Dylan Dreyer Opens Up About Parenting Struggles

TODAY co-host Dylan Dreyer recently shared a humorous yet relatable story about a dinner table battle with her six-year-old son, Oliver, on her new podcast, “The Parent Chat.” The conversation unfolded during an interview with NFL sideline reporter Erin Andrews.

The Green Bean Incident

Dreyer recounted a recent incident where Oliver refused to eat a single green bean, leading to a prolonged standoff. She explained that she had a rule that no one could leave the table until the green bean was eaten. “He went to his room with the green bean in his mouth … kept his green bean in his mouth for an hour,” Dreyer recalled, adding that Oliver eventually returned in tears, still refusing to swallow it.

A Shared Parenting Experience

Andrews, a mother to two-year-old Mac, immediately connected with Dreyer’s story. She described her son’s second birthday as arriving “like a tornado.” Andrews admitted to often questioning if she’s handling her son’s behavior “the right way,” a feeling many parents experience. “This makes me feel better,” Andrews said. “Because that’s where I am right now.” She jokingly asked, “Is this therapy? Am I gonna lay on this couch?”

No 'Right Way' to Parent

Dreyer reassured Andrews, stating, “there’s no right way” to navigate the challenges of parenting. She also discussed the exhaustion that often comes with motherhood, explaining that she’s often up since 4 a.m. and faces resistance from her children at bedtime, including struggles with toothbrushing and settling down.

Navigating Patience and Boundaries

When asked how she handles feeling overwhelmed, Dreyer shared her strategies. Sometimes she takes a deep breath, even letting her sons see it, and asks for their cooperation. However, she also admitted to losing her patience at times. “Sometimes I just have to yell,” Dreyer confessed. “There has to be some rules. I feel like there has to be some strictness so they know who’s in charge.”

Andrews Reflects on Her Journey to Motherhood

Beyond the everyday parenting moments, Andrews also opened up about her personal journey through infertility and surrogacy, discussing the emotional complexities of welcoming her son, Mac. Each episode of ‘The Parent Chat’ is available on the TODAY YouTube channel and wherever you get your podcasts.