The latest from Spawned: Our award-winning parenting podcast
The latest from Spawned, our award-winning parenting podcast
Kids, gratitude, and the holiday season: Can parents do better? | Spawned ep 261
As we head into the holiday season, which can be filled with the abundance of food, gifts, and celebrations, we know that a lot of us struggle with all the excess. It's valuable for us to slow down as parents, and consider ways to help develop and express more...
Answering parents top questions about the Covid-19 vaccine for kids 5-11 | Spawned Ep 260
While some of us (including Kristen and myself) are rejoicing about the approval of the Covid-19 vaccine for kids 5-11, we know that a lot of parents still have questions. As you should! This is our kids we're talking about, and as parents, we research everything --...
The benefits of Minecraft for kids, with author Delilah S. Dawson | Spawned Episode 259
If your kids are like our kids, they are obsessed with Minecraft. Still! Kids of all ages are loving this game, and well, let's just say, it's here to stay. That's why we were so glad to welcome former Cool Mom Picks associate editor, now New York Times bestselling...
More coolness from recent weeks…
10 of the best ideas for organizing and displaying kids’ artwork, from DIY tricks to clutter-saving services
Just when I think I have my kids' artwork organized, more of it appears. So I'm perpetually on the lookout for creative solutions to display my kids' artwork in a way that makes those watercolor rainbows and handprint turkeys still look polished and streamlined. Or at...
How to be an adult, with author Julie Lythcott-Haims | Spawned Episode 267
We've probably all used the phrase "adulting is hard." Probably an awful lot over the last two years. And that's because being an adult is pretty darn hard. Way to state the obvious, Kristen. Okay, so yeah, it is obvious, but what isn't (and wasn't) too many of us,...
Spring 2022 nail trends that are cool, not kitschy
I am so excited to share some of the spring 2022 nail trends I'm loving. Because when I decided to share my favorite winter nail trends a few months ago, I'll be honest -- had no idea it would be such a huge hit! Maybe because of all the things that are seemingly out...
The products that helped me battle the dreaded dry hands of winter. (And I won!)
Ahhhh winter. You get your sweaters, and your nog, and your glisten of frost on everything. Winter is beautiful. Winter is also the arch nemesis of my hands. My first indication that winter is HERE is that my hands become so dry, the mere act of clapping is a...
Tired of looking at the same four walls? Here are 7 easy and affordable ways to update the family room
I've been searching for easy ways to update the family room in my house lately. And I know it's not just me! With so many of us working remotely and spending more time in our homes than we would haveve in pre-pandemic days, it's no wonder that we're getting a little...
What you need to know about executive function skills in kids | Spawned Episode 266
We've been so grateful to our recent expert Spawned guests who have offered their help in navigating these last two years with our kids. And this week's expert, Mara Koffmann, is no exception. She shares her expertise from years working with kids and families as...
Where to find a Colombian Wayuu bag like Mirabel’s from Encanto: 4 options we love
I know I'm not the only one who's fallen in love with Encanto's Mirabel -- and her adorable mochila handbag too. And also her entire family, and the whole world she inhabits. (Seriously if you haven't watched yet, get on it!) If you're like me and you're looking to...
We’re here for this new Ida B. Wells doll from Barbie, the latest in their Inspiring Women Series
I've been really encouraged by Barbie's new Inspiring Women Series, which celebrates women trailblazers throughout history. And I was especially excited to see that they've chosen Ida B. Wells as their next historic figure to expose to a new generation of girls. A...
How the Breathwrk app is helping with stress, anxiety, and focus. (Things we could all use more help with these days.)
This is a sponsored post on behalf of the Breathwrk app As we (ahem, parents) come up two years since the beginning of Covid, things are still tough. The stress, the anxiety, the uncertainty, the Groundhog Day every day feeling... it's having serious impact on our...
The Betty White mug that supports everything Betty White loved.
My first cool pick of 2022 just had to be this sweetly illustrated Betty White Mug from artist, maker and online Insta-friend Jennifer Vallez of Sophie and Lilli. So many of us were just crushed Betty White's passing at 99, even if we couldn't ask for much more than a...
The best children’s books of 2021: All the award-winners to read in 2022
While there have been plenty of downsides to 2021, one really wonderful upside are all the fantastic children's books and YA lit that has come out this year. After compiling the best books of 2020 last year, I decided to put down my phone and read a lot more. And I'm...
Liz’s 10 favorite cool picks of 2021
Each year, we wrap up the year by sharing our editor's favorites of the year -- our top posts, our favorite finds, or the trends that encourage us. This year, we decided to do something a little different! If you listen to our podcast, Spawned with Kristen + Liz, you...
Kristen’s 10 favorite cool picks of 2021
On every episode of our podcast Spawned with Kristen and Liz, we share our cool picks of the week. We even started an email full of them every week. And now, we give you, our favorite cool picks of the year. Granted, it's pretty hard narrowing it down to just 10...
The top 10 Spawned podcasts of 2021: From parenting teens to to reframing self-care
Well now, this has been quite the year -- giving both of us a whoooole lot of topics to cover on the Spawned Parenting Podcast in 2021. It's been so interesting looking back at our 10 most downloaded episodes of the year and seeing what resonated with you all, from...
Our readers’ top 10 Cool Mom Picks posts of 2021. What a list! What a year.
This time of year, we love looking back to see the top posts that resonated with our readers and social media fans. This year, our top 10 includes a fascinating mix of gift recommendations, craft ideas, Covid-era tips and advice, and an increasing number of posts for...
Liz + Kristen’s 10 favorite holiday picks this year
As we close out the year (phew, what a year it's been, we wanted to devote our last episode of Spawned 2021 to cool picks of the week. Holiday style. Whether you still have time to grab one last-minute, or you want to bookmark them for holidays, and other celebrations...
Tons of amazing last-minute gift ideas that don’t feel last-minute at all.
For all you out there needing last-minute Christmas gifts, we got you! My son's gotten into the habit of asking Alexa how many days are left until Christmas and while it was pretty adorable at first, it can incite a little panic now that we've hit the single digits....
15 thoughtful DIY gifts for teenage girls | Holiday Gifts 2021
As the mom of teen girls, I know that DIY gifts for teenage girls can be so wonderful -- not just to make for your own teen, but for teenage girls to make for their friends. They don't require a whole lot of money, but handmade gifts certainly give all the right...
Last minute DIY holiday gifts for friends. And family, who you like enough to call friends. | Holiday Gifts
We love looking for easy last-minute DIY holiday gifts each year that show our friends we care, especially during such a trying time. But not all of us are gifted crafters who can knit a pair of mittens while watching a Christmas movie, or eke out the time for a...
These washable chalkboard tees are so clever for holiday photos!
While we've already been sharing tons of holiday gift ideas, just had to share one more of the coolest last-minute gifts I know. I've written before about the adorable and smart washable design-your-own chalkboard tees from Chalk of the Town. And now this indie,...
Online math tutoring that’s like sitting at the kitchen table with a favorite teacher.
This is a sponsored message from Remind Tutoring No one wants to see their child struggling in school, especially when we know what they're capable of if they're just given the chance. And math is just one of those subjects that can take some kids a little more time...