We’re continuing our countdown of the best parenting fails shared on the ParentNormal Podcast in 2017.  Parenting is stressful enough without beating yourself up for past mistakes. And that’s what this countdown is all about. Every parent makes mistakes. The best thing we can do is just say sorry and try not to make the same mistakes again.

Parents Featured in this Episode:

#10 Julie Clark, Baby Einstein and WeeSchool creator, who was interviewed in episode 71 of the podcast.

#9 Victoria Kann, the bestselling author of Pinkalicious, who was interviewed in episode 73 of the podcast.

#8 Heather Armstrong, the New York Times bestselling author known to her fans as Dooce, who was interviewed in episode 64 of the podcast.

#7 Doug Moe, author and performer at the legendary Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, who was interviewed in episode 86 of the podcast.

#6 Dr. Catherine Pearlman, the author and family coach, who was interviewed in episode 83 of the podcast.

About Breaking Down Parenting: A ParentNormal Podcast

Since this episode was originally released, the show has evolved into Breaking Down Parenting: A ParentNormal Podcast. It’s a show that’s for imperfect parents by imperfect parents. Hosted by humorist and imperfect parent of three Chris Cate, every episode breaks down a topic that causes parents to break down, such as putting kids to bed, potty training, the terrible twos, homework, clothing, discipline, cleaning up, cooking for kids, and so on….

By the end of each topic breakdown, parents will hopefully realize they aren’t alone in their struggles and that the craziness all parents go through is actually quite funny when it’s looked at in the right light. After all, the mission of the show is to help parents laugh when they want to cry.

Breaking Down Parenting: A ParentNormal Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Google and Spotify.

Connect with The ParentNormal on Social Media

Connect with all things ParentNormal on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Links to popular episodes of Breaking Down Parenting: A ParentNormal Podcast

• Dad Stereotypes versus Reality with Simon Holland
• Raising Teen Boys with Sarcastic Mommy Lisa Munn
• Toddler Dangers: How to keep toddlers from injuring themselves and you (with Clint Edwards)
• Clingy Kids with Rachel Sobel
• Tooth Fairy Duty with Julie Burton
• The Mess Kids Make with Lauren Lodder

2017 is coming to a close, and like every other year, it was a year full of parenting fails. But if you’re feeling guilty about all the things you’ve done wrong, take comfort knowing you aren’t alone. Every parent makes mistakes. The best thing we can do is just say sorry and try not to make the same mistakes again. Parenting is stressful enough without beating yourself up for past mistakes. And that’s what this episode is all about.

This week we’re starting our countdown of the best parenting fail stories shared on the show in 2017. (Obviously, one parenting fail isn’t better than another. This countdown is just for fun.) Five stories will be shared in this episode and we’ll continue the countdown from 10-6 next week.

Parents Featured in this Episode:

#15 James Breakwell, author of Only Dead on the Inside: A Parent’s Guide to Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse, who was interviewed in episode 12 and episode 85 of the podcast.

#14 Mike and Heather Spohr, authors of The Toddler Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Whiny Unfed, who were interviewed in episode 82 of the podcast.

#13 Colleen O’Grady, author of Dial down the Drama: Reducing Conflict and Reconnecting with Your Teenage Daughter, who was interviewed in episode 68 of the podcast.

#12 Matt Schneider, co-founder of City Dads Group, who was interviewed in episode 69 of the podcast.

#11 Josh Temple, host of the popular HGTV show House Crashers, who was interviewed in episode 66 of the podcast.

About Breaking Down Parenting: A ParentNormal Podcast

Since this episode was originally released, the show has evolved into Breaking Down Parenting: A ParentNormal Podcast. It’s a show that’s for imperfect parents by imperfect parents. Hosted by humorist and imperfect parent of three Chris Cate, every episode breaks down a topic that causes parents to break down, such as putting kids to bed, potty training, the terrible twos, homework, clothing, discipline, cleaning up, cooking for kids, and so on….

By the end of each topic breakdown, parents will hopefully realize they aren’t alone in their struggles and that the craziness all parents go through is actually quite funny when it’s looked at in the right light. After all, the mission of the show is to help parents laugh when they want to cry.

Breaking Down Parenting: A ParentNormal Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Google and Spotify.

Connect with The ParentNormal on Social Media

Connect with all things ParentNormal on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Links to popular episodes of Breaking Down Parenting: A ParentNormal Podcast

• Dad Stereotypes versus Reality with Simon Holland
• Raising Teen Boys with Sarcastic Mommy Lisa Munn
• Toddler Dangers: How to keep toddlers from injuring themselves and you (with Clint Edwards)
• Clingy Kids with Rachel Sobel
• Tooth Fairy Duty with Julie Burton
• The Mess Kids Make with Lauren Lodder

This is the second of two parenting fail episodes I’m releasing this week in honor of my new book Perfect Parenting: A Complete History. (Spoiler Alert) There is no history of raising kids perfectly. Thus, every one of my new book’s 40 chapters are empty. It is the parenting book with the fewest words but most important lesson: You aren’t going to be a perfect parent. Get Perfect Parenting: A Complete History now on Amazon for only $5.

Since nobody is a perfect parent, I ask every guest on the show if they can share a parenting fail that they can laugh about now. And a common fail I hear is related to the tooth fairy. There are a couple of such stories in this episode, so if you’ve dropped the ball when it comes to your duties as tooth fairy, you are definitely not alone.

Parents featured in this episode include:

• Victoria Kann, the bestselling author of Pinkalicious, who was interviewed in episode 73 of the podcast.
• Jenna von Oy, author and star of Blossom, who was interviewed in episode 72 of the podcast.
• Julie Clark, Baby Einstein and WeeSchool creator, who was interviewed in episode 71 of the podcast.
• Matt Schneider, co-founder of City Dads Group, who was interviewed in episode 69 of the podcast.
• Jennifer Lehr, author of ParentSpeak, who was interviewed in episode 60 of the podcast.

About Breaking Down Parenting: A ParentNormal Podcast

Since this episode was originally released, the show has evolved into Breaking Down Parenting: A ParentNormal Podcast. It’s a show that’s for imperfect parents by imperfect parents. Hosted by humorist and imperfect parent of three Chris Cate, every episode breaks down a topic that causes parents to break down, such as putting kids to bed, potty training, the terrible twos, homework, clothing, discipline, cleaning up, cooking for kids, and so on….

By the end of each topic breakdown, parents will hopefully realize they aren’t alone in their struggles and that the craziness all parents go through is actually quite funny when it’s looked at in the right light. After all, the mission of the show is to help parents laugh when they want to cry.

Breaking Down Parenting: A ParentNormal Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Google and Spotify.

Connect with The ParentNormal on Social Media

Connect with all things ParentNormal on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Links to popular episodes of Breaking Down Parenting: A ParentNormal Podcast

• Dad Stereotypes versus Reality with Simon Holland
• Raising Teen Boys with Sarcastic Mommy Lisa Munn
• Toddler Dangers: How to keep toddlers from injuring themselves and you (with Clint Edwards)
• Clingy Kids with Rachel Sobel
• Tooth Fairy Duty with Julie Burton
• The Mess Kids Make with Lauren Lodder