The latest from Spawned: Our award-winning parenting podcast
Our favorite skincare products: Let’s talk about a self-care skin routine
If you're like us, then you're always quite curious about everyone else's self-care skin routine. So when author and podcaster Kate Spencer (you know her from Forever 35!) was a guest on Spawned a few weeks ago, we had to ask. Especially since she (along with co-host...
Moms are wondering, “What’s next for me in life?” Here’s one way to figure it out. | Spawned 272
If you've hit a point where you're asking yourself, "what's next for me? Should I keep this career? Should I dump this side hustle? And where should my efforts go when my kids are getting older?" you're definitely not alone. And this is the podcast episode that may...
So about those gender reveal parties… and other things parents need to know about gender stereotypes | Spawned Ep 217
With gender reveal parties on our minds these days, we were so glad to chat with author Lisa Selin Davis about gender stereotypes and what parents need to do to start to changing them, all of which she talks about in her new book, Tomboy: The Surprising History and...
What we can do to support our teens through a school year like no other. | Spawned ep 216
After reading author and psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour's NY Times article, The 2020 Back to School List for Teens' Emotional Well-Being we just knew we had to talk to her about it. Her premise: kids need some emotional "supplies" that have nothing to do with backpacks...
Election Fact Check: Absentee ballots and voting by mail | Spawned ep 215
Whether you're pinned to election coverage right now, or avoiding it as much as possible, we think every American should listen to this interview with Amber McReynolds, former Director of Elections for Denver, and now the CEO of the bipartisan National Vote at Home...
More coolness from recent weeks…
Math just got a whole lot easier (and less stressful) with Photomath | Sponsored Message
This is a sponsored message for Photomath As so many parents put on their teacher or learning coach hats this fall to help their children, they have to be ready for whatever questions that might be thrown at them. That's why they all need the free Photomath app fired...
What we can do to support our teens through a school year like no other. | Spawned ep 216
After reading author and psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour's NY Times article, The 2020 Back to School List for Teens' Emotional Well-Being we just knew we had to talk to her about it. Her premise: kids need some emotional "supplies" that have nothing to do with backpacks...
7 favorite pieces of political jewelry that support voting rights organizations
If the continued interest over Michelle Obama's lovely "Vote" necklace from last month's speech at the Democratic National Convention was any indication, many of us are also eager to promote our voting rights loud and proud, this critically important election year....
20 fun, educational board games that totally count as homeschool time: Math, science, geography and more
If you don't think of family board games as an educational opportunity to supplement your kids' learning, well put away the Cards Against Humanity (ha) and check out these suggestions! To be clear, as a homeschooling mom, I'm a big fan of actual curriculum for my...
Election Fact Check: Absentee ballots and voting by mail | Spawned ep 215
Whether you're pinned to election coverage right now, or avoiding it as much as possible, we think every American should listen to this interview with Amber McReynolds, former Director of Elections for Denver, and now the CEO of the bipartisan National Vote at Home...
How to get your hands on iconic photos + paintings to support equity for Black artists. We can’t pick a favorite!
By now, I think our readers are aware that that creating more equity and representation for Black Americans across every industry is one of the most impactful ways to dismantle racist systems. So as a fan of original rock portraits -- and of organizations that...
7 cool face mask accessories for kids, to help them keep their masks to themselves
The past few weeks, my Instagram feed is full of my friends' adorable kids in their back-to-school outfits... complete with fresh, new face masks.I'm so proud of these kids for being responsible about in-person schooling, and for parents for insisting on kids wearing...
10 books kids and teens should read before they become movies and TV series in 2020.
This year, even though we haven't been able to go to actual movie theaters, we're still seeing plenty of great movies from home. Yay for film companies adapting! And yay for me spending less than $50 to get everyone popcorn! If you're big on reading the book first in...
Michelle Obama’s VOTE necklace: Found it, want it.
Like everyone I know, I was absolutely captivated and moved by Michelle Obama's DNC speech last night. (Please, watch if you haven't already.) It's what I woke up thinking about this morning and I know I will keep thinking about it. And while it was a far, far second...
The best presidential election resources for kids: Reader Q&A
Q: I’m looking for good resources for talking to my 11- and 12-year-olds about the presidential election, like candidate platforms that are kid-friendly reads. - Monica, via our Spawned Podcast Community. A: Well, this certainly sent me down an enjoyable rabbit hole...
These 5 awesome Etsy houseplant shops are perfect pandemic pick-me-ups
We've all picked up new hobbies during quarantine, and mine has been buying and potting houseplants on Etsy. I lead an exciting life, what can I say. But while I'm at home so much of the time, surrounding myself with these little reminders of growth and life has...
What we get wrong about kids and tech: The interview that blew our minds | Spawned ep 214
While we love all of our Spawned guests, there are some interviews that truly reshape our views on parenting. That's just how we feel about this chat with global education expert Jordan Shapiro, author of the acclaimed international best-seller, The New Childhood:...
These 3 great children’s books help introduce your kids to Kamala Harris
It's official: Kamala Harris is Joe Biden's pick for Democratic VP candidate and (speaking for all of us here, honestly), we couldn't be more excited about this historic choice. While many of our kids are already fans of hers, a lot of children who are aware of the...
For just $15, you can send little boxes of joy to the people you’re missing
As we enter the hundredth or so month of this COVID-19 craziness, I have been thinking so much about all the far-away friends and family I'm missing this summer: The nieces and nephews I cannot hug. The great aunt I won't see down the Jersey Shore. The college friend...
How to help Beirut after the explosion: A list of trusted organizations that can really use your support.
As I look for ways to help Beirut after the horrific explosion this week, I'm grateful to Fadia Berberi, (@karzel), a mom in the suburbs of Beirut who I've known through Instagram for a while. She DM'd me to explain, What happened here in Beirut is really tragic and...
The Covid pandemic is screwing working moms. Big time. | Spawned Ep 213
After reading (and raging over) the Five Thirty Eight article, How the Pandemic Could Force a Generation of Mothers Out of the Workforce, we knew we had to have a candid discussion about it with Katherine Goldstein, the award-winning journalist, working mom expert,...
We tried a popular at-home gel manicure kit and here’s how it went. | Damn You, Social Media ads
During the Covid pandemic, we've seen people do some wild things to get their nails done. There have been the women doing manicures through the mail slots in their front doors. There's the mobile manicure truck that's cruising around New York. And, as the ads all over...
A tee that celebrates nurses and supports a great cause? We’re not crying… (yes we are)
I've lost count of all the times that healthcare workers have brought me to tears with their bravery and selflessness over the last few months. So I was thrilled to find this Everyday Hero t-shirt collection celebrating nurses, from the wonderful indie label Winter...
Here’s one way to stress less, especially with back to school
Considering our own stress levels are pretty much through the roof right now, we know we're probably not alone. Trying to juggle all the challenges we're facing is no easy task, but even some of the smaller things, like just heading out the door, has become more...
Making the most of your time when time has no meaning | Spawned Ep 212
These days, it's like we blink and it's dinner time and we think, "what the heck happened to this day?" As we looked around our feeds to see what else parents are discussing -- you know, beyond school, school and school -- turns out we're not alone. Seems like a lot...
The best interactive toys for kids: 6 I love in every price range
As I've written here before, RetailMeNot is basically my must-visit destination before I make any purchase online. Because hey, coupon codes. So I was thrilled when they asked me to write an article for them sharing my own picks for the best interactive toys to keep...