Tidy Tidbits

• #31 - Halloween Candy Doesn't Have to Be So Spooky

  This is episode 31 of Tidy Tidbits, and it’s on the topic of Halloween, which always falls on October 31st. Spooky! Today we’re talking about the scary topic of what to do with all the candy after Trick or Treating. Let’s tackle this sweet dilemma!In this episode, Tidy Dad and Megan McNamee discuss the challenges parents face with Halloween candy. They explore the excitement children have for collecting candy, the importance of ownership, and how to manage candy consumption in a healthy way. The conversation includes practical tips for integrating candy into creative snack ideas that use the Halloween treats while maintaining a balanced diet.Tidy Takeaways:* Consider letting your kids choose how much candy to eat on Halloween.* Parents choose WHEN to serve candy - with lunch, after school, after dinner, etc.* When candy doesn’t feel “off limits”, it often loses it’s luster after a few days.👀 Follow Megan on IG: @feedinglittles🌟 Check out Megan’s books: Feeding Littles and Beyond and Feeding Littles Lunches🍬Check out this Feeding Little’s article: How to Stress Less About Sugar 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy Dad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe

  --------  

  5:46

  --------

  5:46
• #30 - 5 Things I Clean Each Month, and Why You Should Too!

  It’s easy to ignore small cleaning tasks, until something breaks or starts to smell! My weekday cleaning routine may have gone viral (it’s in the Tidy Toolkit), but these quick monthly tasks also keep our home and appliances running smoothly. In this episode of Tidy Tidbits, I’m sharing five cleaning tasks I tackle every month.We’ll cover seeming simple routines that are easy to neglect, like descaling your coffee machine, deep-cleaning the dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer, and cleaning your toilet tank. These tasks take just minutes to complete but can make a lasting impact. I’ve learned that a few minutes of care now saves hours (and headaches) later.In this episode you’ll learn:* Regular maintenance of machines and appliances is crucial.* Maintaining appliances leads to better efficiency and longevity.* Simple routines can make a significant difference in home care.If you’re ready to simplify your cleaning routine, here are the products I mention in the episode!* Coffee Machine: Descaler Solution and Descaler Tablets* Dishwasher: Cleaning Tablets (drop in the detergent tray!)* Washing Machine: Mold Stain Remover and Cleaning Tablets* Dryer Vent: Cleaning Kit (attaches to your vacuum!)* Toilet Bowl: Cleaner Tablets (drop in the tank!)If you want to check out the Tidy Dad “Good Morning America” moments, here they are for your viewing pleasure:* InstaParents Segment* Family Surprise Segment📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com📸 Follow along on IG: @tidydad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe

  --------  

  5:00

  --------

  5:00
• #29 - Life Skills for Kids Made Simple

  A Tidy Take with Beth Rosenbleeth from Days with Grey - I personally have a tenuous relationship with the New York Post (I can thank them for my “Speedo Dad” moniker). But this week, a headline shared by one of my favorite authors, Jo Piazza, stopped me mid-sip of coffee:“Stay-at-home “hub-sons” are the tradwives of 2025 - and their moms couldn’t be more thrilled”Apparently, guys like Luke, a former door-to-door solar salesman who quit his $170K job to move back home, aren’t just loafing around. They’re doing laundry, cooking, and running errands… basically earning their keep as modern-day homemakers.The article sparked a bigger questions about masculinity, gender norms, and the role that men play in household tasks. What does it really mean to teach life skills, and how do we prepare the next generation to contribute at home?In this episode of Tidy Tidbits, I chat with Beth Rosenbleeth, the creator of Days with Grey and mom of three boys. I’m a dad of three girls, so we come at this from both sides of the parenting coin. We talk about why life skills matter, how to gamify responsibility (check out her amazing “Life Skill cards”), and what it looks like to give kids the confidence to manage real-world tasks - without the nagging.Together, we explore:* How chores teach independence and teamwork* Why regression is normal (and how to help kids reset)* Simple ways to make household routines fun and consistentWhether you’re raising hub-sons or tidy daughters, this episode is all about raising capable, confident kids - one life skill at a time.👀 Follow Beth on IG: @dayswithgrey - and check out her website!📦 Grab her Life Skill cards: Soft Skills (ages 4+) or Life Skills for Big Kids (ages 7-12)📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com📸 Follow along on IG: @tidydad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe

  --------  

  6:07

  --------

  6:07
• #28 - My Snackle Box Obsession Goes Next Level!

  A Tidy Take with Megan McNamee, Author of Feeding Littles LunchesI’m a little obsessed with my snackle box. Every morning, I fill it so it’s ready for that post-school, everyone-is-HUUNNNGGRRRYYYY moment. Think of it like a snack survival kit: eight compartments, a lid, tucked neatly in the fridge. It’s our secret weapon against afternoon chaos. The only problem? I kept filling it with the same things… again, and again, and again.In this conversation, I chat with Megan McNamee about how to take this routine beyond the basics of fruits and veggies. We explore practical tips for creating balanced, appealing snacks that keep kids fueled through the afternoon slump, from adding proteins to pairing foods in smart ways. Megan shares insights from her book Feeding Littles Lunches, reminding parents that snack and lunch prep doesn’t have to be complicated, just simple, fun, and sustainable.Tidy Takeaways:* Pair fruits and veggies with filling proteins and carbohydrates* Use leftovers to creatively enhance snack options* Focus on practicality rather than Pinterest perfection👀 Follow Megan on IG: @feedinglittles📦 Check out Megan’s books: Feeding Littles and Beyond and Feeding Littles Lunches📚 Want more routine ideas? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy Dad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe

  --------  

  5:50

  --------

  5:50
• #27 - When Life Gets Messy, Find the Funny

  A Tidy Take with Tiffany Jenkins, Author of A Clean Mess and High Achiever -When life is “lifing”, it can be really difficult to tidy up your emotions and find a way through. This week my beloved grandma, Noreen Moore, passed away at the age of 94. She was fiesty, independent, and deeply loved. I flew to Kentucky to be with my dad and family, and we began the process of “death cleaning” her home. Sorting through over 60 years in one house, one drawer, one memory at a time. It’s been an emotionally difficult but beautiful process. Grief doesn’t tidy up neatly. But even in the mess, beauty shows up, and along the way, I kept intentionally trying to find the funny.In this episode, I sit down with NYT bestselling author Tiffany Jenkins to explore the role of humor in navigating life's difficult times such as divorce, parenting, the death of a loved one, or other challenging situations. Tiffany shares her journey of finding humor as a coping mechanism, emphasizing the importance of self-deprecation and lightheartedness in her life.In this episode we talk about:* Humor can be a defense mechanism during tough times.* Finding humor in small moments can help cope with challenges.* Acknowledging the irony in difficult situations can provide relief.And as referenced in the opening of the podcast, as we cleaned my grandma’s home of over 60 years, I discovered photographs that proved I’ve been rocking the speedo since the 80s. It brought some laughs. If you look for it, the funny can in fact be found.👀 Follow Tiffany on IG: @jugglingthejenkins📦 Order Tiffany’s books: A Clean Mess: A Memoir of Sobriety After a Lifetime of Being Numb & High Achiever: The Incredible True Story of One Addict’s Double Life📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy DadEven in moments of grief, there’s room for laughter. This episode is dedicated to my grandma, Noreen Moore. . This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe

  --------  

  7:03

  --------

  7:03

More Education podcasts

Trending Education podcasts

About Tidy Tidbits