Ghostwriting for Our Kids
A Wall Street Journal article about parents ghostwriting their kids' texts got us obsessing: Our ghostwriting services extend well beyond texts. We are professionals!
Feb 23, 2023•14 min
Parenting Roundabout
Join parenting writers Terri Mauro and Catherine Holecko for a weekly look at the things parents are talking about, complaining about, and obsessing about right now.
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Episodes
We Just Don’t Get It
Whether it's due to a generation gap or a kid's need to "figure it out" themselves, we can complain about plenty of occasions when we just don't understand what our kids are doing. And we don't think we're alone.
Feb 22, 2023•15 min
What We’re Watching: Shrinking “Woof” and Brothers and Sisters “The Other Walker”
On this week's entertainment-themed Round 2, the Shrinking folks are doing things they can't face, or at least trying to, while the Walkers, on Brothers and Sisters, are facing the fact that there's another one of them (and making some truly bad decisions about her). Next: Shrinking S1E6, "Imposter Syndrome," and Brothers and Sisters S1 E 17, "All in the Family."
Feb 21, 2023•23 min
Family Activities of Yesterday and Today
Inspired by TikTok, we chatted about what activities our families like to share, starting with watching TikToks together.
Feb 20, 2023•12 min
Speed-Round Sunday: Kids and Coffee
On Speed-Round Sunday, we share a mini episode from our past for your weekend listening pleasure. Find out which one of us bans coffee for kids and teens, and which one fed it to her young child by accident.
Feb 19, 2023•7 min
Second-Listen Saturday: 18 Summers
On Second-Listen Saturday, we share moments from past episodes for your weekend listening pleasure. This discussion is from July 2019. After reading yet another article about how parents only have 18 summers with their kids (they show up every year), we respond with a hearty "So what?" We can come up with at least 18 things about summer with kids that we're glad to be done with.
Feb 18, 2023•11 min
Roundabout Roundup: Brinks Door Security Bar, Omron Blood Pressure Monitor, and Singer Claire Kelly
On this week’s Roundabout Roundup, Nicole's fortifying her home with a heavy-duty door security bar from Brinks . Terri is keeping tabs on her health with her very own home blood pressure monitor , and Catherine's soothing them both with a pretty tune from singer-songwriter Claire Kelly called " The Land that Time Forgot ." Thanks as always to Jon Morin for our fun in-and-out music, which you hear on every episode....
Feb 17, 2023•9 min
Marie Kondo’s Change of Heart
On today's episode, we obsess about the news that Marie Kondo has backtracked a bit on her tidiness crusade (and of course, has written a new book about it). Mentioned: Silk long underwear , tea organizer ....
Feb 16, 2023•12 min
The Medical Test Gauntlet
Terri's been through a lot of medical tests recently, which gives us the opportunity to complain about all that entails--from the discomfort to the claustrophobia to the too-long (or sometimes too short?) wait for results. Mentioned: Summit Health on Roundabout Roundup .
Feb 15, 2023•15 min
What We’re Watching: Shrinking “Fifteen Minutes” and “Potatoes” and Brothers and Sisters “Love Is Difficult”
On this week's entertainment-themed Round 2, we see two views of psychotherapy. On Shrinking , Jimmy is having mixed results with his unorthodox methods, while also trying to juggle his relationships with his daughter, co-workers, and neighbors. Next: Season 1, episode 5, "Woof." On Brothers and Sisters , episode 15, "Love Is Difficult," was perfectly timed for Valentine's Day. And it looks like love is going to get even more difficult for the Walkers, now that their half-sister has arrived in t...
Feb 14, 2023•29 min
Real-Life Conversation Hearts
After our friend Mike shared a meme on the topic of " if moms made candy hearts ," we decided to devote this almost-Valentine's Day episode to talking about our candy conversation heart ideas. What would yours say?
Feb 13, 2023•9 min
Speed-Round Sunday: Mom Jewelry
On Speed-Round Sunday, we share a mini episode from our past for your weekend listening pleasure. Turns out we're not big jewelry people, but we do each have a sentimental piece or two.
Feb 12, 2023•5 min
Second-Listen Saturday: Fake Life Deadlines
On Second-Listen Saturday, we share moments from past episodes for your weekend listening pleasure. This discussion is from July 2019. As if birthdays weren't enough pressure, Terri's facing one that feels like New Year's Day times 60: What should she do to celebrate? And what should she do to make it count and change her life for the better? She needs ideas.
Feb 11, 2023•12 min
Roundabout Roundup: Round 2 Archives and The Traitors
On this week’s Roundabout Roundup, Terri's shouting out her own efforts and imploring you to check out the index she's creating of everything we've covered on Round 2 : TV shows, movies, books, live theatre, and more. Meanwhile, Catherine adds to Terri's workload by mentioning the Peacock reality show The Traitors , hosted by Alan Cumming. Thanks as always to Jon Morin for our fun in-and-out music, which you hear on every episode....
Feb 10, 2023•11 min
Second Thoughts: Our Lives As TV Shows
This week, we are bringing you some second thoughts on round-2 related topics from our archives. Today, we revisit and update an episode from August 2017, " Our Lives Are Like a Bad TV Show ." Spoiler: Terri's moved from a procedural to a sitcom, while Catherine left Sitcom Land for some light suspense.
Feb 09, 2023•9 min
Second Thoughts: What Our Kids Are Watching
This week, we are bringing you some second thoughts on round-2 related topics from our archives. Today, an episode from August 2017 on what our kids were watching . Some things have changed, and some have stayed very much the same, even all these years later.
Feb 08, 2023•16 min
What We’re Watching: Shrinking “Coin Flip” and “Fortress of Solitude” and Brothers and Sisters “Valentine’s Day Massacre”
On this week's entertainment-themed Round 2, we checked out the first two episodes of Shrinking , a new Bill Lawrence/Brett Goldstein comedy on Apple TV+. It's a very funny, if F-bomb-heavy, show with some wonderful performances, so we'll be back for more. Next: Episodes 3 and 4, “Fifteen Minutes” and “Potatoes.” On Brothers and Sisters , the Walkers are up to their usual shenanigans: Sex with exes (mentioned: this Cougar Town song , speaking of Bill Lawrence)! Getting busted for smoking pot! Fe...
Feb 07, 2023•28 min
Second Thoughts: Our Most Memorable Years
This week, we are drawing on our Round 2 themes to bring you some second thoughts on round-2 related topics from our archives. First up, in October 2017, we jumped off of our Dancing with the Stars watch to talk about our most memorable years . Today, we're checking in to see what's changed and how we'd choreograph some of the highlights and lowlights of our lives....
Feb 06, 2023•16 min
Speed-Round Sunday: Watching Sports
On Speed-Round Sunday, we share a mini episode from our past for your weekend listening pleasure. Today's question: What sports do you find the most boring to watch? The most exciting?
Feb 05, 2023•6 min
Second-Listen Saturday: Saying Too Much
On Second-Listen Saturday, we share moments from past episodes for your weekend listening pleasure. This discussion is from July 2019. Sometimes it's tough to balance our kids' right to privacy with our own need to fill a conversational void. Or our ability to think on our feet when we're caught off-guard.
Feb 04, 2023•14 min
Roundabout Roundup: Summit Health, Computer Cleaning Kit, and BeReal
On this week’s Roundabout Roundup, Terri's shouting out her local mega-medical practice, Summit Health (coming to a location near you soon, probably). Nicole's being proactive with a laptop cleaning kit , and Catherine's having fun with the social photo app BeReal . Thanks as always to Jon Morin for our fun in-and-out music, which you hear on every episode....
Feb 03, 2023•10 min
Support Without Smothering
An article titled " 12 Ways to Help Your Young Adult When Life Knocks Them Down " got us obsessing about how and when it's appropriate to step in when kids have problems, and how hard it is to step back.
Feb 02, 2023•11 min
Are You a Jellyfish or a Piranha?
The latest "insert-animal-here" parenting style is apparently jellyfish parenting . But instead of complaining about that, we decided to pick our own sea creatures to identify with. (Watch out for Terri's sharp teeth.)
Feb 01, 2023•10 min
What We’re Watching: Dog Gone and Brothers and Sisters “Something Ida This Way Comes”
On this week's entertainment-themed Round 2, we followed Rob Lowe from Brothers and Sisters (and West Wing and Parks & Rec before that) to his new Netflix movie, Dog Gone . The drama and the stakes are turned way past 11, but the dog is cute and you will shed some tears in spite of yourself. On Brothers and Sisters this week, a younger Rob Lowe lends his caterer to an otherwise disastrous party celebrating Nora's 60th birthday (it's the Walkers--you know there would be disaster). If you like...
Jan 31, 2023•36 min
That Could Be a Movie
The relentless promos for the new movie 80 for Brady (like the trailer and music video ) got us talking about events from our own lives that should get the Hollywood treatment.
Jan 30, 2023•12 min
Speed-Round Sunday: Big Box or Mom and Pop?
On Speed-Round Sunday, we share a mini episode from our past for your weekend listening pleasure. Today's question: For shopping during the holiday season or any time of year, do you prefer the big box stores or small mom-and-pop shops?
Jan 29, 2023•5 min
Second-Listen Saturday: Four Things That Define Us
On Second-Listen Saturday, we share moments from past episodes for your weekend listening pleasure. This discussion is from June 2019. At The Shop Forward (which Terri recommended recently ), you can customize a tote bag with four words or phrases that tell the world who you are. We, of course, would like several bags to be used in different settings. Sometimes we want to proclaim we're moms, and other times we don't!...
Jan 28, 2023•10 min
Roundabout Roundup: Jeremy the Manager, Loma Linda Sweet Potato Harvest Bowl, and HARDY, “The Mockingbird and THE CROW”
On this week’s Roundabout Roundup, Nicole's Instagram Minute returns with @jeremy.the.manager . Catherine suggests a tasty veggie bowl from Loma Linda , and Terri's rocking out to HARDY's latest album, " The Mockingbird and THE CROW ." Thanks as always to Jon Morin for our fun in-and-out music, which you hear on every episode....
Jan 27, 2023•8 min
Setting Goals for Our Kids
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.
Jan 26, 2023•15 min
Does Motherhood Need a New Label?
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.
Jan 25, 2023•11 min
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