Oh Crap with Jamie

Latest Episodes:

282: What My Dog Taught Me About Parenting Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I’m sharing the surprisingly profound parenting lessons I’ve learned from my dog, Maverick. From the early days of dealing with a reactive dog to becoming a more intentional leader, this episode covers why consistency matters, why your tone carries more weight than your words, and how kids—just like dogs—feel safer when you are the sturdy one in charge.

I also talk about overstimulation (spoiler: it might be YOU, not the kids), why multitasking makes us lose our minds, and how something as small as your auditory environment can make or break your patience. If you’ve ever wondered why your child “doesn’t listen,” why commands fall flat, or why the chaos feels so loud, this episode will help you reset your approach… with a little humor, a lot of honesty, and plenty of Maverick stories.

What's Covered:

🐶 Why consistency matters more than volume (for dogs and kids)

💬 The rule: “If you say it twice, you’ve lost the command”

🧠 Overstimulated parent vs. overstimulating child — knowing the difference

🔊 How auditory clutter pushes you into overwhelm

💪 Kids relax when YOU are the sturdy, confident leader

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281: Before You Sign Up for That Team... A Reality Check for Parents Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I’m breaking down one of the biggest sources of stress for modern families: kids’ sports and activities—especially in the 6–10 age range. Someone asked me on Instagram what I think about structured sports for this age bracket, and the truth is… I have a LOT of thoughts.

We talk about what kids actually need developmentally, why free play is still crucial after age six, how overscheduling destroys family connection, and why year-round specialization is burning kids out before middle school. I also share real stories from my own life and the families I’ve worked with—including repetitive injuries, stressed-out kids, and parents losing themselves in the carpool hamster wheel.

If you’re trying to choose activities for next year, feeling pressured by travel teams, or just exhausted from the sports treadmill, this episode will help you rethink what’s truly best for your kid and your family unit.

What's Covered:

⚽ Why structured sports under age 10 need a major rethink

🧠 The hidden cost of overscheduling: stress, burnout, and disconnection

🏃‍♂️ Repetitive injuries + early specialization → why kids quit by 12

👨‍👩‍👧 How to choose activities that support your whole family

🎭 What kids miss out on when sports dominate their lives

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280: Why I Saved for Therapy, Not College Dec 11, 2025

Show notes

In this festive (and absolutely ridiculous) episode, I’m sharing the true story of how my son Pascal found out the truth about Santa—and why I’ve always said I should’ve saved for therapy instead of college. From psychedelic mushroom folklore to reindeer pee (yes, really), to the moment Pascal asked me point-blank, “Are you Santa?” in JULY… this episode is part comedy, part chaos, and part parenting reflection.

We’ll talk about the right time to tell kids the truth, why some kids crumble and others shrug, how the “veil of childhood” lifts around age nine, and why the real sadness isn’t about Santa at all—it’s about growing up. Whether you’re a Santa family, a non-Santa family, or somewhere in between, this story will make you laugh, cringe, and rethink the “big reveal.”

What's Covered:

🎅 How kids actually figure out the truth about Santa

😳 Jamie’s chaotic, hilarious “big reveal” story

🧠 The developmental age when kids truly understand

❤️ Why the sadness isn’t about Santa—it’s about growing up

😂 Why Jamie says she should’ve saved for therapy, not college

Origins of Santa article: https://www.ffungi.org/blog/the-influence-of-hallucinogenic-mushrooms-on-christmas

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279: Allowing Your Kid's To Sit With Guilt Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

In this very birthday edition episode (yes—it’s my birthday!), I’m talking about a feeling we parents try way too hard to rescue our kids from: guilt. Guilt is uncomfortable, but it’s also one of the most powerful emotional teachers we have. I share a personal story about the year my son Pascal completely forgot my birthday—despite me handing him the Amazon link for the gift I wanted. Instead of smoothing it over for him, I let myself sit in my hurt… and let him sit in his guilt. And guess what? It changed him.

We dive into why guilt is a crucial part of developing empathy, accountability, and behavioral change, and why moms especially need to stop burying their own feelings just to keep everyone comfortable. This one is real, raw, and honestly kind of funny—because it’s my birthday, and I’m talking about boob sweat, wool bras, and why I refuse to pretend I don’t want to be celebrated.

What's covered:

🎂 Why letting kids feel healthy guilt leads to real behavior change

❤️ The birthday story that taught Jamie a huge parenting lesson

🚫 Why moms need to stop rescuing kids from uncomfortable feelings💬 How to sit in hurt without punishing or shaming

🧠 Teaching emotional accountability through experience—not lectures

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278: More People Loving Your Kid is a Good Thing Dec 04, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most common holiday parenting struggles—grandparent gifts. Every year, I see posts complaining about grandparents “going rogue,” buying the loudest toys, or ignoring wish lists altogether. But here’s the thing: grandparents want to see your kids happy. They’re after that moment of joy, not the perfect Amazon link.

I’ll share practical ways to handle the gift chaos (without losing your mind), ideas for redirecting grandparents toward experiences or smaller keepsakes, and how to educate them gently about overstimulating toys. And most importantly—we’ll talk about gratitude, perspective, and remembering that more people loving your kid is always a good thing, even when it’s messy.

What's covered:

How to handle grandparents “going rogue” with gifts

Why venting online fuels frustration (and dopamine)

Understanding the generational “more is better” mindset

Why more people loving your kids is always a good thing

Simple ways to redirect gifts toward meaning and joy

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277: Don't Bank Behavior (Bite Size Nugget) Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I’m tackling one of the biggest parenting traps—“banking behavior.” You know that thing we all do where we take our kids somewhere special, buy them a treat, and expect them to be good later? Yeah… it never works. I’ll break down why kids can’t “bank” good behavior, why gratitude doesn’t come naturally until much later, and how to manage your own expectations (especially around the holidays).

I’ll also share a story about how real-life exposure—not lectures—teaches kids gratitude. From visiting soup kitchens to understanding homelessness and dementia, this one’s a heartwarming reminder that service, not guilt, builds true empathy.

What to expect:

🎁 What “banking behavior” is (and why it never works)

🧠 Why kids can’t truly feel gratitude until later

❤️ How service—not guilt—builds empathy

🧩 The “magic age” when awareness begins (around 9)

💬 Managing your expectations during the holidays

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276: The Honest Episode Every Mom Needs to Hear Nov 27, 2025

Show notes

Today I'm sharing a podcast that I was lucky enough to be a guest on. The information was so good I'm sharing it here. Kat and April, both seasoned parenting experts with over 15 years of experience, bring unique perspectives to the field of parenting expertise and experience. Kat emphasizes that true parenting expertise stems from practical knowledge gained from working with numerous families, valuing hands-on experience and straightforward, humorous advice, much like that of Jamie Glowacki. April, with her background in social work, shares a similar appreciation for humor and practicality, advocating for a balance between guiding and nurturing children amidst modern parenting challenges. Together, they champion an approach that prioritizes everyday enjoyment and meaningful parent-child connections over rigid, structured methods, aligning with Glowacki's emphasis on emotional intelligence and unstructured play.

Timestamps:

(00:02:45) "Toddler Years Made Enjoyable: Practical Parenting Solutions"

(00:13:23) Parenting with Emotional Intelligence for Healthy Relationships

(00:17:02) Promoting Independence Through Child Conflict Resolution

(00:22:10) Encouraging Full-Body Contact Play for Children

(00:25:13) Repairing Relationships Through Respectful Parenting

(00:25:20) "Code Word Communication for Kids' Play"

(00:35:19) Promoting Emotional Awareness and Regulation in Children

(00:35:44) Embracing Emotional Authenticity in Parenting

(00:43:13) Prioritizing Basic Needs for Parenting Success

(00:43:14) Understanding Developmental Tantrums in Toddlers

(00:46:01) Nutritious Meals for Behavioral Improvement in Children

(00:53:48) Toddler Sleep Boundaries for Healthy Behavior

(01:06:28) Balancing Parental Control in Busy Schedules

(01:10:27) Encouraging Child-Led Play for Social Development

(01:10:28) Building Strong Attachments: Parenting in Modern Times

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275: Resentment & Dirty Yeses Nov 25, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I’m talking about resentment—the kind that sneaks in when we keep saying yes to things we don’t want to do. I share a story about my son Pascal, a pile of deer meat, and how one small “dirty yes” turned into a full-blown meltdown. (Spoiler: it wasn’t really about the meat.) We’ll talk about the difference between a clean yes and a dirty yes, why women struggle with boundaries, and how people-pleasing leads to quiet rage. Whether it’s your partner, your kids, or your family during the holidays, this episode will help you spot resentment before it boils over—and teach you how to protect your energy without guilt.

Timestamps:

(00:00:32) "Deer Meat Trimming and Resentment Reflection"

(00:04:22) Calm Down and Walk Away to Reflect

(00:07:05) Bangs Dilemma: A Haircare Reflection

(00:10:05) Clear Communication for Healthy Relationship Boundaries

(00:14:27) Boundary Setting for Parenting Success

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274: How Dopamine Is Wrecking Our Kids (and Us) Nov 20, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I’m diving deep into one of the biggest problems affecting us—and our kids—right now: dopamine overload. We’ve built a world that’s too comfortable, too fast, and too easy—and it’s wrecking our motivation, focus, and happiness. From snacks and screens to constant stimulation, our brains (and our kids’ brains) are stuck in overdrive. I’ll explain what dopamine actually is (it’s not the reward—it’s the motivation), why fast dopamine leads to burnout, and what we can do to slow things down. From going analog to doing hard things, this episode is your wake-up call to start craving real life again—the messy, meaningful, slow kind.

Timestamps:

00:00 — Welcome + Maverick’s barking + recording chaos 🐶
03:00 — Why we’re in a “comfort crisis” as humans
06:15 — Jamie’s first Tough Mudder + discovering the value of struggle
10:00 — Dopamine 101: what it actually is and how it works
13:45 — Pleasure vs. pain balance + why we always want more
17:30 — Fast dopamine vs. slow dopamine explained
20:00 — How hyper-palatable foods and screens hijack the brain
24:15 — The danger of early brain wiring (ages 0–5)
29:00 — What happens when kids get constant “fast” dopamine hits
33:30 — Addiction, food noise, and why moderation doesn’t work for everyone
38:15 — The role of analog living + slowing down reward pathways
43:00 — Real-life solutions: go analog, delay gratification, do hard things
47:30 — Jamie’s winter hike story: “We’re built for struggle”
55:00 — Parenting takeaways: slow it down, let kids struggle, simplify life
59:00 — The “idle brain” and why quiet is necessary
1:03:00 — Final words: “Put your phone down and rock on.” 🤘

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273: You Don’t Have to Validate Everything Your Kid Does Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I’m talking about something that’s taken over modern parenting—the obsession with validating everything our kids do. Somewhere along the way, we started thinking we had to be front-row cheerleaders for every kick, drawing, or math problem. But here’s the truth: that constant validation actually chips away at your child’s confidence. I share stories from my own time coaching baseball (yes, me!) and explain why kids are better without us hovering. We’ll talk about how overpraise leads to fragile self-esteem, how to shift from “good job” to meaningful feedback, and why letting your kids handle discomfort builds resilience that lasts a lifetime

Timestamps:

00:00 — The “mom on her phone” parenting guilt trend
02:15 — Why constant validation hurts kids’ confidence
05:30 — Coaching baseball and what kids do better without parents watching
07:00 — Why kids need freedom to deal with discomfort and conflict
09:30 — Praise effort, not outcome — the “good job” trap
11:00 — What to say instead of “I’m so proud of you”
13:00 — How to help kids process accomplishments through storytelling
15:30 — The danger of “you made me happy” parenting language
17:00 — Teaching kids emotional boundaries — your feelings aren’t theirs
18:00 — How to raise confident, grounded kids without overpraise
19:00 — Final thoughts: you don’t have to validate everything they do

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