Parenting Roundabout

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's The Lowdown. Lee's reprieve from beatings and fights was short-lived, as this episode brought an old frenemy back into his life and they quickly came to blows. We didn't see much of Francis in this episode (Lee finally listened to our advice to leave her out of his dangerous life), but in return, we got a wonderful performance from Peter Dinklage. Mentioned: The Station Agent, also starring Dinklage.We're taking the next two weeks off for the holidays, so we'll continue with season 1, episode 6, "Old Indian Trick," on Wednesday, January 7. We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This episode's format kept us fooled until the end: One character's story was told in flash-forwards, while another's was in flashbacks. Tricky! We also got more of Kate acting like a sassy teen, and a big reveal on the freighter.​We're taking a few weeks off for the holidays, so we'll continue with season 4, episode 8, "Meet Kevin Johnson," on Tuesday, January 6. 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 couple of titles that take inspiration from literary classics: Texts from Jane Eyre: And Other Conversations with Your Favorite Literary Characters by Daniel M. Lavery (from 2014) and Ladies in Waiting: Jane Austen's Unsung Characters, a recently published anthology of nine tales. Mentioned: The Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney mystery series. ​Terri's random recommendation is Mystic Monk Coffee. Her shipment finally arrived, after taking a detour from New Jersey to New Hampshire and back again, and she's pleased with the flavors. (But also, someone stop her before she orders more coffee.)In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2017 on making kids' issues our own. Mentioned: "I Miss My Ex's Dad" from Saturday Night Live.Next week's lineup:Lost S4 E7, "Ji Yeon," on Tuesday, December 16The Lowdown S1 E5, "This Land?," on Wednesday, December 17Weekly roundup on Thursday, December 18Until then (and anytime you're in

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's The Lowdown. Lee makes it through this episode with no new bruises or broken bones, which is a first. And while Allen Murphy seems not to be a threat any longer, his yet-to-be-revealed boss certainly is. Mentioned: Ty Mitchell as Jimmy.Next Wednesday, we'll continue with season 1, episode 5, "This Land?." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. The previous episode, "The Constant," is a hard act to follow, and this one isn't really up to the job. It's best to look at it as an info dump to get us an inch or two closer to what we need to know. Sorry, Juliet, we know it's hard to be an Other! Mentioned: The Hoberman Sphere (the toy Terri likened to the ever-expanding romantic tanglements among the castaways and island-dwellers).​Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 4, episode 7, "Ji Yeon." Tomorrow, we'll continue our discussion of a newer show, The Lowdown.​This episode was recorded in front of a live audience ... of dogs.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a pair of children's books for insect-lovers: Spi-Ku: A Clutter of Short Verse on Eight Legs and Bugs by master balloon artist Masayoshi Matsumoto (who you can also check out on Instagram). ​Terri's random recommendation is the flavored coffee sampler from Grounds & Hounds. If you hate flavored coffee, skip this one. But if you don't, you'll find the flavors tasty and the presentation gift-worthy.In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2019 on holiday requirements (hint: we have very few).Next week's lineup:Lost S4 E6, "The Other Woman," on Tuesday, December 9The Lowdown S1 E4, "Short on Cowboys," on Wednesday, December 10Weekly roundup on Thursday, December 11Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.​This episode was recorded in front of a live audience ... of dogs.

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's The Lowdown. Per usual, Lee gets himself beaten up and captured by some bad guys, but this time, he charms them with his storytelling skills. Mentioned: Duster, another show where a precocious daughter tags along on dangerous missions.Next Wednesday, we'll continue with season 1, episode 4, "Short on Cowboys." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. We've actually discussed this well-known and beloved episode before, in 2017, when Terri challenged Catherine to watch it. She liked it then and now, because you can appreciate the romance (and the need for a constant) even without having seen all that comes before.​Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 4, episode 6, "The Other Woman." Tomorrow, we'll continue our discussion of a newer show, The Lowdown.

We're off this week, but not to worry: We have plenty of leftovers to reheat for you. This episode is from November 27, 2015. Enjoy!Was your Thanksgiving happy? Did you eat a lot of traditional family foods? Did many of them involve cream-of-mushroom soup, marshmallows, or Jello? To start off this week's group chat, we run through the many possibilities for turkey-day cuisine and draw the line at the things we will not eat. Or will, enthusiastically! It's like the battle of the Tootsie Rolls all over again.Next, we move on to the other big activity of this holiday weekend: trying to find good deals on holiday gifts. Do we rush out and elbow folks at the Walmart for the best deal on a big-screen TV, or do we hide at home with our computers and cybershop? We discuss the merits of online versus standing-on-line shopping, strategies for holiday cards and gift cards, how early in the year it's acceptable to care about this stuff, and the impossibility of shopping for spouses.Finally, we shared our recommendations

We're off this week, but not to worry: We have plenty of leftovers to reheat for you. This episode is from November 27, 2017. Enjoy!​Cyber Monday Shopping: Will we be proactive about replacing things that are about to break or just keep clinging to them because we fear change?Make It a Habit: We have a checkered history when it comes to habit-forming. Does it count if we're good at creating the same good habits over and over again?Speed Round: We Can't Remember: What was it we were going to talk about? It must be written down here somewhere. (Mentioned: Google Inbox's snooze feature.)Roundabout Roundup: Catherine is using dinner prep kits from her local supermarket, while Nicole is using Instacart to have the market come to her. And Terri's feeling productive with the Tide app.Shameless Self-Promotion: Preschoolers' Fears Explained; pre-order Nicole's book at Brookes Publishing and save 10% with the code Eredics; fun and shareable quotes from the podcast on Facebook.Thanks to Jon Morin for our fun in-and-out

We're off this week, but not to worry: We have plenty of leftovers to reheat for you. This episode is from November 25, 2016. Enjoy!On this week's group chat, we talk about special-occasion pressure, discuss the start of the holiday shopping season on our Friday speed round, shout out some stuff we like on the Roundabout Roundup, take a quiz about table manners, and do some shameless self-promotion. Here's your road map to the episode:Holiday Downsizing — Extended family all loving and rosy-cheeked around a food-stacked table is a heartwarming image, but the fact of it sometimes gives us heartburn. We talk about the pressure — external and internal — to have a portrait-worthy holiday and our attempts to bring expectations down to snapshot size.Speed Round: Do You Shop on Black Friday? — Some folks can't wait to hit the stores for bargains, some would rather jump off a cliff than go fight strangers for sales items, and some find the whole idea of making Thanksgiving weekend all about commerce offensive. Turns

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a series of picture books by Helen Lester starring the disheveled but lovable Tacky the Penguin. Plus, a middle-grade read called The Curse of the Werepenguin by Allan Woodrow.​Terri's random recommendation has come, once again, from the Facebook Reels algorithm. It's the That Was Us podcast, a This Is Us rewatch podcast hosted by actors Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown, and Chris Sullivan.​Bonus content: You can hear our thoughts on Dancing with the Stars every Tuesday night on YouTube; here's our chat on this week's episode (week 10, the semi-finals).In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2019, Parenting Let-Downs.Next week, we'll be off for Thanksgiving, but will be sharing some of our past turkey-themed chats on social media. After that, we'll return to our regular lineup:Lost S4 E5, "The Constant," on Tuesday, December 2The Lowdown S1 E3, "Dinosaur Memories" on Wednesday, December 3Weekly roundup on Thu

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's The Lowdown. The show has great casting and writing, even if the plot is a bit hard to follow (that's why Lee needs a big ol' murder board to keep track of it all). Mentioned: Scott Shepherd as menacing, fleece vest-wearing Allen Murphy.Next Wednesday, we'll continue with season 1, episode 3, "Dinosaur Memories." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This episode was a great big fakeout leading to the reveal of another member of the Oceanic Six. Also, Ben's facial trauma makeup artist is back, and Ben still knows how to get Locke's goat. Mentioned: "You gotta see the baby!" on Seinfeld.​Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 4, episode 5, "The Constant." 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 Seriously Good Chili Cookbook: 177 of the Best Recipes in the World, which prompted a look at other celebrities who've published cookbooks (and a shout-out to their savvy publicists and unsung ghostwriters). Mentioned: Kevin spills the chili on The Office and the 2010 Primetime Emmys opening number.​Terri's random recommendation is her daughter's new employer, Chick-fil-A! Get yourself some waffle fries to celebrate. Mentioned: "Chick-fil-A (...But It's Sunday)" from Bobby Bones.Bonus content: You can hear our thoughts on Dancing with the Stars every Tuesday night on YouTube; here's our chat on this week's episode (week 9, celebrating the show's 20th birthday).In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2019, Parenting Do-Overs. Mentioned: The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley.Next week's lineup: Lost S4 E4, "Eggtown," on Tuesday, November 18The Lowdown S1 E2, "The Devil's Mama" on Wednesday, November 19Weekl

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and as of this week, that's The Lowdown. It stars Ethan Hawke as the kind of person whose mouth (and pen; he's a journalist of sorts) often gets him punched in the face. He does have a smart and savvy daughter who, so far, doesn't want to injure him. Mentioned: Duster, Perry Mason, Alan Sepinwall's review of this episode.Next Wednesday, we'll continue with season 1, episode 2, "The Devil's Mama." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.​This episode was recorded in front of a live audience ... of dogs.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This mostly flash-forward episode identified another one of the Oceanic Six and showed us yet another way that Ben has found to torture the castaways. On the island: Love triangle! Sneaky deal-making! A secret room full of passports and cash!​Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 4, episode 4, "Eggtown." Tomorrow, we'll kick off our discussion of a newer show, The Lowdown.​This episode was recorded in front of a live audience ... of dogs.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a pair of twisty, plot-filled novels. She recommends them both: A Very Inconvenient Scandal by Jacquelyn Mitchard and All the Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah Harman.​Terri's random recommendation is another book: A memoir by TV and film producer Ed Zwick called Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions: My Fortysomething Years in Hollywood. Bonus content: You can hear our thoughts on Dancing with the Stars every Tuesday night on YouTube; here's our chat on this week's episode, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night. Mentioned: Mournful covers of "Hey Ya," "Take on Me," and "Love Shack.".​In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2021, Parent Saving Time.Next week's lineup: Lost S4 E3, "The Economist," on Tuesday, November 11The Lowdown S1 E1, "Pilot" on Wednesday, November 12Weekly roundup on Thursday, November 13Until 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 Only Murders in the Building. This was the season finale, so per usual, the murders were solved, and another body was discovered. While the show has drifted from its original focus, it's still an enjoyable watch, as long as you don't care about logic or a plot that hangs together.Next Wednesday, we'll kick off a new watch: The Lowdown on Hulu. It comes from Sterlin Harjo, who also created Reservation Dogs, another show we enjoyed very much. ​This episode was recorded in front of a live audience ... of dogs.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. In this episode, we get four new characters (there have been some deaths; it was time to restock), along with flashbacks for all of them. Plus, the brief and somewhat triumphant return of Vincent the dog.​Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 4, episode 3, "The Economist." Tomorrow, we'll continue with our discussion of a newer show, Only Murders in the Building.​This episode was recorded in front of a live audience ... of dogs.