Parenting Roundabout

From vitamins to pop-sockets to surprise boxes, we talk about our latest purchases and some Prime particulars.

Today's topic: New Year's Eve (and New Year's Day) traditions and memories, like narrowly avoiding Y2K disaster and giving Times Square a wide berth. How do you celebrate?

Happy holidays! This week, we are taking a look back at some 2021 episodes we loved. Today, our favorite Roundabout Roundup picks, originally from June 25 (robot vacuum), August 13 (summer dresses), and September 24 (bone-building foods). Visit https://parentingroundabout.com for all the links.​Nicole upgraded her robot vacuum to a combo vac/mop (that unfortunately does not kill giant scary spiders). Catherine sang the praises of a Knox Rose summer dress from Target, plus offered a side recommendation for the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. And Much to Nicole's dismay, Terri tried sardines (to strengthen her bones) and described the experience in great detail. Plus, she learned that you can indeed scramble eggs in the microwave.

Happy holidays! This week, we are taking a look back at some 2021 episodes we loved. This one originally dropped on July 1.​Terri's birthday was yesterday, and Catherine's is next week. But don't rely on these idea lists from New York magazine [https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-birthday-gifts-for-mom.html], Etsy [https://www.etsy.com/market/gifts_for_mom_birthday], and Cosmo [https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/g26765913/gifts-for-mom-from-daughter/] when you're shopping.

Happy holidays! This week, we are taking a look back at some 2021 episodes we loved. This one originally dropped on May 26 (but the topic is back in the news now [https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/us/cheugy-omicron-among-2021s-most-mispronounced-words/ar-AARxZMV]).​We wade into, and complain about, the debate over who, or what, is "cheugy" [https://www.cnet.com/how-to/what-does-the-word-cheugy-mean-and-how-do-you-know-if-you-are-a-cheug-a-guide/]. We like Instagram and Ugg boots but could care less about chevrons, decorative wooden signs, and Harry Potter merch (in fact one of us actively can't stand Harry Potter), so we might be safe!

Happy holidays! This week, we are taking a look back at some 2021 episodes we loved. These originally dropped in August (CODA) and November (Only Murders in the Building).The movie CODA (on AppleTV+) is a lovely look at a the ordinary life of a teenage girl, played by Emilia Jones, whose parents and brother happen to be deaf. It's predictable, yet complex and joyful. Mentioned: Pop Culture Happy Hour's discussion of the movie.On Only Murders in the Building, "The Boy From 6B" (season 1, episode 7) provided a ton of exposition with almost no dialogue. It was a clever, creative way to suggest two new suspects for Tim Kono's murder.

Happy holidays! This week, we are taking a look back at some 2021 episodes we loved. This one originally dropped on April 12. ​​It's our version of the old TLC show "A Baby Story"! Your three podcasters have three very different birth and adoption stories, each with their challenges--but all with a happy ending. Listen for our tales of hives; hyperemesis; planes, trains, and automobiles; and Johnny Depp.

In this holiday week, we're focusing on happy things, like having family around us, and maybe having podcasting friends around us too.

On this day of gift-giving in honor of a baby, we discuss whether nontraditional baby shower gifts are an improvement on the basic baby blanket and onesie. Plus: Bonus complaining about how it's harder than ever to buy gifts for our families.

On this week’s Roundabout Roundup: Nicole shouts out this very podcast--specifically, our archives, because we have over 1,000 episodes for you to enjoy. Terri tried out a fun promotion from the Two Blind Brothers store [https://twoblindbrothers.com/pages/reveal], and was rewarded with a soft and adorable stuffed puppy [https://twoblindbrothers.com/collections/kids/products/guide-dog-guider-yellow-lab-puppy?variant=39390051467360]. And Catherine binged Netflix's Blown Away Christmas [https://www.netflix.com/title/81251991], the special edition of a show she recommended in this space more than two years ago (told you we have a lot of old episodes).

On yesterday's episode, we recounted some holiday tales of woe. Today, we take a fresh look at how we could fix some holiday fails with a do-over. Learn from us, young parents!

We review some fond memories and some not-so-fond ones and decide there are some holiday events that should stay forever in the misty, pine-scented past.

On this week's entertainment-themed Round 2, we continue with season two of Ted Lasso, episodes 3 and 4. Episode 4, "Carol of the Bells," is a Christmas episode, so our timing is impeccable. And so is the episode, which we will watch every Christmas from now on, because it's just that delightful.Next week, we'll revisit some of our favorite Round 2 discussions from 2021. In two weeks (January 4, 2022) we'll return to Ted Lasso with season 2, episode 5, "Rainbow," and episode 6, "The Signal."

With gift-giving season in full swing, we share our tales of the times we got it right (like pet portraits [https://www.parentingroundaboutpodcast.com/blog/roundabout-roundup-karens-going-wild-crown-and-paw-and-schaefer-outfitter]) and very wrong (Terri's still traumatized over unintentionally mislabeling a present). Plus, some of the head-scratchers we've received.

Do you identify your car by something impersonal like color, make, or who drives it? Or have you come up with a more creative tag, like Blueberry or Marge? We fall more on the boring side, but Toyota's nagging Nicole to up her game.​

Many kids (and teens and young adults) that we know are obsessed with AirPods, Apple's pricey wireless earbuds. Some are lucky enough to have their own. But how long will it be before they're eaten by the sofa cushions?

On this week’s Roundabout Roundup: Catherine enjoyed a novel by Ann Patchett, The Dutch House (and the audiobook narrated by Tom Hanks) [http://www.annpatchett.com/the-dutch-house]. Nicole suggests an alternative cat littler, Okocat Natural Wood Clumping Litter [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00U0OVT9M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1]. And Terri found a resource for browsing small businesses owned by veterans, active-duty military, reservists, and their spouses: The Buy Military-Owned Guide from Syracuse University's Institute for Veterans and Military Families [https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/buy-military-owned].

Holiday parties are happening again, but our social skills may have rusted a bit over the past 19 months. We obsess about parties, gatherings, and get-togethers--and the spousal negotiations that accompany them.

A gynecologist went viral (not in the actual germy way) for asking on Twitter how he could improve the office visit experience for his patients [https://www.buzzfeed.com/amatullahshaw/doctors-office-changes]. We had to chime in with our own complaints and suggestions.

On this week's entertainment-themed Round 2, we kick off season 2 of Ted Lasso with "Goodbye Earl" and "Lavender." We're fans of the extremely capable Dr. Sharon Fieldstone, and can't wait to see what she has in store for Jamie Tartt. Also, Terri apologizes for saying "soccer" throughout when she should have been saying "football." She trusts Ted will understand. Next week: "Do the Right-est Thing" and "Carol of the Bells" (how seasonal!). Mentioned: "Goodbye Earl" from The Chicks [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw7gNf_9njs].