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Hey Other Parents
Honest conversations about parenting, family life, and modern chaos

Season 1

3 years ago

S1E1 - S01E001: Parenting Truths No One Tells You (Until It’s Too Late)

🎙️ Parenting Truths No One Tells You (Until It’s Too Late):

Welcome to the very first episode of Hey Other Parents! Join Michael, Sara, and Mike as we dive into the messy, unpredictable, and often hilarious world of parenting. In this inaugural episode, we’re talking about the things no one tells you about raising kids—the unspoken truths, the unexpected joys, and the “why didn’t anyone warn me?” moments that define parenthood.

What We Cover:

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👶 The Myths of Parenting: What you think you know vs. what actually happens.

🍼 Surviving the Early Days: Sleepless nights, endless diapers, and finding small

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3 years ago

S1E2 - S01E002: Halloween Survival Guide: Costumes, Candy & Keeping the Chaos Low

🎙️ Halloween Survival Guide: Costumes, Candy & Keeping the Chaos Low:

Halloween is one of the most exciting—and chaotic—times of the year for parents and kids alike! Join Michael, Sara, and Mike as we dive into everything Halloween: the thrills of costumes, the challenges of candy overload, and the hilarity of Halloween fails.

What We Cover:

🎃 Costume Dilemmas: From DIY disasters to last-minute purchases, we’ve been there.

🍭 Candy Rules: How to navigate sugar overload without becoming the Halloween Grinch.

👻 Halloween Safety Tips: Tricks for keeping your little goblins safe while having fun.

😂 Funny Stories: Our most memorable Halloween moments, from epic wins to total flops.

Time To Unplug 

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3 years ago

S1E3 - S01E003: Grocery Shopping with Kids: Hacks for a Stress-Free Trip

🎙️ Grocery Shopping with Kids: Hacks for a Stress-Free Trip:

Grab those reusable bags and shopping lists because we’re going food shopping. Join Michael, Sara and Mike for a deep dive into the grocery store. Who bring a clipboard? We talk SpaghettiOs, Nestle Quick, Neapolitan ice cream, cookie jars, questionable candy sampling and more. Who took the prize in the cereal box? Early and solo or later with kids? How do our kids change their taste every week? Embarrassing lunch moments? We revisit our childhood, talk about the present and seek out some expert advice on this weekly panic. So go pick out your cereal but remember, no colors, no marshmallows and no sugar! Did that painting move?

Time To Unplug 

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2 years ago

S1E4 - S01E004: Surviving Sick Kids: What Every Parent Should Have Ready

🎙️S01E004: Surviving Sick Kids: What Every Parent Should Have Ready

It’s time for us to come clean with our thermometer related shenanigans, homeopathic moon radishes, and bubble-gum medicine because it’s time to stay home for that episode of Maury. Join Michael, Sara, and Mike for a deep dive into our sick days. Did Ginger Ale & Pretzels, Pastina or Spanish Soup resuscitate us for another day? We check in for our first Growing Up Carmen with boiled Coca-Cola? No DVR no problem, because we had Motel Williams, Sally Jessie Raphael, Patty Duke, Mr. Ed and more. How does Mr. Ed compare to the Paw Patrol? Did Gilligan’s Island inspire Lost? Now that the tables are turned with our kids, we’ll see if the school of hard knocks continues through the generations. We talk strep-throat and heat rashes, too. 

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2 years ago

S1E5 - S01E005: Thanksgiving Without the Stress: Cooking, Hosting & Surviving the Chaos

S01E005: Thanksgiving Without the Stress: Cooking, Hosting & Surviving the Chaos

Can you believe we are already getting ready for Thanksgiving? When is it ok to throw out your kids projects? We remember seeing Patrick Swayze on his horse named Shocker, Bridget Michelle, LL Cool J, Saved by The Bell, Punky Brewster’s Soleil Moon Frye at the Thanksgiving Parade. We talk Sourdough Bread, getting Boo’d, dinner starting times, speeches, PJ’s, Cinnamon Rolls, dinner plate real estate, Ross Geller’s Friends Moist Maker Sandwich, Coconut Cream Pie from Marie Callender’s Coconut Cream Pie and more. Michael’s dad insults Rachel over her Pumpkin Pie & Cool Whip topping. Mike Levine appreciates a good speech & Sara discusses how we can all take a moment to say what we are thankful for. So pass that gravy boat, because it’s time for Thanksgiving! 

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2 years ago

S1E6 - S01E006: Black Friday Survival Guide: Smart Shopping Hacks for Parents

🎙️Black Friday Survival Guide: Smart Shopping Hacks for Parents:

It’s the biggest shopping day of the year! We’re diving into Black Friday strategies to save money, avoid stress, and find the best deals for your family.

What We Cover:

🛍️ Shopping Hacks: Tips for scoring big savings (without the chaos).

🖥️ Online vs. In-Store: What works best for parents.

🧠 Budget-Friendly Tips: How to avoid overspending during the holidays.

🎁 Our Favorite Finds: What’s on our shopping list this year.

Time To Unplug

Michael: D&D 5th Edition + Dndbeyond 

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2 years ago

S1E7 - S01E007: Mess-Free & Fun: How to Actually Enjoy Cooking with Your Kids

🎙️Mess-Free & Fun: How to Actually Enjoy Cooking with Your Kids:

Cooking with kids is equal parts chaos and bonding. Join us as we explore how to get kids involved in the kitchen, share our favorite kid-friendly recipes, and laugh about some of our biggest cooking disasters.

We give ourselves a break because our generation has a different schedule and lifestyle. We discuss some small ways to have our kids help. Remember, it doesn’t need to be perfect to have a good time cooking with your kids!

🧑‍🍳 Age-Appropriate Kitchen Tasks: How to get kids involved safely at any age.

🍴 Fun Recipes for Families: Simple, crowd-pleasing meals kids will love making and eating. 

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2 years ago

S1E8 - S01E008: Sibling Rivalry Solved: How to Stop the Fighting & Build Better Bonds

Hey Other Parents #008: Sibling Rivalry Solved: How to Stop the Fighting & Build Better Bonds!

Sibling fights can drive any parent up the wall, but they’re also a normal part of growing up. In this episode, Michael, Sara, and Mike tackle sibling rivalry head-on. We’re sharing stories from our own childhoods, strategies to mediate fights, and tips to foster better sibling bonds (without losing your mind).So break out those boxing gloves because it’s time to throw down!

Time To Unplug

Michael: Puffs (Broadway Show Rental on Streaming)

Sara: Tell me Without Telling Me (Board Game) 

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2 years ago

S1E9 - S01E009: How to Rock Parent-Teacher Conferences (and Get the Real Info)

🎙️ How to Rock Parent-Teacher Conferences (and Get the Real Info):

It’s that time of year again—report cards are out, and parent-teacher conferences are around the corner! Join Michael, Sara, and Mike as we discuss how to make the most of these meetings, what to focus on, and how to support your kids academically and emotionally.

What We Cover:

📝 Preparing for Conferences: Questions to ask and topics to cover.

💬 Communicating with Teachers: Tips for productive conversations about your child’s progress.

Fostering Growth at Home: How to turn report card feedback into actionable plans.

😂 Our Conference Stories: The good, the bad, and the downright awkward moments we’ve

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2 years ago

S1E10 - S01E010: Choosing the Perfect Family Dog: Training & Loving Your New Pet

🎙️ Choosing the Perfect Family Dog: Training & Loving Your New Pet:

This week we are sitting down to discuss what it’s like to have a dog. Michael and his wife host a gingerbread house competition for his oldest and his friends. What’s it like to get the first dog in the house? We each had our own pets when we were younger. Are there dog naming books? We discuss adopting vs going to a breeder, vet bills, how to choose your dog, some advice & basics, kennel cough, personality traits to look for, and what they are like at different stages. Did Sara get bamboozled with one of her dogs? An Amish dog? Wait is that a back scratcher? What about Pet Insurance? Dinner time with the dogs, wet or dry food, and more. Seven Nation Army on his Otamatone!

Time To Unplug 

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2 years ago

S1E11 - S01E011: Parenting Goals That Stick: Setting New Year’s Resolutions That Work

🎙️ Parenting Goals That Stick: Setting New Year’s Resolutions That Work:

The New Year is here, and we’re talking resolutions! From setting realistic parenting goals to finding ways to prioritize self-care, this episode is all about starting the year off strong.

🎯 Setting Achievable Goals: Small changes that make a big difference in your family life.

💆 Self-Care for Parents: Simple habits to help you recharge and stay motivated.

🤝 Family Resolutions: How to get everyone involved in setting shared goals.

🛑 Breaking the Cycle: How to avoid burnout and ditch unrealistic expectations.

Time To Unplug

Michael: Percy Jackson (Disney+ 2023) 

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