The latest from Spawned: Our award-winning parenting podcast
Liz + Kristen’s 10 favorite holiday picks this year
As we close out the year (phew, what a year it's been, we wanted to devote our last episode of Spawned 2021 to cool picks of the week. Holiday style. Whether you still have time to grab one last-minute, or you want to bookmark them for holidays, and other celebrations...
Lessons in gratitude for the holidays or any day | Spawned Episode 264
This week, we're taking a little break to catch up on all of the things (anyone else feeling overwhelmed?) by sharing a Spawned podcast episode from a couple of years ago with a message we could all use right now. Back in 2019, author Nancy Davis Kho, shared how her...
Relationships, romance, and a little hope for the whole world, with Robert Wilder | Spawned Episode 190
Even though Valentine's Day is over, we can all use a little more romance, relationship advice, and hope, don't you agree? That's why we think you'll enjoy our almost completely live (yes live!) Spawned Parenting podcast episode we recorded on Valentine's Day. Along...
How do you know when it’s time to move? And how do you make it easier when you’re ready? | Spawned 189
We never thought that a book about moving would be so enjoyable. Just thought thought of moving gives lots of us cold sweats! And yet, Ali Wenzke, who's been called the Marie Kondo of Moving has authored the extremely helpful, calming, and yes, enjoyable book, The Art...
Valentine’s Day crafts and activities you can do with your kids | Spawned Ep 188
With Valentine's Day around the corner, we've got fun craft ideas and activities on the brain. Because if you're like us, the lingerie and dinner out just isn't in the cards, which to be honest, is perfectly fine with us. So on this episode of Spawned with Kristen and...
More coolness from recent weeks…
Holiday tech gifts: 11 of the coolest STEM toys and gifts for big kids and tweens
STEM toys and gifts are definitely high on lots of holiday wish lists this season, so we're rounding up some of the coolest options for big kids and tweens. From cool STEM building sets to STEM subscription boxes, in every single price range (hey, we know that...
How writing thank you letters could totally change your life
You can probably hear your mom's voice right now. "Did you write a thank-you note, dear?" I can't be the only one whose mom was a stickler about thank-you notes. Well, as I learned from our recent Spawned podcast guest, author Nancy Davis Kho, there are more reasons...
2 smart baby gadgets to help make new parenting easier | Sponsored Message
This is a sponsored message for SunvalleyTek Technology has helped make parenting so much easier that it's often at the top of many baby registries and baby shower wish lists. That's where you'll find the VAVA Baby Monitor and the TaoTronics Humidifier, both of which...
12 of the coolest Advent calendars this year, to make the countdown even more fun
I am usually a big advocate for letting Thanksgiving have its own precious time before shifting my focus on to Christmas. But, with Thanksgiving falling so late in November this year, those of us who celebrate Christmas will want to have a cool Advent calendar ready...
It’s here! Our 2019 Holiday Gift Guide. And it’s very 2019.
We are incredibly thrilled to present our 2019 Holiday Gift Guide. Whoo! If you can believe, this is our 14th annual holiday gift guide, and this year, well, we think we might have outdone ourselves. (Or maybe it's just the exhaustion talking). We've curated over 200...
A modern Christmas story that will be a new family favorite for years to come | Sponsored Message
This is a sponsored message for Candlewick Press There's nothing like a magical story to get kids into the Christmas spirit, which is why you'll be so glad to have Dasher, a new book with a female protagonist (yay!) from New York Times bestselling author Matt...
Nike nurses’ shoes honor everyday heroes working in medicine and healthcare.
Sometimes the best way to appreciate the work someone does is simply to recognize it. Which is why all of us were so thrilled to come across the new Nike Zoom Pulse. People are calling them "Nike nurses' shoes," because it's their first shoe designed specifically for...
The best deals on men’s gifts at Zulily right now: 5 gifts we love, for the men we love
If you're already up on your holiday shopping, good for you! If you need a little nudge, then our partner Zulily just may give you the motivation you need to get it going. You'll find thousands of products up to 70% off including gifts for men. (And if you know our...
On acting, activism, and taking action: A conversation with Alysia Reiner
Considering we're pretty passionate about activism and binge watching, it's probably no surprise that we're a big fan of Alysia Reiner, known best for her role as Natalie "Fig" Figueroa in Orange is the New Black, a show that might have been the first use-case for the...
Adopt a letter to Santa and make a child’s holiday wish come true
Every year, the USPS gets tons of letters to Santa from children from all over the country, many of whom come from low-income families where the holidays present quite a hardship. Well, this year, the USPS is helping to make these kids' wishes come true with their...
This monthly earring club for kids will also come to your house and pierce their ears. Whoa.
I am so excited about the concept behind Rowan, an ear-piercing service and monthly earring club subscription for kids. Because it's not just really fun, but truly useful. I'm a huge fan of subscription boxes in general to help build my kids' wardrobes, from clothing...
Big family tips for families of any size | Spawned Episode 176
With eight kids between us, Liz and I have come to learn tips, systems, and organizational advice over the years that's help make life a little easier for us. So on this episode of our Spawned Parenting Podcast, we're sharing them with the hopes that they'll simplify...
5 incredible deals on home decor at Zulily right now. It’s holiday entertaining season!
If you're looking to score some deals right now without dealing with the Black Friday madness, our partner Zulily.Is a great option. You'll find thousands of products up to 70% off including an entire home & garden category. If you're freshening up your home for...
5 reasons this STEM toy should be at the top of your holiday shopping list
Every year, we keep an eye on hot holiday toy trends, and no surprise here, STEM toys are still a big ticket item for the 2019 holiday season. When we look for STEM toys, we particularly appreciate ones that teach kids STEM concepts by encouraging creative,...
Tons of beloved Hammitt handbags go on sale, big time. Why wait until Black Friday?
When our own Lisa told me about a massive sale on "my favorite handbags" from Hammitt Los Angeles, I clicked over immediately. Lisa has great taste, first off. And, well, I love bags. If you're in the market, don't wait until Black Friday! Check out their Farewell...
5 fun Frozen 2 crafts for kids, because we get it. They’re obsessed. Again.
Who's got Frozen fever? We've only been hearing about Frozen 2, oh, since last year sometime. And I know that's not just my own kids. With a November 22 launch date -- and who knows whether you can even get tickets for opening weekend at this point -- I get that you...
5 smart laundry tips for families that actually work. Because we use them ourselves.
No matter how many kids you have in your house, it somehow always means lots of laundry, and over the years, we've figured tried lots of laundry tips to help make the process a whole lot easier. Of course, it doesn't matter what size your family is, you still need...
How to be a tech-positive parent (and why you want to be one) | Spawned Episode 175
When we started Cool Mom Tech almost 10 years ago, there wasn’t a lot of language around digital parenting. But considering we tend to be the non-alarmist type of parents, we approached parenting our own digital-native kids like other difficult parenting topics: with...
Illustoria is the perfect gift for your favorite thinking kid.
As the holidays get closer and our annual search for off-the-beaten path gifs for kids gets more intense, I'm so delighted to recommend a subscription to Illustoria. A magazine "for creative kids and their grownups," it makes an amazing gift for kids and tweens who...
5 incredible deals on hot toys at Zulily right now. The holidays are coming!
If you're looking to get a head start on holiday shopping -- especially toys for all those kids on your list -- you can score some truly fantastic deals right now thanks to our partner Zulily. And I can help! This parent-fave online retailer launches 100+ sales daily,...
Holiday craziness and stress: Let’s sloooooow things down a little, please? | Spawned ep 174
If you feel like the holiday season came sooner this year -- along with the holiday ads, the holiday sales, the Mariah Carey videos, and the holiday pressure, it's not in your head. There are lots of reasons we're feeling it more this year, and social media isn't...