If you grew up watching Home Improvement, Full House, Roseanne, or Family Matters, you probably assumed those parents were grown adults—real adults. Like, “paying off a mortgage and yelling at the kids about gas prices” adults.
Well… turns out most of them were younger than we are now. And yes, we’re having an identity crisis about it.
Whether you’re here for the trivia, the chaos, or the marital banter, this one hits the sweet spot between nostalgic fun and existential dread. So pull up your favorite chair, grab a juice box or a cocktail, and let’s dive into why we all thought these parents were ancient—and what it means now that we’ve become them.
That last week of school—counting down the hours until freedom, the smell of fresh-cut grass, sunscreen, and the faint hope you’d get a tan before July. It’s a vibe that never quite leaves, no matter how grown up (or sunburn-prone) you get. For episode 66, we’re diving into the nostalgia, chaos, and pop culture of summer break—then vs. now.
Was Summer Break Always This Messy?
We always assumed summer break was invented so kids could work the family farm. Turns out… nope. In the 19th century, kids in cities got summer off because their schools were too hot—no AC, just sweat and daydreams. (Rural kids? Year-round school. Sorry, Little House on the Prairie.)
Today, America still leads the way with a full three months off. Most countries cap summer break at six to eight weeks. Is it good? Bad? Depends on if you’re a parent trying to line up 12 weeks of childcare, or a kid desperate to ride your bike until the streetlights come on.
The Evolution of Summer Break:
Elementary school: Think sticky popsicles, reading Babysitters’ Club on the deck, backyard baseball, and maybe a sunburn from that “just baby oil” SPF hack (Jenni…).
Middle & junior high: Peak freedom. Sleepovers, pool hopping, first concerts, way too many “mom, can I sleep in the tent tonight?” requests.
High school: Late-night drives, awkward jobs, and the thrilling/terrifying realization you’re sort of in charge of your life.
How Parenting Changed Summer
Here’s the twist: Gen X and elder millennial parents had all the freedom (and “don’t come home until dinner!” autonomy) but now, we’re the ones scheduling every minute and tracking our kids on GPS. Fun fact: In 1975, 83% of American kids could roam the neighborhood unsupervised. In 2020? Less than 10%. Blame it on “stranger danger,” constant organized activities, or the slow creep of parenting anxiety. Our take: let’s bring back a little healthy chaos.
School’s Out: The Best Summer Movies
Cue the soundtrack and roll the montage. We go all-in on our favorite “school’s out” and summer break movies, including:
Now and Then (iconic girlhood, smoky bike rides, and Brendan Fraser handing out life lessons)
Stand By Me (“Nothing like a smoke after a meal,” and definitely not enough adult supervision)
Dazed and Confused (hazing, party prep, and the most iconic “Alright, alright, alright”)
The Sandlot (pickleball, fireworks, and the one kid who moved in after school got out)
Grease (does any movie capture that last-day-of-school feeling better?)
The Way Way Back, Heavyweights, Camp Nowhere, Dirty Dancing, American Pie 2—plus honorable mentions for every family who spent a summer at the lake or a questionable summer job.
Summer Nostalgia: The Soundtrack
What’s a summer without a song on repeat? We run through every Billboard “Song of the Summer” from 1999 to 2024, from Ricky Martin’s “Livin’ La Vida Loca” to Party Rock Anthem, Blurred Lines, Despacito, and the most recent earworms. Is there an official “Song of Summer”? Yes—Billboard uses radio play, streams, and sales from Memorial Day to Labor Day to declare the champion, but let’s be honest, it’s all about the vibes. Our hot takes might not match the charts, but we dare you not to start dancing.
Summer Parenting Today
Do kids still have magical, messy summers? Or is it all schedules, carpool, and $400 travel jerseys? We share our real experiences (and a few rants), with Jenni championing rec league soccer and Tim taking aim at the youth sports industrial complex. Spoiler: neighborhood games and lazy afternoons > ten weekends of “tournament play.”
Drops, Laughs, and “Mystical Magical”
This episode is loaded with throwback sound drops—from Now and Then and Stand By Me to the truly awkward ‘90s dancefloor anthem “Too Close.” Plus, our official declaration of Benson Boone’s “Mystical Magical” as the early contender for Song of Summer 2025 (fight us).
Let’s Get Messy
School’s out, the sun’s out, and we’re here for all the nostalgia, music, movie magic, and real talk on modern parenting. Tell us your favorite school’s out movie, your personal song of summer, or how your summer break memories stack up to today’s reality.
Hit play, drop a comment, and subscribe for more. The Kids Are In Bed, but summer is just getting started.
Welcome to summer blockbuster season! This week, on The Kids Are In Bed, we’re going all-in on movie nostalgia—digging into the wild, wonderful history of blockbuster movies and why summer at the theater just hits different.
In This Episode:
We break down what makes a movie a “blockbuster” (spoiler: it involves bombs, beaches, and Steven Spielberg)
Relive the golden age of 80s and 90s movies: Ghostbusters, Back to the Future, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, Men in Black, Independence Day, Twister, Armageddon vs. Deep Impact, Volcano vs. Dante’s Peak, and more
Real-life stories: Tim’s $4.50 movie tickets (with that coveted 50-cent piece), disastrous Reese’s Pieces spills, and why Dan Aykroyd was always smoking in every scene
Parenting confessions: How summer movies bring out the best and worst in us, and why trying to keep kids calm at the theater is its own adventure
Debates: Who’s the best blockbuster president—Bill Pullman or Morgan Freeman? Is Armageddon more rewatchable than Deep Impact? Who’s your favorite Chris (Evans, Pine, Pratt, Hemsworth)?
Popcorn & Snacks: Our love letter to the old-school movie theater experience (RIP to the big bags of Reese’s Pieces—you’ll always have our hearts)
Blockbusters of Summer 2025: From the live-action How to Train Your Dragon, Pixar’s latest, and the new Jurassic World, to Mission Impossible and Final Destination—this summer’s lineup is stacked.
Restaurants & Snacks Shoutouts: While this episode is all about movie memories, we always make time for the important things: snacks! Tim relives the days when Reese’s Pieces were the best theater value, and we debate which movie snacks are worthy of blockbuster status. (If your summer doesn’t include popcorn, candy, and a blockbuster on the big screen, are you even doing it right?)
Why Summer Blockbusters Matter From the original Jaws scaring a whole generation off the beach, to the excitement of seeing Independence Day on the Fourth of July, summer blockbusters aren’t just movies—they’re a vibe. We share why these films stick with us, why our kids will never understand $4.50 tickets (shout out to Movies 10 in Brainerd, MN), and how every summer movie is an excuse to make a memory.
Your Turn! Which blockbuster defined your childhood? Team Armageddon or Deep Impact? Leave a comment below, share your most embarrassing movie snack moment, or let us know which summer 2025 movie you’re most excited to see!
Listen to Episode 65 now—and don’t forget to subscribe for more pop culture, parenting, and a lot of late-night laughs.
In Episode 64 of The Kids Are In Bed, Tim and Jenni Severson dive into a jam-packed week that included a new patio discovery, some unexpected parenting chaos, and a long-overdue rewatch of Crazy, Stupid, Love.
Birches on the Lake: Our New Favorite Patio
If you’re looking for a perfect patio near the Twin Cities, Birches on the Lake in Wayzata just climbed to the top of our list. Nestled above Long Lake with a north-facing view (read: full shade even on hot days), Birches delivers on vibe, comfort, and food. Tim had what he claims is the best Nashville hot chicken sandwich he’s ever eaten—featuring tzatziki and pickled cucumbers—while the kids played classic arcade games like Pac-Man and Mario Bros (for free!).
The highlight/messy lowlight came when Clementine knocked over Tim’s beer—directly into his shoes. Parenting, right?
Mother’s Day Misses and the Joy of Folding Laundry
Instead of picture-perfect plans, Tim and Jenni found themselves folding approximately ten loads of laundry. But they made the most of it by watching Crazy, Stupid, Love, which turns out to be even better than they remembered. (Well, most of it. That “graduation gift” plot line? Yikes.)
Who’s the Box Office Champ?
In the ultimate Mother’s Day movie trivia showdown, Tim and Jenni guess who among Steve Carell, Julianne Moore, Ryan Gosling, and Emma Stone has grossed the most money at the box office. (Spoiler: It’s not Gosling. Cue shame.)
They also battle head-to-head in a round robin of movie memory, naming as many films as they can for their chosen actor until someone blanks. Hint: it doesn’t go well for Tim.
Episode Highlights:
Full review of Birches on the Lake patio in Wayzata, MN
A messy but hilarious Mother’s Day story (with bonus broccoli and Brie)
The joy of rewatching Crazy, Stupid, Love
Actor trivia + rapid-fire film naming game
If you’re a fan of patios, parenting, or movies that still hold up, this episode has it all.
Patio season is officially here, and Tim & Jenni are embracing it in full force. Episode 63 dives deep into the world of outdoor dining—from personal stories and regional favorites to a wildly speculative (and surprisingly convincing) theory about who really invented patio dining in America.
You’ll get their picks for the best patios in Minnesota, including:
The Lookout (Maple Grove): The go-to family-friendly patio with beach volleyball, a playground, and fake palm trees. A favorite for exhausted parents trying to enjoy a drink while their kids run wild.
Maynard’s (Excelsior): A classic lakeside vibe with bootleggers and boat traffic. Just don’t ask for more than two shots.
Pittsburgh Blue (Maple Grove): Hidden in a parking lot but shockingly cozy at dusk. The lighting makes all the difference.
French Meadow & The Gnome (St. Paul): Urban patios that are private, peaceful, and full of charm.
Ernie’s on Gull Lake (Brainerd): Kids can run free while adults enjoy Greenies and mashed potatoes lakeside.
Bar Harbor (Gull Lake): Bootleggers, live music, and those iconic collectible glasses.
This week on The Kids Are In Bed, Tim and Jenni dive headfirst into one of their favorite shared joys: hosting dinner parties. THIS IS NOT A POTLUCK EPISODE. But don’t worry—this isn’t some Pinterest-perfect flex-fest. We’re talking real stories here: the Swedish meatballs that were…something else, the apple cider that somehow made it into the Thanksgiving gravy, and the cherry pie that earned Tim some serious pregnancy cravings points.
They also get into why dinner parties matter, how their approach has evolved since having kids, and what makes hosting feel so uniquely vulnerable and rewarding. There’s a surprising amount of research, too:
Did you know higher-pitched music makes food taste sweeter?
That dinner parties trace back to Ancient Greek symposiums (aka wine-fueled TED Talks)?
And yes, that playing music while you cook actually improves your food?
There’s a dive into The Office’s iconic dinner party episode (“That’s what she said!”), a ridiculous tots-in-a-bar story, and an improvised “menu-matching game” where playlist vibes determine what’s being served. Would you serve steak with Sinatra or mussels with Fleetwood Mac? You decide.
Whether you’re planning your next party, dodging another potluck invite, or just here for the stories, this episode’s got something warm, messy, and a little bit sweet—just like Tim’s birthday cakes.
While Jenni is off adventuring in Nashville, Tim kicks off the episode solo—lit candle, cozy mic, and a hopeful heart. He opens up about drive-thru surprises (including a memorable Eye of the Tiger moment), the weirdly vulnerable pursuit of virtual golf greatness, and how tummy time isn’t just for babies anymore.
But just as things start to settle in… the door opens. Literally.
This week’s episode of The Kids Are In Bed features our very first mystery guest—and we’re not spoiling it here. Let’s just say, they bring a whole new vibe to the show: wholesome, hilarious, and surprisingly insightful.
In this episode:
The surprising power of “Eye of the Tiger” at the Starbucks drive-thru
A VR golf obsession gone wrong (and what it says about success)
This one starts with Jurassic Park, but it doesn’t stay there long. Tim and Jenni rewatch the Spielberg classic with their kids and quickly spiral into a chaotic, hilarious exploration of birds, dinosaurs, and some of the most ridiculous animal encounters in podcast history.
From childhood memories of seeing raptors on the big screen to realizing just how many bird stories they’ve lived through, the episode turns into a full-on bird-brained breakdown of everything from eagle attacks to quesadillas mistaken for animals.
Yup. Jenni once thought a quesadilla was a bird attacking her face. And Tim? He drunkenly held a bird for a selfie once, called to geese in his sleep, and got dive-bombed by a bald eagle while trying to take nature photos like a grown man with a telephoto lens and a dream.
Also: shout-out to the shoebill stork for being the stuff of nightmares.
🎮 Bird or Birdshit? The Game
At the halfway point, Tim challenges Jenni to a game of bird trivia. The rules are simple: if it’s true, say “bird.” If it sounds fake, call it what it is: birdshit.
Play along:
Geese have teeth on their tongues.
Crows remember faces and hold grudges.
Penguins propose with pebbles.
Shoebill storks can stare without blinking for hours.
Pigeons can recognize themselves in mirrors.
Ducks sleep with one eye open.
These facts are weird, wild, and absolutely real (though some feel fake). Will Jenni pass? Will she befriend or battle a turkey? You’ll have to listen to find out.
🎉 More Chaos Includes:
A totally unexpected Jurassic Park scene that Tim forgot existed
A perfect impression of a goose honk mid-sleep
Whether Jenni could survive a bird attack with nothing but her wits and a jacket
Boss Baby, stork confusion, and bird songs gone terribly wrong
Caution: Bumps Ahead — The Wildest Car Crash Stories You’ve Never Heard (Until Now) Episode 59: The Kids Are In Bed
If you’ve ever hit a deer, been rear-ended in rush hour, or found yourself behind the wheel of a car that didn’t technically have anti-lock brakes (Tim, we’re looking at you), you’re going to feel right at home in this week’s episode.
In “Caution: Bumps Ahead,” we pull into the slow lane and talk all things car accidents—big and small, funny and frustrating, and surprisingly emotional. Jenni reflects on the seven deer she’s hit over the years (yes, seven), the time she flipped her Jeep shortly after getting her license, and how she once got rear-ended by a man named Andre Love… on Valentine’s Day. Tim shares the story of his car’s sudden need for a brand-new engine (covered under warranty, thankfully) and the fateful realization that his first solo car purchase didn’t include anti-lock brakes.
💡 But it’s not just our stories. We also:
Play a real driving test quiz to see if Jenni’s license should be revoked.
Highlight iconic wrecks from TV (including a hilarious detour into the world of Grey’s Anatomy, where car crashes are practically a recurring character).
Reflect on how car trouble, strangely enough, sometimes leads to something good.
This episode blends storytelling, comedy, nostalgia, and relationship dynamics into a ride that’s just as chaotic and charming as the open road. Whether you’re here for the laughs, the absurdity, or the pop culture deep dives, we promise you’ll leave entertained—and maybe a little surprised by the odds of your own past fender bender.
💬 Got a car crash story? Share it with us! 📖 Bonus: Read Tim’s personal essay about the ultimate April Fools prank (written 13 years ago) that also makes an appearance in this episode.
The Kids Are In Bed Podcast – Hosted by Tim & Jenni Severson
April Fools’ Day may not be a national holiday, but it is a global tradition—and in this episode, we explore the wonderfully weird ways people have chosen to fool each other throughout history. Along the way, we ask the most important question of all: Is Jenni actually fool proof? Or has Tim just gotten sneakier over the years?
We kick things off with a real-life insurance snafu that somehow spiraled into one of the most wholesome and pun-filled email exchanges you’ll hear this year. From there, Tim takes us back to college for the greatest prank he’s ever pulled—one so good his mom cried and then reused it on his dad. It’s a story with suspense, drama, betrayal… and Bush Light.
We also dive into:
The mysterious and messy history of April Fools’ Day
Wild international traditions, including paper fish, flour bombs, and prank-free zones after noon
The most legendary pop culture hoaxes, from spaghetti trees to left-handed Whoppers
A prank-themed trivia game, where Jenni tries to separate fact from fiction (with surprising results)
How our own kids are starting to get in on the April Fools action—some better than others
This episode blends humor, nostalgia, relationship dynamics, and just a bit of chaos—aka, it’s exactly what you expect from The Kids Are In Bed.
Whether you’re a fan of clever April Fools pranks, global traditions, or just hearing stories about people getting emotionally wrecked by their own children, this one’s worth a listen.
