Parenting Roundabout

When kids are little, we have hopes and dreams for what they'll accomplish. As they get older, we have to let go of the goal-setting process. If you know us, you know this isn't exactly easy.

An article suggesting more widespread use of the term "matrescence" for the transition to motherhood got us (well, one of us, especially) ranting about fancy words for common experiences. But we can all agree that when you become a parent, finding your people is essential.

On this week's entertainment-themed Round 2, we checked out NBC's absolutely fine and pleasant reboot of Night Court, created by and starring Melissa Rauch (Big Bang Theory's Bernadette). We enjoyed seeing a few actors from Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist (India de Beaufort--who also appeared on One Day at a Time--and Kapil Talwalkar). But we might've enjoyed watching the original series' pilot even more (it's available on Freevee). Mentioned: The late Harry Anderson's recurring role on Cheers.Over on Brothers and Sisters, nobody's enjoying much of anything (surprise), but everybody feels compelled to talk with their siblings about their sex lives. Next: S1 E 13, "Something Ida This Way Comes." We actually talked about this episode on a Round 2 way back in 2017, but we're revisiting it now with more context (at least for Catherine). We'll also follow Rob Lowe to his latest movie, Dog Gone.

When we read some "anti-parenting advice" prompted by a viral Twitter thread, we had to talk about it. Is it any surprise to learn that just as we are anti a lot of parenting advice, we are also anti anti-parenting advice?

On Speed-Round Sunday, we share a mini episode from our past for your weekend listening pleasure.​We tell our tales of cars that pull off magical U-turns, a family assembling itself from across the globe, and close encounters with groundhogs.

On Second-Listen Saturday, we share moments from past episodes for your weekend listening pleasure. This discussion is from June 2019.Summer brings travel, and travel brings us such a lengthy list of to-dos and don't-forgets that maybe it's easier to just stay home.

On this week’s Roundabout Roundup, Terri's just one of many fans of Father Mike Schmitz's Catechism in a Year podcast. Nicole's caring for her local "community" cats with a cushy heated blanket. And all you need to know about the article Catherine's recommending is the title: An Oral History of the Time Six Doctors Swallowed Lego Heads to See How Long They'd Take to Poo.Thanks as always to Jon Morin for our fun in-and-out music, which you hear on every episode.

Last week, we talked about parents using baby monitors to supervise big kids. Then we heard about a mom who tracked her kid down in cyberspace--not to quit playing games, but to defrost a lasagna for dinner. Brilliant!

On today's episode, we're complaining about Facebook's algorithm serving us up ads for clothing and shoes "for mature women." Listen, just because we like comfortable, roomy clothes and some nice arch support doesn't mean we are old!

On this week's entertainment-themed Round 2, we caught up with the Sandra Bullock-Channing Tatum rom-com The Lost City, a delightful tropical adventure (ancient parchment! a volcano! leeches on someone's very attractive butt!). Then we moved to the also beautiful setting of Justin's rehab facility in Brothers and Sisters, for some family squabbling right in front of Justin's peers and therapist. Good times! Next: S1 E12, "Sexual Politics." We'll also check out NBC's reboot of Night Court. Don't make us regret it, NBC.

After reading the life advice Sahil Bloom collected from 90-year-olds (found via Liz Gumbinner's Substack), we talked about what advice made sense to us, what scared us, and what we're already doing (*pats self on back*).

On Speed-Round Sunday, we share a mini episode from our past for your weekend listening pleasure.Our thoughts on what's overrated cover rather a lot of ground: Beaches. Amusement parks. Water parks. Camping. Leaving the house ever.

On Second-Listen Saturday, we share moments from past episodes for your weekend listening pleasure. This discussion is from June 2019.A recent poll of dads finds that many of them feel "shamed" by comments about their parenting. We say "hey, that's our turf! Move along!" And also, we prefer to call it "educating" instead of "shaming."

On this week’s Roundabout Roundup, Catherine shouts out a fun store called BoxLunch, where you can buy fun goodies like a Hufflepuff ramen bundle. Nicole binged all of White Lotus season 2 in a single day, and Terri's recommending a new breakfast strategy: Oats Overnight.Thanks as always to Jon Morin for our fun in-and-out music, which you hear on every episode.

The topic generator that is Julie Jargon at the Wall Street Journal strikes again, this time with an article titled "These parents use baby monitors to track older children--even teens." We obsessed about whether or not this is ever a good idea (and how it's at least a little tempting).

A Scary Mommy article about a mom who didn't appreciate her babysitter's need to shower on the job got us complaining about--well, not babysitters. About lack of context, mostly, and our own inexperience with babysitter management.

On this week's entertainment-themed Round 2, we caught up with the latest exploits of Benoit Blanc (of Knives Out) in the movie Glass Onion. It's full of fun performances, delightful cameos, and beautiful scenery, not to mention a twisty little mystery.Brothers and Sisters is another product with a cast full of familiar faces, but swaps in many (many) family dramas for the mystery--although we're still following the Case of the Missing Personalized Plate. Next up: S1 E11, "Family Day."We'll also watch the movie The Lost City on Amazon Prime; NPR's Linda Holmes called it "a genuinely terrific film that burbles with star power and uses its cast perfectly." That cast, by the way, is headlined by Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum, and Daniel Radcliffe.

An adult kid's confession got us talking about how hard it is to help grown children manage their money... or to ask for any help at all.

On Speed-Round Sunday, we share a mini episode from our past for your weekend listening pleasure.​When given the choice between two occupations, we'll always try to figure out which one has the lower potential for stress.

On Second-Listen Saturday, we share moments from past episodes for your weekend listening pleasure. This discussion is from June 2019.​We attempt to translate all those words kids say that mean everything and also nothing: "Sure." "Okay." "Later." "Whatever." If you want to listen, that's "fine."