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!