Spawned Parenting Podcast: Latest Episodes
The latest from Spawned, our award-winning parenting podcast
How our relationship with our mobile phones has changed (and changed us), with Emmy-winning journalist Shawna Ryan | Spawned Episode 279
Since I got my first smartphone back in 2006, my relationship with my phone has certainly changed my life. It's also changed how I function as a person in this world, for better and for worse. Turns out, I'm not the only one, which is why I was so excited to chat with...
How to get into college: Invaluable tips and fascinating insights from Ned Johnson | Spawned Ep 278
Was the college search always this overwhelming or does it just feel that way? Do my kids really need to take the SATs? Does test-optional really mean optional? How did covid impact admissions? When should I be signing up my kid for college tours? Or wait...should...
Helping kids foster positive relationships and learn effective communication, with Catherine Newman | Spawned Episode 277
After two years in a pandemic, I'm sure I'm not the only one with kids who are struggling with various aspects of their social lives. From fostering positive relationships with friends and school peers, to learning effective communication in the many awkward...
More coolness from recent weeks…
Build positivity with these 5 printable gratitude journal pages for kids
When I started keeping a gratitude journal with my daughter a few years back, I was struck by her comment one night at bedtime: "Doing this makes me so happy." All the research I've seen seems to support her reaction; keeping lists of the things you're thankful for...
Trusted charities supporting the citizens of Israel and Gaza. (And another important message I want to share.)
I want to share a list of top organizations on the ground supporting the innocent people in Israel and Gaza tragically impacted by the war between Hamas and Israel. This is not a political post, it's a humanitarian one. But first, I want to share something I think is...
What is Indigenous People’s Day? Great resources for talking to your kids, because Native American history is American history.
Today, the second Monday in October, is the day that's been traditionally celebrated as "Columbus Day" in the U.S., but knowing now what we know about Christopher Columbus, the holiday is fast transforming into Indigenous People's Day. If you're wondering what...
The new Stevie Nicks Barbie: So much yes!
To be honest, a Stevie Nicks Barbie Doll is one of the last of all the new Barbies expected to see this year. I mean, I figured Mattel still had a few more Barbie: The Movie dolls to roll out as we head toward the holidays. So now we get The Queen of Rock n Roll? As a...
Cool, creepy non-candy Halloween gift for a teen or tween? : Reader Q & A
When Lisa asked us for cool but appropriately creepy non-candy Halloween gift ideas for her teen and tween nieces and nephews, I was on the case! I checked with my own Halloween-loving but decidedly...particular teens to see what kinds of things they would think are...
From Elle Woods to Fresh Prince: 12 of the best 90s Halloween costumes for kids
For my fellow millennial parents who need a laugh, I present these hilarious 90s throwback Halloween costumes for kids, all inspired by the decade of our misspent youth. We've got Fresh Prince! Wayne's World! Clueless! As if... you couldn't tell (see what I did...
Stylish trench coats for fall into spring: 9 of my favorites for any style, shape or budget
I was just poking around for stylish trench coats for my fall wardrobe, when a @coolmompicks Instagram follower (hey Alyson!) DM'd me with a question -- she was looking for trench coats as well. Only she offered a few must-haves in her request: "More city than...
7 gorgeous nail trends for fall 2023…that you can actually do yourself.
Each year, we love sharing our favorite nail trends for the season. In 2023, it's all about shades of brown, goth-core matte nails, holograph meets glitter, and a fun tone-on-tone take on the French manicure. As for the best nail brands, I will say I swear by...
Nikkolas Smith’s The Artivist: Here’s why every family, every school, every library needs this inspiring new picture book.
"Activism is the power to spark the compassion and the empathy of the whole world," says the young narrator of The Artivist. the stunning and important new children's book from architect turned Disney Imagineer turned best-selling author/illustrator Nikkolas Smith....
The coolest free school printables: Lunch notes, planners, labels, chore charts and more | Back to School Guide
Back to school time isn't just about shopping! (Not that there's anything wrong with shopping, of course.) One of our favorite annual traditions is sharing our favorite back to school printables in our Back to School Guide to help make the school year easier, more...
9 cool ways to transform your plain white sneakers after summer
If you're a traditionalist, Labor Day marks the last day to wear those white canvas sneakers until next Memorial Day. Which is why we've brought back this great post on cool DIY white sneakers makeovers for you, so you can get more wear out of your favorite white...
Setting up a study space at home: Tips to make it one your kid will actually use
So many parents have learned over the past few years that setting up a study space at home is more important than ever. Maybe you homeschool, maybe your kids just need a dedicated space for homework, or maybe they've got virtual tutoring or other extracurricular...
The Maui wildfires and how to help: A list of trusted organizations (Updated)
It's been devastating watching the fires in Maui this week, and I've been looking for some ways to help. Their hospitals are overwhelmed, historic sites have been burnt to the ground, thousands have been evacuated, families are searching for missing loved ones, and...
10 important things all kids should know before leaving home and going to college. Sniffle.
With my oldest heading off to college this fall, I've been thinking about all the things kids should know before leaving home. And it's a lot. In fact I've found myself in a sort of panic mode wondering whether she knows some basics to help her navigate life. As...
7 creative time-saving hacks to save your back-to-school routine. | Back to School Guide
When we think back to school season, we're also thinking about those time-saving hacks we dust off to ease out of the summer groove and ready for our September (or August!) routines. While our Annual Back to School Guide mostly features the coolest new backpacks,...
20 cool backpacks for teens this year | Back to School Guide
When we look for cool backpacks for teens, it's not enough for them to just be, you know, cool. As kids head to middle school or high school— especially after a whole year at home more or less (sigh) — they need bigger, sturdier backpacks, better shoulder straps, and...
Sale alert: Liz’s favorite puffy, textured, and braided sandals right now. This trend’s not going anywhere!
Last year, a colleague with an "in" in the designer shoe world tipped me off that puffy textured sandals, woven textures and braided straps were going to be hot for spring/summer. I blink and whoa -- sure enough, they've been flooding the "new arrivals" category in my...
7 smart tips for staying in a hotel with toddlers. (Real tips, not those ridiculous TikTok hacks)
It was time for us to bring back some solid tips for staying in a hotel with toddlers, babies or even older kids. Because this week, we all started seeing this "TikTok hotel hacks" article going around and sheesh! It seems the article was made more for paranoid single...
The 3 things I will always always buy at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: Great deals!
While I'd love to buy a ton of things at the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, I try to be smart about it. That means besides one or two things I've had my eye on, I stick with items that I already love and need refreshing. Especially when they're the kinds of things I...
Outrageously fun swim goggles for kids: 7 styles for aspiring mermaids, mermen, and merpeople
One of my favorite things about taking my son to swim lessons is seeing all the fun swim googles for kids that have become so popular over the last few years. Eyelashes goggles! Rhinestone goggles! Shark's teeth goggles! Sequined goggles! Where were these when I was a...
“Acceptance is Protection”: Kate Brookes on parenting a trans kid, or any child on their own path. | Spawned 299
I could not be more thrilled to share this wonderful interview with award-winning TV reporter/producer/mom Kate Brookes, author of the upcoming Transister: Raising Twins in a Gender-Bending World. While our conversation is super helpful for parents looking for advice...