22 of the best Taylor Swift gifts for your special Swiftie | Holiday Gift Guide

by Christina Refford | Holiday Gift Guide

We couldn’t put together a gift guide this year without including the best Taylor Swift gifts for Taylor fans, right? Whether or not you’re a Swiftie yourself, you probably know someone who is–like my niece who was at the rainiest rain show that ever...

11 cool teen Halloween craft ideas that don’t suck.

by Liz Gumbinner | DIY, Kids

Halloween is coming, and while we love sharing Halloween craft ideas for our preschoolers and little ones, our teens and older kids want to get in on the fun too. So with my own Halloween-loving older kids in mind, I searched around for some cool Halloween craft...

Fall 2024 shoe trends: 12 hot steals under $75 that update your wardrobe for less

by Cool Mom Picks Deals Team | Fashion

If you’re wondering what the fall 2024 shoe trends are, IMHO we’re in luck! Chelsea boots are back, chunky heels that won’t make you wobble, kitten heels that are feminine but not too tall, edgy moto boots, classic loafers, variations on mary janes....

Lunch bags and totes for teens who have outgrown lunch boxes | Back to School Shopping

by Cool Mom Team | Back to School Shopping, Kids

The first trick in finding a cool lunch bag for teens that they’ll actually use is to make sure they have a say. So sit down with them and peruse our picks, created with the help of our own teens. As our own kids have gotten older, we know they prefer lunch bags...

Fresh Olympic-inspired neon sneakers (with lots on sale) | Back to School Shopping

by Cool Mom Team | Back to School Shopping, Fashion, Kid Style

Neon sneakers are huge this year, and wow are there a lot of great ones! If you’re looking for cool neon sneakers for back to school, and you’ve followed the excitement of the Team USA world-record-setting wins at the Paris Olympics, you know you’re...

Can a high GPA make up for a low SAT score? And do “test-optional” schools really mean it? | An Insider Guide to College Admissions

by Cool Mom Team | Kids

Next up in our Insider’s Guide to College Admissions series, we’re answering questions about the SATs and ACTs, like their relative importance, whether they matter more or less than your GPA, and whether “test-optional” schools really are. ...

Kids, social media, and mental health: Devorah Heitner on what we’re getting wrong and how to fix it

by Liz Gumbinner | Spawned Podcast

This episode is a must-listen for all parents of kids who have smartphones, especially if you’re worried about the impact of social media on mental health. And isn’t that all of us, these days? Dr. Devorah Heitner a renowned author and expert on kids and...

Should you apply Early Decision to a college? Pros and cons? | An Insider Guide to College Admissions

by Cool Mom Team | Kids

Next up in our Insider’s Guide to College Admissions series, we’re answering that tough question about Early Decision (ED) applications. What are the pros and cons? Does it really give you an edge? Is there anyone who shouldn’t apply ED? Here to...

Summer job or internship? Do colleges have a preference? | An Insider Guide to College Admissions

by Cool Mom Team | Kids

Next up in our Insider’s Guide to College Admissions series, we’re answering a common question about how to spend your summers in high school — and especially that important summer between junior and senior years. Insider Alyse Levine, top college...

We found 10 stylish, athletic two-piece swimsuits for teens who aren’t feeling the teeny bikinis

by Kate Etue | Fashion

While some of our daughters are rocking the teeny bikini that are back this summer, others are more interested in athletic two-piece swimsuits that let them be as active in the pool or on the beach as they’d like. As it turns out, it’s a little harder to...