Parenting Roundabout

On this week's entertainment-themed episode, the season finale of Only Murders in the Building pulls off a triple-switcheroo killer reveal. While you can't look too closely at the plot, the show is always fun to watch and lovely to look at.We can't say the same for Rutherford Falls--at least this particular episode, which fell flat with its continued use of Nathan as a plot device and punching bag. Next week, we'll finish up season 1 with episode 9, "Stoodis," and 10, "D'Angelos."

A Washington Post article titled “College admissions are stressful enough. Parents, don’t make it worse” [https://www.washingtonpost.com/parenting/2022/08/18/making-college-admissions-less-stressful/] got us talking about how to make the application season easier on everyone involved--and some unexpected factors to consider when making that list of possibilities.

Doctors whose office is closed when you're sick. Orthodontists who don't keep kid hours. What we wish phone physicians could do. Yep, we've got a few things to say about the availability of medical professionals.

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).

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].

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.

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.cuisinart.com/shopping/appliances/tea_kettles/cpk-17p1/].

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 match for Terry Thomas. Next: season 1, episode 8, "Skoden."

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].

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].

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.

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.

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].

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).

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 negotiate with him. Next: Season 1, episode 7, "Rutherford, Inc."

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?

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!

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.

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 chai cranberry [https://aurabora.com/].

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.