This week kicks off with a main topic: Kid Independence Projects. Merlin is trying a new thing, and John admits that he’s pan-fretful. What kind of stuff do you undertake to encourage your kids’ independence and responsibility? What about the fires and the knives? Merlin is proud when his daughter deceives him, but John’s a little disappointed with his kid’s failure to cover her tracks. Can you even imagine your kid having to go to church?

In follow-up, John updates us on how his beloved TV fared during the sleepover dance party. Merlin shudders to recall the unbelievable tween drama of a very large sleepover.

Merlin was hoping John had forgotten he’d agreed, out of nowhere, to definitely watch Millennium Actress. Would you like to speculate as to whether John remembered? Merlin confesses his Broadway kick.

John interrogates Merlin’s sleep and napping habits, then reveals what would happen if he had a week at home alone. Merlin shares an unexpected side-gift of the Kid Independence Project, and both hosts continue to embarrass their daughters very deeply.