On this week’s episode: Elizabeth, Jamilah, and Zak help a parent who feels conflicted about traveling to see family during the holidays. They love their relatives and rarely see them, but they are exhausted and not so excited to make the trek this year. Should they still go? Then, a listener’s toddler is afraid of everything. How can they validate their child’s experience while helping them navigate a sometimes scary world?   On Slate Plus, the hosts talk about Zak’s quarantine ennui. He’s been marooned at home for days and days. Will this pandemic ever end? Commiseration ensues.  Recommendations: Zak recommends playing catch with balloons (rather than heavier balls) with your littles Jamilah recommends buying a synthetic Christmas tree Elizabeth recommends Tiny Schoolhouse Calendars  Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes.  Podcast produced by Zak Rosen.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices