Manic Rambling Spiral

Tax season isn't as exciting as it once was. Remember refunds? Or the days of not having to negotiate tax prep with your ex? Yeah. Good times.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week starts as a recap and then transitions into a ramble before turning into a focus on our dads and how awesome they are. We'd like to say that was intentional, but you'd know better than that.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Heather's moving and all hell is breaking loose. Though a smaller space can be a great thing, actually getting to that point is miserable. Here's to a fresh start, a great new neighborhood and some semblance of sanity in the aftermath.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The teen years are upon us. That means dances, dating, and probably reliving a whole slew of things we've spent our adult years trying to forget. But the tumbleweed that is life just keeps tumbling onward.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

From wifi issues to blizzards in Utah, sometimes it doesn't take much to throw off the day. And when we have to deviate, all hell breaks loose, even if only in our heads.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Woman's March on Washington was last week and we didn't attend. Why? Well, it's complicated. And that's okay. Asking complicated questions, looking at issues with a critical eye, and listening—really listening—isn't being divisive. It's necessary. It's how we learn to do better  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's easier to make promises than it is to keep them. Especially when parenting. It's helpful to realize that the only promises you can guarantee are those that are completely in your control. It's even more helpful to not overuse the word "promise." Or maybe just never use it at all.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Heather has a couple pseudo resolutions, John doesn't have any, but we're both trying to be optimistic for the year ahead. Sure, time is a construct and blah blah blah, but if turning a calendar page helps us cope, we'll take it!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We'll admit it: Sometimes it's hard to see our kids with their step-parental figures. And it's even more difficult seeing our children posted on the internet by this third party. Maybe this all boils down to self awareness. Or common sense. Or both. Are we rambling? Of course, but we're kind of on target.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's that time of year again. John was alone for Thanksgiving and now Heather is looking at a solo Christmas. Is there a better way to make this work? That probably depends on who you ask.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Now, more than ever, good organizations need your help. The holidays are stressful and 2016 continues to disappoint, but there's work to do! Today we're talking nonprofits (including Farm Forward, the organization Heather is working with), where your donations go, and what we plan to get - or not get - our kids for Christmas.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

If you've had your eyes open at all since 1996, you know Steve Burns from Blue's Clues. But now he’s making music. And it’s awesome. “Foreverywhere,” a psychedelic children's album he made with with Seven Drozd of The Flaming Lips, is out in February 2017 so we’re talking music and whatever else rambled into the conversation.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

There's no team and there's no backup. That ended when we went our separate ways. So how do we handle co-parenting discrepancies, difficulties and (unreasonable) requests? No, really. How? This high road is feeling pretty narrow and-- Oh. We just slipped.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On November 8, less than half of the popular vote made Donald Trump the President-elect. The nation responded with tears, protests, letters and a symbolic debate over safety pins. Now we're adding our voices to try and dissect what it all means to help preempt marginalized populations from losing more ground, and to try and figure out how to navigate the conversation at Thanksgiving.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We've spent most of our lives intentionally not asking for help for various reasons and it's a difficult habit to break. But if we want our kids to know it's okay to ask, it's probably time for us to demonstrate the action. Does that also mean accepting help when it's offered? Ugh.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's conference season! You know what that means? Our kids get evaluated! Our parenting gets evaluated! Our flaws are highlighted! Time to crawl und-- Wait. She what?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The 2016 Chicago Marathon was Heather's third marathon and John's first. It was marked by perfect weather, an amazing group of people from Every Mother Counts, and a great weekend overall. There was also pain, excitement, regret, no regret, a lost FitBit and profanity at mile 15.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Alpacas, like life, are equal parts enjoyable and vicious, but it's the experience that counts. Over the years, we've both decided that experiences are better than things. So with outdated computers and old phones, we look at enjoying life with the voracity of a dominant alpaca. Sort of.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Heather is sick. Full stop. Marlo got sick and, out of love, shared it with Heather. Yes, kids really are fun! We could have cancelled the recording, but there'd be no adventure in that. So we plowed through and rambled on. You're welcome. COUGH. Or we're sorry?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Choosing mealtime enjoyment over food fights and frustration. Cooking for one can be tricky. Cooking for one times two or three or more can be downright maddening. But if everyone is happy, well fed, and gathered around a table together, that has to count for something. Right? Fine. Warm your own damn burrito.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.