, balance in all things. We're keeping it real here.

We're back and we're ready to rumble! And apparently you are, too!! After the longest, most delightful summer, where the kids ate us out of house and home, and talked way more than we knew they could, they are all back in school. Parents around the world breathe a long exhale as they lovingly send their kids off to school and turn on this episode. Because this episode is just us saying all the things you thought this summer, but never said out loud.

Having a pet can be a lot of work, especially when there are already kids in the same home as the pet! Every kid begs their parents for a pet, and every parent has to either come up with a good excuse as to why they can't have one, or they cave. Team pro-pet and team no-pet both weigh in to help prepare parents everywhere for that special day when their child calls them at work and begs you to bring home a pet (while possibly reciting scripture, right Amanda?). 

Could we all thrive a little more in "May-cember" if we adopted the 4-day work/school week? We debate our own pros and cons, as well as the listeners' hot takes on whether or not the 4-day week is a good idea. Megan gives us the insider take from a teacher's perspective, and Amanda is a self-labeled "work ox" (is that a thing?) concerned about members of society becoming "lazy lemmings" (is that a thing too?). But who doesn't want an extra day added to the weekend?! Chores, appointments, and long weekend trips... oh, the things we parents could do with one extra day! 

Mothers do it all and a little more. This episode is all about how to treat her right. Did you get her the birthstone jewelry she's been hinting about? Did you send her away solo for the weekend? Did you clean up dinner AFTER you made it? No... well that's okay. She'll forgive you after you make it right by sending her away next weekend. Show that woman you appreciate her and give her what she wants! 

Gift cards? Stickers? Fancy lunches everyday? We know what the teachers really want because, in this episode, we asked a real life teacher! With nearly 20 years in the classroom, high school teacher Christin LaMourie walks us through Teacher Appreciation Week. The good, the ideal, and the... appreciated efforts. We want to celebrate the incredible work teachers do to educate, inspire, and prepare students to go on to be successful adults! So, be like Amanda, and go write a thank you note to a teacher. Or, better yet, have your kids write one! Here's the Ideology Quiz link! Print it, take it, learn from it. Discuss it with your parents! Yeah, you read that right.

You know that song from The Lego Movie "Everything is Awesome?" Well that's basically the theme song of this episode. Everything is awesome, everything is cool when you're part of a team, everything is awesome when you're living the dream.... and by the dream we mean the PARENTING DREAM!!! 

Amanda recently lost her 4 year old. Megan has lost a few of hers... but found them. Amanda ran away as a child. Megan also did, but she hid. In Kids-R-Us. And apparently we are not alone in these shenanigans. All of you have lost your kids as well, but luckily, we've all managed to find them again. This episode has many happy endings. 

With summer right upon us it's time to start thinking about how to keep these kids reading! We tried to make it easy for all of us by having the one and only Aimee Smith join us from "Keep A Book Out." Find her on Instagram @keepabookout. You will not regret this follow. This parent knows what she's doing and it was so fun to hear her book recommendations (which we linked below!)We asked her if she "pre-read" all the books her teenagers read and she said "no! There is no time!" But she did enlighten us by saying she will check out COMMON SENSE MEDIA & AMAZON REVIEWS for info on book content. Here are the books mentioned in this episode:- Anything by Kate DeCamillo- Anything by Dan Santat- Anything by Mac Barnett- Anything by Shawn Harris- The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza - Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales series Books for teens:- Brandon Sanderson - Hunger Games Books for tweens:- Kelly Yang- The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise - From the Desk of Zoey Washington- Ella Enchanted - A Wolf Called Wander - Bob- Cranky Chicken- Wilderwood - How to Survive Anything Books for kids:- Zoey and Sassafras - Bibi- Chester Van Chime who Forgot How to Rhyme - A Dog Named Doug- When Charlie Met Emma- The Giggles are Coming & The Yawns are Coming-

Keeping it short and sweet as many of us start Spring Break! This week let's talk about all those things your kids do that just aren't worth talking about. From rewearing dirty clothes, to picking their nose, to backseat bickering. You cannot address it all and you don't want to! We don't blame you because we feel the same way.

We have ALL been lectured or given unsolicited advice at some point or another. And if you've had the courage to say something back, good on you! But some of us (most of us even), don't dare to respond, so we just mutter a chill "oh, uh-huh, k thanks" and walk away only to have a long mental conversation later with all our good responses. You're not alone, we all do it. Today it's your turn to GIVE the lecture. From shoes on the carpets to driving, we're covering all of it, and honestly, it feels so good to be on the other side...

We all want to have fun at home, but why is it so hard?? It takes time, it often results in a mess, and my kids will probably end up fighting. But our friend and fellow mom, Kate Mulford, says go for it! You gotta put some work into making memories. And it can be as much work as you want it to be. A dance party is minimal work, all you need is music and some booties to shake. 

It honestly is almost like committing to a reality TV show. Naked & Afraid? Have you seen that one? It's based off the casual act of trying to potty train a kid. They're practically naked and you're afraid. But if you can commit and survive the week, then you win. What do you win? Well you won't have to buy diapers anymore. Maybe you'll treat yourself to a cold beverage of your choice. But the biggest prize of all is just knowing that you successfully potty trained a human. 

They mean no harm, but sometimes you wonder. That brand new TV? Destroyed. Burning down your parents house? Unintentional yes, but definitely next level. We share all your tales of the expensive fixes you've had in your lives and share a few of ours. Again, sorry, mom, for almost burning down the house that one time with the chicken.... 

If you have the privilege of having a child ever be in your home, then chances are high you learned REAL FAST what items you *should have* hidden. Seemingly harmless, boring items, that "surely no kid will find that interesting...." but alas, everything is interesting when you're under the age of 6. So whatever it is, no matter how boring, and especially if it's sticky or permanent or non-washable.... lock it up! Probably in a fireproof save with a passcode that is not "0000."

From seasons to familial relations, there are some things that are just too big and too complex for these little growing brains! And we are here for it. It will take a lot of explaining and a lot of patience on your part, but we know you have it in you. And maybe after this episode you'll feel a little more inspired to answer those questions. Press on, dear listener!Podcast Show Notes: Episode - "Kids Just Don't Understand"Introduction:Megan dreams of a spa day while Amanda mourns her chickens lost to a bobcat.Segment 1: Kid Logic Gone Wild:Amanda's son predicts her early demise, prompting a discussion on kids' quirky understandings.Listener tales include kids' shock at daily routines, defiance against toothbrushing, and confusion about seasons and clothing choices.Kids puzzle over family ties and teachers' off-duty lives, leaving adults amused and flustered.Megan shares the surreal experience of students discovering her home address, turning her apartment into a fan shrine.Conclusion:The hosts revel in the hilarity of kids' misunderstandings, urging listeners to embrace the chaos.They sign off with gratitude for the audience's support and a reminder to spread kindness.

We all have one, a rough day of the week. A stressful, jam-packed, high intensity day. And if you don't.... LUCKYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY. But then on the other hand, there is always that one day of the week you look forward to. The bright spot in your week. Most people say that's Friday, but then there is the minority who says it's Monday. And to those people, we see you, we're standing, and we're applauding. 

We are thrilled to have Monica Packer with us in this episode as we chat all the things we THOUGHT we knew before we had kids. It was only a matter of time though before it became apparent just how little we knew. And boy, did our kids make that apparent. It's because of us that we have as much humility as we have ;)We're thrilled to have a special guest with us today, Monica from About Progress. She's not just a fellow parent but also a passionate advocate for progress, especially in the messy journey of parenting. Monica is known for her expertise in supporting women, helping them live with purpose, and connecting with their greater potential.If you haven't already, make sure to check out Monica's podcast, About Progress, and follow her on Instagram @aboutprogress. Trust us; she's a wealth of knowledge that you don't want to miss.Getting to Know Monica:We're diving right in! Monica, tell our listeners more about yourself and your mission. We know we can't do it justice, so we'd love to hear from you directly.Parenting Realities:Now, onto the real talk about parenting. A For Effort podcast aims to prevent unintentional birth control, but if you're on the fence about having kids, stick around—listen with open hearts and eyes. These real and raw insights from parents might just teach you something valuable.Listener Submissions:We asked our listeners to share what they thought they knew going into parenting but soon realized they knew nothing. Let's dive into some of these eye-opening submissions:Magical Recoveries: Kids complaining about stomach pain is a daily occurrence, but the magical recovery when they cuddle up with a parent is a true miracle.Fashion Expectations: Expectations of cute Janie and Jack outfits turned into the reality of the trendy, effortlessly disheveled looks.Dirty Dishes Dilemma: The struggle with dirty dishes multiplying faster than rabbits, and the challenge of stacking them like a game of Jenga.Co-Sleeping Confessions: From being against co-sleeping to just wanting to sleep – a candid revelation.Patience Tested: Parenthood as a crash course in patience, with a reminder to be gentle on oneself.Unexpected Affection for Kids: A surprising turn from not liking kids to realizing they're actually great, the essence of the A For Effort podcast.Parenting Multiple Personalities: Parenting multiple kids compared to solving a Rubik's Cube – an ever-evolving challenge.Freedom and the Little Sidekick: A reflection on the total lack of freedom with a little one always by your side.Breastfeeding Expectations: The assumption that breastfeeding would be natural versus the reality.Yelling and Parenthood: The unexpected realization of yelling despite hating it when parents yelled.Adult Growth: The revelation that adults do the most growing in the parenting journey.Sleep Struggles: The challenge of getting kids to sleep and the underestimation of its difficulty.Eating as a Living Thing: The misconception that kids instinctively eat to survive.Textbook vs. Parenting: The vast difference between textbook child development and the unpredictable reality of parenting.Poop-Centric Conversations: How much of the day and conversations revolve around another person's poop.Influence Over Behavior: The realization that having influence over children's behavior is more challenging than expected.Parenting Feast: The humorous realization that parenting is simply the practice of eating your words.Closing:And there you have it, folks! We hope you enjoyed these honest and relatable insights into the world of parenting. Before we wrap up, take a minute to rate, review, comment, and share your thoughts. We appreciate each one of you and look forward to connecting with you in the next episode. Be a friend to everyone! Bye!

Honestly, you already knew this, but we all occasionally need the reminder. It's the small things that really add up to big things. When you get that early morning workout in. When your kids get dressed for school without your prompting. When none of the crayons slip into the washer or dryer... all of it. It's just so refreshing to find sanity in those small things.

We know you love your Honda Odessy and your Toyota Sienna. But does it have a built in vacuum or even better, a built in ROOMBA??? We didn't think so. But thanks to Megan and her ingenuity you will soon be able to find such features in our dream car.... THE VACAY!!! No one knows about it yet, it's not even on the market, but you heard about it here first and because of that you get first dibs when it comes out... but it'll be awhile. We hope you're patient!

It's our annual visit back to the land of "Glad I did, Wish I had, Looking forward to..." In this episode the listeners share what they did in 2023 and what they wish they had done. Frankly it seems like it was an overall good year for you listeners and we hope that positive momentum carries you, crowd surfing style, into 2024. You have some great things to look forward to and we are cheering you on big time! Keep it going, guys, you're crushing it! Title: Glad I did, Wish I had, Looking forward to...Introduction:Dive into the comedic chaos of listeners' reflections on 2023 and their wild aspirations for 2024.Last year's episode got us chuckling over 2022 reflections and dreams for 2023. Glad we did:Megan's adventure out of her comfort zone sounds —a year full of growth, emotionally, mentally, and even physically! Amanda's recount of 2023 might as well be titled "How I Survived a Year of Endless Chaos."Listener Highlights:From embracing Swiftie fever to celebrating baby arrivals and epic family vacations—cue the confetti and baby giggles!We're cheering for the grandparent squad and the heroic finishers of school! Go, you!Beyond thrilled for the person who discovered the joy of running again. You've got this!Wish we would've:The collective wish for less stress... Let's commiserate over failed workout goals while balancing a plate of nachos on our laps. It's all about that healthy balance, right?We dissect fitness stats while contemplating if lifting a TJ's bag counts as strength training. Asking for a friend.Dive into nutrition facts, hidden ingredients, and a book recommendation. Outlive—because reading about aging is the new fountain of youth!Looking forward to in 2024:Get ready for less butt wiping and more toddler shenanigans—bring on the chaos!And the countdown begins for missionary returns, retirements, and kid-free vacations. Can we get a hallelujah?Closing Thoughts:We wrap up with the perfect parenting motto: "Be like Bandit and Chili from Bluey." Yes, animated characters are our role models too!Conclusion:Thank you, listeners, for this hilarious rollercoaster of reflections! Here's to more laughter, surprises, and crazy adventures in the upcoming episodes.

She walked in with her fresh cut fringe and tan trench coat, and had us all swooning at her accent as she talks the monarchy, fashion and parenting in the UK. Our good friend Caroline McNiven is in the hot seat for this episode and she's answering all our questions! We recorded this episode at our local recording studio here in SLC. If you ever need to record something in a beautiful setting, among talented people, check out Worthful Media! They have the most creative space we've seen, and Christine and her crew are as good as they come. Tell them Megan and Amanda sent you! xx

We asked and you responded: what do parents really want for Christmas?? What do you give the people who have it all?? Well apparently they simply need a thank you note, probably a little caffeine and a few more hours in the day. It's not much to ask for, is it? How hard can it be? 

And this time we actually mean it! There is minimal sarcasm in this episode as we, your hosts, with the help of you, the listeners, sell everyone else on why having kids is so wonderful. If you're on the fence, we hope this episode gets you off the fence and over to our side of the yard. We got more fun toys over here anyway…

If your family does not have a family motto yet, do no worry. In this episode we give you many ideas that you might wanna take for a spin with your own family. Megan decided to try "make good choices, but use your discretion!" after recording this and Amanda is going to stop saying "don't be dumb." Progress was made and new mottos are being formed! All thanks so our loyal listeners who have way better family mottos than we do;)

The Holidays are here and we're going to make the next month easy for you by sharing all of our favorite TJ's products! We've got things for the parents, the kids and the party that you'll inevitably end up hosting! But hopefully it's all made easier and even MORE FUN by heading into the store with our list in hand. All the products we talk about are listed here: Minty flavored cocoa truffles Trio of Almonds Candy Cane Almonds Candy Cane Joe-Joe's/chocolate covered JoeJoes Autumnal pie truffle sampler The Balsam candle The Red Berry Forest candle Candle dozen Balsam hand soap and lotion duo The Brazilian Body "kit"  The 12 days of Body Products Gingerbread Ice Cream Decked Out Christmas Cookies Eggnog Yogurt (gotta try these) Gingerbread house kit Dollar Advent calendar Mini chocolate peppermint ice cream cones Meringue peppermint things Cranberry and blueberry goat cheese log Winter Wassail Punch Feta and caramelized onion pastry bites Mini quiche duo Let us know if you try and of these products and what you think! Tag is on Instagram or give us a shout! 

You will not regret listening to this episode. We can promise you that. Brooke Romney is as classy as she is genuine, and as kind as she is sharp. She talks us through all the nuances of teaching kids manners in today's world. Why even take the time to teach them how to talk to adults? Do they need to really look people in the eyes? What's the point of all these lessons? We go through all of this together and enjoy every moment of it! Hope you will, too!Purchase Brooke Romney's latest volume of manners here: 52 Modern Manners for Today's KidsLooking for the teen versions? Find 52 Modern Manners for Today's Teens Vol. 1 and 52 Modern Manners for Today's Teens Vol. 2 using these links, or search for them on Amazon!Wondering what the best gifts for your family and friends are this holiday season? Grandpa Beck has you covered! Check out Grandpa Beck's Games and use the code    AFOREFFORT for 20% OFF YOUR PURCHASE!

They are so cute, they bring us so much joy. There is nothing quite like that feeling when you look at a child and think "wow, I made you..." Then they ask you for $100 bucks and you're reminded that it's because of them you can't have fancy things. YET! This episode we dissect all the things that kids require that cost money. How much are we really spending? Is it really necessary? Answers to those questions are fluid, but we're here to talk about it anyway!