Parenting Roundabout
2,380 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 days ago - ★★★★★ - 16 ratingsJoin parenting writers Terri Mauro and Catherine Holecko for a weekly look at the things parents are talking about, complaining about, and obsessing about right now.
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Episodes
Chatting About ChatGPT
May 11, 2023 04:00 - 15 minutes - 14.3 MBOn today's episode, we're obsessing about ChatGPT and other AI tools. One of us are excited about the possibilities, and the other two are feeling pretty threatened by the robots that are taking our jobs. Mentioned: An "emotional support" chatbot.
Kids in Public Places
May 10, 2023 04:00 - 15 minutes - 14.4 MBOn today's complaint episode, we discuss whether kids are more disliked (and/or less tolerated) today than in the past, and wade into the great Plane Popcorn Spill debate.
What We’re Watching: Ted Lasso S3 E7 and E8 and Brothers and Sisters S2 E3
May 09, 2023 04:00 - 25 minutes - 23.3 MBOn this week's entertainment-themed Round 2, we caught up with two episodes of Ted Lasso. Like their predecessors this season, they were long and fairly free of plot, although there were some nice moments. Next: S3 E9, “La Locker Room Aux Folles.” On Brothers and Sisters, most everyone is still miserable, except Kitty, who successfully swats away a threat from Robert's ex-wife, and Scotty, who scores himself some legal advice in exchange for a gourmet dinner for Kevin. Next: S2 E4, "State of...
What's New With Us
May 08, 2023 04:00 - 21 minutes - 19.7 MBWe take one week off and a whole lot of stuff happens! So we're giving you the scoop on all of that today. After all our complaining and obsessing about some of these topics, you deserve some closure.
Speed-Round Sunday: Appliance Time
May 07, 2023 13:00 - 10 minutes - 9.26 MBOn Speed-Round Sunday, we share a mini episode from our past for your weekend listening pleasure. Our appliances let us know when they're ready to be replaced by refusing to do their jobs.
Second-Listen Saturday: Mistakes That Are Definitely Not Our Fault
May 06, 2023 13:00 - 10 minutes - 10 MBOn Second-Listen Saturday, we share moments from past episodes for your weekend listening pleasure. This discussion is from August 2019. When you're juggling as many balls as we are, sometimes one or two get dropped. We obsess about these mistakes, and particularly the shame of admitting to them right when we've worked up a good rant about how they're someone else's fault. Mentioned: Low-Effort Ways to Annoy Your Teen from Annie Get Your Gum.
Recovery Replay: Self-Advocacy at the Doctor's Office
May 05, 2023 04:00 - 12 minutes - 11.3 MBTerri is recuperating from surgery and we have forced her to take a few days off. So this week, we're looking back at some of our past discussions on encounters with sickness, health, and health care. Today’s chat is originally from 2016. Do your kids represent themselves to their pediatrician, or are you the one doing all the talking? How can you transition teens and young adults to self-advocacy so you can be released from the room where it happens (and the pressure of being the family med...
Recovery Replay: Your Most Recent Sick Day
May 04, 2023 04:00 - 4 minutes - 4.45 MBTerri is recuperating from surgery and we have forced her to take a few days off. So this week, we're looking back at some of our past discussions on encounters with sickness, health, and health care. Today’s chat is originally from 2016. Being sick is no fun, but sometimes, we wish for the ability to just put school or work on hold for 24 hours and take good care of ourselves. Sick days are few and far between for freelancers, alas, and even sparser for parents. Do you get a sick day someti...
Recovery Replay: The Doctor Will See You Eventually
May 03, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 8.34 MBTerri is recuperating from surgery and we have forced her to take a few days off. So this week, we're looking back at some of our past discussions on encounters with sickness, health, and health care. Today’s chat is originally from 2018. Doctors whose office is closed when you're sick. Orthodontists who don't keep kid hours. What we wish phone physicians could do. Yep, we've got a few things to say about the availability of medical professionals.
Recovery Replay: The Mom Flu
May 02, 2023 04:00 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MBTerri is recuperating from surgery and we have forced her to take a few days off. So this week, we're looking back at some of our past discussions on encounters with sickness, health, and health care. Today’s chat is originally from 2019. Nicole has a cold, and she's griping about how hard it is for moms to take a sick day. How come there's no such thing as the mom flu, equivalent to the man flu?
Recovery Replay: What Is the Worst Thing About Going to the Doctor?
May 01, 2023 04:00 - 4 minutes - 4.11 MBTerri is recuperating from surgery and we have forced her to take a few days off. So this week, we're looking back at some of our past discussions on encounters with sickness, health, and health care. Today’s chat is originally from 2017. It's important to look after our health, sure, but some of the stuff we have to put up with before and during that exam make us kind of sick of it.
Speed-Round Sunday: Parental Martyrdom
April 30, 2023 13:00 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBOn Speed-Round Sunday, we share a mini episode from our past for your weekend listening pleasure. On a scale of sharing Ketchup Chips to watching The Emoji Movie, we gauge our willingness to play the martyr.
Second-Listen Saturday: The Costs of Raising Kids
April 29, 2023 13:00 - 15 minutes - 13.9 MBOn Second-Listen Saturday, we share moments from past episodes for your weekend listening pleasure. This discussion is from August 2019. This report on how much our little darlings cost us got us complaining about all the expenses we've covered over the years, from the predictable to the (unpleasantly) surprising.
Roundabout Roundup: Candle Warmer Lamp, Niimbot Label Maker, Liddle Griddle
April 28, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 9.02 MBOn this week’s Roundabout Roundup: Catherine was influenced by Sherry at Young House Love to buy her daughter a candle warmer lamp. Nicole's labeling everything in sight with her Niimbot label maker, and Terri's fostering independence with the Liddle Griddle, which is perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches (and maybe also for pancakes). Thanks as always to Jon Morin for our fun in-and-out music, which you hear on every episode.
Generation Gaps
April 27, 2023 04:00 - 15 minutes - 13.8 MBA New York Times newsletter item suggesting that today's adult kids are doing better than their parents think they are got us obsessing about what it really means to be independent and launch into the world, both today and in past generations.
Tensions and Transitions
April 26, 2023 04:00 - 19 minutes - 17.6 MBA Psychology Today article about sources of tension between adult children and their parents got us complaining about our old friends, the listicle and the alleged expert, along with the fact that parenting adult children is just as hard (if not harder) than parenting little ones.
What We’re Watching: Ted Lasso “Sunflowers” and Brothers and Sisters “An American Family”
April 25, 2023 04:00 - 30 minutes - 27.5 MBOn this week's entertainment-themed Round 2, the Ted Lasso crew goes on a somewhat trippy trip to Amsterdam. The players vow to stick together as a team, but everyone else is isolated in their own storyline. We'd like some ensemble back in this ensemble show, please! Next (in two weeks): Season 3, episodes 7 and 8. Mentioned: The "Beard After Dark" episode from season 2; reviews/commentary from Linda Holmes and the Fug Girls; the immersive Van Gogh exhibit. On Brothers and Sisters, Justin is...
The Last Dance
April 24, 2023 04:00 - 16 minutes - 14.9 MBIt's prom season, and the youngest of our kids is attending two events this year (which came as something of a surprise to his mother).
Speed-Round Sunday: When Kids Want to Change Their Names
April 23, 2023 13:00 - 6 minutes - 5.71 MBOn Speed-Round Sunday, we share a mini episode from our past for your weekend listening pleasure. Terri's daughter found out the hard way that Facebook doesn't look too kindly on name changes made just for fun.
Second-Listen Saturday: Disappointing Kids' Activities
April 22, 2023 13:00 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBOn Second-Listen Saturday, we share moments from past episodes for your weekend listening pleasure. This discussion is from July 2019. In this episode, we complain about all those sports, activities, camps, and classes that we thought would be the answer to our prayers, but fell short (sometimes, way short). Who knew trying to help our kids find their passion and their tribe would be so hard?
Roundabout Roundup: Corkcicle Water Bottles, Thank You for Listening, and Marcel the Shell With Shoes On
April 21, 2023 04:00 - 8 minutes - 7.84 MBOn this week’s Roundabout Roundup: Nicole's marveling at the power of her Corkcicle water bottle. Terri enjoyed the story, writing, and narration, all by Julia Whelan, of Thank You for Listening (Whelan also narrated another of our past Roundup items, Flying Solo by Linda Holmes). And Catherine recommends Marcel the Shell With Shoes On, a charming, bittersweet, family-friendly movie. Thanks as always to Jon Morin for our fun in-and-out music, which you hear on every episode.
We Could Write a Book
April 20, 2023 04:00 - 12 minutes - 11 MBWhen we heard about an upcoming mother-daughter book by Diane Ladd and Laura Dern, we obsessed about the books we could write, given that we all have mothers and daughters and writing experience (just no Academy Awards). Mentioned: Social Print Studio, Storyworth, S**t My Dad Says, The Hard Parts by Oksana Masters.
In Their Own Time
April 19, 2023 04:00 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MBCatherine's son got his temporary driver's license almost three years late, and Terri's made his confirmation at age 30. So we complained about artificial timetables and the people who try to make us and our kids stick to them.
What We’re Watching: Ted Lasso “Signs” and Brothers and Sisters “Home Front”
April 18, 2023 04:00 - 20 minutes - 18.7 MBOn this week's entertainment-themed Round 2, "Signs" was the last episode of Ted Lasso for Shandy (we hope) and Zava (we wonder). We saw a lot of plot points coming, but not Zava's retirement. Next: S3 E6, "Sunflowers." Then, we jumped right in to season 2 of Brothers and Sisters with "Home Front." It had a little bit of everything we expect from the Walkers: Public arguments, sharing TMI about one's sex life with one's siblings, and a birthday party turned tragic. Next: S2 E2, "An American ...
The Family Medicine Chest
April 17, 2023 04:00 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MBAn article on baby first-aid kits got us talking about essentials for bigger kids: We've traded the nasal aspirator and the tiny medicine droppers for KT Tape and chewing gum (but two of us can't seem to keep un-expired over-the-counter meds in stock).
Speed-Round Sunday: Parenting Warning Labels
April 16, 2023 13:00 - 6 minutes - 5.74 MBOn Speed-Round Sunday, we share a mini episode from our past for your weekend listening pleasure. Inspired by the funny ladies of I Mom So Hard, we riff on the labels that should come with your firstborn.
Second-Listen Saturday: Teensplaining
April 15, 2023 13:00 - 10 minutes - 9.69 MBOn Second-Listen Saturday, we share moments from past episodes for your weekend listening pleasure. This discussion is from July 2019. On today's episode, we talk teensplaining: That lovely way that adolescents have of knowing everything and not being the least bit shy about sharing that knowledge, especially with their ignorant parents. From laundry to driving to law enforcement, our (completely uncredentialed) kids are the experts!
Roundabout Roundup: Hugimals, Rockport Pumps, and Catholic Podcasts
April 14, 2023 04:00 - 8 minutes - 7.69 MBOn this week’s Roundabout Roundup: Catherine updates her recommendation for Hugimals weighted stuffed animals. Nicole's rocking some comfy Rockport dress shoes, and Terri's ears are full of Catholic podcasts: Catholic Latte, Restore the Glory, and Beyond the Beacon. Thanks as always to Jon Morin for our fun in-and-out music, which you hear on every episode.
Sibling Stories
April 13, 2023 04:00 - 15 minutes - 13.9 MBA question about how our first kids are different from their younger siblings got us obsessing about personality, birth order, nature vs. nurture, and what our kids' relationships are with each other now vs. when they were younger. They definitely agree on one thing: Their mothers can be so annoying.
Do Us a Favor
April 12, 2023 04:00 - 18 minutes - 16.7 MBPrompted by a Huffington Post query, we complain about how and why it's so hard to let others help us, when we are perfectly willing to extend a hand to neighbors and friends in need. What's your position on asking for and granting favors?
What We’re Watching: Ted Lasso “Big Week” and Brothers and Sisters “Matriarchy”
April 11, 2023 04:00 - 28 minutes - 26 MBOn this week's entertainment-themed Round 2: Ted Lasso's team may have had a "big week," but the episode was fairly small and restrained. We'd like our jokes back, please! Next: Season 3, episode 5, "Signs." On Brothers and Sisters, of course nothing is ever small or restrained, and that includes Senator McCallister's relatives, which show up to his engagement party and proceed to out-Walker the Walkers (until the Walkers all jump, fully clothed, into the pool). Next: Season 2, episode 1, "H...
A Surprise Facebook Victory
April 10, 2023 04:00 - 16 minutes - 14.7 MBA few weeks ago, Nicole told a sad tale of being disappeared from Facebook against her will due to a hack. But thanks to a commenter on one of our podcast Facebook posts, she found a group of fellow #LilyCollinsHack victims, and eventually was able to get her account restored. We're so glad to have her back!
Speed-Round Sunday: Parent Group Pet Peeves
April 09, 2023 13:00 - 11 minutes - 10.2 MBOn Speed-Round Sunday, we share a mini episode from our past for your weekend listening pleasure. It's hard being a parent-group newbie, and it's hard being a veteran. Let's just skip the whole thing.
Second-Listen Saturday: Iffy Etiquette
April 08, 2023 13:00 - 15 minutes - 14.2 MBOn Second-Listen Saturday, we share moments from past episodes for your weekend listening pleasure. This discussion is from July 2019. We obsess about all those little details of social interactions that we feel unsure about (which means we are also worried about what we have, and haven't, taught our kids about manners and etiquette).
Roundabout Roundup: PlayPodcast.net, The Last of Us, and Trader Joe’s Cake Mix
April 07, 2023 04:00 - 8 minutes - 8.16 MBOn this week’s Roundabout Roundup: Terri's found another way to listen to podcasts, including ours: PlayPodcast.net. Nicole's watching HBO's The Last of Us, and Catherine found a tasty blood orange cake mix at Trader Joe's. Also mentioned, though not by name: Catherine's most recent book club book, Shoulder Season by Christina Clancy. Thanks as always to Jon Morin for our fun in-and-out music, which you hear on every episode.
What Is a Young Adult?
April 06, 2023 04:00 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MBAs mentioned yesterday, Terri's son had a milestone birthday, which means Terri's now obsessing about whether she's actually the parent of "young" adults any longer.
Birthday Celebrations for Big Kids
April 05, 2023 04:00 - 15 minutes - 14.5 MBIt's offspring birthday season for both Terri and Catherine, with milestones all around: 18! 21! 30! Terri's wondering what, exactly, a parent's birthday-party obligations are when kids cruise past the ball-pit and cupcakes stage.
What We’re Watching: Ted Lasso Season 3 and Brothers and Sisters “Favorite Son”
April 04, 2023 04:00 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MBNow that Shrinking has left us (for now), we pivot to a show with some similar DNA: Ted Lasso, returning for season 3. We're happy to see these old pals again--although we're glad we don't have to work at Keeley's company. Next: Season 3, episode 4, "Big Week." It was a big week on Brothers and Sisters, and a very sad one, as the family faced the premature birth of Julia and Tommy's twins. Oh, and dealt with a blackmailer and an impending divorce. Next: "Matriarchy," the finale of season 1.
The First Post-College Job
April 03, 2023 04:00 - 18 minutes - 16.9 MBWith Nicole's daughter about to graduate from university and weighing her options, we talked about our own first steps into the work world. Mentioned: the Columbia Publishing Course (formerly the Radcliffe Publishing Course).
Speed-Round Sunday: Entertaining Teens
April 02, 2023 13:00 - 7 minutes - 6.62 MBOn Speed-Round Sunday, we share a mini episode from our past for your weekend listening pleasure. While we're pretty live-and-let-live when it comes to teens and screens, we do acknowledge that there are times when they should maybe put them down. But if they're not on their phones, what else are they gonna do?
Second-Listen Saturday: Competitive Mom Bragging
April 01, 2023 13:00 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MBOn Second-Listen Saturday, we share moments from past episodes for your weekend listening pleasure. This discussion is from July 2019. Another parent's college admission post (in July!!) sent Catherine into a shame spiral. That prompted us to complain about not just mom bragging, but our irrational response to it.
Roundabout Roundup: Monopoly Deal, Walker Hayes “Being a Dad and Missing Mine,” and Anigrams
March 31, 2023 04:00 - 6 minutes - 5.72 MBOn this week’s Roundabout Roundup, Nicole's discovered Monopoly Deal, a card game she says is a big improvement on the Monopoly board game. Terri's Country Music Minute returns with Walker Hayes' two-song set, "Being a Dad and Missing Mine." And Catherine's got another daily word game to recommend: Anigrams. Thanks as always to Jon Morin for our fun in-and-out music, which you hear on every episode.
Good Mom Moments
March 30, 2023 04:00 - 10 minutes - 10.1 MBOn today's episode, we're obsessing about those times (and tasks) that make us feel we're succeeding at our mom jobs. These can be rare, so we have to recognize them when they happen.
Is Oversharing Bad Parenting?
March 29, 2023 04:00 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MBA survey that accused parents--especially Gen-X ones, like Nicole and Catherine--of oversharing about their kids on social media got us complaining. Not about oversharing, but about how parents just can't win. Mentioned: Some of the moms we follow on Instagram, like Gabrielle Blair, Witney Carson, and Lindsay Arnold.
What We’re Watching: Shrinking “Closure” and Brothers and Sisters “Grapes of Wrath”
March 28, 2023 04:00 - 23 minutes - 21.4 MBOn this week's entertainment-themed Round 2, we came to the end of Shrinking's first season with "Closure." While it did tie up many loose ends, it then created a giant problem to deal with in season 2. While we're not thrilled with that, we'll definitely be back to see what happens. Brothers and Sisters, too, is careening toward the end of season 1, with everything from a stolen kiss to a food fight to an imminent premature birth. Next: S1 E22, "Favorite Son." And since Shrinking is done f...
A Big Facebook Fail
March 27, 2023 04:00 - 15 minutes - 14.4 MBAs we mentioned last week, Nicole was hit by a Facebook hack that caused her to lose her personal account and with it, access to her Inclusive Class business account. Here's the whole cautionary tale. Also mentioned: How to back up your Facebook data.
Speed-Round Sunday: Parenting Failures
March 26, 2023 13:00 - 7 minutes - 6.72 MBOn Speed-Round Sunday, we share a mini episode from our past for your weekend listening pleasure. Way back in Episode 97, we patted ourselves on the back for some strong parenting skillz. This time around, we're admitting to what's not going so well.
Second-Listen Saturday: Milestones for Adults
March 25, 2023 13:00 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MBOn Second-Listen Saturday, we share moments from past episodes for your weekend listening pleasure. This discussion is from July 2019. We talk about this survey of major milestones, and question how big of a milestone "learn how to iron" really is. Along the way, we get a peek at some of our dark secrets (like the real reason Terri learned how to ride a bike, and the anti-vampire dinner party Catherine held).
Here We Go Again: Old-Timey Technology
March 24, 2023 04:00 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MBWith Nicole dealing with the aftermath of the Lily Collins Facebook hack, we're taking the week off to revisit some tech talks, complaints, and obsessions of the past. This discussion is from November 2022. Nicole gave up her landline phones, which got us talking about what tech our households are hanging on to and what we're giving up (and which one of us was a teen princess with her own phone line).
Here We Go Again: Would You Do a Digital Detox?
March 23, 2023 04:00 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MBWith Nicole dealing with the aftermath of the Lily Collins Facebook hack, we're taking the week off to revisit some tech talks, complaints, and obsessions of the past. This discussion is from March 2021. We obsess about Reviews.org's offer of cash in exchange for a digital detox (no phones, TVs, computers, video games, smart devices). We think $2,400 is a pretty nice sum for a 24-hour-long nap.