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Why we need play, levity, and romance, even in a pandemic | Spawned Episode 208
As we continue to navigate through this unchartered pandemic territory, it's easy for us to think that this isn't the time for play, levity, or romance. But as it turns out, those experiences are even more important now than ever, which is something we chat about with...
The GenX midlife crisis: It’s real, you’re not alone, and it’s not your fault. | Spawned Ep 207
This week on Spawned, I have a fantastic, encouraging conversation with Ada Calhoun, prolific author and writer, who's always got her finger on the pulse of culture. Her latest book, Why We Can't Sleep: Women's New Midlife Crisis (from Amazon, Indiebound, or on...
Meena Harris on the importance of diversity in children’s books, and raising kids who care | Spawned Ep 204
A few days ago, just before an intense week of protests and democratic uprising across America, I was grateful to talk to the truly delightful, brilliant Meena Harris. She's an activist, strategist, mom of two, and now, author of the wonderful new children's book,...
What we’re keeping and what we’re ditching, after the pandemic is over | Spawned Ep 203
This past week, Liz and I were chatting about some of the changes we've made since this pandemic started. We're finding ourselves cooking more, taking more time for ourselves, and spending way less (waaaaay less) on Starbucks. So it got us thinking: what are some...
KJ Dell’Antonia on how to be a happier parent in a pandemic. Is it even possible? | Spawned Ep 202
This much is clear about parents right now: We're stressed. We're tired. We're anxious. We're sad. We're coping in any way we can, all while taking care of our kids' feelings too. So the big question is, is it selfish to want to find ways to be a happier parent these...
So much coolness. Where to start…
You believe that Black Lives Matter. You are non-Black. You don’t know what to say or do. So start here.
We have spent more time listening than talking this difficult weekend. But I woke up this morning knowing I want to make it perfectly 100% clear where Kristen and I stand: Black Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter. This was originally posted on...
7 awesome Father’s Day gifts that support indie bookstores | Father’s Day Gifts 2020
Next up in our Father's Day Gift Guide Pandemic Edition ™ , we're sharing Father's Day gifts that support indie bookstores. Because investing in our local brick-and-mortar bookshops now, means they'll still be around when it's safe to wander their aisles and breathe...
8 homemade Father’s Day cards from the kids. Keep tissues nearby. | Father’s Day Gifts 2020
Homemade Father's Day cards are so perfect, whether they're from kids old enough to manage their own craft supplies, or you know, "from the baby." In fact we all feel like a homemade card should be part of any Father's Day gift you're giving him, and we have found...
What we’re keeping and what we’re ditching, after the pandemic is over | Spawned Ep 203
This past week, Liz and I were chatting about some of the changes we've made since this pandemic started. We're finding ourselves cooking more, taking more time for ourselves, and spending way less (waaaaay less) on Starbucks. So it got us thinking: what are some...
25 very cool Father’s Day gifts under $20 | Father’s Day Gift Guide 2020
In this year's Father's Day Gift Guide, we're excited to share a really fantastic selection of our favorite Father's Day gifts under $20. Because hey, you don't have to spend a ton to get some amazing Father's Day gifts. We've truly scoured the corners of the web to...
15 cool but practical Father’s Day gifts. Because they should still feel like gifts, ya know? | Father’s Day Gift Guide
This Father's Day, even dads who like the more frivolous stuff are seeing the joy in practical Father's Day gifts. Whether it helps him around the house, master the WAH thing (for the short-term or the long-term), enjoy cooking more, or gear him up for a new hobby,...
10 funny Father’s Day cards for the dad in your life. Hold the fart jokes.
We've rounded-up some of the funniest Father's Day cards for the dad in your life, no lawnmower, golf, or fart jokes to be found. We hope you find the perfect Father's Day card for the partner, dad, father-in-law, or grandfather in your life. Cool Mom Picks is a...
The perfect graduation card for the Class of 2020
Whether you need a graduation card to honor a high school senior, a college student, or maybe even a middle schooler, things are...a little different in 2020. While Christina has shared some amazing ways to honor your 2020 graduate during Covid-19, there's one more I...
Crayola introduces Colors of the World crayons with 24 gorgeous skin tones in every box.
There's so much in the news right now, you might have missed that today is International Diversity Day. (Not that every day shouldn't be International Diversity Day but that's another story.) Which makes this the perfect day for Crayola to announce their new line of...
19 cool subscription gifts for men this Father’s Day…from fair trade coffee to tech toys and everything in between | Father’s Day gifts 2020
This has been a tough year on parents, period. With Father's Day coming up, there's no more perfect time to think about a subscription gift for men that shows him you really, really get him. Not only are subscription gifts available with basically every theme you can...
KJ Dell’Antonia on how to be a happier parent in a pandemic. Is it even possible? | Spawned Ep 202
This much is clear about parents right now: We're stressed. We're tired. We're anxious. We're sad. We're coping in any way we can, all while taking care of our kids' feelings too. So the big question is, is it selfish to want to find ways to be a happier parent these...
A beautiful new children’s book, just in time for Father’s Day | Sponsored Message
This is a sponsored message forCandlewick Press With Father's Day right around the corner, there's nothing more special than the gift of time together, reading Hike, newest book written and illustrated by Pete Oswald, the New York Times bestselling illustrator of The...
11 easy Father’s Day crafts for kids that celebrate #1 dads, rock star dads, and superhero dads. | Father’s Day Gift Guide
As we look for the best Father's Day crafts for kids to make for their dads, grandpas and stepdads as part of our annual Father's Day Gift Guide, one thing becomes evident: While not all dads have mustaches, or wear neck ties, or play golf or like bacon, that seems to...
6 tuition-free classes that help your teens learn online this summer — without you standing over their shoulders.
Over the last few months, we've shared some informative posts to help the newbies among us succeed more with homeschooling -- or more accurately, helping us to guide our kids through the at-home learning they're getting from their schools. So much has happened since...
These are the 5 fun card games for kids that our family is loving right now. Ready to change things up?
We've all had a lot of (ahem) together time recently, and we're honestly starting to get a bit bored the same board games. There's only so many rounds of Apples to Apples I can play before it's not so funny anymore. So lately, we've turned to some easy card games kids...
The long-awaited Hamilton film is coming this summer to Disney Plus! Here’s how to watch.
It's hard to argue the fact that Hamilton has done for musical theater (and for American history) what Harry Potter did for reading a decade or so before, turning an entirely new generation of kids -- and especially kids of color -- into fans of the performing arts....
How to Be a Person (aka how to raise responsible, independent kids), with author Catherine Newman | Spawned Episode 201
Do your kids know how to do laundry? Do your teens know how to leave a tip? It's amazing how many life skills tend to fall through the cracks when it comes to raising our kids. That's why we're so excited to chat with Catherine Newman, whose new book How to Be a...
These custom photo paint-by-number art kits are the coolest gift of the summer
We've played countless rounds of cards and assembled literally thousands of puzzle pieces lately, but our new favorite obsession in my house has been paint-by-number kits. So when I discovered these custom photo paint-by-number art kits on beautiful canvases from...
Mother’s Day and grandmas: Beautifully simple ideas to help you to feel close when you’re apart
While many of us will wake up on Mother's Day to breakfast in bed, a few handmade cards and crafts, or hopefully at minimum some well wishes and a day of semi-relaxation, we are also thinking about all the grandmas on Mother's Day. There are so many we are fortunate...
What Liz is reading around the web this week: What’s cool, interesting, reassuring, or just makes you smile.
I don't need to share any Coronavirus charts or "the world is sucking right now" articles, that's for sure. Instead, here are the articles, stories, essays, and videos I've been bookmarking, passing along to friends, or just saving for myself. Give yourself a little...
7 of our favorite Mother’s Day ecards that say all the things you want to say right now
This year definitely feels like an e-card year when it's come to Mother's Day. While we love supporting the post office all we can, some of us have just been too overwhelmed to remember to pick out a card in time. And plenty of us aren't able to browse the card...