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What we can do to support our teens through a school year like no other. | Spawned ep 216
After reading author and psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour's NY Times article, The 2020 Back to School List for Teens' Emotional Well-Being we just knew we had to talk to her about it. Her premise: kids need some emotional "supplies" that have nothing to do with backpacks...
Election Fact Check: Absentee ballots and voting by mail | Spawned ep 215
Whether you're pinned to election coverage right now, or avoiding it as much as possible, we think every American should listen to this interview with Amber McReynolds, former Director of Elections for Denver, and now the CEO of the bipartisan National Vote at Home...
Making the most of your time when time has no meaning | Spawned Ep 212
These days, it's like we blink and it's dinner time and we think, "what the heck happened to this day?" As we looked around our feeds to see what else parents are discussing -- you know, beyond school, school and school -- turns out we're not alone. Seems like a lot...
Should you send your kids back to school? Find guidance from these 14 considerations parents are talking about | Spawned ep 211
This week on the Spawned Parenting podcast we knew there was only one topic we could possibly cover: Sending our kids back to school. It seems to be all any parent is talking about, online, offline, in community groups, and over Zoom cocktails. To cut to the chic:...
Kids and birthdays in the age of Covid: The loss is real. | Spawned Ep 210
One of our most popular posts of the past few months has been this list of social distancing birthday ideas for kids during COVID-19. And the more it's been clear that Covid isn't just a few-weeks-and-it's-over-kind of thing, we're now at the point where we're seeing...
So much coolness. Where to start…
How to help Beirut after the explosion: A list of trusted organizations that can really use your support.
As I look for ways to help Beirut after the horrific explosion this week, I'm grateful to Fadia Berberi, (@karzel), a mom in the suburbs of Beirut who I've known through Instagram for a while. She DM'd me to explain, What happened here in Beirut is really tragic and...
The Covid pandemic is screwing working moms. Big time. | Spawned Ep 213
After reading (and raging over) the Five Thirty Eight article, How the Pandemic Could Force a Generation of Mothers Out of the Workforce, we knew we had to have a candid discussion about it with Katherine Goldstein, the award-winning journalist, working mom expert,...
We tried an at-home gel manicure kit. Here’s how it went. | Damn you, social media ads
During the Covid pandemic, we've seen people do some wild things to get their nails done. There have been the women doing manicures through the mail slots in their front doors. There's the mobile manicure truck that's cruising around New York. And, as the ads all over...
This website makes reading and writing absolutely magical for kids — and the parents trying to help. | Sponsored Message
This is a sponsored message from Night Zookeeper As millions of parents prepare for a school year that won't look like any other school year, this is a good time to line up the educational apps and websites to help engage your kids in core subjects. If their...
A tee that celebrates nurses and supports a great cause? We’re not crying… (yes we are)
I've lost count of all the times that healthcare workers have brought me to tears with their bravery and selflessness over the last few months. So I was thrilled to find this Everyday Hero t-shirt collection celebrating nurses, from the wonderful indie label Winter...
Here’s one way to stress less, especially with back to school
Considering our own stress levels are pretty much through the roof right now, we know we're probably not alone. Trying to juggle all the challenges we're facing is no easy task, but even some of the smaller things, like just heading out the door, has become more...
Making the most of your time when time has no meaning | Spawned Ep 212
These days, it's like we blink and it's dinner time and we think, "what the heck happened to this day?" As we looked around our feeds to see what else parents are discussing -- you know, beyond school, school and school -- turns out we're not alone. Seems like a lot...
The best interactive toys for kids: 6 I love in every price range
As I've written here before, RetailMeNot is basically my must-visit destination before I make any purchase online. Because hey, coupon codes. So I was thrilled when they asked me to write an article for them sharing my own picks for the best interactive toys to keep...
4 funny novels for summer giving us the comic relief we desperately need right now
I don't know about you, but I'm either needing to project my primal scream into Iceland or get a really good, belly-aching laugh in with a funny new summer novel. We're in the final stretch of summer at my house before school starts (whatever that looks like these...
5 of my favorite cute, comfy shoes on sale at Nordstrom right now.
Retail therapy is real these days for me, no apologies. But I'm not quite focused on what's "in" right now -- or not as much as usual. Just what's comfy, cute, and will make me feel a little more put-together when I grab my get outside in my Brooklyn neighborhood for...
The new LEGO Brick Sketch kits are 3D puzzles made for framing. Fun!
Our house needs more tiny LEGO pieces like it needs a hole in the roof, but then the new LEGO Brick Sketches were finally released on the LEGO site. They're so cute, I find myself actually wanting one.For me. The new kits are part building set, part puzzle, part 3D...
Should you send your kids back to school? Find guidance from these 14 considerations parents are talking about | Spawned ep 211
This week on the Spawned Parenting podcast we knew there was only one topic we could possibly cover: Sending our kids back to school. It seems to be all any parent is talking about, online, offline, in community groups, and over Zoom cocktails. To cut to the chic:...
10 arguments to help you convince your friends and neighbors to wear a damn mask in public already.
I just read that nearly 30% of Americans sometimes, rarely, or never wear a mask in public and it makes me want to bang my head on something. Nothing too hard though, because our hospitals have been through enough and don't need the likes of a self-inflicted head...
When can your teen register to vote? Here are the rules, state by state.
Some of us have older teens who are really excited to vote this year. But because each state manages their own voting policies, it can be confusing as to how, when, and where to register to vote. We all know that if you're 18 on or before election day — November 3,...
If you’ve ever wished you could buy a single shoe…this new line of adaptive shoes from Zappos is here for you
I've been so happy to see clothing brands expanding their offerings to meet the diverse needs of their customers, whether it's Halloween costumes for kids with special needs or adaptive clothing for kids with sensory issues. And this new Zappo's "Single and Different...
Scrambling for summer activities? These fun, affordable online coding camps for kids just got even more affordable.
This is a sponsored message from Coding with Kids With all the gaming kids are doing this summer, it's pretty cool that there's a way parents can help turn their love for say, Roblox or Minecraft, into an educational STEM opportunity -- all at an exclusive discount...
Kids and birthdays in the age of Covid: The loss is real. | Spawned Ep 210
One of our most popular posts of the past few months has been this list of social distancing birthday ideas for kids during COVID-19. And the more it's been clear that Covid isn't just a few-weeks-and-it's-over-kind of thing, we're now at the point where we're seeing...
This brilliant mask self-portrait art project is one every teacher needs to assign before school starts.
This back to school season will be different from any we've seen, because no one knows what the heck fall will look like regarding COVID. Let alone next week. What we do know however, is that kids will be (and should be!) wearing masks in public, whether they're...
Stop everything and watch Bill Nye’s super-simple explanation of how face masks protect us right now
By now, we should not need to be "arguing" the need for mask-wearing in public. The science out there is abundant! But when it comes to my own kids (who get a little more leeway than obstinate adults), I have found that providing a solid reason for something they need...
Check out these 4 fun games that my older and younger kids like playing together.
For my kids, their siblings have been their only playmates for months. And hey! Now that we're heading into yet another weekend during Covid, that means finding a few more family activities. Our default is to sit around the table and play card games or board games...
Raising kids to be good collaborators with 4 simple lessons | Life Skills Series
In our three-part Life Skills Series, we've shared tips to help you raise critical thinkers and to raise problem-solvers. Now, I'm excited to share ideas around collaborating and working together. Because what the world needs now (besides love, sweet love) is more...