Parenting Hell Podcast #5

[PoorPatrol]

^^ this, for me as a parent I was shocked at how anxious Rob’s kids are. I hope they’re considering/getting some MH support. I say that as someone with ND kids who have varying levels of CAMHS input, I know kids and what’s ‘usual’ and what’s a concern. It’s either pathological or they’re just very spoilt and are demanding because they know they get what they want if they make a fuss?

There is a line between these things, no idea which side Rob’s kids fall on. I say also as someone who’s traveled a lot with kids, they go on too many long haul holidays to stay regulated. We go long haul probably only once a year and we have to factor in lots of recovery either side. They’ve been long haul every half term recently, plus they seem to have food and other sensory issues too.

The waking up all through the night at 8 and 10 is not normal either, I swear he’s mentioned this loads of times before too. His girls have a lot of nightmares and sleepless nights.

I say all that to say, when doing something like a parenting podcast, it would be good for the hosts to have a wide frame of reference, so they’re not normalising behaviours that IMO flag some additional needs or concerns that might need addressing. They could do with getting on some experts, I can’t stand half the slebs they get on.

 

[PoorPatrol]

I have no sympathy for her…no one is making her go on tele…she could simply stay home and be the ‘default‘ parent

Yes! Watch her do a massive promo schlep over the next couple of months, with Rob by her side! Funny how you could do that if you’re never able to be so much as an inch away from your kids and the kitchen sink. She’ll be moaning about being the default parent and not a single person will query how it is that she was able to leave the house at the crack of dawn for most of the day Saturday? If Jack Monroe is to be believed () you have to get up at 3am to do SK!

 

[Longtimebrowser]

I just saw Rob’s right to reply video…is she really this bitter or is it all just dramatised for the book release? Like they are going back to early days of not getting time to yourself. Their girls are in school years now, surely that’s not an issue anymore. I would get it if she was working and was having to do everything else as well but they are so unbelievably privileged it’s actually a bit sickening listening to her.

 

[Meowsy]

Maybe the Nanny can come out with a sequel “Lessons from a default caretaker: survival guide to looking after the kids when both parents are off doing their own sh*t”

 

[DontQuoteMe]

He got very shirty with Josh about his doorbell - I barely heard it, didn’t bother me at all.

 

[DontQuoteMe]

I don't want to hate on Rob but he is getting less and less likeable. Josh on the other hand is someone I'd happily spend an evening chatting with.

Feel like you could have a good night out with Josh with some really interesting conversation, along with some giggles and a bit of banter. Plus he doesn’t drink any more so he could be your taxi home too!!!

 

[TheBabeWithThePower]

Jesus Christ, listening to Tuesday's episode and the bit about three quarters of the way in where they just have a semi-argument over working styles, with Rob trying to constantly one-up and mock was hard listening!
Also more of the same about how difficult their jobs are 🫠

Get back to actual parenting or parent shaggers for the love of god, this is as they accurately state in the episode title, bad podcasting.

Although maybe don't get back to actual parenting because Rob's bit about his youngest being bored is insane, she presumably has a house full of toys, craft bits, books etc, her dad had already taken her swimming, just be bored and figure it out. Such a non-issue.

 

[RageDelete]

I haven't fully caught up yet (rip Beryl) but I was listening to multiple episodes in one go and noticed that most actual parenting Rob talked about involved the kids on their iPads. I am not an anti-screen warrior. Just survived an 8 hour euro drive thanks to extensive tablet use. But really, they need them when just tagging along random errands? Idk man, I don't think it's bad for kids to just hang out while their parent goes to the hairdresser's. It's not like they're 4 and have no patience and inhibition. Take a book, look out the window, watch the barbers do their thing. I'm sure they do plenty other stuff but just stood out to me that every anecdote with Rob parenting involved him mentioning "devices" (and how hes sooo okay with that).

 

[ItsmeImtheproblemitsme]

RaTtLEd or what!? We know she’s the default parent. I understand what a default parent is. I know it doesn’t mean she can’t leave the house. Stop trying to make it a thing .

 

[ItsmeImtheproblemitsme]

Petition to get The Beckhams on….

 

[ItsmeImtheproblemitsme]

I'm so glad it isn't just me struggling with Rob atm. I think Lou is massively opinionated about everything especially behind closed doors and thinks her way is THE way and it has rubbed off onto Rob. You can hear Lou coming out in what he says more and more.

Yes, totally agree. She’s the mum I avoid at the school gates

 

[DontQuoteMe]

I’d happily settle into the role of default parent if I had the same lifestyle that they have. And she has time in the day during school hours for her own interests/hobbies.

 

[frillylilly]

My main issue with Lou is not necessarily that she's constantly going on about how hard it all is (I don't have kids and from the outside looking in - having kids looks hard! Although I do think she needs a reality check occasionally) but it's more the 'what am i like i'm not like other girls' tone of her instagram posts.

Everything always has a follow up comment to say how awful she looked, or clumsy she was or how she didn't fit in (for example, her pilates class being full on influencer-esque girls and she looks like a bin bag or something). There's something about it that I find so disingenuous.

I know we all do it from time to time and it's probably harmless and comes from a place of insecurity but god, it's a lot.

 

[Ronlonglegs]

It’s absolutely screaming nepo wife at this stage. This is absolutely going to be addressed in a rant but people are entitled to their opinion.

I am a big fan of Rob and Josh, Especially Josh. But anyway there is no denying the nepo wife slant here, she would never get that book across the line without a famous husband. I think they've lost sight of how unrelatable they are now as a couple, they used to be the couple next door and now they are minted, living very different lives to the parenting hell fan base.

Maybe rob talks rubbish on the pod and it's all lies but what from what I gather he's a very hands on parent when he's not away working, far more than many men I know. She just isn't from the real world so her pov doesn't land well.

 

[IceIceMillenial]

When Josh told the train story I thought absolutely good on him. Bless him. When Rob told his absolutely (what I'd imagine to be) bog standard "where's Romesh" encounter I thought he was moaning over not a lot, then when he encountered the same man later on who sounded like he was just being nice to Rob after a slightly stressful situation - I thought Rob sounded like an absolute knob. How he thought it was any way similar to Josh's encounter is beyond me.

 

[CaptainHolt]

This quote from Jo Brand about Lou’s book…

I read that as "shit what can I say about this bilge without being a bitch"

 

[amber.gl19]

I thought Josh was so good at giving a few sly digs at Lou needing Rob’s fame and status to promote her book but without coming across as being unkind on today’s Ep. Just enough ribbing which I for one definitely appreciated

 

[squeeze1]

You absolutely know Rob will be fuming, he’s been the more “mainstream” / “everyman” of the two for a long time, hosted the BAFTAs, got the Traitors gig etc & Josh has scooped one of the biggest jobs on British TV.

Podcast has done wonders for both of them though, fair play they may have had some success but nothing on this scale.

 

[BugglyWuggly]

Lou's voice note Far too long and unnecessary. She's so unlikeable. I haven't been listening from the start, was she always this annoying?

Josh absolutely didn't want to talk about the cat because of Rob's shitty reaction. Not everything has to be made a joke of

 

[disneys]

I’m a big Rose fan too . I like that she just lets Josh get on with the pod and doesn’t feel the need to stick her oar in … plus she has a successful career separate to Josh completely . I follow her interior design page and it is beautiful . Agree with the other poster who said they’d like a drink with her … a nice glass of pale rosé with Rose would go down a treat

Lou on the other hand … well … Mrs Default Parent found the time despite being rushed off her feet to not only listen to the podcast but to send a 7 minute voice note airing her concerns . I was so pleased when Josh suggested editing it down but poor Michael for having to do that !!

I also get the impression that Lou and Rob let the kids rule the roost a bit . Whereas Josh’s I think there is a bit more structure and boundaries and likely they’re better behaved … and less reliant on iPads!