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Parenting through family conflict feels like walking a tightrope. On one side sit your values and a strong urge to protect your child. On the other side lives your love for relatives who see the world differently. And all the while, your kid is watching—not for perfect talking points, but for how you handle the tension.

Today we're sharing what to say to kids before, during, and after disagreements with relatives—how to model respect, clear boundaries, and steady courage when the room gets loud—because tense moments around the table are powerful classrooms.

Build confidence for family gatherings where politics come up—hit subscribe and get scripts for what to say to your kids before, during, and after disagreements with relatives.

• Click here for this episode’s blog post with links to sources and even more content.
• Stay connected: Subscribe to our newsletter!

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Who Should Listen

This episode is for parents navigating family gatherings where politics come up, anyone who needs scripts for managing disagreements in front of kids, and caregivers who want to model being brave and kind at the same time.

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What You Get In This Episode

• Scripts for before family gatherings: setting expectations, teaching values, and creating code words for when kids feel uncomfortable
• What to say in the moment when disagreements happen (and when relatives try to pull your kid in)
• How to debrief after arguments: validating feelings, normalizing disagreement, clarifying your stance
• What to do when you mess up: scripts for when you lose your temper, freeze, or are too harsh
• The meta-lesson: modeling reflection, apology, and trying again

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Bios

Caitlin is a former middle school teacher, current parent, and someone navigating these messy family dynamics alongside you. She's here to remind you that you can be imperfect while still showing up and being the best mom for your kids.

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Sources & Mentions

Organizations like All In Together and the Vote Mama Foundation offer tools for civic engagement while parenting, reminding us that advocacy and family life can coexist.

Important reminder: Your kid is watching how you act when things get tense way more than they're memorizing your talking points. You're not trying to raise a political clone—you're modeling values.

The best support is a rating and a share.

Love,
CK & GK

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Life hasn't stopped, even though it feels like the world is falling apart. You're still doing laundry, packing lunches, dealing with broken freezers. And your kids are picking up on your tension—the tone in your voice, the headlines they overhear, the things their friends are saying at school. You don't have all the answers, and that's okay. But staying silent isn't the answer either. Today we're breaking down how to talk to your kids about scary news—with scripts for every age, permission to mess up, and the reminder that you don't need perfect words. You just need to show up.

You don’t have to feel paralyzed about how to talk to your kids—hit subscribe and get age-appropriate scripts that help them feel safe, heard, and empowered to ask questions (even when you don't have all the answers).

• Click here for this episode’s blog post with links to sources and even more content.
• Stay connected: Subscribe to our newsletter!

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Who Should Listen

This episode is for parents feeling overwhelmed by current events, anyone who doesn't know how to talk to their kids about scary news, and caregivers who want scripts that actually work without downloading trauma into their children's brains.

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What You Get In This Episode

• Why talking with kids matters—even when you don't have all the answers
• Ground rules: honesty, boundaries, and emotional safety
• Scripts by age band (4-8, 9-12, 13+) for different scenarios: protests, scary headlines, "are we going to be okay?"
• A simple 3-step conversation framework you can remember and reuse: Ask what they know, name the feeling + basic facts, offer safety + one action
• What to do when conversations go wrong: oversharing, shutdowns, and the "I messed up" script

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Bios

Caitlin is a former middle school teacher. Jenny is a current middle school assistant principal. Both are current parents, and people navigating these scary times alongside you. They’re here to normalize feeling overwhelmed and offer practical scripts that work—because you don't need perfect words. You just need to show up.

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Sources & Mentions

• What to say to kids when the news is scary : Life Kit | NPR
• How to talk to kids about scary news | Parents | Nat Geo Kids
• A Parent’s Guide to Comforting Kids When News Is Frightening: Age-Appropriate Tips For Parents | Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Blog
• Great resource list: Helping Children Cope: Talking to Kids About Violence and Tragedy in the News | Minnesota Children's Museum

Remember: Kids benefit more from a slightly messy, honest conversation than fr

The best support is a rating and a share.

Love,
CK & GK

Support the show

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The holidays are over. The decorations are packed away, the laundry pile is bigger than ever, and the calendar just got serious again. You're staring down that jarring shift from holiday magic to alarm clocks, packed lunches, and after-school meltdowns. The post-holiday blues are real—and they hit parents just as hard as kids. We're sharing practical strategies to ease back into routine without the whiplash, plus ways to keep a little magic alive in the everyday chaos of January.

We totally understand dreading the return to normal life—hit subscribe and learn how to beat post-holiday blues with routines that actually stick (and tiny sparks of joy that make January feel less like a comedown).

• Click here for this episode’s blog post with links to sources and even more content.
• Stay connected: Subscribe to our newsletter!

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Who Should Listen

This episode is for parents feeling that post-holiday letdown, anyone struggling to get back into routine after winter break, and families who need practical tips for making the transition smoother without losing all the holiday joy, connection, and warmth.

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What You Get In This Episode

• The school supply reset: what to restock, check, and replace before chaos hits
• Why restraint collapse hits harder after breaks—and the decompression rule that actually works
• How to build anticipation in everyday life (hint: visible calendar + tiny "yeses")
• Quick, cheap ways to keep connection alive without adding to your to-do list
• Permission to feel the post-holiday letdown, too (even if you did all the work to create the magic)

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Bios

Caitlin and Jenny are moms and besties in Austin, Texas. Jenny is a middle school assistant principal and Caitlin is a former middle school teacher turned EdTech marketer. They understand the post-holiday transition from both the parent and educator perspectives—and they're here to help you survive it.

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Sources & Mentions

• Tips to Help Families Get Back Into the School Routine After Winter Break | Sallie B Howard School
• Printable scavenger hunts for errands: Grocery Store, Target, Costco (links on blog)
• Thanks to CK's friend Joey for the hilarious New Year's resolution!
• Special shoutout to Karen, CK's mother-in-law, for restoring her cherished baby blanket

Note: This is a re-aired episode that's incredibly timely every January. Whether you're heading back to school, work, or just regular life—these tips help ease the transition without losing all the holiday warmth.

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Love,
CK & GK

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It's winter break and your kids are already saying "I'm bored" on day two. You're trying to get holiday stuff done relax, but also prevent them from bouncing off the walls for the next week and a half. How do you keep everyone entertained without becoming a full-time cruise director? We're sharing 32 indoor and outdoor activities organized by age group—from preschoolers to teenagers—so you can actually enjoy the break instead of just surviving it.

No need to scramble for winter break activities—hit subscribe and get 32 ideas for every age that'll keep your kids entertained (and give you some breathing room).

• Click here for this episode’s blog post with links to sources and even more content.
• Stay connected: Subscribe to our newsletter!

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Who Should Listen

This episode is for parents facing a long winter break who need activities that don't require a Pinterest degree or going broke, and anyone who's already heard "I'm bored" more times than they can count. ****—

What You Get In This Episode

• Indoor + outdoor activities by age
• Community service ideas for teens that count toward college applications
• Permission to build in breaks for yourself (PBS is a great babysitter, we said it)
• Why you need novelty and a routine even during break (including TV time and screen time—we're not monsters)
• Plus! Holiday party games that work for the whole family: balloon cup battle, candy cane fishing, whipped cream challenges, and more!

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Bios

Caitlin and Jenny are two friends navigating the hilarious and sometimes chaotic world of parenthood—from figuring out what to do with kids over long breaks to actually enjoying family time instead of just surviving it.

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Sources & Mentions

• Family game videos mentioned in this episode (links on the blog)
• The Art of Noticing by Rob Walker

Note: This is a re-aired episode from Season 3 with timeless activity ideas. Whether it's winter break, spring break, or summer—these activities work year-round (but maybe rename those holiday games in June!).

The best support is a rating and a share.

Love,
CK & GK

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Raise your hand if you've ever looked at a holiday photo and thought, "What was I DOING with my hands?" Or noticed your arm looks twice its normal size pressed against your body? Or realized your front leg looks like a column instead of, you know, a leg? You deserve to look back at holiday photos and love what you see. We're breaking down three photographer-approved fixes that'll instantly make you look more confident and relaxed in every picture—no awkward posing required.

Stop dreading holiday photos and get in front of that camera, Mama. Hit subscribe and learn the simple hand, leg, and arm tricks that'll make you look (and feel) amazing in every picture this season.

Note: This is a re-aired episode with timeless photo advice that works for any occasion—holidays, weddings, family gatherings, or just when someone pulls out their phone and says "let me get a picture!"

• Click here for this episode’s blog post with links to sources and even more content.
• Stay connected: Subscribe to our newsletter!

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Who Should Listen

This episode is for anyone who hates how they look in photos because they don't know what to do with their body, and everyone who's ever said "I'm just not photogenic" (spoiler: you probably just need better posing habits).

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What You Get In This Episode

• How to avoid “slug fingers” and the S-curve secret
• Sitting and standing angles that slim what's closest to the camera
• The "teapot" and "raptor" poses that open your shoulders without looking staged
• Group photo tricks that solve "where do my arms go?" questions once and for all
• Bonus: Minute-to-win-it party games that require zero setup and maximum laughs

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Bios

Caitlin and Jenny are two friends navigating the hilarious and sometimes chaotic world of adulthood—from awkward family photos to holiday party planning. They're here to share relatable stories, practical advice, and a healthy dose of laughter along the way.

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Sources & Mentions

• I’m a Photographer and These Are the 3 Things You Should Avoid Doing in Photos | By Marissa Wu for PureWow

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Love,
CK & GK

Support the show

View our website at ckandgkpodcast.com. Find us on social media @ckandgkpodcast on
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Ever gotten a "dress casual" invite and thought "what does that even MEAN?" Or worse—shown up to a "festive" party in sequins only to realize everyone else interpreted it as ugly sweaters? Same. Holiday dress codes are confusing, ambiguous, and honestly? Half the time hosts don't even know what they're asking for. We're decoding every dress code from casual to white tie so you never have to panic-Google "what to wear" again.

Stop stressing about what to wear to holiday parties—hit subscribe and get the breakdown of every dress code plus scripts to ask hosts when you're confused (because "festive" means nothing).

Note: This is a re-aired episode with timeless advice about dress codes. Whether you're going to holiday parties, weddings, or any formal event, these guidelines still apply.

• Subscribe today and get our free dress code cheat sheet as a thank you!
• Click here for this episode’s blog post with links to sources and even more content.

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Who Should Listen

This episode is for anyone who's ever shown up overdressed, underdressed, or just plain confused about what "dressy casual" means, and hosts who want to stop torturing their guests with ambiguous dress codes.

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What You Get In This Episode

• What casual, dressy casual, business, cocktail, semi-formal, black tie optional, black tie, and white tie actually mean (with real examples), and how fabrics, straps, and structure change formality levels
• Quick rules for shoes, socks, and seasonal accessories that matter
• Why "festive" and "holiday" dress codes are traps—and what to do about them
• Simple scripts to ask the host about expectations without feeling awkward
• The party-hopping rule
• PLUS! Tips for hosts: how to write clear invitations with examples and tone-setting language

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Bios

Caitlin brings her signature blend of humor and practical advice to help overwhelmed moms navigate the challenges of adulting—including not showing up to parties in the wrong outfit. With Jenny, who loves sequins, understands formality levels, and won't judge you for asking "wait, what does tropical black tie mean?"

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Sources & Mentions

• Decoding Invitation Dress Codes | By Meg Hemphill for HuffPost Life
• Attire Guide: Dress Codes from Casual to White Tie Formal | Emily Post

The best support is a rating and a share.

Love,
CK & GK

Support the show

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The holidays bring out the best in us—and sometimes the absolute worst on social media. Gift bragging, family drama aired publicly, political hot takes that start comment wars... we've all seen it (or been guilty of it). This week we're breaking down 8 types of posts to skip this season and why they matter more than you think. And for the record: "I'm just being honest" is not the same as being kind.

Don’t let social media drama ruin your holidays—hit subscribe and learn how to post with purpose, protect your peace, and keep your corner of the internet a little warmer this season.

• Follow the show, share it with a friend who loves the holidays, and leave a review to help others find us!
• Click here for this episode’s blog post with links to sources and even more content.
• Stay connected: Subscribe to our newsletter!

Note: This is a re-aired episode with timeless advice about holiday social media etiquette. The 8 rules still apply, and honestly, we all need the reminder every year.

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Who Should Listen

This episode is for anyone who's ever hovered over "post" wondering if they should, scrolled through their feed feeling worse instead of better, or knows someone** who needs a friendly reminder about what to share (and what to keep offline) during the holidays.

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What You Get In This Episode

• 8 clear categories of posts to avoid this holiday season (and the real-world ripple effects of each)
• Why gift bragging and public family feuds do more damage than you think
• How algorithms reward outrage—and why that matters for your mental health
• The invitation trap that leads to hurt feelings (and how to avoid it)
• Consent and privacy rules for kids' photos—what the law expects and practical alternatives
• Self-care practices that keep you calm online: stretch breaks, rituals, and joyful traditions

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Bios

Caitlin brings her signature blend of humor and practical advice to help overwhelmed moms navigate the challenges of adulting—including not letting social media turn the holidays into a dumpster fire. With Jenny, who brings thoughtful perspectives on protecting your peace while staying connected.

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Sources & Mentions

• 10 Things You Should Never Post on Social Media During the Holidays | Reader’s Digest
• Do's and Don'ts of Holiday Social Media Posting | Social Stamina
• 7 Things to Avoid Posting on Facebook during the Holidays That You Will Regret Later | AllWomensTalk
• 11 Photos You Should Never, Ever Post on Social Media | The Healthy

Enjoyed this episode? Follow the show, share it with a friend who loves the holidays, and leave a rev

The best support is a rating and a share.

Love,
CK & GK

Support the show

View our website at ckandgkpodcast.com. Find us on social media @ckandgkpodcast on
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Thanksgiving is full of stories we think we know—but how much is actually true? Was the first Thanksgiving really just Pilgrims and turkey? Why do we pardon turkeys? And why do plumbers dread Black Friday more than any other day of the year? We're trading myths for facts and turning Thanksgiving trivia into stories you'll actually want to share at the table this year.

Don’t repeat Thanksgiving myths—hit subscribe and get the real stories, wild facts, and table-ready trivia that'll make you the most interesting person at dinner.

Note: This is a re-aired episode packed with Thanksgiving trivia and practical tips that never get old. Perfect listening while you're prepping, cooking, or hiding from family in the kitchen.

• Click here for this episode’s blog post with links to sources and even more content.
• Stay connected: Subscribe to our newsletter!

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Who Should Listen

This episode is for anyone who loves a good origin story, wants conversation starters that aren't about politics, and needs something entertaining to listen to while prepping for the holiday chaos.

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What You Get In This Episode

• The real story of the 1621 feast (shocker: it wasn't what you learned in elementary school)
• Presidential turkey drama involving a raccoon, pardons, and political theater
• The woman behind making Thanksgiving official (and her other famous work)
• Mind-blowing modern stats: millions of turkeys, pies, and jaw-dropping calorie counts
• Why plumbers consider Black Friday their Super Bowl
• Kitchen wisdom that'll save your disposal and your sanity
• Plus more table-ready trivia that'll make you the most interesting person at dinner

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Bios

Caitlin brings her signature blend of humor and practical advice to help overwhelmed moms navigate the challenges of adulting—including becoming the trivia queen of Thanksgiving dinner. With Jenny, who brings curiosity, laughs, and a willingness to admit when she guesses wrong.

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Sources & Mentions

• 50 Thanksgiving Trivia Questions and Answers to Impress All of Your Dinner Guests
• Sarah Josepha Hale
• 67 Thanksgiving trivia questions and answers to share at dinner
• If you love this episode, leave us a review, give us stars, or subscribe to our Patreon!
• Find us on social media @CKandGKPodcast

The best support is a rating and a share.

Love,
CK & GK

Support the show

View our website at ckandgkpodcast.com. Find us on social media @ckandgkpodcast on
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