Spawned Parenting Podcast: Latest Episodes
The latest from Spawned, our award-winning parenting podcast
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,...
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...
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...
More coolness from recent weeks…
This wonderful activity kit for kids welcomes refugees to their new home.
As the daughter of an immigrant and a long-time resident of Massachusetts, I watched in disgust as Florida's governor tried to humiliate and punish vulnerable migrants by flying them, unannounced, to the island of Martha's Vineyard. Without any support systems in...
Developing healthy eating habits and positive food relationships with our tweens and teens | Spawned Episode 281
We're back with Season 6 of Spawned with Kristen and Liz, launching our new season with an incredibly helpful episode about developing healthy eating habits and positive food relationships with tweens and teens. But, our guest, Nicole Cruz, a registered dietician...
What Liz is reading this week: Links to check out, from dream analysis to shocking truths about “maternal instinct”
There is so much good reporting these days, so many good op-eds, so many independent journalists and bloggers and substacks worth reading these days and I thought I'd share a few of the articles I've really found fascinating lately. I tend to read a lot about...
Gen Z for Equity: This teen’s small business is taking a stand against racism
If your kids' book covers or school folders are looking a little plain this early in the school year, take a look at the cool social justice stickers we've just discovered from new, teen-led Etsy shop Gen Z for Equity. The stickers were all designed by creative...
The personalized baby shower favor that was too cute not to share immediately
As I mentioned recently, my heart has always been with small businesses, and particularly those run by women. So when I came across this completely adorable baby onesie teabag -- personalized, no less! -- I had to share it. This post contains affiliate links and some...
The Immersive Nutcracker is the ultimate experience gift for families this holiday.
This is a sponsored message from The Immersive Nutcracker For generations, The Nutcracker has been an essential part of so many families' holiday traditions. The classic story never fails to make a little magic for our children, no matter how many times they've seen...
5 fabulous boots and booties for fall 2022, and their affordable Target dupes
Back to school for my kids means back to boots for me. Seems fair, right? Take one peek at any fall 2022 shoe trend post at your favorite style magazine and it's boots, boots, and more boots, which yay! because I have that category covered in my closet. But that...
Ted Lasso’s new Little People Collector set: Believe!
We've been gushing about Ted Lasso for a while on Cool Mom Picks, and now I get to gush about the new Ted Lasso Little People Collector set from Fisher-Price, featuring six of the most iconic characters from the AFC Richmond locker room. Here's where I confess that...
5 random cool things I’m loving this week: Women-owned small business edition
We first started this site with the mission of discovering cool things -- particularly from small businesses and women-run companies -- and share them with you all. While we've become popular for our gift guides to suit every budget, our tech tips, our support of...
Thinking of trying melatonin to help your kids sleep? Please read this first.
Like so many other desperate -- and exhausted -- parents, we turned to melatonin supplements to help my son sleep when he was younger. I spoke to our pediatrician first of course, and did enough research about melatonin on my own to know that melatonin supplements...
Cool plus-size clothes for teens: 8 of our favorite destinations | Back to School Guide 2022
A reader reached out this year to ask for a few of our favorite cool plus-size clothes for teens, to help get her own teen daughter up to speed for back-to-school. And we are happy to oblige! Considering school will be starting up again soon, we know our teens will be...
The world needs funny women! A chat with award-winning humorist Wendi Aarons | Spawned Ep 280
Let's be honest, the world sucks a whole lot these days. So I thought this would be a good week for a light, fun episode of Spawned just to take your mind off the world -- something my guest Wendi Aarons happens to be very good at. Which is why I invited her back! The...
12 smart personalized label ideas to help you save money, cut down on fights, and bring home fewer germs | Back to School Guide
With back to school coming up, I'm sharing some of my favorite personalized label ideas to help keep you organized, keep you sane, save you money (whoo!) and even keep the peace if you have more than one kid. (Parents of two or more, you know what I'm talking about!)...
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...
23 ways to celebrate the Fourth of July for kids (even if you don’t feel like waving a flag).
While 4th of July is a time to celebrate freedom and the best of America, lately I know so many of us are having a hard time feeling celebratory. It’s hard to feel like waving a flag when many of our rights are under attack right now, including those of us who are...
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...
Donate to an abortion fund. You’ll save a life.
To say that I am furious about an activist Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade (held up in 1992 in Planned Parenthood vs Casey) and thereby overturning 50 years of constitutionally protected rights to reproductive healthcare -- well, that would be the understatement...
The coolest lanyard pattern instructions that every camper needs.
Lanyards are a summer camp mainstay -- remember making them back in the day? But like so many things from our own childhoods, these knotted summer crafts have only gotten way cooler. Lanyards (also called scoubidous, scoobies, boondoggles, scooby doggles, gimps, and...
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...
Period underwear to menstrual cups: 4 tampon alternatives we’ve tried that can save you during the tampon shortage
Is there actually a tampon shortage right now? Evidently, yes. As if the recent formula shortage hasn't been hard enough on (mostly) women, now...this. Sigh. But at least there are some great alternatives, if not permanent solutions to tampons or pads. And...
Tips for keeping kids safe from online predators, from Roo Powell of Undercover Underage | Spawned 276
This week's Spawned podcast guest, Roo Powell, is the perfect person to help us with tips and advice for keeping kids safe online. She's the co-founder of SOSA (Safe from Online Sexual Abuse) and has put her child advocacy skills to use by...disguising herself as a...