Parenting Roundabout

Though it seems like we already have too many channels to watch, we can still think of a few we wish we could see — whether they don't exist yet or our cable companies limit us.

A Buzzfeed article [https://www.buzzfeed.com/kristatorres/this-chart-comparing-working-moms-vs-stay-at-home-moms-is?fbclid=IwAR0udm9e-t_kgUhyJSdRR9ia5rFLld_21T8bYmt7pzeRf9OsC8i0uDjapkQ] about a chart comparing stay-at-home and working moms prompted us to talk about all the different points on that spectrum that we've experienced. And to remind everyone to live and let live.

On this week’s Roundabout Roundup: Nicole shouts out Jackson Galaxy (on YouTube) for his excellent advice on caring for cats [https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCatDaddy66]. Catherine's feeling very seen by Teenager Pro Tips on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/teenagerprotips], and Terri attended a live-streamed concert on a spiffy new platform called Flymachine [https://www.flymachine.com/].

When our kids were small, we fussed over their boo-boos and sniffles. Now that we're ... a little older, we're the ones with the owies, and we would like some of that sympathy returned to us, please and thank you.

We are relieved to have missed out on slime, but there are still plenty of kids' toys (and music, and buggy pets) that we can grumble about. Plus: this episode contains two pieces of useful advice for parents in the throes of the annoying-toy years.

On this week's entertainment-themed Round 2, we caught up with the movie The Station Agent (2003), which has been patiently waiting at the station known as Terri's DVR for a couple of years. It is delightful and quirky, if not "hilarious" as the New York Times review would have it.We also watched a filmed performance of the beautiful Broadway musical Come From Away. It's available on AppleTV+, and tells the story of what happened in Gander, Newfoundland, after American airspace was closed on September 11, 2001. It's nontraditional and inspiring, with a great message--but it's also fun. Next week: Instead of waiting years to get in on some popular pop culture properties, we're going to start now with Only Murders in the Building (on Hulu) and Ted Lasso (on AppleTV+). We'll watch the first episodes of the first seasons of both, and then continue with one episode of each per week going forward.

Today we're talking about child hacks, those little lies and maneuvers parents employ to make life easier, like "the Tooth Fairy doesn't come until you fall asleep!" and "I just have no idea where your pacifier is!" Some were quite deliberate, while others we lucked into (and ran with).

We talk about the video games we've played, the video games we've watched other people play, and the apps we'd like to call video games.

A Facebook post prompted a discussion of some of our parenting goals (and some of the ways we judge others and/or ourselves). Mentioned: A past episode about kids and conversation [https://www.spreaker.com/episode/18922646].

On this week’s Roundabout Roundup: Terri has another phone game to shout out: Flipflop Solitaire [http://www.flipflopsolitaire.com/]. Nicole's been binge-watching Young Sheldon (the prequel to The Big Bang Theory) [https://www.cbs.com/shows/young-sheldon/]. And Catherine found a spice rack that's perfect for anyone equipping a kitchen for the first time [https://oriikitchen.com/products/copy-of-orii-20-jar-spice-organizer-rack-in-dark-acacia-wood].

Yesterday we complained about kids' unwanted opinions, and today we're obsessing about family members' conflicting opinions about adding a furry friend to the mix. It all started because a kitten literally fell into Nicole's yard (and was far too cute to turn away).

As our kids get older, they seem to get more opinionated, particularly about topics that used to be exclusively the domain of the parents. Like parenting itself.

On this week's entertainment-themed Round 2: Catherine was won over by the star-studded musical parody Schmigadoon!. Terri wasn't, quite, but still enjoyed some of the silliness and all of the performances. Mentioned: Director Barry Sonnenfeld's autobiography, Barry Sonnenfeld, Call Your Mother [https://www.amazon.com/Barry-Sonnenfeld-Call-Your-Mother/dp/0316415618].Next week: The 2003 movie The Station Agent, and a musical very different from the ones referenced in Schmigadoon!: Come From Away, which premieres (as a filmed edition of the Broadway show) on AppleTV+ on Friday, September 10.

Terri and Catherine recently finished watching Making It [https://www.parentingroundaboutpodcast.com/blog/what-were-watching-making-it-and-coda], a TV crafting competition. It's getting a cooking spin-off, of course called Baking It [https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/maya-rudolph-andy-samberg-peacock-baking-it-1235048252/]. So we brainstormed challenges for a parenting competition show called Faking It.

Did he have a nice hairdo? Did he wear a very stylish shirt? Was he simply, blessedly available? We look back at the things that made our guys stand out.

For Terri's family, the loss is fresh. But we've all experienced the death of a beloved dog, and helping our kids through it.

On this week’s Roundabout Roundup: Catherine recommends Cheap Old Houses [https://www.hgtv.com/shows/cheap-old-houses], a fun new non-competitive show on HGTV (inspired by an Instagram feed). Nicole shouts out this cheeky video from #WeThe15 [https://youtu.be/gHCDvdCaJhI]--no inspiration allowed. And Terri reminds you that a favorite cookie from her childhood, the Vienna Finger, is still available today [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vienna_Fingers].

We have suggestions for helping your child succeed at school, and they range from minimal effort (5 minutes a day!) to "You're here again?" levels of presence in the building.

A yard sign installation celebrating a child's first day of third grade (!) prompted us to complain about where this ends (billboards? fireworks?) and why we don't get signs celebrating our achievements.

On this week's entertainment-themed Round 2, we made it to the end of Making It. We congratulate the winner for his very happy-looking shed [https://www.instagram.com/p/CTILC_UlBwb/], and would love to see a season 4 of the show--with a few tweaks.Speaking of beautiful things, we also watched the movie CODA on AppleTV+ [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10366460/?ref_=nm_knf_i4]. It 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 [https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1026797711].Next week: We'll stick with AppleTV+ and check out Schmigadoon, We'll watch all 6 episodes of this musical comedy.