On this episode: Jamilah, Elizabeth and Zak talk about their experience with video games — and then Elizabeth speaks with Ash Brandin, also known as @TheGamerEducator, about their tips for parenting young gamers. Then the hosts issue recommendations, and respond to a listener letter asking for tips on the latest and greatest in books for young eyes and ears. Recommendations:  Zak recommends: Abigail Lapell Elizabeth recommends: Free Run Wild My Child Treasure Hunt  Jamilah recommends: Swarm on Amazon Prime  Books for beginning readers: E: Usborne My First Readers  & Elephant & Piggie & Usborn Phonics Readers Z: Richard Scarry's Cars and Trucks and Things that Go, The Color Monster: a story about Emotions.  J: Can Read books, including Ty’s Travels and Amelia Bedelia Graphic Novels: E:  EL Deafo & This Was Our Pact & The Witch Boy (upper elementary & Middle) & Peter & Ernesto A Tale of Two Sloths (lower elementary) J: Twins (lower elementary) The Baby Sitter’s Club (lower elementary) Books about Loss: E: One Wave At A Time  & The Invisible String & When Dinosaurs Die & Circus Mirandus (older readers)  Z: Lilah Tov Good Night J: A Kid’s Book About Death, The Sad Dragon Just Really Good Books: E: Hello Universe & We Dream of Space (both by Erin Entrada Kelly)& The Big Umbrella & Anything by Aaron Reynolds (Teddy’s favorite, see President Squid)  Z:The Napping House J: The People Could Fly, Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters  If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Mom and Dad are Fighting. Sign up now at slate.com/momanddadplus to help support our work. Join us on Facebook and email us at [email protected] 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. You can also call our NEW PHONE LINE: (646) 357-9318!  Podcast produced by Maura Currie and Zak Rosen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode: Elizabeth, Jamilah, and Zak help a listener who is having a family travel dilemma. The letter writer is wondering how to handle retired in-laws who live far away, while balancing full-time work, pets, and a child who hates flying. All of that, and dealing with a guilty spouse – who feels like they should prioritize visiting his family over taking vacations. Then on Slate Plus, they dive into a New York Times Opinion piece by Jessica Grose. It explores the unique challenges facing middle-aged millennials as they navigate parenthood, careers, and aging parents.  If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Mom and Dad are Fighting. Sign up now at slate.com/momanddadplus to help support our work. Join us on Facebook and email us at [email protected] 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. You can also call our NEW PHONE LINE: (646) 357-9318!  Podcast produced by Zak Rosen and Maura Currie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode: Elizabeth, Jamilah, and Zak first answer a question about teaching a blunt kid to hold their tongue, for the sake of a friendship. Then they tackle a question about pets being underfoot now that there is a new baby in the house.  Recommendations:   Jamilah recommends Jared from Subway: Catching a Monster Zak recommends Have I Ever Told You? By Shani King Elizabeth recommends SQUILT Music  If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Mom and Dad are Fighting. Sign up now at slate.com/momanddadplus to help support our work. Join us on Facebook and email us at [email protected] 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. You can also call our NEW PHONE LINE: (646) 357-9318!  Podcast produced by Rosemary Belson and Maura Currie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this bonus episode from our friends at Slate's How To! podcast—Keith prides himself on being a good dad to his three sons. But in a post-pandemic world with looming student debt and uncertain opportunities, the future can be really scary. He’s especially worried about his middle son Ben, an introvert who doesn't know what to do after he graduates high school this year. On this episode, co-host Carvell Wallace brings on Rebecca Lavoie. She’s a versatile podcaster and former co-host on Slate’s parenting show Mom and Dad are Fighting. She’s also a recent empty nester, and has some tough love for Keith about how he can stop fretting and find more joy in his own life. If you liked this episode, check out: “How To Fill an Empty Nest” Do you have a question without an answer? Send us a note at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus to help support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode: Elizabeth, Jamilah, and Zak help a listener who is worried her kid’s backyard birthday party won’t compete with the other kids’ extravagant parties. They come up with some budget-friendly ideas for creating an awesome birthday celebration. Then on Slate Plus, they talk about Everything Everywhere All at Once winning at the Oscars and all the love moms are getting.   If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Mom and Dad are Fighting. Sign up now at slate.com/momanddadplus to help support our work. Join us on Facebook and email us at [email protected] 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. You can also call our NEW PHONE LINE: (646) 357-9318!  Podcast produced by Rosemary Belson and Maura Currie. Make an impact this Women’s History Month by helping Macy’s on their mission to fund girls in STEM. Go to macys.com/purpose to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices