Parenting Roundabout

Back in 2016, we shared our most frequently used emojis [https://www.spreaker.com/episode/18922749]. Then we revisited the topic two years later.

The World Health Organization recently issued screen-time guidelines for kids: No screens at all for babies under a year old, and one hour a day max for kids 5 and under [https://www.nbcnews.com/health/kids-health/no-screen-time-babies-only-1-hour-kids-under-5-n998051]. Our response to this is to laugh heartily, and reminisce about all the fun (and useful) screen time we had with our little kids. We loved this expert take: 4 times it's okay to hand over the iPad at Today.com [https://www.today.com/parents/screen-time-kids-4-times-it-s-ok-hand-over-t104254].

On this week’s Roundabout Roundup, Nicole shouts out a West Coast coffee chain called Dutch Bros [https://www.dutchbros.com/] that's a fun Starbucks alternative (her favorite is the Golden Eagle). Terri's daughter got her playing Crowd Sort [https://apps.apple.com/ug/app/crowd-sort-color-sorting-game/id1584996888], a color-sorting phone game (because we can always use another game). Catherine's enjoying both the latest season of The Great British Baking Show and the Not-So-Great Defector Bake-Off [https://defector.com/tag/nsgdbo/], in which the host of her recent pick, the Normal Gossip podcast [https://www.parentingroundaboutpodcast.com/blog/roundabout-roundup-gold-river-trading-co-chamomile-tea-and-the-normal-gossip-podcast], and a colleague attempt the technical challenges from the show every week.

The Apple Watch has some pretty fancy features [https://support.apple.com/guide/watch/whats-new-apdb93ea3872/watchos], but we have some suggestions for improvements that would really make a difference for parents.

We reviewed Grown and Flown's list of 5 things not to get stressed about during senior year [https://grownandflown.com/kid-senior-5-things-not-stressed-about/], which is the current situation for Catherine and in the rear view for Nicole and Terri. Catherine feels entirely justified in the stressors she's experiencing. Mentioned: Senior picture stories [https://www.parentingroundaboutpodcast.com/blog/speed-round-sunday-senior-pictures].

On this week's entertainment-themed Round 2, Dancing with the Stars felt the need for a James Bond-themed evening, which meant nothing but slow rumbas and the occasional tango (and poor Jessie James Decker dipped in gold paint). Next: Disney Plus Night.On Rutherford Falls, Reagan encountered a bureaucratic level of hell that reminded us of The Good Place. But thanks to her new curator, Nelson, she succeeded in her quest to apply for a land assignment--and she has a new love interest, too. Next: Season 2, episode 5, "Adirondack S3."

It's sweater-weather, fall-foliage, pumpkin-patch season ... at least for two of us. Nicole is nostalgic for Canadian autumns from her home in the southern California desert.

Turns out we're better at passing along clothes, toys, and baby gear than we are at tossing birthday cards (with a few special exceptions, of course).

In the complaint department today: We try and try to teach our kids basic life skills, like laundry and cooking. And yet (some of) them just don't seem to get it. We'd like our appliances to step up and share some of the burden.

On this week’s Roundabout Roundup, Catherine's been enjoying the YouTube series Jet Lag: The Game [https://www.youtube.com/c/jetlagthegame] with her son. Nicole is trying out the Rover app [https://www.rover.com/] for pet care (and has an inside look at how the company vets its caretakers). And thanks to Dancing with the Stars, Terri's checking back in with an older show she enjoyed: Brothers and Sisters ​(available on Hulu) [https://www.hulu.com/series/brothers-sisters-f5b3f0f0-b0c4-46d7-8e7a-0bbebfdb9b30].

Terri was surprised to learn that her husband carries a comb to touch up his 'do while he's at work, which got her (and us) obsessing over how much personal grooming we do in public. Or in private, for that matter.

Whether our kids are at home or away, there are challenges (and some victories) when it comes to staying in communication with them.

On this week's entertainment-themed Round 2, Dancing with the Stars suggested we learn a whole lot about the life of Elvis and about how bad many guys look in wigs. And we said goodbye to a Real Housewife in favor of a Charlie's Angel. Next: James Bond Night.On Rutherford Falls, we also learned something: Reagan has a family! A beloved Aunt Sue, who passed away, and parents. Whaddya know! And speaking of parents, Nathan's going to be one. Oh, dear. Next: "Land Back."

Having a growth mindset [https://www.mindsetworks.com/science/] can be a pathway to success for kids (and adults). But sometimes a parent's idea of growth doesn't match a teacher's, and then what?

Forget the running playlist, the breakup playlist, and the poolside playlist. We have some other ideas for songs to live by.

​A New York Times letter-writer prompted today's chat when she wrote: "It is my belief that children often have more of an impact on changing their parents than parents may have on molding their children." We can't quite commit to that "more" business, but agree that parenting sure has changed us.​

On this week’s Roundabout Roundup, Terri recommends a trip down memory lane with The Big Chill on HBO Max [https://www.hbomax.com/feature/urn:hbo:feature:GYiJjVARO5pA3MQEAAABR], or a old movie of your choice. Since her kids are no longer at home, Nicole's spoiling her cats with a cute new cat condo [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0792CKRHC?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details], and Catherine suggests a fun thriller novel set at a refuge for monkeys: Florida Woman by Deb Rogers [https://www.harpercollins.com/products/florida-woman-deb-rogers?variant=39723439882274].

We borrow once again from the Bobby Bones Show [https://bobbybones.iheart.com/] to obsess about whether 12-year-olds should wear thongs or cut their hair in mohawks, and how we feel about our own kids' clothing, hair, and accessory choices.

On this week's Round 3, it's our version of the TikTok #parentingchallenge. Between us and our spouses, who's stricter, funnier, neater, more outgoing? It's a new twist on complaining about our partners--gently!

On this week's entertainment-themed Round 2, it's back to the ballroom for a new season of Dancing With the Stars. The show is now streaming on Disney+, so you've got to pony up for that service if you want to watch. But benefits include no commercials, an elimination at the end of the show (instead of awkwardly happening a week late), and--at least this week--mostly dancing, little faffing about. Next week: Elvis night.We're also back in Rutherford Falls for a few more weeks (season 2 has just 8 episodes). There's considerably less sparkle and glitter, but there is a grumpy new curator to help Reagan out. Next: S2 E3, "Aunt Sue."