The latest from Spawned: Our award-winning parenting podcast
Gen Z: They’re not snowflakes, they’re warriors. Here’s the data to prove it. | Spawned Ep 269
The world feels like a pretty awful place right now. I've seen a lot of people in my social feeds say things like, "it must be hard to have kids and have to explain things like the Russian aggression against Ukraine to them." I always think that yes, sure it is --...
“There’s nothing romantic about depression” | Spawned Ep 268
This week, I was really happy to get to sit down and chat with Amy Koppelman, director, writer, and producer of the recent film A Mouthful of Air starring Amanda Seyfried and Finn Wittrock. It's based on on Amy's critically acclaimed novel inspired by her own...
Rene Syler on speaking up and speaking out about racial injustice. Now. | Spawned Ep 205
We understand that everyone is at different stages when it comes to understanding, internalizing, and speaking out against systemic racism and Black Lives Matter. But it's important to know that even if a lot of the information coming out these days is new to you,...
Meena Harris on the importance of diversity in children’s books, and raising kids who care | Spawned Ep 204
A few days ago, just before an intense week of protests and democratic uprising across America, I was grateful to talk to the truly delightful, brilliant Meena Harris. She's an activist, strategist, mom of two, and now, author of the wonderful new children's book,...
What we’re keeping and what we’re ditching, after the pandemic is over | Spawned Ep 203
This past week, Liz and I were chatting about some of the changes we've made since this pandemic started. We're finding ourselves cooking more, taking more time for ourselves, and spending way less (waaaaay less) on Starbucks. So it got us thinking: what are some...
More coolness from recent weeks…
Print and play the new Cards Against Humanity Family Edition for free.
We've been long time fans of the super irreverent extra awesome game Cards Against Humanity, so it's no surprise that we can't wait to get our hands on their new Cards Against Humanity Family Edition game. Well, lucky us, they're offering the public beta version free...
Feeling bored? Need a little fun? Try this play-at-home scavenger hunt and help get food to hungry children.
We're on day 30-hundred of this here quarantine, and while we've been keeping busy with work and isolation schooling and 400 hours of TikTok, we could all use a little excitement, am I right? Well, our friends at GISH have that covered, with their first ever...
These 5 eco-friendly paper towel alternatives make it easy to make the switch
I've been meaning to switch to an eco-friendly paper towel alternative for years, and if 2020's quarantine didn't push you toward a new alternative, maybe we can help! In time for Earth Day, I've been chatting with eco-conscious friends and colleagues about favorite...
How to get gorgeous Mother’s Day flower deliveries for less. But hurry!
While we're busy putting the finishing touches on our 2020 Mother's Day Gift Guide, I had to share this terrific deal that I just caught wind of. One of my favorite flower delivery sites, The Bouqs, is offering double-sized Mother's Day bouquets for the price of the...
4 colorful DIY crafts from Joy Cho to inspire curiosity in your kids
I recently had such a great podcast discussion with Joy Cho of Oh Joy! Design Studio, about ways to encourage creativity in kids. Now more than ever, we're all looking for ways to keep our kids engaged, and for those of you with little ones at home, I really feel you....
Finding small joys in crazy times: How we’re making memories with our kids | Spawned Ep 197
Real parenting talk: Emotions are up and down in the age of Covid, times are stressful -- in fact we both just got the "school is cancelled for the whole year" notices. Sigh. We definitely are not trying to "win" quarantine with 800 millions Instagrammable family...
#SaveThePostOffice: 7 thoughtful things you can mail to friends and family during quarantine
Even before the Coronavirus pandemic, the United States Postal Service (USPS) was getting hit pretty hard. And now, well, it's worse than ever, with no bailout in sight. As you might have seen on social media with the #SaveThePostOffice hashtag, people are rallying...
8 board games you can play over FaceTime or Zoom for remote fun with friends
We love our game nights with friends, and cancelling those has been a sad part of the quarantine for us. But we've found 6 great games you can play over FaceTime or Zoom. It helps make that distance feel not so far at all, and gives you more opportunities to connect...
These customizable face masks help support families in need.
With the CDC recommendations that we now where face masks in public, I made a few myself - no sewing involved! - and purchased a couple from a few local businesses who have pivoted their businesses during this Coronavirus pandemic. But when I saw these customizable...
How families are making Easter special for the kids this year: 7 ideas from our readers
No matter how you celebrate Easter with your kids, things are going to be different this year during quarantine. There will be no town-wide Easter egg hunts or photos with the Easter Bunny at the mall. Church services, if you attend, will be virtual, and big family...
Gladskin offers quick relief from eczema, without all the harsh ingredients. And it worked for us!
As a long time eczema sufferer myself, along with a now teen daughter who's been battling it since she was a baby, I've tried and used my fair share of creams and lotions with the hopes of getting some relief. So, when I was introduced to our newest sponsor, Gladskin,...
So who’s ready for a cool new LEGO set? LEGO Super Mario to the rescue!
With our kids tearing through our craft kits, puzzle boxes, activity books and more while they shelter indoors, the brand new, 231-piece, interactive LEGO Super Mario Starter course could not have come at a better time. I can't think of anything more delightful to say...
Feeding your kids during a quarantine with author and food editor, Stacie Billis | Spawned Ep 196
You've braved the grocery store or you've had your groceries delivered. Your kids are home 24-7. And you've got to feed them. So, why is it so hard? Well, it doesn't have to be difficult, in fact, feeding your kids during a quarantine (and cooking during one) can...
This browser extension helps you save money at thousands of online shops while you do…nothing.
This is a sponsored message from Capital One Shopping Capital One Shopping compensates us when you get the Capital One Shopping extension using the links provided These days, we're all shopping online, and we're all looking for great prices on anything we buy....
The world’s easiest DIY face mask tutorial, no sewing required.
I have spent the past week grappling with whether or not to make my own face mask and upgrade from the bandana I've been wearing over my mouth and nose when I head out for groceries. The thing is, I don't sew. This post last updated April 6 with new information, tips,...
Lincoln Center at Home offers the most amazing art classes and concerts for kids. Free! From home!
Even those of us who are seasoned homeschoolers are feeling a little frazzled about how to fill our kids' long, uninterrupted days at home right now. But I've loved the way our artist community has come out to support our kids and families in so many ways -- drawing...
Birthday parties in the age of quarantine: We love these social distance birthday party ideas that make the day special no matter what
My son turned 10 this month, and I have to admit, it was a bit of a bummer birthday. He had a great attitude and enjoyed some chocolate cake, but with the current quarantine and social distancing guidelines, his party was cancelled and his friends weren't able to come...
Here’s why we’ll be doing April Fool’s Day pranks with our kids tomorrow. Shhh, don’t tell them!
If you've lost track of days like we have, then you might not know that it's April Fool's Day tomorrow. Which used to mean all sorts of crazy Internet pranks (us included - like this one, and this one... just to link a couple), and ones we'd to do our kids. But given...
Bingewatch Nation! Why you should give yourself permission, and what to watch these days. And nights. | Spawned 195
We are safe-distance podcasting today! We have wine! And we are punchy! With all the time we have (no, we don't entirely have a lot of time) we are watching ALL THE SERIES and laughing through this conversation today about our binge watching recos -- what to watch as...
6 sweet “I miss you” gift ideas to help stay connected you with friends and family
Huddle up, friends, because I'm about to give away a bunch of my secret gift ideas that I send to folks when I want to tell them how much I'm missing them. And when you're under a shelter-in-place order thanks to this Coronavirus crisis, that's a whole lot of people....
18 fantastic Easter gift ideas for kids, from Etsy shops that could really use the support right now.
We know that this year's Easter gifts are going to take on a lot more meaning for our kids this year. At the same time, Easter gifts sold by small businesses can really make the difference in another family's life, too. Which makes it an extra wonderful idea to peruse...