The Crashtest Mummies Podcast: Recent Episodes
Crashtest Mummies
Hi there! We are Karen and Alexie, two Mums; one in the UK and one in the US who also happen to be best friends. In our podcast you'll find all things parenting and beyond. We don't sugarcoat our approach to raising the 5 tiny humans we have between us and openly discuss our challenges and struggles to be the best parent we can be while also learning along the way. We are The Crashtest Mummies... why don't you join us for a natter?
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Reading actual books, binge watching HBO shows and guilt-free 'me-time'... these are a few of the silver linings we have found to have emerged during the past 100+ days in this strange reality that we call 'lockdown'. In this episode, we try to look beyond the monotony, the homeschooling, the cabin fever to see the good during this time. Without the constraints of the school-run and fixed working hours, our days have opened up some much needed 'quiet time' in which we have indulged ourselves in putting ourselves first for a change, as let's face it - having the kids at home for this long is a whole new level of stress. We talk Crime Junkie, American Dirt and Big Little Lies, and if you don't know what they are, I encourage you to have a listen!
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So we've lost count of how many weeks into lockdown we are in, and the uncharted waters of homeschooling has become our new 'normal' but what do we really feel about it all? In this episode we talk openly about how we are finding educating our children at home; the highs and the lows and what advice we would give our former selves in preparation for these unprecedented times!
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You know the phrase 'you can do anything but you can't do everything?' Well in this episode, we open up about about some of the things that you may be expected to do as perfect parents but have completely scrapped from our manuals. One of us doesn't iron ANYTHING, the other doesn't do family dinners, but that doesn't make us bad parents... our kids still wear clothes (allbeit crumpled) and we still feed our kids! Sometimes it's important to take a step back and look at what's expected of you as a parent versus reality and to realise that your 'normal' isn't really all that bad now, is it? We've avoided talking about the 'C' word this week (no, not that one, the other one!) because Coronavirus can just do one at this point. So if you have a spare half hour (and if you don't, just pretend the kids are at school and make time!) and join us to hear just how terrible we are at this parenting gig - you won't believe some of the things we don't do!
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We completed week THREE of lockdown and we are sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly of this crazy time. We are focusing on mental health, and how difficult this time can be on all of us who are either feeling alone, or overstimulated! We obviously couldn't finish the episode without getting side-tracked and discussing the ins and outs of tiger king, Joe Exotic, and Carole Baskin...did she murder her husband? We are breaking it down. And if you HAVEN'T watched Tiger King, be like Karen and binge watch 7 45 minute episodes in one night. Just do it and thank us later! Lastly, Alexie talks about being pregnant during the lockdown and how it has affected her view on pregnancy, health, and fear.
We know it is a WEIRD TIME right now and we hope that we can be the constant! We are laughing, crying, moaning, and being thankful all at once, as i'm sure we all are. It's ok to not be ok, but know that even though you may feel alone, you are never alone here!
We are living in crazy times, aren't we? No one could have predicted that by the end of March, over a quarter of the world's population was in lockdown. It's a very anxious and scary time for many, and yet the sense of unity among humanity is stronger than ever. From celebrities making us smile on social media, to the younger generations stepping up to look after the elderly, the world is a different place than it was a few weeks ago. We are staying positive this week, in lockdown for the 3rd week for both our families, we are sharing how we are surviving, what life looks like at home 24/7 and exploring the different actions the US and the UK have taken. If you fancy some background noise to your busy household, or want to steal away for a little while, grab a tea, coffee, wine or gin and enjoy!
If you like what we do, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review on iTunes!
Speak soon,
Karen and Alexie x
We have special guest, Amanda Mignone who is a kindergarten teacher and administrator at a private school in South Carolina and runs the blog Little Teacher Moments (@littleteachermoments) on today to talk about how to keep our kids learning and staying sane as parents while they are out of school! We know this is a stressful time for many parents! The pressure to be the perfect parent and now perfect teacher can feel overwhelming, but Amanda is breaking it down and giving helpful ideas for independent play and learning tools so everyone stays sane!
Here are some links to the resources we talked about in the episode:
Switcheroo zoo : Watch, listen, and play games to learn all about amazing animals!
Nat Geo for Kids: Learn all about geography and fascinating animals
Into the Book: Go "into the book" to play games that practice reading strategies
Suessville: Read, Play games, and hang out with Dr. Seuss and his friends
ABC YA: Practice math and reading skills all while playing fun games!
Fun Brain: Play games while practicing math and reading skills
PBS KIDS: Hangout with all your favorite characters all while learning
Star Fall: Practice your phonics skills with these read-along stories
Storyline Online: Have some of your favorite stories read to you by movie stars
Highlights Kids: Read, Play fames and conduct cool science experiments
Vooks: All your favorite kids books animated
Earth Rangers Podcast: A super fun animal focused podcast! Hudson's all-time fave!
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We couldn't NOT talk about the elephant in the room today, with so many in lockdown and dystopia in the air, Coronavirus has all but taken over the lives of the human race. Different decisions are being made in each country and things can change drastically day by day... people showing their worst and best qualities in this unconventional time. We are just sharing our experiences thus far, we are not specialists and we are not scientists (imagine?) but were are voicing what we know and what we are doing to protect our families as best we can. Please get in touch and share your experiences with us via DM on Instagram:
http://wwwinstagram.com/crashtestmummies_podcast
Stay safe,
All our love,
Karen and Alexie xxx
Guys, we have a seriously good episode for you today with one HUGE announcement!
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We always read about "women supporting women" and "lift each other up" but are we practicing what we preach?? Why does the drop-off line feel like a high school cafeteria, and even as an adult, you don't have anywhere to sit? Why do we thrive on drama and gossip instead of support and encouragement? Why are we all so insecure that we have to hurt other moms who are fighting their own battles?
We all know a mean mom or have been a mean mom and as usual, we are talking about it! We are sharing our experiences and breaking down WHY this has to stop. I'm sick of crying in the school drop-off line and I know i'm not the only one! How can we raise our daughters to love themselves and love other women no matter what their differences are? We are the Crashtest Mummies, and we are jumping in!
We all know we have the same amount of hours in a day as Beyoncé, but that doesn't make the juggle any less REAL. Between taking care of our kids, taking care of our house, making sure everyone is clean and fed, running to and from activities, and taking care of ourselves, very day as a mom can feel like we are juggling all the plates. We are talking about the toll this takes on us mentally, emotionally, and physically as well as sharing just a few ways that we break up the monotony and make room for everything.
WARNING: We have not unlocked any magical Beyoncé powers over here, we are just sharing our own experiences and reminding you that you rock...even though there will NEVER be enough hours in a day. Never. Also. It's always ok to choose sitting on the couch in the quiet moments instead of always going, going, going!
Milestones - I made a huge deal about them in the beginning, taking note of every single thing that Jonah did. Fox as baby number 3, I can't even tell you when he started walking! In this episode we talk about what's important, what to look out for and is it even important anyway?
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It's time for another of our weekly chats and with this episode, we've hit a significant milestone with our 20th episode! This week our ramblings include what games we like to play with the kids, how Lexie gets a bit too invested in hide and seek and how building a train track is serious business in my house! Adam makes some drunken advances by text to his wife and I'm still laughing about what happened when he got home! Another episode of unscripted giggles and gossip from us two - what more could you want while getting on with your day?!
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With social media, technology, and distractions everywhere, a huge disconnect has happened in our children. A recent statistic put out by the CDC stated that the rate of teenage suicide has increased by 76% in the last decade! We are sitting down and talking about raising KIND kids in todays hectic world. How can we teach our children to be mindful of themselves, their emotions, and the people around them? Can we impact their decisions outside of the home? What steps should we be taking in every day life to ensure that they understand the importance of mindfulness? We are so passionate abut this topic, and really enjoyed chatting about the things we do every day to ensure our kids feel safe, protected, and loved so that they can take that out into the world!
Sources:
Daytime Explorers: https://www.kinderling.com.au/music/programs/daytime-explorers
One thing I think we can ALL agree on is that January has been the LONGEST month ever; Am I Right?? We are opening up about this weird month, the trials we've faced (including that weird week in between New Years and the kids going back to school), and some other good stuff. Most importantly, we touch on self-care and whether or not it's actually possible as a mom to fit self-care into your life on a regular basis. Is Self-Care as important as everyone says it is? And if so, is it actually achievable??
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January is flying by and in this episode, we hope to help any of you Mamas who are getting ready to make the move to introduce solids into your baby's diet. As always, we share our experiences with our own children, how we feel about baby led weaning, purees and where we sought advice during those important months. Please get in touch if you find it useful or with any other questions you may have - thecrashtestmummies@gmail.com . Happy listening!
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Ok... we may have gone off script in this one guys... While we very much love the Fathers of our children, they also have a whole host of behaviours, habits and tecniques that bug the hell out of us and drive us a little loopy sometimes. Last week seems to have been one of those weeks for both of us... so what better therapy than to spend half an hour offloading our grievances and frustrations with you guys? Really hope you can identify with these and that it's not just us! I really hope Chris and Adam don't listen to this one...
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As we reach the end of an exciting year for Lex and I, we chat about whether Christmas lived up to our expectations, our love of Gavin and Stacey and unexpected Christmas gifts. We both agree that for the first time in a long time, we aren't putting pressure on ourselves to stick to resolutions for 2020 and look back at some of our wins of this year. We have almost managed to record an entire episode without Winter, Fox or Presley kicking off in the background! Now I'm back at the dining table building lego and eating mince pies as one should this week... but if you have a spare half an hour, pop us on in the background and join in the chat!
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T'was the week before Christmas, and all through the house, the kids were going crazy and Mom couldn't catch a break, not even to go to the bathroom! OK, it doesn't rhyme like the original, but it's a damn sight near accurate than the reality as Lex and I have found it over that past week in the lead up to Christmas Day. In this episode we are talking all about the food we are going to be eating, the presents we will be giving and most importantly, sharing our hacks to have a stress free Christmas! Have a wonderful Christmas wonderful friends!
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Join us in our first of no doubt MANY weekly chats between Alexie and I as an additional episode each week to get your CTM fix! In this weeks blether, Alexie shares her baking FAIL as she tried to make VEGAN SUGAR COOKIES with the kids, I look back fondly at a special date that Chris and I shared this week and not so fondly at the memory of my second child vomming on me in bed. Lots more chat about Christmas, our plans for the holidays and my thoughts on who I am voting for in today's General Election. Enjoy! (And someone please get Lex a Vegan cookie recipe that works!!!)
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We missed a week (sorry) but we are back with a GREAT episode about our parenting styles, how we have adapted them to suit each of our children, and SPIRITED CHILDREN! If you have one, you know what we're talking about! We are deep diving into positive parenting, handling big emotions, dealing with other parents and teachers, and the big S word, spanking. I love this episode because we are touching on so many things that parents just AREN'T talking about. At the end of the day, we are all different, and so are our parenting styles and children and that's why we are talking about it HERE! If you're feeling lost, need a laugh, or just want to make sure that you aren't scarring your child for life, come give us a listen!
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In this BONUS episode, we are answering all of your questions! From what is in our secret food stash to when are we having more babies (or if we're having more babies)! If you're wanting to know a bit more about Karen and I or just want a good laugh, then this episode is for you! We hope you enjoy every minute and know that we are oh so thankful for you!
As usual, don't forget to give us a 5-star rating on Apple and review so we can keep bringing you content every week! See you next Tuesday!
It's something we all experience on a regular basis: Mom guilt. Guilt about not spending enough time with the kids, leaving the laundry to pile up because you're spending time with the kids, being too strict, not being strict enough - you just can't win! In this episode we explore the triggers for Mom guilt and how to stop it in its tracks. Why are we so hard on ourselves? Is there a cure? We're not sure, but we've decided to embrace it and not let it take us down.
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Do you remember being young, in love and carefree? Meeting your soulmate and dreaming of the perfect little family that will be yours in the future. You smile lovingly at each other with your hot drinks, snuggled on the sofa as you oversee a group of angelic, beautiful children playing quietly on the floor... How wrong could we have been?!
In this episode we are talking TRUTHS about what our relationships are like AFTER kids - the eternal optimism that tonight, we WILL get to spend some quality time together and not fall asleep in the kids bed and the strange situation that you find yourself in that you miss each other even when you are both there. We bare all and talk about S.E.X and how both physically and emotionally it changes post kids, and how sometimes when you have a free minute, a cuppa and a sit down can is what you desire over a quickie in the living room.
As always, you can join our community on Instagram for updates and a place share your views by clicking here @the_crashtest_mummies and PLEASE share this with your friends, leave a comment or rating on Apple Podcasts and say hi!
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Are you already feeling overwhelmed by the thought of organising Christmas? In a world where the 'Pinterest perfect' Christmas taunts us from behind our screens, there has never been more pressure to splash out on overpriced advent calendars, gifts and food, host parties like Nigella while still surviving everyday family life. In this episode we talk about mental health at Christmas and how important it is for you and your family that you be kind to yourself this festive season. Karen talks about having burnout last year and what she will be doing differently this year and Alexie shares her plans to reduce stress this year. You can't pour from an empty cup and you deserve to enjoy the festive season with your family instead of going into overdrive!
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This week we are lucky enough to have the loveliest Irish Mammy I know talking all things speech and language with us. As a specialist with over 10 years' experience, Emma tells us what mile stones we should look out for with our children's speech and what we can be doing at home to nurture their progress. It was particularly interesting for me because Winter, who is 4 next month is still struggling to talk and so I grilled her for advice and tips on how as a parent you can deal with that. Emma is @lifewithtinyhumans on Instagram and a joy to behold! Enjoy!
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How ‘into’ Halloween are you? For our American listeners, I’m sure like Lex, you are currently getting ready for one of the biggest holidays of the year, but here in the UK, it’s not quite that big a deal. Although I have made some effort in the past, I’m making a stand this year and we are NOT celebrating Halloween as a family. Join us for a slightly silly, candid chat about all things spooky and as we share childhood memories of the most haunted time of the year!
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In this episode, we discuss all the things about pregnancy that people DON'T tell you beforehand. From indigestion to crazy cravings, we take this opportunity to overshare and be completely honest about the things that we wished we'd have known before our baby arrived. What things do you wish you'd have known? We would love to know!
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In this episode we talk about boobies and bottles and just how to keep that little baby’s tummy full, while also staying sane. What do you do when you struggle to breastfeed? Who can you talk to? Is formula feeding ‘good enough’? How our partners felt about us ‘revealing’ ourselves in public and using our boobs for a more practical reason than what they are used to. All in Episode 4!
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One of the biggest woes of parents everywhere is SLEEP. Who knew that something so seemingly easy could become our biggest nightmare (see what we did there)? In this episode, we talk about everything from routines, to co-sleeping, to sleep coaches! We hope this episode helps answer some of your biggest sleep questions and that our suggestions prove as useful to you as they have for us!
Useful links:
Sleepy Paws App https://apps.apple.com/us/app/moshi-twilight-sleep-stories/id1306719339
Cloud B sensory toys. Tranquil Turtle https://bit.ly/2nX96DQ
Get in touch:
Email: thecrashtestmummies@gmail.com
Instagram: @the_crashtest_mummies
Karen: @ourtinydiaries
Alexie: @raisedkind
Website: www.thecrashtestmummies.com
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Join us as we explore the elusive world of 'Mum Friends' (or 'Mom for all you American listeners)! We are sharing our favourite ways to meet mom friends as well as discussing the truth about friends without kids! We know the struggles that come with being new parents, rediscovering yourself and finding friends to love you where you are. So! Join our conversation and laugh, cry, and do whatever it is you need to get done today!
Useful links:
Mummy Social - Great app for meeting Mums in your area (UK) . https://mummysocial.com/
Peanut - Similar app available in both the US and the UK . https://apple.co/2IXdD0h
Get in touch:
Email: thecrashtestmummies@gmail.com
Instagram: @the_crashtest_mummies
Karen: @ourtinydiaries
Alexie: @raisedkind
Website: www.thecrashtestmummies.com
Welcome lovely listeners to our first EVER podcast! We are so excited for you to hear it. In episode 1, you will find out more about who we are, what to expect from The Crashtest Mummies Podcast and why we have got together to create it. If we sound like your cup of tea (is there an American equivalent to this phrase?) then please subscribe and rate us so we can get the word out to like-minded people everywhere! Enjoy! Get in touch:thecrashtestmummies@gmail.comInstagram: @the_crashtest_mummiesKaren: @ourtinydiariesAlexie: @raisedkind
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