Parenting Roundabout

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a picture book called I Worked Hard on That! by Robyn Wall with pictures by A.N. Kang. It stars a cute (really!) spider whose web-weaving efforts are frequently thwarted. We also recommend a scroll down Wall's list of other titles, including My First Book of Beards, "a super-stylish board book for babies and toddlers with bearded dads" (really!).​Terri's random recommendation this week is more of an observation: AI is everywhere! There's Claude, Grok, ChatGPT, and more, with some useful applications and some less so. In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2019 on how sharing our words of wisdom sometimes feels like talking to a brick wall.Next week's lineup: Lost S2 E12, "Fire + Water," on Tuesday, March 10A Man on the Inside S1 E7, "From Russian Hill with Love," on Wednesday, March 11Weekly roundup on Thursday, March 12Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Right now, we're watching A Man on the Inside. Last week, we complained that the mystery (the alleged driver of the plot) had been forgotten and been replaced by a melancholy look at aging. This week, things got even sadder as one of Charles's friends died. However, at least we got some Charles-Emily scenes, even if they were about the lack of communication between father and daughter.Next Wednesday, we'll continue with season 1, episode 7, "From Russian Hill with Love." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. In case you've forgotten, this episode would like to inform you once again that Jack has a savior complex. But he's also realized that he needs an army to take on The Others, so that's next on his to-do list.Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 2, episode 12, "Fire + Water." Tomorrow, we're back with our sitcom, A Man on the Inside.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is Toto, by A.J. Hackwith, which is a look at the Wizard of Oz story from the perspective of Toto the dog. He tells us, "I was mostly a Good Dog until they sold me out to animal control, okay?" which sounds like a take we'd like to hear.​Terri's random recommendation this week is a filmed version of a stage production of Waitress, starring Sara Bareilles and streaming on Max. We've talked about the show and the movie before, and Terri found this an enjoyable way to make use of her Max subscription. Mentioned: A song from the show, "She Used to Be Mine," performed by Jeremy Jordan, Jessie Mueller, and the show's creator, Sara Bareilles.In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2021 on one-star reviews of parenting experiences. Mentioned: "7 Surprisingly Busy Days in the Life of an Experimental Theater Maker" at the New York Times (gift link).Next week's lineup: Lost S2 E11, "The Hunting Party," on Tuesday, March

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Right now, we're watching A Man on the Inside. This episode strayed rather far from the spy premise of the show, and we're wondering when it'll find its way back. And when we'll see Emily and her kids again. Come on! Put those kids on the phone, at least!Next Wednesday, we'll continue with season 1, episode 6, "Our Man in Sacramento." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This week, it's Mr. Eko's turn for flashbacks telling his complicated and violent backstory, while he and Charlie search the jungle for the wreckage of the Beechcraft plane. The Smoke Monster returns and so do the computer messages from Walt (or someone claiming to be Walt).Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 2, episode 11, "The Hunting Party." Tomorrow, we're back with our sitcom, A Man on the Inside.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is from the Scatological Department of the children's section (not a real thing, but why isn't it?). It's The Great Poop Contest by Rafael Ordonez. Mentioned: Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard.​Terri's random recommendation this week is rosary rings, which are useful in the dentist's chair, the passenger seat, and anywhere else you need a little prayerful distraction.In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2020 on life skill blind spots.Next week's lineup: Lost S2 E10, "The 23rd Psalm," on Tuesday, February 25A Man on the Inside S1 E5, "Presents and Clear Danger," on Wednesday, February 26Weekly roundup on Thursday, February 27Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Right now, we're watching A Man on the Inside. In this episode, we missed seeing or hearing from Emily and her family, and we felt sorry for Charles as he made friends and then realized he'd need to betray them to do his job. But there were still a few of the hijinks we've come to expect.Next Wednesday, we'll continue with season 1, episode 5, "Presents and Clear Danger." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. While we've already had many a hint as to what Kate did, this week's episode breaks it all down for us, entering Kate into the Bad Parent sweepstakes with entries from her mom, dad, and stepfather. On the island, things get weirder in the hatch as Michael gets a message from his son, who's possibly grabbing some unauthorized screen time.Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 2, episode 10, "The 23rd Psalm." Tomorrow, we're back with our sitcom, A Man on the Inside.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find comes from the adult nonfiction section this week: Custodians of Wonder: Ancient Customs, Profound Traditions, and the Last People Keeping Them Alive by Eliot Stein. She can't vouch for the author (yet) but thinks this could be an entertaining and illuminating trip around the world.​Terri's random recommendation this week is the sitcom Scrubs, which ran from 2001 to 2010. She's watching it for the first time for two reasons: She's a Bill Lawrence fan (see: Shrinking) and she needs to justify her Hulu subscription. In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2023 on real-life conversation hearts.Next week's lineup: Lost S2 E9, "What Kate Did," on Tuesday, February 18A Man on the Inside S1 E4, "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Painting Class," on Wednesday, February 19Weekly roundup on Thursday, February 20Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Right now, we're watching A Man on the Inside. In this episode, we found out that you can't escape the PTA, even in a senior living residence, and that Charles and his daughter make a great team. Mentioned: a Spectrum TV ad in which a kid springs a project on his dad at bedtime, LinkedIn games, a hot buttered rum recipe (slightly more complicated than Terri's version). and Tom and Jerry batter.Next Wednesday, we'll continue with season 1, episode 4, "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Painting Class." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. The meeting of the tail-section and mid-section survivors seemed to be more of a gentle tap than a violent collision, but it led us to the Reunions Montage at the end: Sawyer and Kate! Michael and Vincent! Rose and Bernard! Sun and Jin! Jack and some woman he met in a bar at the airport!Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 2, episode 9, "What Kate Did." Tomorrow, we're back with our sweet sitcom, A Man on the Inside.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find ties in nicely with our new TV series watch, A Man on the Inside. It's a nonfiction children's book called Animal Snoops: The Wondrous World of Wildlife Spies by Peter Christie. Check it out if you've got a kid who's fascinated by fauna, or by covert ops.​Terri's random recommendation this week is one sec, a productivity tool available as an app or a browser extension. It makes you pause and think about what you're doing before you open a social media feed, or any other time-sucking online place.In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2021 on the best and worst times of day for parents.Next week's lineup: Lost S2 E8, "Collision," on Tuesday, February 11A Man on the Inside S1 E3, "The Emily Always Rings Twice," on Wednesday, February 12Weekly roundup on Thursday, February 13Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. We recently started the Netflix comedy series A Man on the Inside. Ted Danson stars as Charles, a widower who's hired to go undercover at a retirement home to solve a burglary case. But there's plenty of parenting to be found here, as Charles's daughter Emily deals with three teens doing stupid teen things.Next Wednesday, we'll continue with season 1, episode 3, "The Emily Always Rings Twice." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This episode caught us up on what's been happening with the tail-section survivors. And what's been happening is pretty grim. Their leader, Ana Lucia, has all the responsibilities of a leader with absolutely no benefits. As moms, we relate.Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 2, episode 8, "Collision." Tomorrow, we're kicking off a new series watch: A Man on the Inside.

Here's what we're watching, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is an old Hallmark movie called Christmas at Cartwright's that grabbed her attention with its name--since she used to share it. To her knowledge, there aren't any real department stores called Cartwright's, though. ​Terri's random recommendation this week is also store-adjacent. She suggests visiting a Barnes & Noble cafe for lunch. She and her family particularly recommend the Caprese sandwich, grilled cheese, spinach feta pretzels, and raspberry cheesecake.​​In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2020 on family rituals.Next week's lineup: Lost S2 E7, "The Other 48 Days," on Tuesday, February 4A Man on the Inside S1 E2, "The Man Who Knew Too Much About Bridges," on Wednesday, February 5Weekly roundup on Thursday, February 6Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

Every Wednesday we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Today, we're kicking off our watch of the new Netflix comedy series A Man on the Inside, starring Ted Danson and Stephanie Beatriz. We very much enjoyed the first episode, from spotting familiar The Good Place faces to the embrace of physical newspapers and snail mail.Next Wednesday, we'll continue with season 1, episode 2, "The Man Who Knew Too Much About Bridges." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. Things go from bad (in flashback) to much, much worse (on the island) for Shannon in this one, as we meet her evil stepmother and then she meets not The Others, but the Tailies. Meanwhile, Locke adds to his Island Dad cred by teaching Claire how to swaddle the baby.Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 2, episode 7, "The Other 48 days." Tomorrow, we're kicking off a new series watch: A Man on the Inside.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is Cranky, by Phuc Tran with illustrations by Pete Oswald. It's a picture book starring a crabby crane who does not want to talk about what's bothering him, so don't ask! Mentioned: The Food Group series, also illustrated by Oswald.​Terri's random recommendation this week is some Apple synergy: Apple Music playlists from our beloved Shrinking (an Apple TV+ show). You can listen to songs from season 1 and season 2 (that one includes the extended, very profane version of "Cheater B*tch"). Mentioned: "Collateral" (which plays just before the accident Louis causes) and "Looking Too Closely" (from the final minutes of season 2).​​In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2022 on pondering praise.Next week's lineup: Lost S2 E6, "Abandoned," on Tuesday, January 28A Man on the Inside S1 E1, "Tinker Tailor Older Spy," on Wednesday, January 29Weekly roundup on Thursday, January 30Until then (and anytime you're in need), t

Every week, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's season 2 of Shrinking. It wrapped up this week with a grand gesture of forgiveness befitting of the season's theme. It also added "magnanimous" to Derrick 2's character traits, to go along with "hot." We'll miss these characters a lot and are looking forward to season 3 (coming in 2026). ​Next week, we'll kick off a new series watch: A Man on the Inside, a Michael Schur-helmed show starring Ted Danson and Stephanie Beatriz. Episode 1 is called "Tinker Tailor Older Spy" and it's on Netflix. We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.