On an evening when Kristin’s returned from a business trip and Erin’s back from yet another baseball game, we chat about how a momentary distraction while driving can have unintended consequences. Then we talk about a couple of stories lighting up the blogosphere this week: Angelina Jolie’s big decision and how the 1% in America [...]

Nothing like a week when the dads are away – one traveling for work, and one overwhelmed by appointments – to make us appreciate how much we need them to keep our lives, and schedules, on track! Links mentioned: Net Nanny | Flight of the Navigator | Time Warner SignatureHome | Autocorrect Fail | When Should a [...]

The kids are getting older, the schedules are getting busier, and now we’re being invited to watch the fifth grade puberty movie! Erin is convinced it hasn’t changed since we were in school, while Kristin is sure when it’s her turn she will get kicked out of the private viewing for parents. We also do [...]

It’s been a tough week and while we are  heartbroken for our city, the victims and their families, we are also feeling more connected to our hometown and neighbors than ever before. Throughout the week, we found ourselves both craving information and feeling overwhelmed by the onslaught from traditional and non-traditional sources. Originally scheduled to [...]

It’s a random kind of weekend and the podcast reflects it! We’re all over the map this week as we chat about playing spring sports when it still feels like winter, the need for mom friends at the baseball field, pop songs and lyrics that make us reach for the dial and privacy in the [...]

After spending a week with family and friends, Erin is back in the saddle and the Manic Mommies are catching up on missing weekends, pregnancy fashions, eating out, and saying no to all the spending. Audible Recommendation:  When She Woke |AudibleTrial.com/ManicMommies Links mentioned: Fashion Police | Bitch Stole My Look: Kim Kardashian vs  Zoe Saldana | [...]

When did parenting start feeling so overwhelming? Christine Koh and Asha Dornfest, authors of Minimalist Parenting have advice and ideas for how can we take control and “enjoy modern family life more by doing less.” Christine pulls double duty (no problem for this multi-tasking mama) filling in as co-host while Erin is on vacation, and [...]

We all know we should exercise, but how do you find the time? This week we’re joined by Brenda, a fitness teacher, personal trainer and Manic Mommies listener who tells us how she motivates clients to get started with a fitness routine. If you’re looking to jump start your fitness routine, or need a little [...]

Leading up to St. Patrick’s Day, Erin and Kristin consider their leprechaun names, talk about the ramifications of an unobservant husband, cheerleading, and consider the publicity machine behind Sheryl Sandberg’s new book and why it’s almost always a good idea to say no. (See our future series of pamphlets for more details). Apologies for the [...]

This week we are taking the phrase “trying to do it all . . . and then some” literally as we record the show between Odyssey of the Mind activities (Erin) and sitting on the sidewalk in Austin (Kristin). We also welcome our friend, and husband of a Manic Mommies listener, C.C. Chapman, who wants [...]

Reunited, Erin & Kristin catch up on all that happened over vacation including Sheryl Sandberg’s new book, Marissa Mayer’s decision to ban telecommuting at Google, meeting listeners in Rochester and Florida, Kristin’s running of the Run Disney Princess Half Marathon. Links mentioned: The Kitchen House on Audible | Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will [...]

Back in the early days of this podcast, we would often interview other working moms to learn how they manage the chaotic combination of work and family. With Kristin still on vacation, Erin goes back to the roots of the show and invites Manasi, a local working mom, into the kitchen to chat about what it [...]

When did they start naming winter storms anyway? Kristin’s husband makes a rare appearance to explain the naming of this week’s blizzard as their family digs out from two feet of snow and recovers from a bad case of cabin fever. Meanwhile, it’s winter as usual in Erin’s neck of the woods as she questions [...]

This week we’re chatting about annual Daddy/Daughter Dances, depressed dogs and the hottest trend in haircuts: bangs. Links mentioned: Visit AudibleTrial.com/ManicMommies | Dos and Don’ts of Bangs Over 40 | Michelle Obama’s Hair: The Inside Story from The Daily  Beast | Listen: iTunes | mp3

Let’s face it, children have obsessions. Sports jerseys, dragons, video games. But what happens when your child starts to feel like his passion is not “cool” with other kids? Your momma bear instincts kick in and you come into the classroom wearing a dragon t-shirt and wonder woman boots! At least, that’s what you do [...]

This week the Manic Mommies have something in common: they are both indoors while the husbands and kids take to the ski trails. We’re talking about researching medical conditions on the Internet, online ads that seem to know exactly what you’re looking for and how it feels to step back into the classroom as a [...]

With the snow melting due to unseasonably warm weather, it’s hard not to be fooled into thinking spring is coming soon. Of course it’s not, but that doesn’t keep us from talking about spring sports and having to plan summer vacations in the middle of winter! Links mentioned: Tour of the Dragons | Welsch sisters [...]

New year, same Erin & Kristin. In our first podcast of 2013 we’re catching up on the holidays, sick kids, home repairs, movies and favorite TV shows in a gabfest that has no real agenda other than to reconnect to friends! Tell us: Do you have any resolutions for the new year? Links mentioned: Jiminy Peak [...]

At this, “the most wonderful time of the year” it often feels like our children have lost sight of how fortunate they are. With the help of Heather Jack of The Volunteer Family and Big Hearted Families, we discuss ways we can raise more compassionate children through volunteerism, contributions and conversation. We also find out [...]