The Ultimate 2023 Kids' Gift Guide: Our favorites for kids from 1-18

We’ve carefully curated the best gifts of the year for kids by age. Even those picky teens.

The latest from Spawned: Our award-winning parenting podcast

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More coolness from recent weeks…

Take That, Shiloh You Poser

Take That, Shiloh You Poser

It’s difficult enough that I get mobbed every time I walk down the street these days–Oh my God, you’re Liz from Cool Mom Picks! Oh my God!–but when my daughter’s with me, it really presents a challenge.
Fortunately I’ve found the perfect foil in the blinged-out shades from mom/designer Jennifer Olivas

I Dream of Genie

I Dream of Genie

Let’s admit, there’s been quite a bit of dvd-watching over the last few months. How else are you supposed to get the gifts wrapped, the holiday cards sent, and the cookies baked–or at least ordered through a handy toll-free number?

All the Stuff You Convince Yourself You Need

All the Stuff You Convince Yourself You Need

I think I can safely say that I was not alone in my amazement that something so small and helpless as a new baby could possibly need so much stuff. I didn’t know what gear was necessary and what was merely clever marketing, and after factoring in all the unsolicited advice from well-meaning veteran moms about bouncy seat A versus bouncy seat B, I was overwhelmed to say the least.

A Sling for the Coordinationally Challenged

A Sling for the Coordinationally Challenged

I’ve always appreciated the benefits of a baby sling. Although as someone with fluctuating weight combined with a lack of manual dexterity that keeps me from adjusting my own belt properly, let alone a ring on a sling, I have yet to find my perfect match.

Announcements Not Only a Mother Could Love

Announcements Not Only a Mother Could Love

As much as I love written correspondence of any kind, I’ve never sent a single announcement – not for graduations, my engagement, marriage, or the births of either of my children. Mostly because, to be blunt, the pickings are pretty slim. Or to clarify, the decent pickings.

We are the Knights Who Say “Maaa-aaaa.”

We are the Knights Who Say “Maaa-aaaa.”

My dear friend’s son loves playing dress-up. Unfortunately, while his sister has a trunkful of beautiful princess outfits with handmade flower garlands and gauzy accessories, he’s stuck with cheesy plastic costumes leftover from Halloween after-sales. What’s a budding knight to do?

Peace, Love, and Shhhhhhh….

Peace, Love, and Shhhhhhh….

Withbaby #1, I was all about dressingher in bright happy lively colors. And she was lively alright, all hours of the day and night. For #2, I’m going to try a different tact and see if it has any impact. And no, that doesn’t mean pastels.

Ooh-La-L’Alphabet

Ooh-La-L’Alphabet

Although I’m a straight-up English speaker (with a little French thrown in on those really bad days — ahem), I’ve always thought it would be wonderful for my daughter to learn another language. Most folks say that starting early is the best way to go but the idea of toddler language classes has always seemed just a bit…much for me.

Thanks For the Um…the Thoughtful Uh…

Thanks For the Um…the Thoughtful Uh…

The holidays are over, and if the commercials and billboards and return lines at the mall are any indication, a lot of us received a whole lot of stuff. But whether we loved the gifts we received – or we just pretended to – handwritten thank you notes are always a good idea.

It’s NOT a Man Purse

It’s NOT a Man Purse

Trying to get my husband to carry a diaper bag is like… well, just put in your favorite analogy that involves something really sucky that you hate doing, and you get my drift. It wouldn’t be so bad if our daughter didn’t end up in a crumpled diaper that had been in his back pocket all day.

You’ve Got Doxie Kid!

You’ve Got Doxie Kid!

I thought I’d seen a stuffed everything — bears,phoenixes, horny toads…you name it, they’ve got it. You know, just in case you have a little one obsessed with flamingos. But dachsunds?

Wait, So Not All Poems Rhyme?

Wait, So Not All Poems Rhyme?

Once in a while, I sit down to review something for CMP and have trouble with it. Not for lack of words, but because my daughter has somehow gotten her hands on the item and refuses to give it back.

You Spin Me Right ‘Round, Baby

You Spin Me Right ‘Round, Baby

Since joining the cult of motherhood in 2004, myregular trek to some loud, late night dance club where I slugged down glow-in-the-dark cocktails has been replaced with a different kind of play. One that's decidedly strobe light free. But oh how I long for a little...

Wear it, Hang it, Anyway You Like It

Wear it, Hang it, Anyway You Like It

At the ripe old age of thirty, I’ve come to realize there’s something to spending cash on quality items–particularly bags. After going through way too many crappy sacs these past two years, I have a new mantra: It’s not expensive if younever have to replace it.

I Saw the Sign

I Saw the Sign

We tend to see certain ironic baby tees over and over, with the same cheeky quips (cranky baby! chick magnet!) repackaged with different graphics. So I had to stop and give pause when I came across the 100% organic cotton shirts created by mom Liz Murphy of Speak Clothing.