Parenting Roundabout

Each Wednesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's  Lost . We kick off season 5 with a check-in on the Oceanic 6. How are they doing? Not that well, as Kate has to flee from a pushy lawyer, Hurley's going viral in a compromising photo, and Ben's popping up to be menacing. Next week, we'll continue with season 5, episode 2, "The Lie." We'll be back tomorrow with our w...

Each Tuesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's  Shrinking . This episode brings us that old sitcom standard: A new baby! And a huge crowd of people hanging around nervously (Brian) and bossily (Liz). Mentioned: Childbirth scenes on thirtysomething   and  ER . Next week, we'll continue with  Shrinking  S3 E4, "The Field." We'll be back tomorrow to discuss ...

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find  is a cozy mystery inspired by the  Bernie Sanders mittens meme . It's called  Feel the Bern (of course), and the author is Andrew Schaffer. Terri's random recommendation  is a  browser add-on called Wakeout , which prompts you to do a minute or two of exercises every time you open a new tab. (It's also  av...

Each Wednesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's  Lost . In the final two hours of season 4, the Oceanic Six finally, officially, leave the island. The island also leaves its former location, and Ben beats it, too, leaving Locke in charge. But we also know that that won't last forever. So, a lot to come in seasons 5 and 6.  Next week, we'll continue with season 5,...

Each Tuesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's  Shrinking . This week, Paul was sidelined from his job, but still managed to provide some therapeutic and parenting advice to Derek. And Gabby vented her anger at Louis, but also nudged him to live his life instead of staying stuck in place. Next week, we'll continue with Shrinking S3 E3, "D-Day." We'll be ba...

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find  is the universe of graphic novels for kids. In addition to mainstays such as  Pokémon ,  Captain Underpants , and  Dog Man , you can find beloved series like  Magic Tree House  and  Baby-Sitters Club  in graphic novel format, along with classics including  Pride and Prejudice . Also mentioned:  Cobble Stre...

Each Wednesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's  Lost . This episode kicks off the three-part season finale. The Oceanic Six are scattered from beach to jungle to freighter, with a very quiet baby in tow. However will they manage to get off the island? Next week, we'll endeavor to find out in season 4, episodes 13 and 14, "There's No Place Like Home, Parts 2 and 3...

Each Tuesday (formerly Wednesdays, but we've made a shift), we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, we're happy to be back with our friends from  Shrinking . They're facing both new and evolving issues: an emptying nest, a refilling nest, a difficult diagnosis, and more. But they're doing it together. Next week, we'll continue with  Shrinking  S3 E2, "Happiness Mission....

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find  is a parenting book. Its title caught her eye, but it's not necessarily what it seems (who woulda thought?). That title is  Just Do Nothing (for Parents):  How to Parent Better By Doing Less  by Joanna Hardis. ​ Terri's random recommendation  is not to do nothing, but instead to pray regularly. The  Praymi...

Each Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and for this week, we binged  A Man on the Inside 's season 2. As with  last season , we enjoyed the gentle, loving Mike Schur sitcom of it all and the many wonderful actors, even if the mystery wasn't especially strong. Mentioned:  a  You've Got Mail  scene  and  manic pixie dream girls . For next week, we'll switch up our o...

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's  Lost . What made Locke the way he is, you ask? Well, you'll find out in this episode, and encounter some creepy characters from the island and its orbit along the way. Next week, we'll adjust our schedule a bit and continue with season 4, episode 12, "There's No Place Like Home, Part 1" on Wednesday. Tomorrow, we'll d...

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find  is a nonfiction series for kids that starts with  What If You Had Animal Teeth?   and moves on through animal hair, scales, feet, eyes, and more. The author is Sandra Markle and the illustrator is Howard McWilliam, and we congratulate them on finding a hook and running with it. ​ Terri's random recommendat...

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's  The Lowdown . The season finale wrapped everything up in a fairly tidy bow, even including a wedding (for Francis's mom). Overall, we enjoyed this show, even as it swung from silly to serious and back. For next week, we'll binge all of season 2 of A Man on the Inside and discuss it on our Wednesday epi...

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's  Lost . This was another Jack-is-a-mess episode, even though there was a brief period of things going well for him. But his bad dad came around to ruin it all, as he frequently does. Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 4, episode 11, "Cabin Fever." Tomorrow, we'll continue our discussion of a newer show,  The Lowd...

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find  is a book that made her chuckle and got us talking about the kids and pets we've named:  The Terrible Meanings of Names: Or Why You Shouldn't Poke Your Giselle with a Barry , by Justin Cord Hayes. ​ Terri's random recommendation  is the  UPS app , because if you have an iPhone, you get a nifty widget that...

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's  The Lowdown . As we might expect from the penultimate episode of the season, things are looking very bad for Lee, as he makes the very poor decision to confront Pastor Mark in his own church (right after messing things up with Francis). Mentioned:  TV critic Alan Sepinwall , who announced that the show...

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's  Lost . This Ben-centric episode gave us a face-to-face meeting of bad dads, as Ben paid Charles Widmore a visit. On the island, Locke's flock worked together to take care of Claire and Aaron, and Bernard showed off a new skill. Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 4, episode 10, "Something Nice Back Home." Tomorro...

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find  is a title from our former  podcast pal  from the About.com years,  Kathy Ceceri . Her book  The Silk Road: Explore the World's Most Famous Trade Route  is one of her earlier publications, but it's still on library shelves. Catherine's also encountered other books from authors she knows at the library:  My...

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's  The Lowdown . Like the previous episode, this one featured an amazing performance from a beloved actor, Graham Greene, but no Francis. Also like many previous episodes, it featured Lee making some very dumb decisions. We need him to shape up, soon! Mentioned:  Paul Sparks  as Pastor Mark. Next Wednesda...

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's  Lost . Despite having seen this episode before, Terri had no recollection of it. It dropped a lot of exposition about what happened to Michael and Walt when they left the island (uh, nothing good), and ended with a tragedy for Alex, which we're guessing was all part of Ben's evil master plan. ​ Next Tuesday, we'll con...

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find  is from the children's department, and introduces Terri to a current kid obsession,  axolotls , with a picture book called  Axolotl and Axolittle . It's a sibling tale by Jess Hitchman, with illustrations by Sarah Rebar. ​ Terri's random recommendation  is also for your eyes and ears: a book,  Future Boy ,...

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's  The Lowdown. Lee's reprieve from beatings and fights was short-lived, as this episode brought an old frenemy back into his life and they quickly came to blows. We didn't see much of Francis in this episode (Lee finally listened to our advice to leave her out of his dangerous life), but in return, we go...

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's  Lost . This episode's format kept us fooled until the end: One character's story was told in flash-forwards, while another's was in flashbacks. Tricky! We also got more of Kate acting like a sassy teen, and a big reveal on the freighter. ​ We're taking a few weeks off for the holidays, so we'll continue with season 4,...

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find  is a couple of titles that take inspiration from literary classics:  Texts from Jane Eyre: And Other Conversations with Your Favorite Literary Characters  by Daniel M. Lavery (from 2014) and  Ladies in Waiting: Jane Austen's Unsung Characters , a recently published anthology of nine tales. Mentioned: The ...

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's  The Lowdown. Lee makes it through this episode with no new bruises or broken bones, which is a first. And while Allen Murphy seems not to be a threat any longer, his yet-to-be-revealed boss certainly is. Mentioned:  Ty Mitchell  as Jimmy. Next Wednesday, we'll continue with season 1, episode 5, "This L...