Childproof

212
Parenting #195

Being a parent is really freakin’ hard. Of course, it can also be incredibly rewarding and delightful. Either way, it consumes us. Childproof is a show about us, the parents, and how we can raise kids without losing track of ourselves in the process. Each episode host Yasmeen Khan, a journalist and mom, brings us conversations and stories with fellow parents and experts on how to navigate this whole parenting thing — especially the shifts that happen within ourselves. Because parents are growing too.


Editor's Notes:

"Childproof is a show about the parent experience with a nod towards the idea that parents are also growing just like kids are growing," host Yasmeen Khan tells Apple Podcasts. "It's the show for parents seeking growth, and I'm one of those people." The North Carolina-born and now Brooklyn-based host, journalist--and most importantly, mom--Khan brings you the bi-weekly show Childproof about parenting for parents.

Khan's past life as a reporter and journalist for WNYC Radio covering New York City schools and policing paved the way for her passion for covering families--especially issues and anxieties that the pandemic brought to the surface. "People are so deeply affected by these events. Family structures are, and parents are," Khan says. "I bring a lot of that sort of background with me and I have brought some characters, actually, from my time reporting into the show also." 

The self-proclaimed "audio evangelist" covers a range of topics on parenting through the lens of other parents sharing their stories. "If we're going to feature someone's story, I want to hear somebody wrestling with something," Khan says. "What are parents grappling with? What's the interior experience of a parent? I hope in that sense, honestly, the show could be for anybody, any grown-up, if they have kids or not, but because sometimes the issues we're grappling with aren't specifically related to our kids, all the things that we're dealing with as people."

Anything goes, and each episode aims to have a takeaway in the form of a lesson learned or some evidence of personal growth. But getting to hear parents share their own concerns is cathartic in its own right. "Nothing should feel like it's too precious or performative or anything like that, but if you feel like someone is really opening up in a conversation, and you can sense that they're just being real with me and the audience, that's compelling," she says. "That's really where the power of audio comes in because audio stories and listening to someone tell their own story is so intimate. I think it's the most powerful way to tell the story."

And as a mom to two girls herself, she knows a thing or two about being a parent. "My kids fill my tank in a way that I need, that I can't get anywhere else," she says. "And the thing I love about being a parent is that my life is filled--this is going to sound so cheesy--but my life is filled with so much love. I don't feel like I deserve it all the time, but it's just nothing but love. And that just gives the house a lot of good energy, you know? And I like that.”

Recent Episodes
  • 15: Growing Together in Grief
    Jun 29, 2022 – 00:30:13
  • 14: 'Auntie' Is A Verb
    Jun 16, 2022 – 00:29:23
  • 13: Hobbies and Hiding in the Bathroom: How Parents Spend Their Free Time
    Jun 2, 2022 – 00:32:05
  • 12: A Listener Asks: I’ve Changed As a Parent. What Do I Do About the Past?
    May 19, 2022 – 00:25:58
  • 11: More Than A Feeling
    May 5, 2022 – 01:37:17
  • 10: The Family Secret That Keeps Me Honest With My Children
    Apr 21, 2022 – 00:37:38
  • 9: Will I Ever Sleep Again?
    Apr 7, 2022 – 00:33:06
  • 8: Learning How To Be A Working Parent – And Not Just A Parent, Who Also Works
    Mar 24, 2022 – 00:20:07
  • 7: ‘Welcome To Eighth Grade, People’
    Mar 10, 2022 – 00:27:33
  • 6: A Lesson In Not Overthinking It
    Feb 24, 2022 – 00:34:53
  • 5: The Case For Parenting In Community
    Feb 10, 2022 – 00:30:59
  • 4: I'm Giving My Kids The Childhood I Wanted. But I Struggle To Relate To It
    Jan 27, 2022 – 00:38:09
  • 3: Are You Okay?
    Jan 13, 2022 – 00:36:31
  • 2: Yasmeen's Bedtime Problem
    Dec 30, 2021 – 00:33:50
  • 1: Parenting Changes Us, Whether We Like It or Not
    Dec 16, 2021 – 00:35:39
  • Welcome to Childproof
    Dec 8, 2021 – 00:04:30
Recent Reviews
  • Janrob237332
    Short lived
    I really enjoyed this podcast and can’t believe it’s over already!! Episode 4 was just amazing, I really loved most of the episodes. I did find that the advertisements were superrrr long which was annoying and I did not like when they just started playing episodes of ANOTHER podcast.. no thanks, I don’t listen to his pod for a reason. Anyways, I wish it would continue but I guess I do understand maybe there is only so much we can discuss as parents until it’s repetitive? Seems like they gave up too easy, but I get she probably has a million other things to do instead. Worth a listen though!
  • jesusrunningbachelor
    Sleep deprivation episode
    On a day after getting 3 hours of sleep as a parent, whcih isn’t uncommon for me, I found this episode and formatting incredibly insightful full of facts, and relatable with personal stories shared. 30min of the episode lifted my spirits tenfold and gave me actionable items to try to implement in my life for fear of the doom if I don’t sleep…thank you for making this podcast and talking to us so calmly, without judgement, and relating to parents while most importantly doing your research and finding facts. Well done, you’ve made me a subscriber!
  • jayeph
    Entertaining and engaging
    A great window into parenting challenges and approaches. I wish this pod was around when I had little ones….
  • IrinaPiSTSov
    Healed and Hugged warmly
    🖤 Cried a few times. I wasn’t even aware I needed that relief of knowing that the struggle is real and it’s not that I was/am not enough. I feel like a part of me was healed and hugged warmly by overwhelming acknowledgement that what I powered through as a mom, young mom, single mom, working mom, humble mom, immigrant mom, student mom… was indeed very difficult, sometimes nearly impossible. It was indeed hard despite all the beautiful moments. Feeling empowered and seen. So much love ❤️‍🩹 Thank you
  • cqwhipp
    Incredible Resource. Every caretaker of kids should listen
    I’m a trained midwife, postpartum doula, and newborn educator. This podcast has been an incredible resource for me and such an enjoyable listen! Real parents. Being honest about their real struggles. I’m transported into living rooms and bed time routines next to the expertise of professionals who have solid advice, and compassion. I’m going to be recommending this podcast to all the parents I work with. Can’t wait to hear more.
  • Writing monster
    Loved it until
    I loved the podcast until I needed to buy a subscription to listen ad-free. Well, I don’t mind the ads and don’t have the time or money to subscribe which seems to be the only way to listen now. It’s sad because I thought the podcast had useful advice. Also, I felt a little less alone.
  • Kenneth Tallman
    Amazing
    This can help when I’m a babysitter
  • jborthwick
    Fantastic
    As a parent of three (including a toddler), and as a child of aging parents, this is the first podcast that truly resonated with what it’s like to do the ever exhausting yet rewarding parent juggle.
  • hunolu
    , If
    Yuan has helped the only end alone if HMU,Czechs
  • A6whitfield
    Such a stress reliever!
    From the calming voices, to the relatable stories, to the helpful tips, this has helped me tremendously to get through a very stressful time in my life. Recommending to every parent I know!
  • KFox128
    So it’s not just me?
    Love this podcast! As a new Mom I was looking for someone or something that I connected with. That I can love my child and at the same time maybe struggle with enjoying being a parent. Just hearing others describe scenes that I can relate to and not feel this crazy guilt … omg it’s not just me feeling like this.
  • Ched123456789
    Genuine
    I love this podcast because they are really good and helping you understand that you are not alone on this parenting journey. They share REAL and RAW and GENUINE thoughts and feelings that other parents. The narrator shares her personal tough moments with recorded audio of tantrums and bedtime struggles. I really appreciate that. The podcast acknowledges that parenting is HARD and it’s hard for EVERYBODY! They also offer practical tips to help deal with those really frustrating moments of parenting.
  • SusanQdel
    Lovely and helpful
    Yasmeen has a wonderfully calm way of approaching difficult parenting topics. Her guests are insightful and the issues are very relevant. I found this podcast through the app 10%happier and I couldn’t be more happy about both.
  • shineypeople
    Powerful and gentle
    This is the podcast I didn’t know I needed. The conversations are timely, insightful, and practical. I appreciate the diverse voices and perspectives as well as the integration of science and mindfulness practice. Parenting can be lonely and it’s incredible to feel a connection to other parents’ experiences. I’m often moved to tears, but in the best way.
  • Agassi17
    Long winded conversations with few clear takeaways
    As a parent who’s been balancing work and childcare over the past couple years during the pandemic, when I heard about this podcast, I was quite excited about it. However, after listening to a couple episodes, I find there to be a lot of talking with few clear takeaways or concerts actions. For example, in multiple episodes, they refer repeatedly to the concept of mindfulness as the solution to the struggles we face as parents. I found that to be rather unhelpful and vague, and the overall conversation felt a bit soft and out of touch with the day-to-day practical realities of parenting.
  • killer rubi
    Relatable funny and educational
    I’m a mother of two daughters five and four recently I’ve found myself not feeling good about the way I discipline and my expectations of my oldest daughter were set too high causing more melt downs a lot from me. I often found myself staying up late askin myself why do I blow up so I turned to Apple podcast just searching for something I could not only learn from but also relate to.
  • aes54321
    Amazing
    I rarely leave reviews but this podcast resonates so deeply with me as I continue my parenting journey. I LOVE IT!!!! Thank you to everyone who has made it possible. Truly the best podcast about parent life that I’ve ever listened too.
  • MRA- San Jose
    Tears of Laughter
    I was wiping tears while my whole body shook with laughter listening to the ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ intro during the episode about bedtime. If nothing else, I will remember this intro the next time my kids are not with the bedtime program. I know it will make me smile if not start laughing all over again. Pure comedy.
  • BklynParent
    A Unique and Thoughtful Parenting Podcast
    This parenting podcast is different. It’s not about how to be a better mom (always putting it on moms, not parents, grrrr) or how to raise successful kids. It’s about the human experience of being a parent. It’s honest and validating. Production quality is great too and Yasmeen’s voice is so easy to listen to.
  • tsakooges
    Valuable insight
    Love the open ended conversation on such a vital topic for so many of us. Hoping to learn about research backed mindfulness strategies that parents can use in their family life.
  • grace17cape
    I feel seen
    This is a powerful and real podcast. I have listened to so many over the years and I feel like this one is going to be the only one I’ll listen to the second an episode comes out. Thank you for allowing me to feel validated and a part of this community of imperfect parents.
  • Jimjam712
    Hooked
    The first episode was great, but the 2nd episode made me a forever listener
  • deepinside
    Required listening
    This podcast is a balm for my soul. The conversations are useful but never sugarcoated and the topics hit so close to home. It should be required listening for every parent and anyone who thinks they might become a parent.
  • Boopsie719
    Totally relatable
    I found myself laughing as I am listening to this podcast because I can really relate to these high and low parenting moments. Thank you so much for your honesty. Parenting is hard and when I hear other parents out there that simply say, “me too and…”, I don’t feel so alone and I’m more likely to give myself compassion. Eager to hear more!
  • Sunny6113
    Incredibly relatable
    I very much appreciate the realness and authenticity of Yasmeen. The topics and conversations are very relatable and so encouraging.
  • Rossigg
    Been waiting for something like this!
    Love that 10 percent has finally put some time, focus, and energy towards parenting. THE hardest job in the world deserves the attention and comradely, especially given the raw suffering it can bring to our daily lives. I’m all ears and eager to listen to more!
  • Ray KM
    Great podcast for parents
    I love this podcast so much. Truly helpful. Highly recommended.
  • TeenTales
    Helpful, relatable, comforting
    Parenting is *^&@! hard and not always fun or rewarding. This feels like a space where people name what’s hard and normalize it - thus making this listener feel not so alone. I appreciate how much information is packed into such a short time, though I would gladly listen if each episode was lengthier.
  • ceptember
    This is the best
    I’m A child.so. I love this thing
  • mrha20
    Looking forward to the next episode!
    Thank You!! Thank you for bringing light to this wonderful and ever challenging experience of parenting. This show was so validating and I love that you incorporated some movement with it (not just a gripe session). Thank you for sharing your experiences ❤️. I will be telling my friends and coworkers about this podcast! Keep the episodes coming!
  • adub0287
    Supplement for community of fellow parents
    I don’t have a strong community of fellow parents- not that I’d have time to spend with them anyway. This podcast definitely makes me feel like my parent community is out there, and I can tap in when I need to.
  • Teridpw
    Finally!!
    Thank you for creating this podcast that talks about “the loss of one’s self” when becoming a parent. I needed to hear this while becoming a new mom during a Pandemic and feeling like I don’t know who I am anymore. I thought there was something wrong with me until hearing this episode. I look forward to hearing more. Thank you for making me feel like I’m not alone.
  • Dr. Max Powers
    Thank you!
    Love love love the idea of this podcast! I’ve been a practicing Buddhist for years, and my husband and I are about to have kids. I’ve always known parenting is a part of my path, but had a hard time finding a resource like this. So excited to hear more!
  • jennysap
    So relatable
    As a mom to 2 young daughters, this podcast is unbelievably relatable. Just listened to the first episode which felt like someone just gave me a big hug. It always amazes me how lonely being a parent can feel even though it is a near universal experience. Thank you for this very important work!
  • sen0426
    Thank you
    As a first time mom to a 5 month old, it’s nice to hear that what I’m feeling is common and veteran parents are still asking themselves the same questions I am. I can’t wait to listen to more while I figure out who I am as a parent.
  • TomCSheppard
    Being “Dad” is so thankless, but SOO rewarding!
    Before I had kids, I could never imagine my life with them, but now, I can’t imagine my life without them! I have always been a fan of Yasmeen’s work, and I look forward to hearing the stories of everyday people as they live life with their children.
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