Parenting Roundabout

​Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find is another scary nonfiction series for children: Deadly Biters (including Grizzly Bears Bite!, Piranhas Bite!, Hippos Bite!, and more). Mentioned: The similar series Animal Battles and Who Would Win?. ​ Terri's random recommendation is a set of games that test your knowledge of movies, actors, fun facts, and the way they all intersect: Cinematrix, Movie Grid, and Movie Pyramid. Mentioned: The This Had Oscar Buzz podcast. In the archives, we found that four years after our original discussion, we could come up with a few more mom confessions. Next week's lineup: A Gentleman in MoscowLost Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

Each Wednesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This episode, "Tabula Rasa," focused on flashbacks to Kate's back story, so we learned more about how she was pursued all the way to Australia by a U.S. Marshal (if not exactly why she was in his sights). We also saw a real parenting win when Locke recovered Walt's dog, but let Michael be the hero who reunited the two. Next Wednesday, we'll discuss season 1, episode 4, "Walkabout." We'll be back tomorrow with a roundup of some of our favorite segments, like a library find and a visit to our archives.

On Tuesdays, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's A Gentleman in Moscow, a limited series on Paramount+. In episode 3, "The Last Rostov," the Count's reckoning with all the changes in his world brings him to the brink, but a kindly beekeeper rescues him. He also deepens his relationships with Anna (the actress) and Osip (the official who supervises his captivity). Plus. Nina's back—as a teen know-it-all. We can relate. Next Tuesday, we'll discuss the fourth episode of the series, "Good Times." We'll be back tomorrow with a discussion of our other current TV watch/rewatch, Lost.

Here's what's on our minds (and playlists) this week: Catherine's library find is a book she judged by its cover. Glassworks's art and blurbs appealed enough for Catherine to give this debut novel by Olivia Wolfgang-Smith a try (it also happens to be on the Staff Picks table at her library right now, chosen by another staff member). It's a creative, but uneven, tale of four generations trying, and often failing, to connect with and support one another. Terri's random recommendation is the latest album (collection of songs?) from HARDY, titled "Quit!!" She's enjoying the artist's transition from country music to F-bomb-laden hard rock. In the archives, we revisit a rant from four years ago: Simply Refusing to Simplify, about the (many) issues we have with listicle-format advice on minimalism. Next week's lineup: Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

Each Wednesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. Happily for Catherine, the second part of the pilot was much less migraine-inducing than the first part. The castaways are likely not as happy, as they are dealing with mysterious monsters, mysterious fellow passengers, and mysterious raw fish dishes. As for parenting, we're giving Michael a pass for now, but he's going to need to step up his game. Next Wednesday, we'll discuss season 1, episode 3, "Tabula Rasa." We'll be back tomorrow with a roundup of some of our favorite segments from our recent Weekly Roundup format.

On Tuesdays, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's A Gentleman in Moscow, a limited series on Paramount+. "An Invitation," the second episode of eight, did in fact bring a couple of invitations (some threatening, some not), along with a secret expansion of the Count's living quarters and--sadly—the departure of his young friend, Nina. Next Tuesday, we'll discuss the third episode of the series, "The Last Rostov." We'll be back tomorrow with a discussion of our other current TV watch/rewatch, Lost.

Each Thursday, join us for a weekly roundup that's an update on our most recent podcast format. We'll bring you a library find, an update from Terri on life or pop culture or whatever's on her mind, and a pick from our archives. Catherine's library find this week is a lushly illustrated children's picture book called Animalphabet by Julia Donaldson, with art by Sharon King-Chai, because there's always room for another animal alphabet book (especially when it's this beautiful). Mentioned: Some of Donaldson's other titles, Room on the Broom, The Gruffalo, and The Gruffalo's Child (all illustrated by Axel Scheffler). Terri's random recommendation is the exciting news that she has started a Substack newsletter! Find out more and subscribe: Too Old for Cool. It's free (although you're welcome to pay her if you'd like). In the archives, we revisit a classic from two years ago: Choosing Your Parenting Battles. Next week's lineup: A Gentleman in Moscow Lost Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

Each Wednesday, we discuss an older entertainment property--something one or both of us has watched and wants to revisit, or something we missed the first time around. We're kicking it off with Lost, which premiered almost 20 years ago. Terri enjoyed it, in all its convoluted weirdness. Catherine hasn't seen it before, but is willing to risk migraines to find out more. Next Wednesday, we'll discuss season 1, episode 2, "Pilot Part 2." We'll be back tomorrow with a roundup of some of our favorite segments from our recent Weekly Roundup format.

Welcome to a new and improved Parenting Roundabout podcast! About a year after our last reinvention, we're switching things up again. As parents and parenting writers, we can’t help but see everything through a parenting lens. But as our kids have become adults, we find ourselves more interested in getting caught up on movies and streaming than on going over the same parenting topics over and over. So since we’re pretty sure we can find parenting wisdom anywhere, we’re going to talk about what we’re watching, what we thought about it, and maybe what we can learn from it, if only what not to do. On Tuesdays, we’ll share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. We’re kicking it off with A Gentleman in Moscow, a limited series on Paramount+ that premiered at the end of March. It's based, pretty faithfully so far, on a 2016 book of the same name by Amor Towles, which Catherine loved but Terri has not read. And it stars Ewan McGregor, who is fully inhabiting the titular gentleman. He's not a parent, but he's destined to take on a paternal role as the series continues. Mentioned: An episode of the Godsplaining podcast on the novel. Next Tuesday, we'll discuss the second episode of the series, "An Invitation." We'll be back tomorrow with a discussion of an older property. We're kicking it off with Lost, which premiered almost 20 years ago. And on Thursday, we'll bring you a roundup with some of our favorite segments from our recent Weekly Roundup format.

On our latest weekly roundup, Catherine needed some tech support, and Terri needed to spend a lot of time following the latest Taylor-Travis news. Mentioned: The Senior Swifties Sideline. What we're watching: After watching the Ripley TV series, we decided to visit/revisit the 1999 movie, The Talented Mr. Ripley. Tom and co. are younger, in color, and more focused on music than visual art (no detours to the Italian Renaissance) in this version, but there's no cat! Mentioned: Purple Noon, a French movie adaptation of the story. Catherine's library find this week is a first novel that's gotten a lot of attention since it was published in 2022: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. It's a charming story with two unlikely leads: A 70-year-old cleaning woman and a giant Pacific octopus named Marcellus. In the archives, we revisit episodes in which we discussed a new member of Terri's family (July 3, 2023), the work-life seesaw (July 1, 2020), and fake life deadlines (July 3, 2019). Disclaimer: Terri is not a Medicare expert. Go to https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up/part-b-only for official Part B info. ​ Next week, we will be debuting a new format. As our kids have become adults, we find ourselves more interested in getting caught up on movies and streaming than in going over the same parenting topics over and over. So we’re going to talk about what we’re watching, what we thought about it, and maybe what parenting advice we can take from it, if only what not to do. We'll check out an older TV show or movie and a newer one each week, starting with Lost as our oldie (S1 E1, "Pilot: Part 1") and A Gentleman in Moscow as our newcomer (S1 E1, "A Master of Circumstance"). Follow along!

On our latest weekly roundup, Catherine reported on her son living it up in NYC, seeing lots and lots of theater. Mentioned: A past episode in which we discussed a BroadwayHD presentation of She Loves Me. What we're watching: We finished up season 3 of Bridgerton with episode 7, "Joining of Hands," and episode 8, "Into the Light." Yay for Penelope and Colin, but there were too many Bridgertons and altogether too much going on in this season. We wanted more Polin, less everything else (but still had fun with it). Catherine's library find this week is a trio of children's books that will strike fear in the heart of our former podcasting pal Nicole Eredics: Frankie D, Vegan Vampire by Sally and Brian Dutra, illustrated by Tiffani Brown; Harold the Iceberg Is Not a Super Food by Lisa Wyzlic, illustrated by Rebecca Syracuse; and 1 Big Salad: A Delicious Counting Book by Juana Medina. In the archives, we revisit episodes in which we discussed mandatory attendance at family events (June 29, 2023), occasions worthy of photo shoots (June 27, 2022), and movies that made us cry (June 26, 2015). ​ Next week, we'll return to the story of Tom Ripley with the 1999 movie The Talented Mr. Ripley. Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On our latest weekly roundup, Terri went to the New Jersey Special Olympics, and now will never hear How Far I'll Go from Moana the same way again. What we're watching: We're into the second half of Bridgerton season 3 now and watched two episodes: 5, "Tick Tock," and 6, "Romancing Mr. Bridgerton." While thrilled to be engaged to Colin, Penelope is now juggling her secret identity, her fractured friendship with Eloise, and some serious scheming from Cressida. Catherine's library find this week is a follow-up to a previous find, The Sandal-Making Workshop. This time, we're learning ​How to Make Custom-Fit Bras and Lingerie (or, rather, discussing why we won't be doing that, thank you). In the archives, we revisit episodes in which we discussed proud parent moments (June 19, 2023), scary advice (June 17, 2020), and ambiguous kid-speak (June 19, 2019). ​ Next week, we'll discuss the final installments of Bridgerton, season 3: Episode 7, "Joining of Hands," and episode 8, "Into the Light." Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On our latest weekly roundup, Catherine's dogs are getting a little too close to nature, while Terri's pup seems, thankfully, not to follow in the footsteps of her predecessor. What we're watching: In the final episode (for now) of Ripley, "Narcissus," Tom's got a pretty good thing going in Venice, including a new friend played by John Malkovich. On Bridgerton's season 3, episode 4 ("Old Friends"), it's finally time for the carriage scene everyone's been waiting for—although Terri thinks Lord Kilmartin's gesture is far more romantic. Catherine's library find this week is an earthworm-themed two-fer: I Can Only Draw Worms by Will Mabbitt and The Worm Family Has Its Picture Taken by Jennifer Frank, illustrated by David Ezra Stein. In the archives, we revisit episodes in which we discussed keeping everything on Zoom (June 11, 2020), parenting ghostwriters (June 13, 2019), and talking vs. texting (June 16, 2016). ​ Next week, we'll discuss the next two installments of Bridgerton, season 3: Episode 5, "Tick Tock," and episode 6, "Romancing Mr. Bridgerton." Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On our latest weekly roundup, home improvements continue (in the Midwest) and are regretfully declined (in New Jersey). What we're watching: In episode 7 of Ripley, "Macabre Entertainment," Tom does some scrambling in Sicily but pulls off another escape in the end. On Bridgerton's season 3, episode 3 ("Forces of Nature"), it's time for the old suitor switcheroo as Lord Debling shows an interest in Penelope and Colin comes to his dang senses and sees what's been in front of him the whole time. Catherine's library find this week is a nonfiction charmer called The African Svelte: Ingenious Misspellings That Make Surprising Sense by Daniel Menaker, with illustrations by Roz Chast. In the archives, we revisit episodes in which we discussed life skills lessons we'd like to see (June 7, 2021), emergency contact forms (June 5, 2019), and privacy at home (June 4, 2018). Mentioned: The Ostrichpillow. ​ Next week, we'll discuss the final episode (at least for now) of Ripley, called “Narcissus,” and episode 4 of Bridgerton, season 3 ("Old Friends"). Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On our latest weekly roundup, some of the men in our lives are dealing with excessive amounts of mulch (or bark, or wood chips; whatever the terminology, there is too much of it). What we're watching: In episode 6 of Ripley, "Some Heavy Instrument," the law starts to close in on Tom, in the form of Inspector Ravini, played wonderfully by Maurizio Lombardi. Mentioned: The murderous leg of lamb episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, based on a story by Roald Dahl. On Bridgerton's season 3, episode 2 ("How Bright the Moon"), Penelope discovers that Colin is a writer (!) and the Queen finds a debutante who interests her. Guess what? It's piano-playing Francesca. Catherine's library find this week is another pick from the department of Crafts We'll Never Do: The Sandalmaking Workshop: Make Your Own Mary Janes, Crisscross Sandals, Mules, Fisherman Sandals, Toe Slides, and More by Rachel Corry. We're impressed at Corry's industriousness, but we'll stick to buying our sandals (and all of our other shoes) at Zappos. In the archives, we revisit episodes in which we discussed secret handshakes and inside jokes (May 27, 2021), what robots could do for us (May 27, 2019), and weird things that make you happy as an adult (May 29, 2017). ​ Next week, we'll discuss the next episode of Ripley, called “Macabre Entertainment,” and episode 3 of Bridgerton, season 3 ("Forces of Nature"). Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On our latest weekly roundup, it's Catherine's turn to deal with an outage, as the water main near her home was shut down (by the same project that caused a gas leak a few weeks back). What we're watching: In episode 5 of Ripley, "Lucio," we caught up with the flash-forward that started the series off: Tom dragging a dead body down the stairs of an apartment building, very noisily and bloodily and under the watchful eye of a handsome cat. Then we jumped back 150 years to season 3 of Bridgerton, with episode 1 ("Out of the Shadows"). Here, the colors are bright and beautiful and no one is getting hit in the head with anything heavy—although, of course, there is plenty of subterfuge. Catherine's library find this week is from the department of Crafts We'll Never Do. It's called Abstract Embroidery: Slow Stitching With Texture, Colour, and Creativity by Emily Botelho. We also took a detour into a non-library find from the same department of not-gonna-happen: Tooth Gem Style: Bedazzled Styles From Around the World. In the archives, we revisit episodes in which we discussed the kind of families we aren't (May 24, 2021), connecting with kids (May 20, 2019), and stuff we need to get rid of (May 23, 2017). ​ Next week, we'll discuss the next episode of Ripley, called “Some Heavy Instrument,” and episode 2 of Bridgerton, season 3 ("How Bright the Moon"). Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On our latest weekly roundup, Terri reports on a power outage that almost derailed her viewing of Ripley, while Catherine's daughter had a close call with a tornado. Mentioned: Unfrosted (the Jerry Seinfeld Pop-Tart movie) and the upcoming Twisters, an "update" of the 1996 movie Twister. What we're watching: Episode 3 of Ripley is called "Sommerso," which means "submerged" in Italian, so maybe you can guess what happens in that one? It taught us that blood spatters look extra-dramatic in black and white, for one thing. Episode 4, "La Dolce Vita," showed us Tom's new situation in Rome. It's not really a sweet life, but it is a double one--for now. Mentioned: TV critics Daniel Fienberg, Roxana Hadadi, and Ben Travers on the show, and particularly the ages of the actors and their characters. Catherine's library find this week is ostensibly a children's book, but we think it's aimed squarely at Gen-Xers: It's a board book called Goodnight, Girls, starring cartoon versions of TV's Golden Girls. Mentioned: A new version of Matlock, coming soon and starring Kathy Bates. In the archives, we revisit episodes in which we discussed Mother's Day (May 15, 2023), proud mom moments (May 17, 2021), and what's bugging us (May 19, 2021). The children's book about a mouse that Terri was trying to recall is The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo. ​ Next week, we'll discuss the next episode of Ripley, called “Lucia,” and the first episode of Bridgerton, season 3! It's called "Out of the Shadows" and we're confident it'll be quite a contrast with Ripley. Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On our latest weekly roundup, a delicious fundraiser benefitting the library where Catherine works prompted us to talk about clever ways to solicit donations (and how involved parents get in the process). What we're watching: We started Netflix's Ripley, a series based on the 1999 movie The Talented Mr. Ripley, with episodes 1 ("A Hard Man to Find") and 2 ("Seven Mercies"). In the series, the characters are aged up and the color is drained out for a you-can't-miss-it moodiness. We didn't love it (listen in to hear why) but we'll keep going. Catherine's library find this week is from the quirky nonfiction category: Dogland: Passion, Glory and Lots of Slobber at the Westminster Dog Show by Tommy Tomlinson. It's a perfect audiobook for Terri, except she'll miss out on pictures of doggies. In the archives, we revisit episodes in which we discussed kids in public places (May 10, 2023), gestures of generosity (May 9, 2022), and what we'd do with villa-in-Italy riches (May 12, 2016). Mentioned: Best in Show; "Craig" by Walker Hayes. ​ Next week, we'll watch the next two episodes of Ripley, “Sommerso” and “La Dolce Vita.” Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On our latest weekly roundup, our resident Swiftie gives her review of The Tortured Poets Department. Mentioned: The video for the song "Fortnight," with Ethan Hawke and Josh Charles (of Dead Poets Society ... get it?). What we're watching: We came to the end of Reservation Dogs and we're so sad about it. But the final pair of episodes ("Elora's Dad" and "Dig") were a beautiful celebration of family and community and the perfect way to go out. Catherine's library find this week is Monster's New Undies. Check out a read-aloud so you can appreciate the rhymes from Samantha Berger along with the illustrations by Tad Carpenter. Plus, a follow-up to previous library find Butt or Face: There's a sequel, Butt or Face: Revenge of the Butts! In the archives, we revisit episodes in which we discussed pre-pandemic peeves (April 29, 2020), trade-in values (April 29, 2019, and the hardest thing to give up (May 2, 2016). Mentioned: Seinfeld complains about cheek-kissing; Forever My Girl. ​ Next week, we'll start watching the new Netflix series Ripley. We'll watch the first two episodes, “A Hard Man to Find” and “Seven Mercies.” Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On our latest weekly roundup, Catherine's daughter defended her thesis project, and Catherine actually got to watch it from another time zone. What we're watching: Reservation Dogs creeps closer to the finish line with another pair of lovely episodes, "Wahoo!" and "Send It." We enjoy all the interactions among various generations and among both the living and the spirit worlds. Catherine's library find this week is an older documentary entitled Obit. Life on Deadline, which highlights the work of obituary writers at the New York Times. Mentioned: The Times' Overlooked project and another NYT-related documentary, Bill Cunningham: New York. In the archives, we revisit episodes in which we discussed dental dilemmas (April 24, 2019), the prom (April 25, 2019 and April 24, 2023), tensions and transitions with adult kids (April 26, 2023), and generation gaps (April 27, 2023). Mentioned: Taylor Swift's new album, "The Tortured Poets Department." ​ Next week, we'll return to Reservation Dogs for the final two episodes of season 3, E9 ("Elora's Dad") and E10 ("Dig"). Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.