It’s our final episode of season 2!! And we’re going out in a flash – flash photography, that is. In this extra long final episode, we’re discussing the history of photography from the Victorian Era all the way up to the fabled mall photography of the 90s. Thank you for joining us for these past […]
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No one makes science as cool and relatable as the one and only Bill Nye. He brought scientific concepts to the children of the 90s in a way that has stuck with that generation. Jen gives some background into how Bill Nye got into children’s edutainment and some of his other very impressive accolades.
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Rounding out our series of puberty episodes, Diane gives us some facts about body image, the effects of social media on how teenage girls see themselves, and why teenagers are so darn stinky. We’ll also do our best to give you some resources to help you navigate these conversations if you are getting ready to […]
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This week, Diane tells us all about one of her most favorite shows from her childhood, Boy Meets World. We talk about the themes the show dared to explore, and those that it was too timid to embrace. It is a real piece of 90s history, capturing what Friday night programming was for our generation. […]
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In the second installment of our series of puberty episodes, Jen provides some details into how first periods are celebrated throughout the world. We also take some time to look at the history of how boys become men from all different cultures. One thing’s for certain, we are a species obsessed with pain.
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Talking animals were all the rage in the 90s, and this left the door wide open for the edutainment masterpiece that was Wishbone. This PBS show featured Soccer, the Jack Russell Terrier, as the titular Wishbone who would “imagine” himself into pieces of classic literature – period costumes and all. We dare you to find […]
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It’s that time! Our podcast has reached puberty (we’re over 50 episodes in, so this arbitrarily feels like our teen years) and to celebrate, we’re spending the next few episodes exploring the history and cultural significance of puberty. In this first episode, Jen tells us all about the innovative, strange, and often gross practices and […]
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TGIF was a staple in the American experience throughout the 90s. A true example of lightning in a bottle, this block of shows dominated TV ratings for over a decade and brought us some of the most memorable family sitcoms in television history. Diane goes over the inception of the TGIF format and some of […]
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In the second half of our foray into the use of drugs in infants, babies, and children, we bring you the fascinating history of opium! This is a cure-all that’s been around for as long as we’ve known to cultivate the poppy plant. Just when you thought you knew all of the truly horrible things […]
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This show was gauranteed to make an appearance as a mini episode at some point! Not many shows are as deeply loved as Rugrats. This was Nickelodeon in it’s prime – mastering the art of balancing comedy and sincerity. Also one of the first shows that had meaningful messages and lessons for parents. Jen covers […]
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We’re back after a brief mid-season break and are bringing you two episodes on the use of highly addictive drugs as medicines for children and babies in history. In our first episode, Diane describes the various uses of cocaine. What began as a very specific surgical anesthetic, quickly became an infamous cure-all.
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Today’s mini episode is all about one of the most beloved PBS programs of all time, “Reading Rainbow”. Lovingly brought to life by the one and only Levar Burton, it’s won an embarrassing number of awards and has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity as it’s original audience has become parents. But you don’t have to […]
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In the second half of our two-part series on The Great Depression, Diane describes some of the details of The New Deal and how government programs impacted the lives of children and families. The Great Depression was objectively awful, but that won’t stop our resident ray of sunshine from finding a few silver linings.
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Captain Planet: he’s our hero! Gunna bring pollution down to zero! This show is a beloved addition to our collection of mini episodes. Jen and Diane spend this week’s episode nerding out over their planeteer status from the 90s. Jen also takes us on a quick detour to learn about the fascinating woman who conceived […]
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In the first of our two part series on The Great Depression, Diane goes over the history of the Great Depression and how it impacted families, children, and women. There are some surprising facts that come from this time (sorry kids, you can’t work more than 8 hours a day!) and you’ll even get a […]
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Jen is certain that she is living in a parallel universe this week as Diane tells her all about a television show that rings zero bells. After her mini existential crisis, Jen listens intently as Diane tells her all about Weinerville – a truly bizarre slice of 90s American television history. Come for the terrible […]
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Our series on playgrounds is over, so we’re taking a break this week with a one-off episode about the history and cultural significance of the hiccup! It’s a nice, light episode. A bit of a palette cleanser before our next stretch, which will be a bit more grim. You’ve been warned!
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It’s another mini episode! Television in the 90s offered up some truly inspired and lasting material. But few shows were as groundbreaking, beautifully executed, and timeless as Dinosaurs. In one of Jim Henson’s final projects before his death, we get a show about an average family that has the bravery and foresight to tackle topics […]
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In our final episode in our exploration of Playgrounds, Diane shares what she has found about making modern playgrounds accessible to all children. We also discuss the resurgence of adventure playgrounds and touch upon the dreaded topic of playground politics.
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In our third mini episode of Season 2, Diane brings us back to 1985 to remember the much beloved Canadian TV miniseries, “Anne of Green Gables”. It was wildly popular then and is enjoying a bit of a nostalgic come back due to the new Netflix series, “Anne with an E”.
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This week Diane shares her research into modern playgrounds and the leaps and bounds we have made in terms of safety. We’ll go over some of the playground materials of old and how we’ve worked to remove as many unnecessary dangers as possible (I’m looking at you, arsenic!). We’ll also give you a few pro-tips […]
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Jen’s first mini episode brings us some 90’s tween drama like only Nickelodeon could bring us with “The Secret World of Alex Mac”. What was this wacky show about and why can’t you buy the box set in England if you are the same age as the main character?
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In our second full episode of this season, Jen gives some more information about the history of playgrounds, focusing in this time on the slide. We were shocked to learn about when slides were invented and about how even this very simple device was still a casualty of gendered stereotypes.
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We’re introducing something new this year – Mini Episodes! These bite sized episodes will come out in between our regular episodes and during Season 2 we’ll be exploring our favorite TV shows from our childhoods. In our first Mini Episode, Diane tells us all about her love for The Magic School Bus.
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It’s Season 2! Diane and Jen are back with a new set of wild episodes all about the history of parenting and child rearing. In this season, we’ll be spending a few episodes diving deeper into one topic. So we’re starting off with the history of the playground. In this episode, Jen explains the history […]
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Since beginning this podcast in early 2020, Jen and Diane haven’t been able to see each other in person. In this episode, they are reunited and recording for the very first time in the same room! And Jen has a very special surprise for Diane. They take a stroll through a hospital magazine for new mothers circa 1950. In this episode, you’ll hear lots of the excellent and not so excellent advice from a bygone era.
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In this episode, we have a very special guest joining us to explore a topic that the three of us are highly invested in. LaWann Moses, from the More Than a Mother podcast, joins us to talk all about the history of women in the workforce. LaWann provides some amazing insights and also shows us how recent this history is. In many ways, we are living this history today.
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Way back in February of 2020, before the pandemic and before we had honed our sound quality, Jen and Diane recorded this episode about the origins of gripe water. So join us as we travel back in time (TWICE!) to remember when it was ok to give babies alcohol and when the biggest concern when visiting Disney World was whether or not your kid could withstand your favorite ride.
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Jen provides some personal and timely research in this episode in honor of Pride. We discuss the practice of conversion therapy, how it has changed over time, and the impact it has had on the queer community. At the end of the day, this practice is torture and we hope that this episode plays some small part in ending the existence of conversion therapy.
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Helicopter Parent. The term is usually uttered with rolled eyes and snide remarks. But when you take into account the circumstances of the 1980s & 1990s, it seems that this shift to overbearing parenting was somewhat inevitable. Come along with us as Diane details the history of the rise of the helicopter parent.
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What do the history of women in America and Jell-O have in common? More than you probably realize! In this episode, Jen explores the incredible road to the Jell-O salad and how this bizarre status symbol eventually fell out of favor. Come for the Perfection Salad, stay for the Jellied Veal Loaf!
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It all started when Jen bought Diane’s daughter an adorable unicorn and rainbow themed play tea set for her 2nd birthday. It got Diane thinking about how much she loved her own toy tea set growing up. Why was pretend tea time such a staple of growing up as a child in America? How long have miniature tea sets been marketed toward little girls, and why have they never gone out of fashion? Tune in to today’s episode to find out more about the history of the children’s toy tea set!
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Snow White. Hansel and Gretel. The Frog Prince. Stories that are well known and beloved the world over. We can thank the very famous and very prolific Brothers Grimm for collecting and sharing these tales with the world. In this episode, Jen shares what she has learned about these brothers and why you should read these stories ahead of time before story time with your littles.
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In this episode, we are joined by friend of the show Rachel Kuberry, who tells us all about the history of the baby cage and the historical importance of airing out babies. Why did these devices ever seem like a good idea and why did they fall out of fashion? And what are we still doing today that is essentially the modern equivalent?
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Birth control is ubiquitous in society today. It is so commonplace that we just refer to it as “the pill.” But have you ever wondered how that pill came to be? Like many medical advances, its history is much darker than you may imagine. The history of modern day birth control centers around the horribly unethical mistreatment of Latine people with a uterus in Puerto Rico. They don’t teach you this stuff in high school history.
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Throughout visual media, there are countless examples of the big window looking over a room of newborn, swaddles babies. The hospital nursery is a sight that most people are familiar with, but has really only been around since the early 20th century. Jen presents her findings into why they were created, some fascinating inventions to make them better serve the hospital community, and why they have become less popular in recent years.
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If you are a 21st century mom you are probably familiar with the term baby wearing. It is very “in” right now, with wraps and carriers seen as not only functional, but also a fashion statement. Like many aspects of Western parenting, this practice is borrowed from other cultures with centuries-old traditions of baby carrying. Tune in to find out the interesting origins of your Baby Bjorn or Moby carrier.
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Few things are as quintessentially American as child beauty pageants. And it turns out, they also originated from our home state of New Jersey! In this episode, Jen takes us back to the mid 1800’s to the beginning of the child beauty pageant craze. It goes through many evolutions until we get to the modern version and every step along the way is absolutely fascinating.
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Note: Today’s episode contains some sensitive content related to infant deaths. Please use caution when listening.
If you had asked me 2 years ago what an infant inclined sleeper is, I would have told you I had no idea. If you had asked me if I knew what a Rock n Play was, I would have said of course! It was the #1 must-have recommendation for my registry from all my mom friends. I was told it would be a life saver. A little over 2 weeks before my daughter was born, the Fisher Price Rock n Play was recalled, and linked to the deaths of many infants across the country. How could this beloved product be the death trap the AAP claimed it to be? And if so, how was it approved and sold to trusting moms and dads for nearly 10 years? In this episode, we lay out the history of the Fisher Price Rock n Play infant inclined sleeper. It is a devastating story of willful negligence of big businesses who put profits over safety, and the heartbreaking effect it had on unsuspecting families.
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Spit has seemingly endless examples of cultural significance throughout the world. It’s with that in mind, that Jen travelled down the spit in parenting rabbit hole. At times shocking and gross (especially in our Pandemic World), these traditions also have a primal, earthy beauty to them. Jen makes the case for the poetry and intimacy of spit.
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Growing up is hard enough when you’re just a regular kid. But can you imagine growing up at the most famous address in the country, while the whole world watches? On today’s episode, Diane tells us about all the Presidential kids who grew up in the White House throughout history. Then we take a closer look at 3 Presidents’ children and their time in the White House: the Bush twins (Barbara & Jenna), Obama’s daughters (Sasha & Malia), and Chelsea Clinton. Get ready for some tales of funny White House antics, intense scrutiny from the public, and what it entails to be the child of a US President.
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In order to celebrate the end of this truly miserable year, we are sharing a story that is similarly upsetting. Jen presents her findings on the Dionne Quintuplets and the absolutely unbelievable series of events that befell them. From a wicker basket in a farm house in Ontario, to a clinical facility with a tourist viewing platform, all the way to Hollywood, these girls never caught a break. We’re sharing their story here because there is a lot to be learned from their lives especially in our modern world and the age of Kidfluencers. Children should not be commodified and few stories illustrate that as well as the Dionne Quintuplets.
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Nothing gets us in the holiday spirit like an angry mob of customers fighting over a children’s toy. With the advent of online shopping, crazy store riots may seem like things of the past. So let’s take a trip down memory lane to the late 80s and mid-90s, when such events did occur around the holiday season. Specifically when it came to loving parents wanting to get their children the hot new toy of the season. Enter the Cabbage Patch Kids and the Tickle Me Elmo dolls. In this week’s episode, Diane tells us what made these toys so popular, and what lengths parents would go to in order to secure one to place under the tree. Buckle up, cause it is a wild ride!
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If you live in America, you may be under the assumption that Halloween has always cornered the market on dressing up in costumes. But you would be wrong! From the late 1800s to the 1930s, Thanksgiving Masking was a standard way for children to celebrate on Thanksgiving morning. In this episode, Jen describes this strange custom and why it went out of favor. Get ready to shake your head with disapproval and be a bit offended.
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You may be wondering why we are talking about a Supreme Court case on a show about the history of parenting, right? Well, we have the answer! The landmark Supreme Court decision in Connecticut vs. Griswold changed family life in America forever. We’ve all heard the term “family planning,” but believe it or not before the 1960s this idea was not nearly as widely known or accepted. So what happened in 1965 that spurred on this radical shift in thinking about the way we plan births and children? You’ll have to listen to find out!
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Every new mom can attest to the fact that babies, especially newborns, love to suck. Their fingers, their toes, a bottle, a breast, and for some babies even a pacifier. So today, we explore the history of that infamous object. Who invented the pacifier, when did it become popular, and why is it such a controversial soothing technique even to this day? This was a topic that led us down quite the rabbit hole. A very…ahem…”interesting” rabbit hole, to say the least! *Parents, we suggest listening to this episode when the kiddos aren’t around, because there is some content some may consider to be adult. Use your discretion.
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Every new mom can attest to the fact that babies, especially newborns, love to suck. Their fingers, their toes, a bottle, a breast, and for some babies even a pacifier. So today, we explore the history of that infamous object. Who invented the pacifier, when did it become popular, and why is it such a controversial soothing technique even to this day? This was a topic that led us down quite the rabbit hole. A very…ahem…”interesting” rabbit hole, to say the least! *Parents, we suggest listening to this episode when the kiddos aren’t around, because there is some content some may consider to be adult. Use your discretion.
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2020 might not be the craziest year for the US Postal Service after all. Back in 1913, parcel post was introduced and in no time at all, people had started shipping all kinds of unexpected packages, including their children! Tune in to learn all about the children who traveled anywhere from 5 to over 700 miles across America through the USPS.
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2020 might not be the craziest year for the US Postal Service after all. Back in 1913, parcel post was introduced and in no time at all, people had started shipping all kinds of unexpected packages, including their children! Tune in to learn all about the children who traveled anywhere from 5 to over 700 miles across America through the USPS.
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2020 might not be the craziest year for the US Postal Service after all. Back in 1913, parcel post was introduced and in no time at all, people had started shipping all kinds of unexpected packages, including their children! Tune in to learn all about the children who traveled anywhere from 5 to over 700 miles across America through the USPS.
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We’ve all heard the term “mom shaming,” but what does it really mean? And when did it begin? In reality, we are all probably guilty of playing a part in the mom shame game, often unintentionally. Let’s dive into the origins of this troubling trend, and how things like the Internet and parenting forums play an important role in perpetuating mom shaming.
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While the pandemic is keeping many of us from our usual summer plans, we thought we’d share some of the fascinating history of family vacations with you all. We’ll look at summer camps for children, family road trips, and the American family camp. Tons of wacky history to keep you feeling nostalgic while we get through this isolating time together.
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“I don’t wanna grow up, I’m a Toys ‘R’ Us kid!” We all remember the jingle, and the excitement of stepping into a Toys ‘R’ Us in its heyday. With its rows and rows of toys, the possibilities were endless! And then we all watched as the behemoth of the toy industry crumbled, destroyed by the industry it created. How did Toys ‘R’ Us become such a giant, and what went wrong? Find out in today’s episode!
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Come join us for a side-splitting episode that looks at the life and times of Mrs. Patricia Carter, the original Free Birthing guru! Pat is a riot and we definitely wish she was still around for us to go out for drinks with. Although neither of us would hire her to be a doula or midwife for any future deliveries.
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This week, we have our very first guest host, Whitney from the How She Moms podcast! Whitney joins us to share her fascinating research into the history of baby names in America. She described some of the naming trends over time and some of the most bizarre names given to children here in the US.
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Ok everybody – buckle up. On this week’s episode we explore something a little sinister: babies being stolen from their mothers and sold on the black market by a woman you’ve probably never heard of. Until now. Cue today’s topic, the woman of the hour: Georgia Tann. Who is this woman, and how did she get away with this horrible scheme for so long? You’ll have to tune in to find out.
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John B. Watson and his infamous Little Albert Experiment may be little more than a footnote in the history of parenting and childrearing. But they are a fascinating and important one. Jen presents her research into the psychologist she most loves to hate and the occasional silver linings of his very disturbing legacy.
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Have you ever tried to find the perfect book to help you cope with the shear terror that is parenthood. Yeah, we’ve been there, too! In this episode, Diane takes us through the many different eras and styles of parenting advice books. We’re pretty sure there isn’t a perfect book out there with advice to suit any child, but we can say with some certainty that we found a few candidates for the worst parenting advice books!
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It’s our first ever live episode! Listen in as Jen and Diane host this special bonus episode on Instagram Live. The ladies go over some of the most famous and beloved fairytales from their childhood, specifically the ones that feature cannibalism. Yum!
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Ah, the sweet memories of running home after school to catch your favorite cartoon on what may be the most iconic children’s television network of all time: Nickelodeon. In today’s episode, Jen & Diane dig into the history of non-educational children’s entertainment to find out where it all started. Come relive your childhood (or your children’s childhoods) on an exciting adventure exploring all things Nickelodeon, from Rugrats to All That to Doug!
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This week, we’re taking a look at a slightly more recent practice: the pox party! There are plenty of people alive today who have been to one. Jen gives some history on pox parties, their modern day equivalents, and some unintended “pox parties” happening during the coronavirus pandemic!
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It’s hard to imagine there was ever a time in our history when we lacked the tiny incubators designed for premature babies that we see in the NICU nowadays. We have a man named Dr. Couney and his turn of the century amusement park side-shows to thank for these life-saving machines. But who was Dr. Couney, and was he actually even a doctor? In this episode we explore the man behind the modern-day NICU staple, and how he saved thousands of babies from certain death.
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Jen set out to provide a brief history into children’s toys, but quick discovered what a foolish plan that had been. The wealth of information on any one toy is astounding! So Jen dug into one of the most foundational children’s games – knucklebones. Listen in to learn about this game and where the name comes from. And in our listener story segment, “Your Parents Did What?!” we share some sweet, fascinating, and creepy tales from some of our favorite listeners.
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Of all the mythical figures we know and love, the Tooth Fairy seems to have the most elusive backstory. Where did she come from, and why the heck do we put our teeth under our pillows for her to find?! Thankfully, a woman named Rosemary Wells made it her mission to track the source of all things related to the Tooth Fairy. And surprisingly, it all started with a French mouse. Intrigued?? We were, too.
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Run Time: 32 minutes, 23 seconds The history of children’s clothing leads Jen and Diane to some unexpected places. They learn about the practice of breaching and how fashion was used as a way to show male dominance. Jen also tries her best to adequately describe skeleton suits and creeping aprons, because their names aren’t […]
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Run Time: 30 minutes, 7 seconds Diapers as we know them today are a fairly new commodity in the grand scheme of the history of parenting. But, before Pampers and Huggies, our ancestors used some pretty crazy materials to diaper their babies. Wood shavings and moss, anyone? Tune in to this episode to learn more! […]
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Run Time: 37 minutes, 10 seconds Peas, and apples, and carrots, oh my! When did baby food become commercialized, and what on earth is dessert baby food?? We cover this, and so much more, on this week’s episode! Join us as we explore the history of baby food, and how it came to be the […]
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Run Time: 31 minutes, 36 seconds Have you ever heard of the Tot Guard? We hadn’t, either! Until we took a deep dive into the history of car seats. In this episode, we go way back to the 1930’s and follow the evolution of car safety for babies and children. You’ll be both fascinated and […]
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Meet your co-hosts – Jen Tierney and Diane Aragona – two moms who are fascinated by the history of parenting and how we got to where we are today. We’ll take you back in time to take a closer look at the sometimes unbelievable history of parenting. Our first episode is dropping soon! Stay tuned […]