A clever idea to get kids in the kitchen on their own, no nagging (or even talking!) required.
My boys have been cooking alongside me ever since they were little. But now that they're older and I'd love for them make their own breakfast, prep their own snacks, and put together their own lunches from time to time, I'm finding it harder to get them into the...
Emojis, sly cats, and other cool kids’ leggings you won’t see everywhere on the playground
Hold on to your credit cards, mamas. Because we found some seriously cool kids' leggings at The Trendy Tot Etsy shop. From magic 8 balls to emoji faces, these knee patches will add a ton of interest and personality to your kids' wardrobe this spring. Let's just say,...
Thoughtful ways to celebrate Mother’s Day when you really miss your mom.
My mother passed away exactly one year before my first child -- her first grandchild -- was born. While I miss her every day, it’s Mother's Day that always seems to swoop in with a special kind of sucker punch. Each year, I take a deep breath and steel myself for all...
Great news! NPR is releasing their first-ever podcast for kids!
NPR is the only thing I ever listen to in my car -- unless my kids want to hear "It's Raining Tacos." On repeat. (Because of course not every episode of Spawned is entire kid-safe.) So I was absolutely stoked when I heard that next week, May 15, NPR is going to...
The wackiest, coolest summer camps for kids. Can we go too?
Summer camps have changed a lot since we were kids. No offense to good ol' Camp Starfire and the many, many lanyards we made there, but the options for our kids are wildly creative, expertly thought-out, and -- sometimes -- curiously specific. Circus camp? Spy camp?...
The best and worst states for working moms: A whole lot of surprises | Thinking: Parent
Reading the results of today's WalletHub study on the best and worst states for working moms, well let's just say that this working mom's eyes are wide open: 70% of moms with children under 18 are employed, so this is info that really impacts our country as a whole....
The worst Mother’s Day gifts ever. Ever! | Spawned with Kristen + Liz ep 74
You'll laugh! You'll cry! You'll cringe! On this week's episode of Spawned, we've got a totally candid and hilarious discussion about the very worst Mother's Day gifts ever. Like, these are all pitches that have actually shown up in our inboxes, from the absurd to the...
The Princess Bride turns 30! Have fun storming the theaters.
Fencing. Fighting. Torture. Poison. True love. Hate. Revenge. Giants. Hunters. Bad men. Good men. Beautifulest ladies. Snakes. Spiders. Beasts of all natures and descriptions. Pain. Death. Brave men. Coward men. Strongest men. Chases. Escapes. Lies. Truths. Passion....
10 adorable handmade Mother’s Day cards from the kids that will totally melt Mom’s heart
My most favorite Mother's Day cards are the ones my kids make themselves. Because, how can I resist an adorable handprint poster or toddler-style drawing of Mommy & Me? Heart is melting over here. So, I've checked out some of our favorite craft bloggers and DIY...
5 important dystopian novels for tweens and teens to inspire critical thinking and positive action
In the age of "alternative facts," it's no surprise that classic dystopian novels, which encourage readers to take a critical look at things, are dominating bestseller lists right now. While dystopian literature has always been popular with middle and high schoolers...