Childproof

Welcome to summer. School is out. It's hot. The chorus of I'm bored has begun. But let's be honest. It's not just the kids who get bored. Parents get bored too. We just aren't allowed to complain about it as loudly. On this episode of Childproof Tori and Gwenna discuss how they cope with their own boredom and teach kids how to be bored while doing it. From hobby collections to dreaming up group activities, bored boring boredom is not the end of the world.We want to hear from you. How do you handle your boredom? Email us at childproofmail@gmail.comClick Here:Subscribe to ChildproofMerchGwenna's newest Novella, The Soul's Guide to the After Death Preorder Gwenna's new book Did you hear that announcement?

Tori gave Gwenna a minisode to discuss books versus movies because they desperately needed to hear more on the subject after the timer went off. Timerless time well spent. Did you like hearing Gwenna talk about books and want to hear more? Let us know childproofmail@gmail.comDid you catch that bit at the end?

Nostalgia always hits different. It's even weirder when you start sharing the staples of your past with the next generation. Does Ferngully still hold up? (Spoiler: Tim Curry always holds up.) In this episode of Childproof, Tori and Gwenna discuss how much of our childhoods translate well to our children's. From TV shows to movies, playground games to books, we tackle the “Accepted not acceptable” duality of the 80s, 90s, and even parts of the 2000s nostalgia.We want to hear from you! Share your favorite pieces of nostalgia, email us: childproofmail@gmail.comLinks:Subscribe to ChildproofMerchThe Soul's Guide to the After DeathPreorder Thinky ThoughtsAlso - for those of you who are really into reading captions, please know we have a big announcement coming up. Stay tuned.

We are responsive parents. Not perfect ones. In this episode of Childproof Tori and Gwenna tackle some of their less than stellar moments, discuss the glories of apologies, and recount some of their wilder moments of total disregulation. Hate getting interrupted? Us too. Triggered by feeling ignored? Same. Feel destructive and overstimulated by a toy? Mood. We are not perfect parents. We are people doing our best. It's cool to accept that, embrace that, learn from our mistakes, and try something different next time.We want to hear from you, share your parenting fail or what you're working on to be a better parent: childproofmail@gmail.comClick Here For:Subscribe to ChildproofMerchSummer Survival Guide The Soul's Guide to the After Death Audiobook for those of you who are really into reading captions, please know we have a big announcement coming up. Stay tuned.

Tori won a bet and got to talk about whatever they wanted to for five whole minutes and Gwenna had to pretend to be interested. Then there was a surprising plot twist. Gwenna was so interested that now there's an entire minisode so Tori could finish their story.Did you enjoy hearing about Benjamin Rush, do you want to hear more? Let us know childproofmail@gmail.com Big exciting surprise coming soon.

Did you ever think you'd miss Baby Shark? Because you might miss Baby Shark…This episode is a little bit of everything. Some emails, some listener submissions, some topics that we want to talk about but wouldn't be enough for a whole episode. Be sure to check out the mini-minisode because the timer rudely interrupted Tori's Benjamin Rush rant.Also books, and merch, and all those things you need to know about in link form.We want to hear from you: childproofmail@gmail.comClick Here For:Merch Gwenna's Audiobook, The Soul's Guide to the After Death Lin Manuel Vid Also - for those of you who are really into reading captions, please know we have a big announcement coming up. Stay tuned.

Making friends as a kid seemed hard when Gwenna and Tori were kids. Turns out it was way easier to make friends as kids as it is to make friends as moms. Also, it's good to note, sometimes we don't need to improve the system. Writing a note “Will you be my friend, check yes or no” still feels like a valid approach. This week we discuss making friends, keeping friends, and the difference between in-person and virtual villages. Let us know how you make friends, seriously we need to know because we want to make friends: childproofmail@gmail.comClick Here For:MerchGwenna's Audiobook, The Soul's Guide to the After DeathAlso - for those of you who are really into reading captions, please know we have a big announcement coming up. Stay tuned.

We resume discussion of the Surviving Summer. It doesn't have to suck. There are ways to make it fun for everyone without breaking the bank. Lots and lots of things to do to keep the kids engaged, out of brain rot mode, and not driving you bonkers with boredom. We go over a few ideas. Plus, Gwenna made a complete summer survival guide as a free download! Check it out if you're out of ideas or if your idea generator is tired. We gotchu!And let us know what you're doing this summer, we want to hear from you! childproofmail@gmail.comClick Here For:Gwenna's Summer GuideMerchGwenna's New AudiobookAlso - for those of you who are really into reading captions, please know we have a big announcement coming up. Stay tuned.

Summertime is nearly upon us. Closer for some than others but the school year is wrapping up and these kids are about to be home all day. Every day. Why are summers so hard for parents? Tori and Gwenna try to deconstruct why summers kinda suck and discuss a few ways to make them suck a little less. At least that's what they try to do. They get distracted. A lot. What are your favorite summer activities? Do you stay busy or go with the flow? Let us know, childproofmail@gmail.com Click here for:MerchTori's History SeriesGwenna's New Book

Today's episode of the Childproof Podcast is diving back into our email box and comment sections to hear what you have to say. We beg you to email us all the time and it only feels fair that we share with the rest of the class. If you have a question, comment, or idea for the show please email us at ChildproofPodcastmail@gmail.com or leave us a comment. This episode is proof we do actually read them just like we said.And we can't honestly remember if we need this so we are gonna pop it down here just in case. No part of this episode should be viewed as legal or medical advice. Tori and Gwenna aren't licensed for any of that. We share from our experiences, not our expertise. Thanks!Merch: Click HereCatch Tori's American Revolution series here: Click HerePick up a copy of Gwenna's book (now available in audio form, read by Gwenna herself) here: Click Here

American cheese may or may not be food. Blue is a flavor. As is purple. Cosplayers and Sports Fans are basically the same. Raisins are definitely not food. There is crying in the zombie apocalypse. These are the hills we shall defend until the bitter end. And this episode makes no sense. We're not going to pretend otherwise. Enjoy. And be sure to email us to argue about any of these hills we are willing to lay down up to defend. We love to argue and we'd love to hear from you, what hills have you climbed to the top of? Email us childproofmail@gmail.com Merch: Click HereYoutube: Click HereClick Here for the video promised on what exactly is Blue Raspberry from Weird History Food.

We know we have to let our kids mess up. We have to let them learn. Sometimes we have to let them learn the hard way. They mess up and they have to find out. This episode of Childproof covers just what it takes when we have to take a step back and let our kids find out.Disclaimer: Sensitive viewers & listeners take note, death, dying, grieving, pet loss, family loss, and funerals are mentioned and discussed in this episode. Merch: Click HereYoutube: Click HereBe sure to check out Tori's YouTube series on The Founding Father's and pick up Gwenna's new book, The Soul's Guide to the After Death everywhere you buy your favorite books online.We want to hear from you! Email us: Childproofmail@gmail.com

What happens when two sarcastic people make children together? You end up with a kid who is genetically built to be sarcastic. That's what. Ask us how we know. This episode we are talking kid jokes, learning time and place, how sarcasm can still be empathetic, and then more kid jokes. We like kid jokes.Merch: Click HereTori's History Series: Click HereFind Gwenna's new book, "The Soul's Guide to the After Death" here: Click HereWe want to hear from you! Email us: childproofmail@gmail.com

Being a twenty-first century parent is a lot. You have to find time for yourself while prioritizing yourself. You can't pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself. Be yourself. But how are you supposed to do that when these kids rely on you for almost everything. How do you find time to be yourself, or even remember who you are while parenting? The answer: we don't know but here's a few things we do just for us - ways we try to balance the person with the parent. Gwenna's Book: Click HereYoutube: Click HereWe want to hear from you, email us: Childproofmail@gmail.com

Sometimes you gotta do it anxious. There's a difference between feeling anxious and living with anxiety. No matter what level of anxious you feel, you still have to parent and adult and work and live. This episode we discuss how anxiety impacts us, how we help our kids process their anxiety, and how anxiety isn't all bad all the time. We want to hear from you, email us: Childproofmail@gmail.comYoutube: Click HereBob Ross Clapper: Click Here

Your kid is sick. Is it time for an ice pack and a nap? Or is it doctor time? When do you give Tylenol? Is Motrin safe for babies? Did I do something that got my kid lice? What do you mean my kid can't wear their coat in their car seat? Parents hit up Google a lot. This episode of Childproof dives a little deeper and provides real-time parenting insight to some of the most common reasons parents find themselves in Dr. Google's waiting room. Want to hear from actual doctors on some of this? Check out some of our favorite pediatric creators.Dr. BeachGem10 : Click HereDr. Reuben : Click HereYoutube: Click HereWe want to hear from you, email us: Childproofmail@gmail.com

We like to read. We really like to read. Books have been a constant companion of both Tori and Gwenna and we are working on passing that love of reading on. It's a slower process that we expected with some of our kids. Others jumped right in. This episode we discuss how we help our kids choose books, series they love, series we love, and how we find time as parents to read. (Spoiler: Mostly audiobooks and pickup line time.)Youtube: Click Here

Will it work for everyone? Absolutely not. There's no one right way to raise kids. And sometimes you get to look at a rule and say Nope. We can't do it that way. It won't work for us. From approaching hair color and makeup to what our kids can consume for media, we set the boundaries and hope we got it right? Youtube: Click HereBan This Book: Click HereWe love hearing from you, email us: childproofmail@gmail.com

Ever look at a common idea or behavior and think “Nope. That's not for me.” Cuz same. Today on Childproof Tori and Gwenna discuss come of their most Chaotic Good Parenting choices. From perfect attendance to censoring music with some stops in virtual learning, mental health days, and shocking toll booth attendants. Youtube: Click HereEmail us at childproofmail@gmail.com with your ideas, suggestions, or chaotic good parenting choices. 

This week we hit the inbox for your emails. Which means we are all over the place. We touch on parenting through an age gap, losing the game (iykyk), weedwhackers & whippersnappers, imagination hour, cold weather whining and so much more. If you'd like to be included in a future episode please email us at Childproofmail@gmail.com and you could hear your ideas on the podcast. Youtube: Click Here

Moms do a lot of different jobs. Chef, Nurse, Event Planner, Administrative Assistant, Teacher. Some folks call this wearing different hats. We think it's more like having different brains. We have to switch from mom brain to mom brain and sometimes that's hard. Sometimes it's impossible. Sometimes we struggle. On this episode we discuss why that is and ways to make switching modes just a little easier. Youtube: Click Here

Empathy is a learned skill and you can start teaching at day zero. Our kids are more capable of empathy and understanding than we tend to think. This episode of the Childproof Podcast tackles empathy: what it is, how we teach it, and how to use it safely. Can you get empathetically burnt out? (Spoiler: Yeah) How do you set boundaries on empathy so you don't wreck your own mental health? (Spoiler: Breaks) Also Gwenna is crocheting a blanket now and Tori talks about the Stamp Act Riots. And no. We don't give you anymore context than that. Even in the show. Find us on YouTube:CLICK HERE

Gwenna and Tori are back this week! What even happened? Tori and Gwenna discuss everything that happened on their break, from why they had a break to how many kids were sick. They also revisit the routines they have been trying to establish and introduce a new segment, "Hyperfixation of the Week". Tori talks about Hamilton at least twice.

This week, Gwenna and Tori share some sad - but ultimately exciting - news. Childproof is parting ways with Betches Media, but the show lives on! We're going on a short break for the holidays, and to get situated, but there will be a new episode dropping in January. Plus, all future episodes will be going up on YouTube as well, along with a ton of exciting video content on both of our channels! Stay subscribed right here for the audio version, and make sure you're following us on all social media so you know as soon as we're back. Follow Gwenna: IG / Threads / TikTok YouTube: Pleasant Peasant Media  Follow Tori: IG / Threads / TikTok YouTube: Tori Phantom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Context matters when you want to call your brother a Silly Pumpkin Doo-Doo Head. This week, Gwenna and Tori discuss the complexities of sibling dynamics with your kids, from fairness in gift giving, to baby tooth envy, and how to explain when name calling crosses the boundary from playful to mean. They compare notes on what to do when your kids are fighting, how to foster each of their individual personalities, and what makes a meaningful apology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have a melancholy Christmas, it is…a time of year. This week, Gwenna and Tori share their struggle to get into the holiday spirit, and the way they're living vicariously through their kids' joy. They unpack the feeling of inadequacy wrapped up in Elf on a Shelf, the unrealistic expectations that social media sets us up for, and quality over quantity when it comes to gifts for your kids. Sometimes, the simplest family traditions can make this time of year the most special, and it's ok to let go of traditions that no longer spark joy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes, you just have to push through the discomfort and get really specific. This week, Gwenna and Tori discuss what moms actually want for the holidays, how to give a truly thoughtful gift that won't break the bank, and demystifying the idea that you are "hard to shop for." Don't forget to think about yourself for once - after all, if you don't know what you want, how is anyone else supposed to figure it out? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's always parenting on hard mode when you're parenting anywhere else but home territory. This week, Gwenna and Tori share their ultimate Thanksgiving food rankings for both eating and cooking, and Gwenna vents about the nightmare of holiday house hopping. Then, they share some helpful tips for ways that child-free people hosting Thanksgiving can prepare their house for young kids (consider the forbidden spaghetti and cover your sockets), and tips for parents who are worried about how their kids will handle being in an unfamiliar space (so many extra pairs of underwear). Email us at childproof@betches.com with your most chaotic holiday stories! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your best is still your best when you don't have as much to give. This week, Gwenna and Tori talk all about emotions, what to do with them, and how to feel your feelings without making them everyone else's problem. They get into their coping mechanisms, how to teach your kids about processing their emotions, and the ways we co-regulate with other adults both IRL and online. Whether your head hurts or your heart hurts, you deserve to feel better. Email us at childproof@betches.com to let us know how you regulate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Good parents never stop thinking they're doing a bad job; bad parents never stop to wonder if they're doing a good one. This week, Gwenna and Tori turn to the Childproof inbox to read your emails, and share some thoughts of their own. Much to Gwenna's dismay, it turns out Surge *did* have a short-lived revival. And much to Tori's dismay, the debate about what part of NY is actually Upstate appears to be never-ending. They cover everything from the very relatable fear of messing up your kids, to an ingenious hack for winning arguments, some fresh takes on school subject folder colors, and what happens when you become obsessed with Dr. Kevorkian. Gwenna successfully Rick Rolls her husband, Tori manages to reference Hamilton more than twice, and they share the universally understood Feet Under The Door method of bringing your kids into public bathrooms. Finally, they close out the episode with an impassioned rant about changing tables. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just because you've never *seen* a tiger robot stuffy, that doesn't meant it doesn't exist. This week, Gwenna and Tori are here to help distract you from the news cycle with a mini games episode. They share their latest cute kid-isms ("My leg brains forgot"), pet updates, thoughts on all the most nostalgic foods from their own childhood (do Lunchables actually taste worse now or have our tastebuds changed?), and a few rounds of Would You Rather. To close out the episode, they try their best to stump each other with 2 Truths and a Lie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever found yourself googling "Why is my child saying gyatt?" into the wee hours of the morning? This week, Gwenna and Tori turn to Google Auto Complete for the internet's most burning parenting questions, and share their insights. They tackle everything from "Why do kids walk on their toes?" and "When should kids learn to read?" to "When should parents have The Talk?" and what to do if "My kid keeps getting bit at daycare." They unpack the joys of kids finding their own way to vampire literature, the pains of tummy time, and why lying might not be as big of a red flag as you think. Ultimately, if you're googling it, it might be time to just call your doctor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If your child has ever screamed in a library, had a melt down in the freezer aisle, or if you've ever felt like apologizing for having kids (you don't!), then this episode is for you. In this episode of Childproof, Tori and Gwenna discuss the unpredictable nature of parenting, particularly in public settings. Together they chat about focusing on teaching children safety, social skills, and empathy while setting expectations. They dive into the challenges parents face when navigating public environments with children and the strategies they employ to foster good behavior and awareness in their kids. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why does it seem like reverse psychology only works when you don't want it to!? In this episode, Tori and Gwenna explore the humorous and often frustrating paradoxes of parenting. They discuss the conundrum of finding clothes that actually fit children, how illnesses always seems to strike before vacation, and the flabbergasting peculiarities of children's memories. Tori and Gwenna explore the complexities of their children's development, the significance of creating safe spaces for sharing, and the humorous yet frustrating realities of navigating food preferences and helpfulness in children.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're a hobby collector, this episode is for you. Gwenna and Tori discuss their many extracurricular pastimes, past and present (RIP Tori's miniature building), and why occupying your hands can be the key to quieting your mind. They catch each other up on their kids' hobbies, how to figure out if their latest fixation is a true passion or just a phase, and what to do when your kid gets really into something you never cared about before. Then, they cover the ways parents can avoid the pitfall of making your kids your hobby at the expense of their own personal interests. And finally, they highlight the importance of building in breaks (and boredom) into both your and your kids' schedules. Make sure to check out Gwenna's Hobby series over on her YouTube Channel, Pleasant Peasant Media! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Teachers are a vital part of our village, and they are on our side. In this episode, Gwenna and Tori unpack all things back to school, from field trips, to pockets full of rocks, and bafflingly disorganized folders. They tackle the question that every parent faces when it comes to their kids' projects: keep or throw away? And is your kid's head just itchy, or it is another lice outbreak? All we know for sure, is that a tiny dinosaur is a very tiny problem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time for another mail bag! Gwenna and Tori dive right into the Childproof inbox to see what's been on the listeners' minds, and share some stories of their own. They cover everything from embarrassing your kids, to learning to give yourself grace when you lose your cool, and memories of getting lost in the supermarket. Then, in a segment sponsored by Splash Refresher, they share some of their self-care essentials. And finally, they close out the episode with some listener reviews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes, bribery is the solution to the problems you create for yourself. In this episode, Gwenna and Tori compare notes on some of the weird things they've done and said for their kids, from emotional support rats, to Hamilton hyper-fixations, and explaining how libraries work. Gwenna discovers that breakfast candy can rewire years of sleep habits, Tori explains a hack for making sandwiches more palatable for their kid, and they go over their Halloween essentials in a special segment sponsored by Splash Refresher. Tori tells Gwenna about their kid's “YouTube Channel” (vlogs on Tori's camera roll that never get posted anywhere), which leads into a discussion about Instagram's new Teen Accounts and how parents can keep their kids safe on social media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is no right or wrong way to celebrate birthdays. In this episode, Tori and Gwenna share their reasons for not hosting parties, the challenges of planning and organizing kids parties, and the importance of accessibility and inclusivity. They also talk about their own birthday traditions and celebrations, including decorations and treats. They share tips and advice on topics such as opening presents at the party, handling rowdy behavior, sending invitations, dealing with cake mishaps, communicating dietary needs, and talking to kids about giving and receiving gifts. Plus, Tori and Gwenna share their parenting must haves in a special segment sponsored by Splash! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If a child is old enough to ask a question, they are old enough to deserve an answer. In this episode, Gwenna and Tori discuss the importance of having hard conversations with kids about topics like death, divorce, and illness. They also highlight the need to take time to think before responding to difficult questions and to approach these conversations in a developmentally appropriate way. They share personal experiences of navigating difficult conversations, such as the death of a pet and a family member's heart attack. They also discuss the role of humor in coping with difficult situations and the importance of creating a safe space for children to express their feelings. Overall, the conversation highlights the need for open and honest communication with children while considering their individual needs and understanding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Routines, habits, schedules, and systems are different but interconnected. In this episode, Tori and Gwenna share personal examples of how they have implemented systems in their own lives, such as organizing art supplies and keeping track of iPads. They also discuss the importance of buy-in from children and how to get them involved in the system-building process. Together they discuss the need to adapt and modify systems as children grow and circumstances change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you think you were going to be packing bento boxes or going on every field trip, but then never did? That's ok, us too. In this episode, Tori and Gwenna discuss their expectations of parenthood versus the reality. They explore how our expectations can be way different than the realities of parenting, focusing on various aspects such as teaching kids to drive, cooking creative meals, taking family photos, managing screen time, and participating in sports activities. Together, they highlight how the challenges and joys of parenting expand when we adapt and adjust to the reality of expectations as children grow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices