How to be a compassionate parent of LGBTQ kids | Spawned Episode 254
If you have questions about parenting LGBTQ+ kids, wow do we have the answers, thanks to the absolutely delightful Kristin Russo, author of This is a Book for Parents of Gay Kids. If you know her — or her terrific book, or popular podcast about Buffy the Vampire...
How Ada Twist, Scientist is making STEM more accessible to girls | Spawned Episode 253
In a very exciting first for Spawned with Kristen and Liz, we chat with aerospace engineer, Keji Sojobi, who is a part of the new book-to-TV adaptation of the very popular Ada Twist, Scientist. We love how she’s working to make STEM more accessible to girls,...
Instagram, girls and body image: What parents need to know | Spawned Ep 252
Recently, I wrote about that article, the one about Instagram, teens, body image and self-esteem — and the conversation I had about it with my 14-year-old daughter. It generated so much great conversation on our social feeds, that Kristen and I wanted to chat...
Why it’s important for kids to read diverse books, with author Meena Harris | Spawned Ep 251
With the recent news of the York Central School District book ban (only just a few hours from where Kristen lives, by the way), we thought it was important to re-share this amazing episode with the delightful, brilliant Meena Harris. She’s an activist,...
Navigating step-parenting with Coach Naja Hall | Spawned Episode 250
We keep saying that we often get our best parenting podcast topic ideas from our readers, and a lot of you have asked for support navigating step-parenting. And that’s just what we’re talking about, in this dynamic, wonderful chat with Certified Parenting...
Raising resilient kids in a world gone sideways, with Dr. Madeline Levine | Spawned Episode 249
We’ve had a slew of amazing guests on our Spawned podcast recently, who have offered helpful advice on how to raise our kids. This week, we add another one to the list: Dr. Madeline Levine, a New York Times bestselling author, whose book Ready or Not: Preparing...
The kids are fighting and it’s exhausting: Tips to resolve sibling conflict from a psychologist and family counselor | Spawned Ep 248
With everything going on in the world right now, kids are extra-stressed, they’re extra-restless, they’re extra-anxious, and, if they have siblings, they’re fighting. Yay! So what’s a parent to do to help manage it all? After a few listeners...
How to raise kids who aren’t assholes (aka kind, empathic, awesome grown-ups) | Spawned Episode 247
We often ask ourselves what it takes to raise strong, wonderful kids who are kind, empathic (aka not assholes), which is why we were so excited to chat with Melinda Wenner Moyer, author of the new book How to Raise Kids Who Aren’t Assholes. She’s a science...
Should we send our kids back to school? AKA The deja vu episode | Spawned Episode 246
Just when we thought back to school 2021 would be less stressful than 2020, the Delta variant decided to throw a huge, dangerous wrench into our decision. As so many parents struggle once again with sending their kids back to school, especially as many school...
On modeling body positivity for our kids: Where we succeed, where we can do better | Spawned Ep 245
When Kristen wrote a viral post last week about wearing crop tops over 40, in response to a conversation with her daughter, the comments from our readers were so inspiring, we knew we wanted to discuss body positivity further on Spawned. Interestingly, we each have...
These parenting tips from James Breakwell are lifesavers. Literally. | Spawned Ep 244
On this week’s Spawned parenting podcast, we’re bringing back a vintage episode with one of our very favorite guests on a very serious subject. Lifesaving, even. Because even though we made it through the pandemic, what are we supposed to do about...Hi! We’re Kristen + Liz!
We started Cool Mom Picks in 2006 to help make life cooler, more meaningful, and more fun for parents of all kinds.
Trivia: It was called Cool Mom Sh*t for the first two days. (Yeah, we rethought that.)
We had no idea our site would grow to become a major lifestyle network, that we'd end up sharing our finds with the TODAY Show and Martha Stewart, that we'd be able to make a real difference for so many small businesses and women-run companies, or that we'd end up with an incredible community of the coolest readers on the planet. (If we do say so ourselves).
We still love what we do every single day. And we're so glad you're here.
All the Best Children’s + YA Books to Read this Year
The Best Gifts for Kids by Age
Our Podcast. (It’s won awards and everything!)
Best Baby Gifts of the Year
5 New Dinner Ideas Each Week
Tech Tips for Parents
Doing Good: We’re supporting…
