Parenting Roundabout

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is another nonfiction series about animals for kids. But this time, instead of arguing about which animal would win in a fight, we are arguing about which baby animal is the cutest. ​Terri's random recommendation is your local small parking-lot carnival. She can't vouch for the safety of the rides, but the people-watching and bad-for-you food are sure to be top-notch.In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2020 on supporting stressed-out kids.Next week's lineup: Lost S3 E6, "I Do," on Tuesday, July 8Duster S1 E7, "K-129, on Wednesday, July 9Weekly roundup on Thursday, July 10Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's Duster. Highly recognizable FBI agent Nina is now undercover, and that goes about as well as you'd expect. Plus, this week's TV trope: A character who's been told that he must avoid alcohol is forced to drink vodka with some scary Russians.Next Wednesday, we'll continue with episode 7, "K-129." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. On this Eko-flashback episode, it was another day on the island, another goodbye to a cast member, and another round of mind games. So, about what we've come to expect from Lost.Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 3, episode 6, "I Do." Tomorrow, we'll continue our discussion of a newer show, Duster.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is an introduction to a longstanding, popular series: The Chief Inspector Armand Gamache mysteries by Louise Penny. She checked out the first one, Still Life, and found it to be a good balance of "cozy" and "mystery."​Terri's random recommendation is Waffle, a time-wasting daily word game that doesn't waste too much time, making it a nice little mid-day break.In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2020 on whether, as parents, we should have known better.Next week's lineup: Lost S3 E5, "The Cost of Living," on Tuesday, July 1Duster S1 E6, "Meet by the Clothes, on Wednesday, July 2Weekly roundup on Thursday, July 3Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's Duster. The tension is ratcheting up as Nina meets with Sax in person, Jim drags his dad (hi, Corbin Bernsen) into the mix, and Nixon shows up (it's 1972, in case you forgot). Plus, the old TV chestnut: Jim makes, and then breaks, a promise to a kid.Next Wednesday, we'll continue with episode 6, "Meet by the Clothes." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. In this episode, we return once again to a Sawyer flashback, which tells us that "con men gonna con." What a shock! On the island (or islands!), we get another introduction to Paulo (theoretically here all along) and whaddya know, Desmond can see into the future.Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 3, episode 5, "The Cost of Living." Tomorrow, we'll continue our discussion of a newer show, Duster.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a series of non-fiction books for kids that finds new and clever ways to teach history and science. We agree that You Wouldn't Want to Be an Egyptian Mummy and You Wouldn't Want to Live Without Gravity, but we're living just fine without video games, thank you very much.​Terri's random recommendation is a report from her annual trip to the New Jersey State Special Olympics, which featured good times and very good dogs.In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2023 on anti-dopamine parenting.Next week's lineup: Lost S3 E4, "Every Man for Himself," on Tuesday, June 24Duster S1 E5, "Ravishing Light and Glory, on Wednesday, June 25Weekly roundup on Thursday, June 26Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's Duster. We're sensing a pattern here: Jim keeps escaping from immediate danger, but the coming consequences are piling up. Please stay away from little Luna until things improve, Jim!!Next Wednesday, we'll continue with episode 5, "Ravishing Light and Glory." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. In this episode, we flashed back once again to the sad life of John Locke, understanding yet again why life on a very weird deserted island is an improvement for him.Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 3, episode 4, "Every Man for Himself." Tomorrow, we'll continue our discussion of a newer show, Duster.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a book that frankly made us tired: Survival Mom: How to Prepare Your Family for Everyday Disasters and Worst-Case Scenarios by Lisa Bedford. Can't we leave this to the survival dads? Mentioned: How to Survive History: How to Outrun a Tyrannosaurus, Escape Pompeii, Get Off the Titanic, and Survive the Rest of History's Deadliest Catastrophes by Cody Cassidy and a past discussion on how we'd do in a zombie apocalypse (hint: not well).​Terri's random recommendation is a comedy special from Brett Goldstein, of Ted Lasso and Shrinking. It's called The Second-Best Night of Your Life and we both enjoyed it, although we'd slap a content warning on it for profanity (this is Roy Kent, after all). Mentioned: Goldstein telling Seth Meyers about how he got his role in Ted Lasso.In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2020 on laws of parenting.Next week's lineup: Lost S3 E3, "Further Instructions," on Tuesday, June 17Dus

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's Duster. For a violent show about organized crime, it's yielding a surprising amount of parenting advice and family dramas. Mentioned: Brian Grubb on Duster.Next Wednesday, we'll continue with episode 4, "Crimunalis Velocitus Super-Sonicus." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. In this episode, sweet, caring Sun was shown to be capable of many nefarious things, from lying to adultery to homicide. Sawyer comes up with another nickname for Kate, and Jack learns a truly shocking fact from the world outside the island. Mentioned: Some of our past discussions about motivating kids.Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 3, episode 3, "Further Instructions." Tomorrow, we'll continue our discussion of a newer show (starring our old friend Josh Holloway), Duster.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a series of early chapter books by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen about "purrmaids," characters that are half kitten, half mermaid—and a spinoff about mermicorns, because don't all kids love kittens, mermaids and unicorns?Terri's random recommendation is a double dose of stories about Saturday Night Live. She listened to two short audiobooks: May You Live in Interesting Times: A Memoir, by Laraine Newman, and Blues Brothers: The Arc of Gratitude, by Dan Aykroyd. Mentioned: Saturday Night, Ladies and Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music (especially the opening montage), and the debt snowball/debt avalanche techniques.In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2021 on mom strikes.Next week's lineup: Lost S3 E2, "The Glass Ballerina," on Tuesday, June 10Duster S1 E3, "You're No Good," on Wednesday, June 11Weekly roundup on Thursday, June 12Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and today we're kicking off a new watch. Duster is a '70s period piece with a cast full of familiar faces, starting from the top with Josh "Sawyer" Holloway. Will we get parenting tips from a show about a guy mixed up in organized crime and the FBI agent who recruits him as an informant? We will! Mentioned: IMDB (helpful in identifying those familiar faces).Next Wednesday, we'll continue with episode 3. "You're No Good." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. It's a new season, with a new setting and a bunch of new characters, so of course the flashbacks tread some very familiar ground. Jack has daddy issues! We get it!Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 3, episode 2, "The Glass Ballerina." Tomorrow, we'll kick off a new watch (with Lost roots, in the form of JJ Abrams and Josh Holloway): Duster.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is Libby, an app that she uses to borrow audiobooks. She knew it could also be used for e-books, but was thrilled to find that you can also find print magazines on the app. Get behind that paywall with a library card!Terri's random recommendation is almost two hours of new music from Morgan Wallen, on an album called "I'm the Problem." Mentioned: Disney Peaceful Guitar tunes on her instrumental playlist.In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2023 on mementos of the teen years.Next week's lineup: Lost S3 E1, "A Tale of Two Cities," on Tuesday, June 3Duster S1 E1, "Baltimore Changes Everything," and E2, "Suspicious Minds," on Wednesday, June 4Weekly roundup on Thursday, June 5Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's Running Point. This season finale gave us some nice sibling moments, especially with Jackie, but also some highly predictable and annoying sitcom developments. Will we re-sign for season 2? That's going to depend on what else is on. Mentioned: The season 2 finale of Shrinking.Next Wednesday, we'll kick off a new show, one that reunites JJ Abrams and Josh "Sawyer" Holloway: Duster, on HBO Max. We'll start with the first two episodes, "Baltimore Changes Everything" and "Suspicious Minds." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This two-hour season finale was packed full of story, lore, old and new characters, plot developments, and general weirdness. If it weren't for Lostpedia, we'd really be... lost.Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 3, episode 1, "A Tale of Two Cities." Tomorrow, we'll continue our discussion of a newer show, Running Point.This episode was recorded before a live studio audience ... of dogs.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find commanded her attention thanks to its subtitle. It's The Minimum Method: The Least You Can Do to Be a Stronger, Healthier, Happier You by Joey Thurman. Hard to say no to that!Terri's random recommendation this week switches things up by introducing an Internet conundrum. Can anyone explain this phenomenon to her?In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2021 on improving the parent portal.Next week's lineup: Lost S2 E23 and E24, "Live Together, Die Alone," on Tuesday, May 27Running Point S1 E10, "Game Seven," on Wednesday, May 28Weekly roundup on Thursday, May 29Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's Running Point. While we couldn't help but be charmed by Sandy's romantic gesture (it involved Taylor Swift), we were frustrated by the entirely predictable sitcom move of Lev breaking up with Isla. She tried! Mentioned: The Wedding Singer scene that inspired Sandy and hey, that's Macauley Culkin!Next Wednesday, we'll watch season 1, episode 10, "Game Seven," the season finale. We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.