Having a second kid is overwhelming in every way. It feels like Doublemint Gum actually. Double the pleasure, double the fun. But, instead of awkwardly dressed and generically good looking people running around with gum in their hands, it’s just a picture of me grasping at straws trying to figure out what the heck I’m going to do with a second kid. To be honest, it’s the research that sends me over the edge. I have to read all the baby books again, look at stupid articles online about which bottle works better or why I can only use Ava Anderson diaper cream because it’s good for the environment or whatever crap people are trying to sell me now. I thought it was over, I thought I’d gotten past all of this worry. WRONG. Like how Michael Corleone in The Godfather III says, “every time I think I’m out, they pull me back in.” But, this time, I have a secret weapon – a weapon that will allow me to consume twice as much information in half the time. A weapon that will revolutionize how information is consumed in the future. Podcasts.
Don’t be ashamed if you don’t know what a podcast is. Well, maybe you should be a little.
The term “podcast” has been around since the mid 2000’s. It started as forum created by Apple for people to talk about whatever they want, and now it’s grown into a multi-billion dollard industry. There is literally a podcast for EVERYTHING. You’re a gardener? There’s a ‘cast for it. Quantum Physics is your forte? A bunch of nerds have created one for that too. Maybe you’re a history geek like me and you want to know more about the Minoan civilization? Done. You name it, someone’s made it and like I said, the best part about it is that someone (just a regular gal or guy) produced that ‘cast because they have a genuine affection for the material.
Podcasts, in effect, are radio/tv shows, created by regular people like you and me. In fact, Tall Mom and I produce a few of our own. One of which is called, ParentCast – a podcast dedicated to new parents, new babies, and their new lives together.
Actually, you can find all of our online ventures on TallMomMedia.com if you are that interested.
One such subject of my new affection are podcasts about parenting. Why? Well, I don’t have time to sit down and read a book about babies or the latest trends from the American Pediatric Society. I have a pregnant wife with needs, I have a two year old toddler with even more needs, a full time day job, and a burgeoning Media company with the most needs out of all of them! My information has to be consumed on the go.
Not only do I drive 100 miles a day for my day job, I’m always on walks with the kid, or I’m running errands for my brand new house, or completing the never ending honey-do list. The only solution I have is to listen to podcasts on my phone while I’m doing everything a 32 year old father is supposed to do.
For example, while driving today, I’ve already listened to TWO podcasts about baby led weaning, and how to hand wash a newborn. I’m even listening to a third as I write this about how to make sure my marriage stays my main priority through the newborn phase. I can multi-task with the best of them.
Of course it could have been a killer on the data (because I’m too lazy to download the episodes in advance), to stream it on my phone. But, with my new plan from Walmart Family Mobile, I get unlimited data so I don’t have to worry at all. I literally listen to ANYTHING I need to consume at any time of the day – all to my liking without the worry of having to pay the outrageous cost of data plans from the bigger wireless companies.
Big cumbersome books and the long medical journal studies aren’t necessary any more. Now I can listen to real parents, with real kids and real problems that are just like me. And it’s great. Podcasts have changed everything and I couldn’t be happier.
Now if there were just a podcast that could actually do the work of taking care of my soon-to-be newborn. Hmmm….podcasts for hire…a new business venture perhaps?
Check out Walmart.com to find the phone you love so can listen to a podcast yet on the go! Do you have any recommendations of shows you love?
A few notes:
- My phone of choice from Walmart is the Alcatel onetouch Fierce 2. It’s a reasonably size phone with an even more reasonable price of 1$29.98
- You can find the Alcatel onetouch Fierce 2 at any Walmart location.
- Walmart Family Mobile service is $29.88/month on the first line – it includes Unlimited Talk, Text & Data service plan and up to 500MB of 4G LTE data.
- Disclaimer: All prices for phones and plans included in this post are accurate as of the date of posting; however, these prices are subject to change. Please refer to your local Walmart for current pricing.
- If you haven’t been a part of the Walmart Family Mobile plan yet, but plan on doing so – you need to buy the phone and also this starter kit pictured below.
