Whatever age your kids may be, we know that managing screen time and finding the benefits (and boundaries) is a huge issue with parents. Like, a non-stop concern. So we’re thrilled to chat with Angela Santomero, the successful creator of educational programs like Blue’s Clues, SuperWhy!, and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.
So yeah, she’s basically at the top of the educational children’s programming game, and has even been called “a modern day Fred Rogers” by his own wife, Joanne. Wow.
Angela is out with the outstanding new book, PRESCHOOL CLUES: Raising Smart, Inspired, and Engaged Kids in a Screen-Filled World. And it’s more than a screen management book — it’s a wonderful, joyful, positive parenting book.
So not surprisingly, this lively chat is filled with common sense advice, smart perspectives, honest anecdotes (so much expertise goes into creating solid, educational programming!), and pro tips from Angela that help parents make good choices when it comes to kids of all ages and the media they watch.
Take a listen right now or listen through iTunes or your favorite podcast app:
And make sure you’re a Spawned podcast subscriber! That means new episodes will pop up on your phone and you’ll never miss one. We travel well if you’re hitting the road this summer and take up no space in your bag whatsoever.
You can also find us on the Cool Mom Picks Facebook page, on Twitter and Instagram @coomompicks,
Links from the show
Learn more about Angela on the Angela’s Clues website.
Order Preschool Clues from our affiliate Amazon or find it at your local bookshop.
Blue’s Clues is coming back to Nickelodeon…possibly with a female host!
Keep an eye out for Angela’s upcoming Neflix series, Charlie’s Colorforms City which looks fantastic.
Join our new private Facebook group, Out Tech Your Kids. It’s an amazing, supportive, fast-growing community!
Some of our favorite screen time management solutions, all from BTDT parents. Plus check out these 8 smart ways parents are managing their kids’ screen time.
This week’s sponsor
Have you ordered a FabFitFun seasonal subscription box yet? We’re loving all the fabulous items, or at least, the ones that have not been stolen by our teens and tweens.
When you subscribe to FabFitFun, you get four boxes a year of fitness, fashion, lifestyle, and full-size beauty products from top brands like Tarte (Kristen’s fave), Dr. Brandt, Foreo (the vibrating face thingie we keep talking about!), Trina Turke, Butter London, Milly, Michael Stars (Liz’s fave tees!) and more. Treat yourself, or send as a gift to win BFF, mom, or sister of the year.
Each box is guaranteed to be valued at $200 or more, only you pay just $49.99. And if you subscribe through this FabFitFun link and use code COOLMOM you’ll get $10 off your first box making it just $39.99. Sweet!
Our Cool Picks of the Week
Angela is a big fan of Oprah & Deepak’s Meditation Experience App, to help chill, recenter, and find affirmations and joy. 
Kristen is now a Mally Poreless Perfection Powder Foundation convert, having never liked powder foundations before…this. She found it at her local Ulta, but it’s also at QVC or on Kohl’s right now on sale — buy one, get one 1/2 off! (Affiliate links)
Liz explains that Gwynnie Bee was a plus-sized turned all-sizes clothing rental subscription service, that’s like an affordable Rent-the-Runway meets old school Netflix. Keep two dresses (or items) from mid-price, mall brand labels at a time then swap for others — or buy them at great purchase prices. Liz said, “I thought I’d hate it…but I love it, so that’s why it’s my cool pick.” (Note: that’s an invitation link that gets you a 30-day free trial and a $10 referral bonus, with no contract.)
Top image, copyright Kristen Chase; Photo above by Annie Theby on Unsplash,
