The first month of parenthood is a crash course in bodily fluids, sleep deprivation, and existential wonder. Matthew checks in three weeks after bringing baby home, while Mandy navigates teenage driving, and Pete reflects on his adult child saving a life. The conversation spans burping cloths, feeding anxieties, and the Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam—repairing the world one person at a time.
In this episode, we discuss:
- What happens when every piece of fabric becomes an emergency burping cloth?
- How do you know when your baby is actually hungry versus just comforted by feeding?
- Why does teaching a teenager to drive feel like an emotional milestone for parents?
- Can you really mess up your baby in the first few weeks, or is anxiety your brain's default setting?
- What credit can parents take when their adult children do extraordinary things?
- When will teenagers naturally start keeping their rooms clean, and why?
