Max and Matt break down one of parenting’s hardest skills, keeping your cool when everything’s falling apart. They talk about why kids always seem to test your patience at the worst times, what those triggers are actually teaching you, and how to recover after you blow up. From dad guilt to morning chaos to practical tools that actually help, this one’s a mix of real talk, science, and the kind of humor that makes you feel seen. Whether you’ve yelled at your kid today or just felt close, this episode is for every parent trying to stay calm and connected. Let’s gooo!Timestamps:0:00 – Intro & Catch-Up2:45 – Losing Patience Moments6:10 – Why We Snap10:25 – Repair After Anger14:00 – Dad Guilt Explained18:15 – Triggers & Awareness22:30 – Staying Calm Tips27:45 – When to Apologize33:00 – Letting Go Grace36:03 – Closing ThoughtsBuy Violet Archer on Amazon HereMilkless on InstagramMilkless on TikTok LISTEN + WATCH VIOLET ARCHER Follow on Instagram
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#117 | When Mom and Dad Do it Differently
Max and Matt dive into the messy middle ground of parenting as a team, when to be a united front, and when it’s okay (even good) to be different. Sparked by a spicy Instagram post, they unpack what happens when one parent loosens the rules while the other holds the line, and why those differences might actually teach kids resilience. From solo weekends with the kids, to pizza dinners and Dave & Buster’s meltdowns, to the hidden pressures moms and dads face when parenting alone, they bring stories, studies, and plenty of laughs. They also break down research on authoritative vs. authoritarian parenting, how consistency shapes kids’ brains, and why the most important thing might just be that your child goes to bed knowing they’re loved. Let’s gooo!Timestamps:0:00 Intro & Dave & Buster’s Chaos3:10 The Instagram Post That Sparked It7:45 Solo Parenting: Dad vs. Mom Styles13:20 Do Kids Need a United Front?19:05 Parenting Styles in Research25:50 The “Easy Kid” Study & Harsh Parenting30:40 Why Predictability Shapes Kids’ Brains35:15 Communication & Avoiding Parenting Resentment39:37 Closing ThoughtsBuy Violet Archer on Amazon HereMilkless on InstagramMilkless on TikTok LISTEN + WATCH VIOLET ARCHER Follow on Instagram
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#116 | Youth Sports in America pt 2
Max and Matt dive deeper into the chaos of youth sports this time focusing on the scoreboards, standings, and the paradox of winning. They break down why so many leagues avoid keeping score, how that overcorrection misses the point, and what kids actually learn from wins and losses. From family dinners lost to the club system, to the pressure of turning every child into the next Messi or LeBron, they unpack the real purpose of youth sports: joy, community, and learning to compete without tying your worth to the outcome. With stories from City League, shoutouts to multi-sport athletes, and a few hilarious detours (including puppies and Red Bull cans), this episode challenges the broken system and imagines a better way forward for kids and families.Buy Violet Archer on Amazon HereMilkless on InstagramMilkless on TikTok LISTEN + WATCH VIOLET ARCHER Follow on Instagram
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#115 | Youth Sports in America pt 1
Max and Matt tackle the wild world of youth sports in America, where rec leagues are disappearing, travel teams dominate, and parents feel trapped in an expensive cycle of tournaments, uniforms, and endless weekends on the road. Max shares his experience founding City League, a local nonprofit bringing back competitive, affordable, community-driven sports for kids. They unpack how the “club track” pressures families into year-round specialization as young as eight, why that’s burning kids out, and what’s really lost when fun disappears from the game. From $600 uniforms to 10-hour car rides, to why multi-sport athletes are actually more likely to succeed, this episode is part rant, part blueprint for a better way forward.Buy Violet Archer on Amazon HereMilkless on InstagramMilkless on TikTok LISTEN + WATCH VIOLET ARCHER Follow on Instagram
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#114 | How to make fun of your kids (without hurting them)
Max and Matt get into the delicate art of making fun of your kids when it builds connection and when it crosses the line. They unpack why playful teasing, if done right, can actually strengthen relationships and even teach kids emotional intelligence. From family jokes to inside roasts, they share how humour becomes a love language and why tone, timing, and context matter more than the words themselves. They also dive into the do’s and don’ts of raising your kids, the dangers of punching down, and why sometimes the best joke is letting your kids give it right back. With plenty of stories, laughter, and a few cautionary tales, this episode is all about finding joy in the banter without causing lasting damage. Let’s gooo!Buy Violet Archer on Amazon HereMilkless on InstagramMilkless on TikTok LISTEN + WATCH VIOLET ARCHER Follow on Instagram
Searching for that parenthood balance so when our kids are old they look back and say, "yeah, my dad (or mom) was awesome," however we get there. And while we love our kids unconditionally, that doesn't mean we're wimpy pushover dads who have lost every shred of dignity and respect in the home. Let's find that balance together. We are Max Valverde and Matt Naylor. We are MILKLESS.
Canada - english