Parenting Tips from “Only Murders in the Building” S4 E5, “Adaptation”

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a book of short essays whose title, Get Me Through the Next 5 Minutes, really spoke to her at this moment in time. Mentioned: Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick; The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green; the song "The Next Ten Minutes" from the musical The Last Five Years (movie version with Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan; COVID version with Skylar Astin and Shoshana Bean).​Terri's random recommendation is back on the shelf for a few more weeks while we finish out the season of Dancing with the Stars. This week was the 500th episode, but we found the celebration pretty lackluster, with very few pros and stars returning to the ballroom. You're better off heading to YouTube to catch some of the all-timers: Anything from Maks and Meryl Davis's season, Nastia Lukin and Sasha (subbing for Derek) dancing a Charleston to "Honey I'm Good" in a subway car, Iman Shumpert and Daniella doing a creepy contemporary, and Bobby Bones' winning freestyle. Also mentioned: Alan Bersten's new puppy, Jeff.​In the archives, we discussed what moms can see (from 2022). Next week's lineup: Lost S1 E20, "Do No Harm," on Tuesday, November 19Shrinking S2 E3, "Psychological Something-ism," on Wednesday, November 20Weekly roundup on Thursday, November 21Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On Wednesdays, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's season 2 of Shrinking. On this episode, Alice's friend Summer came in clutch with both some good advice and an interest in the neighbor boy who keeps watching Alice over the fence. Alice needs the help, since her dad is still floundering.Next week, we'll watch season 2, episode 3, "Psychological Something-ism.” (Yes, we're watching this a few weeks behind its initial drops. That's parenting for you!) We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. In the flashbacks, we return to Locke's story, which just keeps getting sadder. On the island, things are also not looking great for Locke, as he worries that the magic island is taking away the gift it initially gave him.Next Tuesday, we'll discuss season 1, episode 20, "Do No Harm." Tomorrow, it's Shrinking, season 2, episode 2.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.​Catherine's library find is a picture book called Edmund Unravels, starring a cute little ball of yarn who likes to take adventures (and has his very own yarn version of helicopter parents).  Mentioned: This Target back-to-school ad.​Terri's random recommendation is a recent edition of her Substack newsletter that lists the many books on her to-be-read list. If you're interested in celebrity memoirs, Hollywood behind-the-scenes stories, and quirky nonfiction, she's got something for you. Mentioned: A Gentleman in Moscow, Erma Bombeck.​In the archives, we discussed car tech for parents (from 2019). In five years, the automotive industry hasn't advanced in the ways that we were hoping for.​Next week's lineup: Lost S1 E19, "Deus Ex Machina," on Tuesday, November 12Shrinking S2 E2, "I Love Pain," on Wednesday, November 13Weekly roundup on Thursday, November 14Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On Wednesdays, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. This week, we're starting season 2 of Shrinking, a show we liked a lot. We're happy to see these people again, and were quite surprised at a certain character reveal at the end of this episode. We're definitely interested to see where this goes. Next week, we'll watch season 2, episode 2, "I Love Pain.” (Yes, we're watching this a few weeks behind its initial drops. That's parenting for you!) We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. And this was both a Hurley flashback (finally!) and the episode where we met ... the numbers, which were endlessly discussed, analyzed, and debated from here on out. Plus, we now have an Island Grandpa in addition to our Island Papa.Next Tuesday, we'll discuss season 1, episode 19, "Deus Ex Machina." Tomorrow, we dive into season 2 of Shrinking.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.​Catherine's library find is an early chapter book series starring Inspector Flytrap, a mystery-solving Venus flytrap with a goat for an assistant. It's from the legendary Tom Angleberger--author of Fake Mustache, The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, and much more--and his wife, Cece Bell, who created El Deafo. Also mentioned: Magic Tree House graphic novels and nonfiction titles.​Terri's random recommendation is on hiatus so we can discuss the current season of Dancing with the Stars. As ever, the show went all out for Halloween, even if the stars' "nightmares" were not particularly convincing. But our faves lived to dance another day, so we're happy about that. They'll be back in two weeks, minus Bachelorette Jenn. Mentioned: "Poison" on Scrubs.​In the archives, we discussed how irritating and unfair it is that moms always have to be the voice of reason (from 2022). And here's a sampling of our tricky and treat-y discussions on Halloween decorating, Halloween hassles, how to spook and scare parents, and favorite Halloween costumes.​Next week's lineup: Lost S1 E18, "Numbers," on Tuesday, November 5Shrinking S2 E1, "Jimmying," on Wednesday, November 6Weekly roundup on Thursday, November 7Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On Wednesdays, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's Only Murders in the Building; season 4 has now come to a close, with another wedding--a real one this time, not a fakeout with Mabel in a white gown--and of course, another murder to set up next year's season. Terri forgave all of the shenanigans that led up to this point, including the ridiculousness of this very episode, thanks to one special reveal. Mentioned: Selena Gomez's net worth, her beauty company, and a Wizards of Waverly Place reboot; Alan Sepinwall's review of the season at Rolling Stone.Next week, we’ll return to the latest season of Shrinking, a show we very much enjoyed in its first outing. We'll watch the season 2 episodes one at a time, starting with "Jimmying.” We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This episode centered on Jin, who in addition to having daddy issues (he's ashamed of his seemingly very sweet pop) has some major daddy-in-law issues to deal with. At least now everyone knows Sun speaks English, so she can translate for him. Mentioned: The Room of Requirement in the Harry Potter series.Next Tuesday, we'll discuss season 1, episode 18, "Numbers." Tomorrow, it's the season 4 finale of Only Murders in the Building.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a novel by Dancing with the Stars's own Julianne Hough called Everything We Never Knew. She finds it frustrating that celebs can "write" novels purely on the marketing power of their names, but Terri sees an opportunity for the ghostwriters who are a necessary part of the equation. Mentioned: Millie Bobby Brown's Nineteen Steps.​Terri's random recommendation is on hiatus so we can discuss the current season of Dancing with the Stars. This week, it was Disney Night, or as we like to call it, Properties You Didn't Know Disney Owned Night. For the second week in a row, the elimination was correct, so we're celebrating that. In the archives, we discussed what we'd put on our parenting wish lists (from 2021).  Mentioned: Blackout Coffee, Wicked branded mac & cheese, and Krabby Patties at Wendy’s.​Next week's lineup: Lost S1 E18, "Numbers," on Tuesday, October 29Only Murders in the Building S4 E10, "My Best Friend's Wedding," on Wednesday, October 30Weekly roundup on Thursday, October 31Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.