
The power and positivity of raising teens | Editors’ Best of 2019
In the past, teenagers have had a reputation with parents that preceded them. Does the eyeroll emoji come to mind? Well in 2019, we saw the rise of an exciting movement that empowered parents raising teens to see them in all their awesome, creative, out-of-the-box...

The tech-positive parenting movement | Editors’ Best of 2019
Even though we started Cool Mom Tech in 2010, this past year, we saw an exciting parenting trend emerge: tech-positive parenting. But considering how powerful this movement has been, I'm pretty sure that it's a trend that's going to be around for a very long time....

The diversity of women taking over entertainment: Editors Best of the Year
It's hard to even know where to start with this -- each of these women could be their own Editors Best of the Year, but together, they're even more powerful. And that's saying something. We have to start somewhere, so, as we often do, we'll start with the force that...

Post-Hamilton Broadway for teens: Editors’ Best of the Year.
It's no surprise to anyone who knows me or my kids that we are massive Broadway fans. We are so fortunate to live in The Greatest City in the World (name that tune), which allows us to see a lot of musicals. A lot. But my kids are hardly alone in asking for show...

Mattel’s Creatable World and other progress towards gender non-comformity and inclusivity: Editors Best of the Year
it's time for our annual Top 10 Editors Picks of the Year! To kick things off, I wanted to start with one of the biggest, most positive events that pops out to us as we reflect on 2019: the growing awareness of gender fluidity and gender identity, and the increasing...

Greta Thunberg and youth climate activism: Editors Best of the Year
When we first started this site in 2006, eco-friendly was one of our most popular tags. Parents were concerned about where their products were made, what ingredients were in them, and how they impacted the planet. Then the recession hit. Suddenly no one wanted to pay...

Happy whatever you celebrate. Because we need more happiness in the world.
There have been years that I received kind Christmas cards from family and friends that blessed me and my Atheist-slash-Secular Jewish family, wishing Our Heavenly Father’s blessings upon us. They expressed hope that we have found peace with The Lord Jesus Christ....

How to create more positive thinking to manifest success this year: 7 great tips | Spawned ep 182
While we know that positive thinking doesn't cure every problem in life, we do know that positive thinking has proven, science-based effects that impact your life for the better. It helps with lowering stress, keeping you healthier, and providing better coping skills...

8 thoughtful tips if you’re hosting kids with special needs for the holidays
Nothing gets me emotional quite like the Folger's coffee holiday commercial, with the sentimental mother-son reunion at 5:30 AM over a cup of coffee. (I'm not joking, I cry every time.) But that's not quite most people's reality when we travel to visit family --...

Yes, real Christmas trees are better for the environment than artificial trees. Here are the facts.
Lately, I've seen a lot of well-meaning posts from people around my social networks, with comments like, "well I want to protect the environment....that's why we're getting a fake Christmas tree this year." Suddenly I was like crap, should I be feeling super guilty...