A kid's obsession can build self-esteem, lead to a career, or help you communicate when nothing else works. So what's not to love? After all, as adults we have plenty of obsessions of our own (like, say, podcasting).
Aug 27, 2022•10 min
On this week’s Roundabout Roundup, the Instagram Minute is back once again, with a guest recommendation from Terri's daughter: @Dogs [ https://www.instagram.com/dogs/ ], and specifically this video of two puppers spying on their neighbors [ https://www.instagram.com/p/ChDyF2Glt1N/ ]. Catherine's recommending some different dogs: the truly hideous homes on HGTV's Ugliest House in America [ https://www.hgtv.com/shows/ugliest-house-in-america ]....
Aug 26, 2022•8 min
The first day of Catherine's son's senior year is looming. Send thoughts, prayers, good vibes, and maybe some chocolate. She's going to need help.
Aug 25, 2022•15 min
Just last week, a mere 7 days ago, Terri had a problem with her garage door opener [ https://www.parentingroundaboutpodcast.com/blog/the-joys-of-homeownership ] and Catherine's basement was about to get torn up for a new drain and sump pump (thrilling). Both of those are resolved now, but that just means that our various appliances had to beg for attention. Mentioned: Cuisinart PerfecTemp electric kettle (which, for the record, can be had for much less than the price advertised) [ https://www.cu...
Aug 24, 2022•16 min
On this week's entertainment-themed Round 2, we're coming to the end of season 2 of Only Murders in the Building, which means lots of twist and turns and threads being pulled--and almost all the characters we mentioned last week as being MIA are in fact IA this time. Next week: the season finale, "I Know Who Did It." On Rutherford Falls, Nathan continues to be a punching bag and a terrible friend to Reagan, which Josh gently points out. And the team of lawyers from Rutherford Inc. is really no m...
Aug 23, 2022•20 min
We once again steal a question from Follow the Herd, and talk about how we'd spend a $10,000 windfall. Travel agents and cheap contractors, help us out! Mentioned: Lyle Lovett in concert [ https://mamatude.blogspot.com/2002/08/august-12-16-2002.html ].
Aug 22, 2022•15 min
Nicole's favorite TV series has let her down this season, so she's picked a book series as her fave, and Catherine and Terri followed suit. Our picks: Sue Grafton mysteries [ https://amzn.to/2KukaNT ], Harry Potter audiobooks [ https://amzn.to/2M0LUOT ], and Henry and Mudge kids' books [ https://amzn.to/2KpAhMx ].
Aug 21, 2022•5 min
This post on the "burden of parent homework" [ https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/27/well/family/the-burden-of-parent-homework.html ] was the perfect prompt for our weekly complaint session. No thank you to homework for preschoolers, to homework for bigger kids that requires tons of parental intervention, and to communication tools that don't actually communicate.
Aug 20, 2022•12 min
On this week’s Roundabout Roundup, Catherine takes over Nicole's Instagram Minute to recommend Knuckle Bump Farms [ https://www.instagram.com/knucklebumpfarms/ ], for its many, many pictures of cute baby animals and a sassy emu named Emmanuel. And Terri suggests immersing yourself in the mood of the movie Licorice Pizza [ https://youtu.be/ofnXPwUPENo ], set in the 1970s in the San Fernando Valley.
Aug 19, 2022•11 min
What with all the Hollywood folks and social media influencers securing sponsorships for their life events, we obsessed about how we could get in on the action too. This is a very influential podcast!! Mentioned: A fundraiser for Catherine's daughter's skating team that's fun for NFL football fans [ https://www.charitymania.com/give/AC168 ].
Aug 18, 2022•14 min
It's time for another round of "All the things in our homes that are broken right now," with big fat disclaimers about how grateful we are for the roofs over our heads (it's all the junk inside the house that is the problem).
Aug 17, 2022•15 min
On this week's entertainment-themed Round 2, miscellaneous clues are scattering like glitter or cat hair on Only Murders in the Building. We suspect they will need a lint roller to clear everything up in the two remaining episodes. Mentioned: WhoKilledBunny.com. Next: Season 2, episode 9, "Sparring Partners." On Rutherford Falls, Reagan manages to create a meaningful museum exhibit out of a hodge-podge of donated items, and Terry Thomas dismantles the baby lawyer that Rutherford. Inc. sends to n...
Aug 16, 2022•18 min
In response to this viral video of a moment of sportsmanship from a Little League game [ https://local12.com/sports/content/viral-video-beaned-little-league-batter-rises-to-console-upset-pitcher-waco-texas-tournament-hit-helmet-player-regional-playoff-game-hug-mound-kaiden-shelton-isaiah-jarvis-tears-cry-crying ], we talked about some of those moments of pride we've had in our kids--but tragically haven't captured on video. Can we get a little advance warning next time?...
Aug 15, 2022•13 min
Loud bark-y dogs, stealth hedgehogs, attack ants, and black pooches playing speed bump in the dark are on the job of defending our homes. Play it safe—stay away!
Aug 14, 2022•6 min
Today, we're talking about an article [ https://bold.expert/from-philosopher-to-negotiator-these-parental-roles-help-kids-thrive/ ] that outlines some of the roles parents need to play to help kids thrive (it's an interview with the coauthor of a new book, The Formula: Unlocking the Secrets to raising Highly Successful Children [ https://amzn.to/2IsUJz1 ].) We've performed them all, and have several to add to the list....
Aug 13, 2022•13 min
On this week’s Roundabout Roundup, we are here for your flavored beverage needs. Terri's shouting out the Flavored Coffee of the Month Club [ https://www.blackoutcoffee.com/products/flavored-coffee-of-the-month-club?selling_plan=1905754223 ] from Blackout Coffee Co. (so far, she's sampled white chocolate and raspberry and then black currant). If you prefer your fruity flavors over ice, Catherine recommends the unique sparkling water flavors at Aura Bora, such as basil berry, cactus rose, and cha...
Aug 12, 2022•7 min
Inspired by a Follow the Herd question [ https://www.followtheherd.org/game/ ], we ask: Would you rather have a job you love for $75,000 a year, or a job you hate for $125,000 a year? We think it's a pretty easy answer, but at least one of our family members surprised us with their thoughts on the topic.
Aug 11, 2022•10 min
A few months ago, the No Stupid Questions podcast did an episode about whether it's okay to copy aspects of other people's personality, titled "Do You Mind If I Borrow Your Personality?" [ https://freakonomics.com/podcast/do-you-mind-if-i-borrow-your-personality/ ]. So we copied that topic and discussed it today.
Aug 10, 2022•13 min
On this week's entertainment-themed Round 2: It was another rough week for Mabel on Only Murders in the Building as she unlocked some traumatic memories with the help of Theo Dimas (even though he only caught about a third of what she said). We ended on a cliffhanger as the city was plunged into a blackout, setting up next week's episode: season 2, episode 8, "Hello Darkness." Rutherford Falls used "History Fair" to comment on the connection between art and artists and how past bad behavior affe...
Aug 09, 2022•18 min
Every once in a while, we get a little nostalgic and wistful and think about how sweet it would be to have a baby around... or a baby dog. And then we have an experience like the one Terri just had to set our heads straight.
Aug 08, 2022•13 min
In a question that proved almost too hypothetical to answer, we try to determine what age we'd like to remain forever and ever. Two of us are going for 30, and the other one can't quite commit.
Aug 07, 2022•6 min
First we were obsessed with the college application process [ http://www.parentingroundaboutpodcast.com/blog/kids-and-rejection-college-acceptance-edition ], then those who cheated on that process [ http://www.parentingroundaboutpodcast.com/blog/rethinking-college ]. Now, we're wondering how the heck anyone could pay for college once they do get in....
Aug 06, 2022•14 min
On this week’s Roundabout Roundup, our guest Audra shouts out Beats Studio Buds and by extension, Bluetooth and audiobooks. Audra's podcast partner Hadassa is a fan of Song Quiz, which you can play on an Alexa device. Terri recently returned to Return to Me, an old movie worth revisiting (we talked about it on Round 2 way back in 2017). Finally, Catherine suggests doing a 5-minute workout for a quick burst of accomplishment. Visit https://parentingroundabout.com for all these links....
Aug 05, 2022•8 min
Terri's daughter is trying out some dating apps, and Terri has zero experience in this area (not that that stops her from obsessing about it). Luckily, guests Audra and Hadassa do have experience, both personal and parental, to share.
Aug 04, 2022•17 min
Guests Audra and Hadassa (from the A Bit Above podcast [ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-bit-above/id1548787190 ]) join us in complaining about everything that interrupts our sleep, from kids to pets to neighborhood car alarms--and of course, worries from the past, present, and future.
Aug 03, 2022•13 min
On this week's entertainment-themed Round 2, it's a terrible, no-good, very bad week for poor Mabel on Only Murders in the Building, and Terri has a theory about the questioned paternity of Oliver's son. Next week: Season 2, episode 7, "Flipping the Pieces." Over in Rutherford Falls, we learn about Minishonka casino CEO Terry Thomas and the motivation for his lawsuit plan. Plus, we meet his family, including a wife who can mix it up on the lacrosse field sidelines and a daughter who has a talent...
Aug 02, 2022•21 min
With Nicole away for the time being, we decided to bring in some help: Audra and Hadassa from the A Bit Above podcast [ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-bit-above/id1548787190 ]. They are both moms, but beyond that, lead very different lives. So on today's episode, they tell us about themselves and their podcast.
Aug 01, 2022•12 min
We look at the pretty places near our homes, from a New York City skyline view to the California beaches--with a stop in the Midwest for historic homes and ice shanties.
Jul 31, 2022•6 min
Today, we complain about people who doubt our kids' abilities. And then we complain about ourselves for caring so much about proving them wrong.
Jul 30, 2022•10 min
On this week’s Roundabout Roundup, we are here to entertain you with a song and a show. First up, the most recent single from Walker Hayes, "Y'all Life," is a catchy ode to life in the south, complete with cute video [ https://youtu.be/zYw4xdlj2SQ ]. And Julia, on HBO Max [ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10975574/ ], is an ode to Julia Child and her public TV cooking show, The French Chef.
Jul 29, 2022•7 min