Why Kids Lie: What’s Normal, What’s Not, and What to Do
Margaret and Amy discuss the surprisingly normal reasons kids lie—and why it’s not always a sign of bad behavior.
From toddlers covered in cake who swear they didn’t eat it, to teens who “forget” to mention that party in the woods, we unpack how lying is often a developmental milestone, not a moral failure.
We discuss:
When kids first start lying—and what brain developments make it possible
The role of theory of mind and executive function in fibbing
How to tell the difference between a harmless whopper and something more concerning
Why habitual lying could point to deeper issues—and how to address them without shame
The importance of “truth checks,” “consequence resets,” and staying on the same side of the net as your kid
Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode:
Jennifer Soong for WebMD: 8 Mistakes Parents Make With Preschoolers
Beth Arky for childmind.org: Why Kids Lie and What Parents Can Do About It
Harold S. Koplewicz, MD for childmind.org: When should you get help for a child who’s a habitual liar?
Sarah Gonser for Parents: A Parent's Guide to Lying and Age-Appropriate Consequences
Xiao Pan Ding et al for Hangzhou College of Preschool Education: Theory-of-Mind Training Causes Honest Young Children to Lie
Susan Pinker for Wall Street Journal: Children’s Lies Are a Sign of Cognitive Progress
Zawn Villines for Good Therapy: Why Do Children Lie? Normal, Compulsive, and Pathological Lying in Kids
Our Fresh Take with Harold Koplewicz
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We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website:
https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/
mom friends, funny moms, parenting advice, parenting experts, parenting tips, mothers, families, parenting skills, parenting strategies, parenting styles, busy moms, self-help for moms, manage kid’s behavior, teenager, tween, child development, family activities, family fun, parent child relationship, decluttering, kid-friendly, lying in kids, kids lying
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48:27
DEEP DIVE: Your Tween, Explained
When our kids reach a certain age—as young as eight, some experts say, and definitely well before thirteen— they suddenly don't think their parents are as great as they once did. Congratulations, you're officially the parent of a tween!
This week we're talking about what tweens are going through emotionally and psychologically... and how we can give them room to grow while still seizing opportunities to connect with them as (big) children.
Margaret and Amy discuss:
The cognitive shifts that happens in tweens' brains
Why the ways we relate to our tweens has to change along with them
Why "not taking it personally" is, and isn't, the right advice
We may feel the urge to defend our actions or intentions to our tweens when they spar with us, but we don't actually have to get down "in the mud" with our kids whenever they push our buttons.
Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode:
Michelle Anthony for Scholastic Parents: Cognitive Development in 11-13 Year Olds
John Mersch, MD for Medicine Net: Tween: Child Development (9-11 Years Old)
Here’s our interview with Katie Hurley, author of No More Mean Girls: The Secret to Raising Strong, Confident, and Compassionate Girls.
Our "Fresh Take" interview with Dr. Becky Kennedy on being "Good Inside"
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website:
https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/
mom friends, funny moms, parenting advice, parenting experts, parenting tips, mothers, families, parenting skills, parenting strategies, parenting styles, busy moms, self-help for moms, manage kid’s behavior, teenager, tween, child development, family activities, family fun, parent child relationship, decluttering, kid-friendly, teens
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46:06
Fresh Take: Rebecca Bloom, WHEN WOMEN GET SICK
Amy talks with women's health advocate and author Rebecca Bloom about her new book When Women Get Sick: An Empowering Approach for Getting the Support You Need. Rebecca shares her personal and professional journey from caregiver to expert advocate, offering practical advice for navigating a complex healthcare system that often fails women.
This conversation explores why women face unique barriers in accessing care, how to build a support team before you need one, and how understanding your rights at work and with insurers can make all the difference.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why the U.S. healthcare system is especially difficult for women to navigate
The critical gaps in women’s health research and diagnosis
How gender bias affects pain recognition and treatment
What real support looks like when women get sick
How to proactively build a “healthcare team” before crisis strikes
The importance of knowing your employee benefits and legal protections
How to overcome guilt or shame when using disability, FMLA, or unemployment insurance
Why “circles of goodness” are key to surviving serious illness—and how to build your own
Here's where you can find Rebecca:
https://www.whenwomengetsick.com/
@whenwomengetsick on IG
Buy WHEN WOMEN GET SICK: https://bookshop.org/a/12099/9798889832317
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website:
https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/
mom friends, funny moms, parenting advice, parenting experts, parenting tips, mothers, families, parenting skills, parenting strategies, parenting styles, busy moms, self-help for moms, manage kid’s behavior, teenager, tween, child development, family activities, family fun, parent child relationship, decluttering, kid-friendly, midlife women, healthcare, healthcare system, women's health
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33:51
Is It Normal to Feel Jealous of Other Moms?
Margaret and Amy explore the messy truths about jealousy—why moms feel it, how shame adds fuel to the fire, and what we can actually do about it. From parenting pressures to social comparisons, they discuss how jealousy is normal, but how we respond to feelings of envy can make all the difference.
Margaret and Amy discuss:
😬 Why jealousy feels so shameful for moms
🧠 “The Second Arrow” – how feeling guilty about feeling jealous makes things worse
👩👧 How our kids’ struggles trigger our own insecurities
🔄 Reframing the inner monologue: from “I’m jealous” to “I’m overwhelmed”
📉 Why “I'm sure they're not as happy as they seem ” isn’t always a helpful thought
✅ Practical tools to cope with comparison and find joy again
Whether it’s feeling envious of your husband’s solo lunch breaks or wondering how other families can afford breezy summer vacations, this episode validates it all. Margaret and Amy offer practical advice, a lot of laughs, and a reminder that comparing yourself doesn't mean you're doing motherhood wrong—just that you're human.
Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode:
Jenifer Demattia for Scary Mommy: "Why I'm Envious Of These Moms"
Glennon Doyle for Today.com: 'My family hits the lottery every freaking morning:' Blogger gives kitchen a gratitude makeover
ABC news: I Was Jealous of My 'Perfect' Mom Friends
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website:
https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/
mom friends, funny moms, parenting advice, parenting experts, parenting tips, mothers, families, parenting skills, parenting strategies, parenting styles, busy moms, self-help for moms, manage kid’s behavior, teenager, tween, child development, family activities, family fun, parent child relationship, decluttering, kid-friendly, jealousy, envy
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43:32
DEEP DIVE: Best Advice for Dealing with Teenagers
How do we raise healthy, loving, polite, and appreciative teens? Is it humanly possible? From remaining "passively available" to taking our adolescents' seemingly trivial problems seriously, our listeners had great advice for bringing up teenagers.
Amy and Margaret discuss:
The blessing of nerd-dom
How to keep your face in check when talking to your teen
Why it's important to let your teen fail sometimes
Here's our Fresh Take with Michelle Icard, author of "Fourteen Talks by Age 14"
Here's the link to the full thread in our Facebook group
Sign up for What Fresh Hell Plus on Supporting Cast to get all episodes ad-free, plus monthly bonus episodes. Supporting Cast works right where you already listen! Go to whatfreshhell.supportingcast.fm to subscribe in two taps for just $4.99 a month, or $39.99 a year.
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website:
https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/
mom friends, funny moms, parenting advice, parenting experts, parenting tips, mothers, families, parenting skills, parenting strategies, parenting styles, busy moms, self-help for moms, manage kid’s behavior, teenager, tween, child development, family activities, family fun, parent child relationship, decluttering, kid-friendly,
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Sobre What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood | Parenting Tips From Funny Moms
When you're a parent, every day brings a "fresh hell" to deal with. In other words, there's always something. Think of us as your funny mom friends who are here to remind you: you're not alone, and it won't always be this hard.
We're Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables, both busy moms of three kids, but with completely different parenting styles. Margaret is a laid-back to the max; Amy never met a spreadsheet or an organizational system she didn't like.
In each episode of "What Fresh Hell" we offer lots of laughs, but also practical advice, parenting strategies, and tips to empower you in your role as a mom. We explore self-help techniques, as well as ways to prioritize your own needs, combat stress, and despite the invisible workload we all deal with, find joy amidst the chaos of motherhood.
If you've ever wondered "why is my kid..." then one of us has probably been there, and we're here to tell you what we've learned along the way.
We unpack the behaviors and developmental stages of toddlers, tweens, and teenagers, providing insights into their actions and equipping you with effective parenting strategies.
We offer our best parenting tips and skills we've learned. We debate the techniques and studies that are everywhere for parents these days, and get to the bottom of what works best to raise happy, healthy, fairly well-behaved kids, while fostering a positive parent-child relationship.
If you're the default parent in your household, whether you're a busy mom juggling multiple pickups and dropoffs, or a first-time parent seeking guidance, this podcast is your trusted resource. Join our community of supportive mom friends laughing in the face of motherhood!
whatfreshhellpodcast.com
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