Gretchen Rubin and Elizabeth Craft have a trick for using the word ‘meditation’ to enhance boring situations. They also discuss the tricky but common stumbling block of parenting competitiveness. Then they share some listener ANSWERS to earlier questions about recipes, photos, artwork and family updates. Liz’s demerit this week is about her less than perfect skin care routine. Gretchen’s gold star involves a wonderfully empathetic listener, and some tips about how we can all become better listeners ourselves.

Do you have a question or story for Gretchen and Liz? Leave a voicemail at 774-277-9336 You can also reach them on Twitter at @gretchenrubin and @elizabethcraft, on Facebook at facebook.com/GretchenRubin, by email at Podcast@gretchenrubin.com, or leave a comment on Gretchen’s blog, gretchenrubin.com.

This episode was sponsored by Stamps.com. For a free trial and $110 bonus offer, go to Stamps.com, click the microphone on the top of the home page, and enter promo code HAPPIER.

This episode was also sponsored by Smith and Noble. Go to smithandnoble.com/happier and enter promo code HAPPIER for 25% off your first purchase.

And check out Gretchen’s books Better Than Before, The Happiness Project, and others.