LAUREN'S LISTS

We’ve tried a handful of other science and story podcasts aimed at preschoolers through late elementary, and these are the only ones the boys and I all really like. What are your favorite kids podcasts? I’d love to find a decent current events one (if it exists), a great serial fiction for older elementary age, and recommended middle and high school age listens – so send on your favorites to lauren@thecommonrule.org! 1. Brains On - best for ages 5-10 2. Smash Boom Best - fun

I’ve largely opted for movies over kids TV offerings because the majority seem like poor storytelling, are too loud, frenetic and hyper-inducing, or I find them really annoying even in the background. Of course, my kids love all those types of shows, and I have succumbed to their picks more than I would prefer. For the past few years, I’ve shifted to treating those types of requested shows like the candy of their screentime diet, scarcely and for special occasions/sick days.

Some of my personal favorite, somewhat lesser-known movies. I was first trying to think of how to describe my taste in movies, but decided in the end I'd show rather than tell. And also, a gift to all you parents out there, all four are under 2 hours! Free streaming options are listed for each, although all are available for rent on Amazon Prime for a few dollars if you, like me, habitually delay shipping there to build up media rewards for rentals. 1. Moonrise Kingdom [HBO M

I really, really love all these books. And so do my kids. They are a gift – check them out from the library and you’ll find yourself buying them eventually! (Tip - I love ThriftBooks for sourcing used books in great shape, even good enough for my Christmas gift giving.) 1. The Ox - Cart Man by Donald Hall and Barbara Cooney This book captures the wonder of work well done and of life’s seasonal rhythms. Every sparse word is perfect, and it's somehow still captivating to my hi

4 Book Series to Read Aloud as a Family: So far in my parenting journey with kids 9 and under, these are my absolute favorite read aloud series. They’re the books my kids beg to read in spare moments and burst into whines when I say we must pause reading, they’re the ones I’ve teared up reading mid-chapter (like just last week, while reading the last book of the Wingfeather Saga at an outside table at Chick-fil-a with Whit and Ash!). Love, love, love all of these! 1. Little H

4 Board Books You Won't Get Tired of Reading to Littles: As a book lover, I thought I was already gung-ho about reading out loud to my kids. Then early in the pandemic I read “The Read-Aloud Family” by Sarah Mackenzie and became even more convinced of the many, many academic, social-emotional, family bonding and spiritual benefits of reading aloud good books! As a first step, picking board books that aren’t a chore to read out loud to your baby seems like it should be easier

4 Movies to Inspire Weary Parents: Parenting is simultaneously the hardest and most joyful sustained work of my life. So many days are so hard, and I desperately need to be reminded of the importance and beauty in it to keep going. All these movies have had something to say about parenting that I needed to hear, in that way that the best works of art speak – communicating right to my gut or heart something that can’t be expressed by words alone. 1. Arrival [Hulu, 1h 56m] Thi

5 Top Notch Movies for Family Nights: These movies are all wonderful. Funny, poignant, deep, and just as enjoyable for adults as for kids. They’re good picks if you’ve never seen them, and they’re just as good on many subsequent viewings. Great movies can certainly be watched for their own sake, as all good, true and beautiful art can be enjoyed for the sheer pleasure of it. But, when the opportunity presents itself, these five also all touch on themes or present questions th