I switched to reusable bamboo paper towels to help my kids’ climate change anxiety, and here’s how it went
I committed to switching to reusable bamboo paper towels recently, in part at the urging of my teens. The realities of climate change — and the constant important conversations about it in the media — is a very real stressor for my kids. Especially since COVID, when...
12 meaningful and creative adoption anniversary ideas shared by adoptive parents
My family recently celebrated the fourth anniversary of our daughter’s adoption. It’s always a special day for us, in which we try to honor her heritage; we pull out photo albums, eat at a Korean restaurant, and send updates to her adoption workers. But...
3 cool ways to turn memories into art for Mother’s Day
As moms ourselves, we can say that photos gifts for Mother’s Day are one of our favorite gift ideas, especially these days when so many of the pics of our kids (and with our kids) are sitting on our phones or hard drives. That’s why we’re so excited...
6 comprehensive bike safety tips for kids, from a serious biking family who knows
After such a long winter, it’s finally bike-riding season: Hooray! And, whoa are you all getting on those bikes! I’ve seen so many kids riding bikes in our neighborhood, that my son’s mountain bike team has doubled in size since last year. Bike shops...
5 clever and safer ways to blow out birthday candles during Covid-19
I saw a recent Twitter thread that asked about all the things we may never go back to since COVID-19: Eating from a buffet. Trying on makeup samples. Shaking hands. And one that comes up time and again is that time-honored tradition of blowing out the candles on a...
How to decorate with tea lights: creating ambience, not a shrine
We’ve hit spring. So yay! But, that also means we’ve all been inside for a long time now. A year of quarantine has taught me this, at least: it’s time to update my home decor. A new rug or dining set may not be in my budget, but do you know what is?...
How to encourage your kids’ interests and passions: 5 expert tips
We keep looking for the silver lining in the past Year That Was Like No Other, and as we talk to other parents, one thing comes up over and over: “my kid discovered they really love _____.” Whether it’s manga or chemistry, dystopian fiction or...
6 cool ways to support indie bookstores right now. They need it…and we need them.
I’d like to put in a plug for supporting indie bookstores right now, even if it takes a little extra effort. I’m seeing a lot of people trying to get through this looooong February (what’s that even about?) by recommitting to reading. I mean hey,...
Stay Home, Stay Fabulous: Skip the spa and do these 6 things right now.
If you’re like me, you’re currently on your whatever month (because who is counting at this point) of The Great Confinement. It’s not over yet! So I’m sharing my ways to stay fabulous…while staying home and staying safe. If you read between the lines,...
Do I need to start double masking? The safest mask options and when to wear them.
Over the last week, I’ve read a number of articles recommending that we start double masking to increase the level of coverage we’re getting. Even Dr. Fauci says that it’s just “common sense.” And let’s just say, when Fauci talks, I...
BURN IT ALL: My New Year’s tradition helps me manifest good things for next year. (And get rid of a little petty. Okay, a lot.)
When Ibi shared her New Year’s Eve tradition with me, I was like…this is genius. How have I never done this? I need to do this! Whatever I can do to be out with the old and focusing on better things in the year to come sounds good to me. I’m sure...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.
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