Parenting Roundabout

Each Tuesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's Shrinking. This episode brings us that old sitcom standard: A new baby! And a huge crowd of people hanging around nervously (Brian) and bossily (Liz). Mentioned: Childbirth scenes on thirtysomething and ER.Next week, we'll continue with Shrinking S3 E4, "The Field." We'll be back tomorrow to discuss Lost.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a cozy mystery inspired by the Bernie Sanders mittens meme. It's called Feel the Bern (of course), and the author is Andrew Schaffer.Terri's random recommendation is a browser add-on called Wakeout, which prompts you to do a minute or two of exercises every time you open a new tab. (It's also available as an app.)In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2023 on real-life conversation hearts.Next week's lineup:Shrinking S3 E3, "D-Day," on Tuesday, February 17Lost S5 E1, "Because You Left," on Wednesday, February 18Weekly roundup on Thursday, February 19Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

Each Wednesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. In the final two hours of season 4, the Oceanic Six finally, officially, leave the island. The island also leaves its former location, and Ben beats it, too, leaving Locke in charge. But we also know that that won't last forever. So, a lot to come in seasons 5 and 6. Next week, we'll continue with season 5, episode 1, "Because You Left." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's Shrinking. This week, Paul was sidelined from his job, but still managed to provide some therapeutic and parenting advice to Derek. And Gabby vented her anger at Louis, but also nudged him to live his life instead of staying stuck in place.Next week, we'll continue with Shrinking S3 E3, "D-Day." We'll be back tomorrow to discuss Lost.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is the universe of graphic novels for kids. In addition to mainstays such as Pokémon, Captain Underpants, and Dog Man, you can find beloved series like Magic Tree House and Baby-Sitters Club in graphic novel format, along with classics including Pride and Prejudice. Also mentioned: Cobble Street Cousins series, Nancy Drew: Girl Detective.​Terri's random recommendation is geological (and meteorological) entities on social media, because they're a lot more fun than humans are. She suggests: the San Andreas Fault, Mt. St. Helens, the Atlantic Ocean, Lake Tahoe, Karl the Fog from San Francisco. Mentioned: Library humor on Instagram, like a game of James Patterson Go Fish.In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2020 on parenting points challenges.Next week's lineup:Shrinking S3 E2, "Happiness Mission," on Tuesday, February 10Lost S4 E13/14, "There's No Place Like Home," parts 2 and 3, on Wednesday, February 11Weekl

Each Wednesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This episode kicks off the three-part season finale. The Oceanic Six are scattered from beach to jungle to freighter, with a very quiet baby in tow. However will they manage to get off the island?Next week, we'll endeavor to find out in season 4, episodes 13 and 14, "There's No Place Like Home, Parts 2 and 3." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday (formerly Wednesdays, but we've made a shift), we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, we're happy to be back with our friends from Shrinking. They're facing both new and evolving issues: an emptying nest, a refilling nest, a difficult diagnosis, and more. But they're doing it together.Next week, we'll continue with Shrinking S3 E2, "Happiness Mission." We'll be back tomorrow to discuss Lost.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a parenting book. Its title caught her eye, but it's not necessarily what it seems (who woulda thought?). That title is Just Do Nothing (for Parents): How to Parent Better By Doing Less by Joanna Hardis.​Terri's random recommendation is not to do nothing, but instead to pray regularly. The Prayminder app is helping her do that. Like an Apple Watch for the soul, it issues reminders to keep you on track.In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2019 on snow days, which are themselves becoming a thing of the past.Next week's lineup:Shrinking S3 E1, "My Bad," on Tuesday, February 3Lost S4 E12, "There's No Place Like Home," on Wednesday, February 4Weekly roundup on Thursday, February 5Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

Each Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and for this week, we binged A Man on the Inside's season 2. As with last season, we enjoyed the gentle, loving Mike Schur sitcom of it all and the many wonderful actors, even if the mystery wasn't especially strong. Mentioned: a You've Got Mail scene and manic pixie dream girls.For next week, we'll switch up our order and discuss Lost on our Wednesday episode, and switch our newer series watch to Tuesdays with the return of Shrinking (season 3). We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. What made Locke the way he is, you ask? Well, you'll find out in this episode, and encounter some creepy characters from the island and its orbit along the way.Next week, we'll adjust our schedule a bit and continue with season 4, episode 12, "There's No Place Like Home, Part 1" on Wednesday. Tomorrow, we'll discuss a newer show, season 2 of A Man on the Inside.This episode was recorded before a live studio audience ... of dogs.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a nonfiction series for kids that starts with What If You Had Animal Teeth? and moves on through animal hair, scales, feet, eyes, and more. The author is Sandra Markle and the illustrator is Howard McWilliam, and we congratulate them on finding a hook and running with it.​Terri's random recommendation is twofold: First, the Big A## Calendar, which is currently organizing her life from its place on her office wall. But her second recommendation is to be more cautious with Facebook ads than she was. Think, and verify, before you buy!In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2022 on monetary motivation for kids.Next week's lineup:Lost S4 E11, "Cabin Fever" on Tuesday, January 27A Man on the Inside, season 2, on Wednesday, January 28Weekly roundup on Thursday, January 29Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's The Lowdown. The season finale wrapped everything up in a fairly tidy bow, even including a wedding (for Francis's mom). Overall, we enjoyed this show, even as it swung from silly to serious and back.For next week, we'll binge all of season 2 of A Man on the Inside and discuss it on our Wednesday episode. We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This was another Jack-is-a-mess episode, even though there was a brief period of things going well for him. But his bad dad came around to ruin it all, as he frequently does.Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 4, episode 11, "Cabin Fever." Tomorrow, we'll continue our discussion of a newer show, The Lowdown.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a book that made her chuckle and got us talking about the kids and pets we've named: The Terrible Meanings of Names: Or Why You Shouldn't Poke Your Giselle with a Barry, by Justin Cord Hayes.​Terri's random recommendation is the UPS app, because if you have an iPhone, you get a nifty widget that alerts you to the imminent arrival of all your packages.In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2020 on daily leaps of faith.Next week's lineup:Lost S4 E10, "Something Nice Back Home" on Tuesday, January 20The Lowdown S1 E8, "The Sensitive Kind," on Wednesday, January 21Weekly roundup on Thursday, January 22Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's The Lowdown. As we might expect from the penultimate episode of the season, things are looking very bad for Lee, as he makes the very poor decision to confront Pastor Mark in his own church (right after messing things up with Francis). Mentioned: TV critic Alan Sepinwall, who announced that the show will be back for a second season.Next Wednesday, we'll finish the season with season 1, episode 8, "The Sensitive Kind." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This Ben-centric episode gave us a face-to-face meeting of bad dads, as Ben paid Charles Widmore a visit. On the island, Locke's flock worked together to take care of Claire and Aaron, and Bernard showed off a new skill.Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 4, episode 10, "Something Nice Back Home." Tomorrow, we'll continue our discussion of a newer show, The Lowdown.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a title from our former podcast pal from the About.com years, Kathy Ceceri. Her book The Silk Road: Explore the World's Most Famous Trade Route is one of her earlier publications, but it's still on library shelves. Catherine's also encountered other books from authors she knows at the library: My Basmati Bat Mitzvah by Paula Freedman and My Neighbor Saw Me Naked: And Other Reasons You Need Drapes by Annie Elliott.​Terri's random recommendation is Taylor Swift: The End of an Era, the docuseries on Disney+. Watch if you're a Swiftie, or if you're curious about what happens behind the scenes of a production like the Eras tour. Mentioned: Shrinking season 3, coming soon.In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2021 on making New Year's resolutions for our families.Next week's lineup:Lost S4 E9, "The Shape of Things to Come" on Tuesday, January 13The Lowdown S1 E7, "Tulsa Turnaround," on Wednesday, January 14Week

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's The Lowdown. Like the previous episode, this one featured an amazing performance from a beloved actor, Graham Greene, but no Francis. Also like many previous episodes, it featured Lee making some very dumb decisions. We need him to shape up, soon! Mentioned: Paul Sparks as Pastor Mark.Next Wednesday, we'll continue with season 1, episode 7, "Tulsa Turnaround." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. Despite having seen this episode before, Terri had no recollection of it. It dropped a lot of exposition about what happened to Michael and Walt when they left the island (uh, nothing good), and ended with a tragedy for Alex, which we're guessing was all part of Ben's evil master plan.​Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 4, episode 9, "The Shape of Things to Come." Tomorrow, we'll continue our discussion of a newer show, The Lowdown.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is from the children's department, and introduces Terri to a current kid obsession, axolotls, with a picture book called Axolotl and Axolittle. It's a sibling tale by Jess Hitchman, with illustrations by Sarah Rebar.​Terri's random recommendation is also for your eyes and ears: a book, Future Boy, and an Audible series, The Film Makers. Mentioned: My Beloved: A Mitford Novel by Jan Karon.​In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2022, Keeping Score on Family Squabbles.We will be off for the next two weeks for the holidays, but walking down memory lane on our social media. When we return:Lost S4 E8, "Meet Kevin Johnson," on Tuesday, January 6The Lowdown S1 E6, "Old Indian Trick," on Wednesday, January 7Weekly roundup on Thursday, January 8Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.