Parenting Roundabout

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a nostalgic one: She learned that the Richard Scarry Busytown books had a TV adaptation called Busytown Mysteries, in which adorable characters solve cute little mysteries. Mentioned: Terri's current read/listen, Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent by Judi Dench. ​Terri's random recommendation is on hiatus for the moment as we return to the DWTS ballroom for a new theme, "Dedication Night." We were happy to welcome back Mark Ballas as a thoughtful and helpful judge, and to say goodbye to Brooks and her showmance efforts. Mentioned: "Taylor Did," a song by Alana Springsteen.In the archives, we discussed some of the perks of parenthood (from 2018). We don't always complain! Mentioned: The memoir Remedies for Sorrow.​Next week's lineup: Lost S1 E15, "Outlaws," on Tuesday, October 22Only Murders in the Building S4 E9, "Escape from Planet Klongo," on Wednesday, October 23Weekly roundup on Thursday, October 24Until then

On Wednesdays, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's Only Murders in the Building. This week's episode gave us a deeper dive into the real (?) story of the Westies and how they formed their tight-knit, card-playing, ham-eating group. We also finally met Helga, the voice on the ham radio, and realized that Mabel is the mother hen of the podcasting trio. Mentioned: OMITB recaps at Vulture.Next week, we’ll discuss S4 E9 of Only Murders in the Building, “Escape from Planet Klongo.” We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This week's episode was rather violent, with a death toll of two on the island and some crime and vomiting in the flashbacks. But at least Claire's back (and conveniently has no memory of the past month).Next Tuesday, we'll discuss season 1, episode 16, "Outlaws." Tomorrow, it's season 4, episode 8 of Only Murders in the Building.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a lighthearted, yet not overly fluffy novel with a reality-TV hook. It's called Big in Sweden, and author Sally Franson really did compete on a TV show in Sweden. Mentioned: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver.​Terri's random recommendation is on hiatus for the moment as we return to the DWTS ballroom for two nights of ridiculous wigs and ridiculous scoring. However, we can say that the appropriate stars were shown the door at the end of the second evening. Mentioned: Stephen Nedoroscik's shelter cat. In the archives, we returned our 2018 episode, "Beyond Tiger Moms and Helicopter Parents."​Next week's lineup: Lost S1 E15, "Homecoming," on Tuesday, October 15Only Murders in the Building S4 E8, "Lifeboat," on Wednesday, October 16Weekly roundup on Thursday, October 17Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On Wednesdays, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's Only Murders in the Building. Terri felt personally attacked by this episode, as it flaunted the plot holes of her beloved season 1 right in her face. We also identified some from season 2 having to do with Charles's parents and much younger sister, played by Melissa McCarthy with the Long Island-O-Meter turned up to 11.Next week, we’ll discuss S4 E8 of Only Murders in the Building, “Lifeboat.” We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This week's episode gave us more of Michael and Walt's story, so now we know that while Michael isn't the greatest dad around, he did make a big sacrifice for his son. (Plus, we have another candidate for the Bad Dad Hall of Fame.)Next Tuesday, we'll discuss season 1, episode 15, "Homecoming." Tomorrow, it's season 4, episode 7 of Only Murders in the Building.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a follow-up to the Grammar Zoo series from a few weeks ago. Now, we have dinosaurs doing the wordplay, in Triceratopposite and Stegothesaurus from author Bridget Heos. Also mentioned: Little Pea and its sequels, Little Hoot, and Little Oink. Catherine also has a bonus pick: Clio Greek Yogurt Bars..Terri's random recommendation is back this week, since Dancing with the Stars took a break. She suggests checking out Web Sudoku for all your brain-building, time-wasting needs.In the archives, we return to 2022 to talk about Apple Watch features parents need.​Next week's lineup: Lost S1 E14, "Special," on Tuesday, October 8Only Murders in the Building S4 E7, "Valley of the Dolls," on Wednesday, October 9Weekly roundup (including two episodes of DWTS​) on Thursday, October 10Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On Wednesdays, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's Only Murders in the Building. While this episode wasn't as novel and creative as season 1's "The Boy From 6B," it did offer a new take by relying a lot on found footage from hidden cameras. As parents who want to keep abreast of what our kids are up to, we can relate.Next week, we’ll discuss S4 E7 of Only Murders in the Building, “Valley of the Dolls.” We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This week's episode was a Boone/Shannon flashback, where we found out more about their... unusual sibling relationship. And on the island, we're wondering where the urgency is on finding Claire, who's been missing for quite some time now.Next Tuesday, we'll discuss season 1, episode 14, "Special." Tomorrow, it's season 4, episode 6 of Only Murders in the Building.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is another nonfiction, memoir-ish pick called All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me by Patrick Bringley, which chronicles the author's ten-year stint as a guard at the museum. Mentioned: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, also set at the Met.​Terri's random recommendation is on hiatus for the moment as we return to the DWTS ballroom, where Dwight and Daniella pulled off a beautiful foxtrot and our fave Stephen showed he could do more than jive. The less said about the eliminated Anna the better. Mentioned: Champions, with Kaitlyn Olson, who we're seeing a lot during DWTS in ads for her new show, High Potential; and Terri's Substack, Too Old for Cool.In the archives, we headed all the way back to 2017 to discuss our assertion that parenting is not a panacea.​Next week's lineup: Lost S1 E13, "Hearts and Minds," on Tuesday, October 1Only Murders in the Building S4 E6, "Blow-U

On Wednesdays, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's Only Murders in the Building. This season isn't hitting as well as past ones have, except when Detective Williams comes in to be the mom and lay down the law. We'd like more of that and less of Hollywood making fun of itself.Next week, we’ll discuss S4 E6 of Only Murders in the Building, “Blow-Up.” We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup (which will include a chat about the September 24 episode of Dancing with the Stars).

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This episode's punny title is a sign that it's a pretty lightweight one, despite the presence of three dead and decomposing bodies. It's a Kate flashback episode, and she flashes a lot of her backside, too.Next Tuesday, we'll discuss season 1, episode 13, "Hearts and Minds." Tomorrow, it's season 4, episode 5 of Only Murders in the Building.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find grabbed her attention with its dramatic subtitle. It's a memoir by Megan Nix called Remedies for Sorrow: An Extraordinary Child, A Secret Kept from Pregnant Women, and a Mother's Pursuit of the Truth, which is a compelling mix of family tale and investigative journalism.​Terri's random recommendation is on hiatus for the moment as we return to the Dancing with the Stars ballroom. Terri's all in for Pommel Horse Guy Stephen Nedoroscik, who was absolutely delightful (and absolutely underscored) in his first outing. Catherine's a PHG fan too, but also wants to see more of rugby player Ilona Maher. And both anticipate a lot of creativity from Daniella (5'3") choreographing for her partner Dwight Howard (6'11"). In the archives, we journey back to 2019 to discuss all the ways we try (and usually fail) to manage stress and worry. Mentioned: Trello and Artful Agenda.​Next week's lineup: Lost S1 E12, "Whatever the Case May Be,"

On Wednesdays, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's Only Murders in the Building. This episode continued its focus on the Westie side of the building, but also gave us a look at Sazz's stuntman life. Mentioned: Stuntman movie The Fall Guy and its star Ryan Gosling in Barbie (at the Oscars and on SNL) and Crazy Stupid Love (warning, 13-year-old spoilers await at that link); the upcoming movie His Three Daughters. Oh, and we also talked about the likely cost of a leg of shower ham.Next week, we’ll discuss S4 E5 of Only Murders in the Building, “Adaptation.” We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup (which will include a chat about the September 17 premiere of the new season of Dancing with the Stars).

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This episode has "daddy issues" right in the title, so you know it's going to be a doozy. And it was, with lots of flashbacks to Jack's Bad Dad and some pretty bad stuff happening on mystery island, too.Next Tuesday, we'll discuss season 1, episode 12, "Whatever the Case May Be." Tomorrow, it's season 4, episode 4 of Only Murders in the Building.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find caught her eye thanks to our recent watch of A Gentleman in Moscow. It's a children's book called The Apartment: A Century of Russian History by Alexandra Litvina, illustrated by Anna Desnitskaya and translated by Antonina W. Bouis. It covers six generations of a family and their life in the titular apartment.​Terri's random recommendation is a new way to get your morning dose of pumpkin spice: Special K Pumpkin Spice cereal. Happy fall, y'all!In the archives, we discussed the ways we've been mortifying our children since 2019 (not to mention long before that).​Next week's lineup: Lost S1 E11, "All the Best Cowboys Have Daddy Issues," on Tuesday, September 10Only Murders in the Building S4 E3, "Two for the Road," on Wednesday, September 11Weekly roundup on Thursday, September 12Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On Wednesdays, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's Only Murders in the Building. And while this week's episode was indeed set in The Building, it had a Hollywood flavor that we didn't love. We're hoping the three actors hightail it back to LA very soon.  Mentioned: "Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It?" (from OMITB season 3) gets an Emmy; the Perfect Strangers theme song on The Leftovers.Next week, we’ll discuss S4 E4 of Only Murders in the Building, “The Stunt Man.” We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. On this week's episode, we had a great deal of drama in both the flashbacks (as Claire encountered both a bad dad and a very bossy psychic) and on the island (hold on a minute, this guy's name isn't on the passenger manifest!).Next Tuesday, we'll discuss season 1, episode 11, "All the Best Cowboys Have Daddy Issues." Tomorrow, it's season 4, episode 3 of Only Murders in the Building.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a brightly colored, punny way to introduce little ones to the joys of grammar: Comparrotives, which is part of a whole Grammar Zoo.​Terri's random recommendation is musical again this week: She's been listening to Post Malone's F-1 Trillion on repeat. It's a double album featuring collaborations with a lot of big-time country names, from Morgan Wallen to Dolly Parton. Her top two earworms, so far, are "Missing You Like This" (featuring Luke Combs) and "Hide My Gun" (with Terri fave HARDY).In the archives, we discussed parenting-themed reality show challenges and how poorly we'd do at them (originally from 2021).​Next week's lineup: Lost S1 E10, "Raised by Another," on Tuesday, September 10Only Murders in the Building S4 E3, "Two for the Road," on Wednesday, September 11Weekly roundup on Thursday, September 12Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On Wednesdays, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's Only Murders in the Building. Episode 2 brought back some old favorites from way back in season 1, as well as another round of Stars Stopping By to Be Suspects. Catherine apologizes to Jackie Hoffman for forgetting her name and her character's name: Uma!. Mentioned: The card game Oh Hell, which figured prominently in this episode.Next week, we’ll discuss S4 E3 of Only Murders in the Building, “Two for the Road.” We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.