books for parents Archives

We need to talk about our alcohol use, parents: An honest review of Quit Like a Woman

This past December, I decided to stop drinking. While I’ve always had a complicated relationship with booze, I wouldn’t consider myself an alcoholic. I’ve been drunk a handful of times in my life, and for the most part, just have a couple of glasses...

Forget Hot Girl Summer. It’s about to be a Hot Mom Summer.

by Cool Mom Staff | Entertainment + Media

We’ve heard the buzz about having a Hot Girl Summer, and we’re totally on board for living your best life this summer (and well, all the time). But as moms, we can’t just toss a bathing suit on, pack a cooler, and head to the beach on our very own....

These parenting tips from James Breakwell are lifesavers. Literally. | Spawned Ep 244

by Cool Mom Staff | Podcast

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...

The power of influence in parenting, with Kelly Rippon | Spawned Episode 241

by Cool Mom Staff | Podcast

We read a fair amount of parenting books, and lately we’ve seen the idea of “influence” popping up when it comes to the role we play with our children. That’s why we were so excited to welcome author Kelly Rippon as a guest on Spawned with...

So… about that whole mental load thing. A chat with Fair Play author Eve Rodsky | Spawned Episode 240

by Cool Mom Staff | Podcast

If you’re like, “oh hey, how did Kristen and Liz get a photo of me?” you need this. The issue of division of labor and mental load are not new problems in relationships, but the pandemic has certainly exacerbated them. There’s been no shortage...

Why parents need a little escape right now (and a little something to help with that)

by Cool Mom Staff | Entertainment + Media

Even though we’re starting to dip our toe in a bit of normalcy these days – with kids in school and the world opening up a bit more – the idea of getting a little respite from the daily grind still sounds magical. We’ve all done our best to...

7 outstanding high school or college graduate gift books: On stepping into the arena, dreaming with eyes wide open, and professional troublemaking (in the best possible way)

by Cool Mom Staff | Books for Adults, Books for Kids, Thinking : Parent

When my daughter graduated from high school five years ago, the headmaster gifted each graduating senior a book with a personal message inside. Her class received Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson. The following year, my niece’s...

Manicures are not self-care: Why moms need to recenter ourselves in our own lives | Spawned Ep 237

by Liz Gumbinner | Books for Adults, Podcast

This week on Spawned, I loved chatting with Nina Restieri. entrepreneur and MomAgenda founder, and author of the new book Overcoming the Mom-Life Crisis: Ditch the Guilt, Put Yourself on the To-Do List, and Create A Life You Love. The book is filled with terrific,...

Judith Warner on “that article” about adolescents getting through the pandemic | Spawned Ep 234

by Liz Gumbinner | Books for Adults, Podcast

Last week, my entire social network (online and off) buzzed loudly about author Judith Warner’s New York Times article about adolescents and the pandemic, Stop Calling It a Lost Year. Parents had very strong opinions! Especially those who didn’t actually...

Why parents need a laugh right now (and a little something to help with that).

by Cool Mom Staff | Books for Adults

So, how about 2021, parents? It’s been a pretty rough year (which we know, understatement of the century), and well, let’s just say, we could use a laugh. We could also use a few other things too (cough hugging friends cough), but for now, a good hearty...

Hi! We’re Kristen + Liz!

Kristen Chase + Liz Gumbinner of Cool Mom Picks

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.