The Last Dance
It's prom season, and the youngest of our kids is attending two events this year (which came as something of a surprise to his mother).
Apr 24, 2023•16 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
Speed-Round Sunday: When Kids Want to Change Their Names
On Speed-Round Sunday, we share a mini episode from our past for your weekend listening pleasure. Terri's daughter found out the hard way that Facebook doesn't look too kindly on name changes made just for fun.
Apr 23, 2023•6 min
Second-Listen Saturday: Disappointing Kids' Activities
On Second-Listen Saturday, we share moments from past episodes for your weekend listening pleasure. This discussion is from July 2019. In this episode, we complain about all those sports, activities, camps, and classes that we thought would be the answer to our prayers, but fell short (sometimes, way short). Who knew trying to help our kids find their passion and their tribe would be so hard?
Apr 22, 2023•13 min
Roundabout Roundup: Corkcicle Water Bottles, Thank You for Listening, and Marcel the Shell With Shoes On
On this week’s Roundabout Roundup: Nicole's marveling at the power of her Corkcicle water bottle . Terri enjoyed the story, writing, and narration, all by Julia Whelan, of Thank You for Listening (Whelan also narrated another of our past Roundup items, Flying Solo by Linda Holmes). And Catherine recommends Marcel the Shell With Shoes On , a charming, bittersweet, family-friendly movie. Thanks as always to Jon Morin for our fun in-and-out music, which you hear on every episode....
Apr 21, 2023•9 min
We Could Write a Book
When we heard about an upcoming mother-daughter book by Diane Ladd and Laura Dern, we obsessed about the books we could write, given that we all have mothers and daughters and writing experience (just no Academy Awards). Mentioned: Social Print Studio , Storyworth , S**t My Dad Says , The Hard Parts by Oksana Masters....
Apr 20, 2023•12 min
In Their Own Time
Catherine's son got his temporary driver's license almost three years late, and Terri's made his confirmation at age 30. So we complained about artificial timetables and the people who try to make us and our kids stick to them.
Apr 19, 2023•20 min
What We’re Watching: Ted Lasso “Signs” and Brothers and Sisters “Home Front”
On this week's entertainment-themed Round 2, "Signs" was the last episode of Ted Lasso for Shandy (we hope) and Zava (we wonder). We saw a lot of plot points coming, but not Zava's retirement. Next: S3 E6, "Sunflowers." Then, we jumped right in to season 2 of Brothers and Sisters with "Home Front." It had a little bit of everything we expect from the Walkers: Public arguments, sharing TMI about one's sex life with one's siblings, and a birthday party turned tragic. Next: S2 E2, "An American Fami...
Apr 18, 2023•20 min
The Family Medicine Chest
An article on baby first-aid kits got us talking about essentials for bigger kids: We've traded the nasal aspirator and the tiny medicine droppers for KT Tape and chewing gum (but two of us can't seem to keep un-expired over-the-counter meds in stock).
Apr 17, 2023•15 min
Speed-Round Sunday: Parenting Warning Labels
On Speed-Round Sunday, we share a mini episode from our past for your weekend listening pleasure. Inspired by the funny ladies of I Mom So Hard , we riff on the labels that should come with your firstborn.
Apr 16, 2023•6 min
Second-Listen Saturday: Teensplaining
On Second-Listen Saturday, we share moments from past episodes for your weekend listening pleasure. This discussion is from July 2019. On today's episode, we talk teensplaining: That lovely way that adolescents have of knowing everything and not being the least bit shy about sharing that knowledge, especially with their ignorant parents. From laundry to driving to law enforcement, our (completely uncredentialed) kids are the experts!
Apr 15, 2023•11 min
Roundabout Roundup: Hugimals, Rockport Pumps, and Catholic Podcasts
On this week’s Roundabout Roundup: Catherine updates her recommendation for Hugimals weighted stuffed animals . Nicole's rocking some comfy Rockport dress shoes , and Terri's ears are full of Catholic podcasts: Catholic Latte , Restore the Glory , and Beyond the Beacon . Thanks as always to Jon Morin for our fun in-and-out music, which you hear on every episode....
Apr 14, 2023•8 min
Sibling Stories
A question about how our first kids are different from their younger siblings got us obsessing about personality, birth order, nature vs. nurture, and what our kids' relationships are with each other now vs. when they were younger. They definitely agree on one thing: Their mothers can be so annoying.
Apr 13, 2023•15 min
Do Us a Favor
Prompted by a Huffington Post query , we complain about how and why it's so hard to let others help us, when we are perfectly willing to extend a hand to neighbors and friends in need. What's your position on asking for and granting favors?
Apr 12, 2023•18 min
What We’re Watching: Ted Lasso “Big Week” and Brothers and Sisters “Matriarchy”
On this week's entertainment-themed Round 2: Ted Lasso's team may have had a "big week," but the episode was fairly small and restrained. We'd like our jokes back, please! Next: Season 3, episode 5, "Signs." On Brothers and Sisters, of course nothing is ever small or restrained, and that includes Senator McCallister's relatives, which show up to his engagement party and proceed to out-Walker the Walkers (until the Walkers all jump, fully clothed, into the pool). Next: Season 2, episode 1, "Home ...
Apr 11, 2023•28 min
A Surprise Facebook Victory
A few weeks ago, Nicole told a sad tale of being disappeared from Facebook against her will due to a hack. But thanks to a commenter on one of our podcast Facebook posts, she found a group of fellow #LilyCollinsHack victims , and eventually was able to get her account restored. We're so glad to have her back!
Apr 10, 2023•16 min
Speed-Round Sunday: Parent Group Pet Peeves
On Speed-Round Sunday, we share a mini episode from our past for your weekend listening pleasure. It's hard being a parent-group newbie, and it's hard being a veteran. Let's just skip the whole thing.
Apr 09, 2023•11 min
Second-Listen Saturday: Iffy Etiquette
On Second-Listen Saturday, we share moments from past episodes for your weekend listening pleasure. This discussion is from July 2019. We obsess about all those little details of social interactions that we feel unsure about (which means we are also worried about what we have, and haven't, taught our kids about manners and etiquette).
Apr 08, 2023•15 min
Roundabout Roundup: PlayPodcast.net, The Last of Us, and Trader Joe’s Cake Mix
On this week’s Roundabout Roundup: Terri's found another way to listen to podcasts, including ours: PlayPodcast.net . Nicole's watching HBO's The Last of Us , and Catherine found a tasty blood orange cake mix at Trader Joe's . Also mentioned, though not by name: Catherine's most recent book club book, Shoulder Season by Christina Clancy. Thanks as always to Jon Morin for our fun in-and-out music, which you hear on every episode....
Apr 07, 2023•9 min
What Is a Young Adult?
As mentioned yesterday, Terri's son had a milestone birthday, which means Terri's now obsessing about whether she's actually the parent of "young" adults any longer.
Apr 06, 2023•13 min
Birthday Celebrations for Big Kids
It's offspring birthday season for both Terri and Catherine, with milestones all around: 18! 21! 30! Terri's wondering what, exactly, a parent's birthday-party obligations are when kids cruise past the ball-pit and cupcakes stage.
Apr 05, 2023•16 min
What We’re Watching: Ted Lasso Season 3 and Brothers and Sisters “Favorite Son”
Now that Shrinking has left us (for now), we pivot to a show with some similar DNA: Ted Lasso , returning for season 3. We're happy to see these old pals again--although we're glad we don't have to work at Keeley's company. Next: Season 3, episode 4, "Big Week." It was a big week on Brothers and Sisters , and a very sad one, as the family faced the premature birth of Julia and Tommy's twins. Oh, and dealt with a blackmailer and an impending divorce. Next: "Matriarchy," the finale of season 1....
Apr 04, 2023•33 min
The First Post-College Job
With Nicole's daughter about to graduate from university and weighing her options, we talked about our own first steps into the work world. Mentioned: the Columbia Publishing Course (formerly the Radcliffe Publishing Course).
Apr 03, 2023•18 min
Speed-Round Sunday: Entertaining Teens
On Speed-Round Sunday, we share a mini episode from our past for your weekend listening pleasure. While we're pretty live-and-let-live when it comes to teens and screens, we do acknowledge that there are times when they should maybe put them down. But if they're not on their phones, what else are they gonna do?
Apr 02, 2023•7 min
Second-Listen Saturday: Competitive Mom Bragging
On Second-Listen Saturday, we share moments from past episodes for your weekend listening pleasure. This discussion is from July 2019. Another parent's college admission post (in July!!) sent Catherine into a shame spiral. That prompted us to complain about not just mom bragging, but our irrational response to it.
Apr 01, 2023•13 min
Roundabout Roundup: Monopoly Deal, Walker Hayes “Being a Dad and Missing Mine,” and Anigrams
On this week’s Roundabout Roundup, Nicole's discovered Monopoly Deal , a card game she says is a big improvement on the Monopoly board game. Terri's Country Music Minute returns with Walker Hayes' two-song set, " Being a Dad and Missing Mine ." And Catherine's got another daily word game to recommend: Anigrams . Thanks as always to Jon Morin for our fun in-and-out music, which you hear on every episode....
Mar 31, 2023•6 min
Good Mom Moments
On today's episode, we're obsessing about those times (and tasks) that make us feel we're succeeding at our mom jobs. These can be rare, so we have to recognize them when they happen.
Mar 30, 2023•11 min
Is Oversharing Bad Parenting?
A survey that accused parents--especially Gen-X ones, like Nicole and Catherine--of oversharing about their kids on social media got us complaining. Not about oversharing, but about how parents just can't win. Mentioned: Some of the moms we follow on Instagram, like Gabrielle Blair , Witney Carson , and Lindsay Arnold ....
Mar 29, 2023•15 min
What We’re Watching: Shrinking “Closure” and Brothers and Sisters “Grapes of Wrath”
On this week's entertainment-themed Round 2, we came to the end of Shrinking's first season with "Closure." While it did tie up many loose ends, it then created a giant problem to deal with in season 2. While we're not thrilled with that, we'll definitely be back to see what happens. Brothers and Sisters , too, is careening toward the end of season 1, with everything from a stolen kiss to a food fight to an imminent premature birth. Next: S1 E22, "Favorite Son." And since Shrinking is done for...
Mar 28, 2023•23 min
A Big Facebook Fail
As we mentioned last week , Nicole was hit by a Facebook hack that caused her to lose her personal account and with it, access to her Inclusive Class business account. Here's the whole cautionary tale. Also mentioned: How to back up your Facebook data .
Mar 27, 2023•16 min
Speed-Round Sunday: Parenting Failures
On Speed-Round Sunday, we share a mini episode from our past for your weekend listening pleasure. Way back in Episode 97 , we patted ourselves on the back for some strong parenting skillz. This time around, we're admitting to what's not going so well.
Mar 26, 2023•7 min
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