248: Free Range Kids: Raising Braver Kids in a Fear-Obsessed World With Lenore Skenazy-
This week, I sat down with the one and only Lenore Skenazy — the “Free-Range Mom” who made headlines as “America’s Worst Mom” after letting her 9-year-old ride the NYC subway alone. We dove deep into the cultural shift that’s replaced neighborhood play with constant supervision, how fear-driven parenting is feeding the kids’ mental health crisis, and why the most powerful antidote to anxiety is actually giving kids more independence. Lenore shared hilarious stories, jaw-dropping stats (spoiler: the kidnapping fears don’t match reality), and actionable ways to bring back trust, freedom, and joy to childhood — starting in your own neighborhood. This conversation will make you rethink the rules, roll your eyes at the fear-mongering, and maybe even send your kid to the store for Skittles.Timestamps:(00:00:53) Childhood Independence Laws for Free Exploration(00:16:28) Promoting Childhood Autonomy for Mental Well-being(00:25:18) Empowering Children Through Independence and Resilience(00:25:19) Promoting Childhood Independence: Overprotection's Impact(00:30:23) Promoting Social Skills Through Independent Play(00:30:34) Empowering Children through Independent Play Movement(00:35:24) Shift from 'Benign Neglect' to Overprotection(00:44:58) Childhood Independence Laws and Let Grow Initiatives(00:44:58) Reasonable Childhood Independence Law for AdvocacyJamie's InstagramOh Crap! Cafe Parenting CommunityOh Crap! Potty TrainingOh Crap! I Have a ToddlerPaleovalley Protein SticksTherapee
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51:15
247: Dinner at 3-4pm (Bite Size Nugget)
Back-to-school season can be rough, and if you’re already seeing those epic after-school meltdowns, you’re not alone. In this bite-sized nugget, I’m talking about after-school restraint collapse—why kids hold it together all day only to fall apart the second they get home—and what you can do to ease the chaos. I’ll walk you through three key strategies (spoiler: food, no questions, and big play), plus why shifting dinner to that 3–4pm window can totally change the game for your family. If dinner has become a nightly battle, this episode is for you.Timestamps:(00:00:39) Post-School Exhaustion Meltdowns: Unwinding Strategies(00:02:34) Energy-Expelling Play for Kids After School(00:08:12) Early Family Dinners Nurture Bonds and MannersJamie's InstagramOh Crap! Cafe Parenting CommunityOh Crap! Potty TrainingOh Crap! I Have a ToddlerPaleovalley Protein SticksTherapee
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11:05
246: Consequences vs Punishment
In this episode of Oh Crap with Jamie, I’m diving deep into one of the biggest pain points in parenting right now: consequences vs. punishment—and why so many of us get stuck in that messy middle where nothing’s working and everyone’s losing their cool. I break down why too many chances lead to dysregulation (for you and your kid), how to make consequences immediate, proportionate, and connected to the behavior, and why empty threats destroy trust. We’ll talk about natural, logical, and external consequences, the difference between separation and isolation, and how to handle those moments when sibling fights or big feelings push you over the edge. If you’ve ever wondered how to set firm, respectful boundaries without slipping into shame or control, this one’s for you.Timestamps:(00:02:04) Effective Discipline: Teaching Through Consequences(00:07:23) Fair Consequences: Nurturing Behavior over Control(00:10:16) Teaching Children Through Logical and Natural Outcomes(00:13:03) "Using Logical Consequences for Effective Parenting"(00:16:57) Timely Interventions for Child Behavior Guidance(00:21:16) Conflict Resolution: Nurturing Kids' Independence and SkillsJamie's InstagramOh Crap! Cafe Parenting CommunityOh Crap! Potty TrainingOh Crap! I Have a ToddlerPaleovalley Protein SticksTherapee
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29:28
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29:28
245: 3 Things to Ask Daycare When Potty Training (Bite Size Nugget)
If you’re in the middle of potty training and staring down the return to daycare—this one’s for you. I’m breaking down exactly why trying to “get it done” in 2–3 days before sending your kid back is a recipe for disaster, and what you actually need to ask your daycare before you start. From bathroom setups to accident policies to the myth of early self-initiation, I’m giving you the real-deal checklist to set your child up for success (and save you both a ton of stress). Because potty training isn’t a race, it’s a milestone—and the more prepared you are, the smoother the transition back to daycare will be.Timestamps:(00:02:28) Potty Training Preparation at Daycare(00:06:05) Potty Training Transition to Daycare Environment(00:10:39) Potty Training: Cultivating Self-Initiation HabitsDaycare Blueprint CourseJamie's InstagramOh Crap! Cafe Parenting CommunityOh Crap! Potty TrainingOh Crap! I Have a ToddlerPaleovalley Protein SticksTherapee
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244: Why Are We So Tied To Labeling Our Parenting
Y’all, this episode is a full-on TED Talk (minus the PowerPoint). I’m unpacking all the trending parenting labels—gentle, respectful, intentional, sturdy, conscious, child-led—and calling out where we’ve gone off the rails. Are we actually parenting, or just trying not to do what our parents did? I’m digging into why we cling to these labels, how they’re often just code for what we don’t want to do, and why the real magic happens when we get clear on the do's—the actions that actually guide our kids. It’s not about the label; it’s about leading with calm, clarity, and consistency... even when your toddler is melting down in public. If you’ve ever wondered “am I doing this right?”—this one’s for you.Timestamps:(00:01:11) Balancing Firmness and Love in Parenting(00:08:07) Developmental Respect in Parenting(00:15:00) Mindful Decision-Making in Child Rearing(00:20:03) Nurturing Love Through Parenting Challenges(00:22:13) Navigating Parenting Challenges with Care and Respect(00:25:35) Parental Burnout's Impact on Child RearingJamie's InstagramOh Crap! Cafe Parenting CommunityOh Crap! Potty TrainingOh Crap! I Have a ToddlerPaleovalley Protein SticksTherapee
A podcast for conscious parents who drop the f-bomb. A lot. We are the overthinkers, the dreamers, and the doers. We are parenting in a radically different way than those before us. But our divine vision gets blurry cause...OMG...kids can be such a pain in the ass. Let's work from the inside out, in a whole brain, whole body way to mitigate the crappy behavior. Not just with our kids but with ourselves. So you can be the parent you envision.
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