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Representation FTW! Spawned Ep. 130
Whatever your feelings about what happened on November 6, 2018, we hope you can agree that it was an exciting, historic day for women. Over 100 women in Congress! YES! So, on this week's episode of Spawned with Kristen and Liz, we're talking about Election Day, the...
12 year olds can be arrested for trick-or-treating and WHAT IS GOING ON | Spawned 129
So uh, yeah. Turns out that some American towns are now banning 12-year-old kids from trick-or-treating, under penalty of arrest. We think it's nuts, of course, so we had to talk about it this week on Spawned.There are even a lot of expert reasons that it's good and...
How much screen time is too much? Tech health expert Dr. Mike Brooks | Spawned ep 126
When work is online, communication is online, entertainment is online and it's all 24/7...it can be hard to get offline. We get it! So we're happy to share so much helpful info from from tech health expert, author, Austin-based dad, and Psychology Today columnist, Dr....
Kids and nutrition: Tips from pediatric expert Dr. Tanya Altmann | Spawned ep 125
This week on Spawned, we're talking kids and nutrition. Which, TBH, is one of those issues that nearly universally stresses out parents of all kinds, with kids of all ages. Fortunately, we've got an expert to help us out: Dr. Tanya Altmann, who you may better know as...
One brilliant, simple thing you can do right now to help end working mom guilt | Spawned ep 124
Working mom guilt is something every working mom has experienced in one way or another. And basically, it sucks. However, we've always heard that guilt is the most useless emotion -- and now, consider us schooled. On this week's episode of Spawned, we spoke with...
So much coolness. Where to start…
12 year olds can be arrested for trick-or-treating and WHAT IS GOING ON | Spawned 129
So uh, yeah. Turns out that some American towns are now banning 12-year-old kids from trick-or-treating, under penalty of arrest. We think it's nuts, of course, so we had to talk about it this week on Spawned.There are even a lot of expert reasons that it's good and...
20 of the most amazing, must-see Halloween face paint video tutorials on YouTube.
My kids have spent hours in front of the mirror perfecting scars and simpler character makeup based off of YouTube face paint tutorials, but these Halloween themed face paint tutorials should put their growing skills to the test. From your classic Halloween ghouls to...
11 cool tween and teen Halloween craft ideas that don’t suck.
While we love sharing Halloween craft ideas for our preschoolers and little ones, our tweens and older kids want to get in on the fun too. So with my own Halloween-loving older kid in mind, I searched around for some cool Halloween craft projects and ideas just for...
Ever wanted to see your face in sequins? Here’s your chance.
We're always looking for personalized gifts you just don't see everywhere, and this year, the personalized flip sequin pillows from The Mermaid Pillow Co definitely makes my list of It Gifts. As if my kids weren't already crazy enough for the mermaid pillows we...
14 fun and easy Halloween crafts for prechoolers
We always love fun Halloween craft projects for our preschoolers and little kids, because it's one way to get them excited about Halloween that's (generally) non-caloric. And we're all about keeping it real with easy crafts because, hey, we're busy this time of year!...
Time to Parent: A non-judgy book helping you find more time to be the best parent you can be.
The toils of parenting can seem nebulous and never-ending, which is why Julie Morgenstern's new book, Time to Parent, came as such a breath of fresh air for me. A professional organizer by trade, she breaks down the overall job of parenting into manageable tasks, to...
Vote Like a Mother: In time for the mother of all midterms
If you haven't gotten word yet, we have a seriously important election coming up in November. We've asked you to check your registration, double and triple-check your registration, join Michelle Obama and Lin-Manuel Miranda to help new voters to register, and now...
Our top picks from this weekend’s Hanna Andersson 40% off flash sale — including fall and winter items!
As a mom of four, I love to buy clothes from Hanna Andersson for my kids because they last...forever. And this weekend they are having a massive sale: 40% off almost all children's clothes, including outerwear, fall/winter clothing, and holiday items. So like, not...
This indie kids’ label collab is like goth-fantasy-new-orleans-ballerina and it’s wonderful!
Just in time for Halloween, two of my very favorite kidswear brands have joined together for an awesome collab: Nununu X Tutu Du Monde. Whoa! I have written about the edgy but wearable offerings from Nununu and the theatrically-inspired, spectacularly crafted,...
6 fantastically fun things to do in Orlando without kids. Hey, it’s your vacation too!
With winter breaks coming up, I know lots of our readers will be planning Orlando vacations. Because, family! And...Orlando! Let me just say, our family is good at vacation. We trained on our first trip to Disney back when I was pregnant, and our sons were four and...
A thorough comparison of 3 top kids’ clothing subscriptions: KidBox vs Stitch Fix Kids vs Rockets of Awesome
Moms are shopping for their kids more and more through subscription services these days and we thought it was worth taking a good look at these subscription clothing services for kids and compare them. Hey, we get it -- it's so convenient to get a curated box of...
Here’s how to buy Cards Against Humanity’s “Remember to Vote” Worms.
Leave it to Cards Against Humanity, a company that doesn't shy away from the issues of the day, to come out with the genius Cards Against Humanity Remember to Vote Worms in time for Halloween. Aaaaand the incredibly important midterm elections. Related: How to...
Keep calm and carry on with these 7 excellent children’s books about mindfulness
My four kids range from toddler to teenager, and I find that no matter their stage in life I am always looking for ways to help them increase their mindfulness. Whether they're processing complicated, difficult emotions in their early teen years, or just learning to...
17 of the best pop culture Halloween costume ideas for kids right now, from Meghan and Harry to Serena to Riverdale
Usually, my favorite Halloween costumes that our readers come up with each year are clever pop culture reference costumes. Do you remember the "Derry with the Bat" costume that Kristen's son wore last year, from the viral meme last year? It was amazing! So, to spark...
Resist like Ruth: Because fighting for gender equality is still a radical act.
Wee rascals is fast becoming my go-to site for gifts for enlightened kids. I just love these makers of wonderful historical tees for kids honoring heroes like Malala, Abraham Lincoln, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Hamil-crew, and a girl gang we want to run with. My...
New limited-edition Mrs. Meyer’s scents for fall! Here’s where to find them.
I'm a big fan of Mrs. Meyer's all natural cleaning supplies. In fact, I buy a lot Mrs. Meyer's cleaning products in bulk and keep them stocked under my sink so I don't run out. Because, life with four kids = lots of messes. I'm usually partial to their lemon verbena...
2 safe, fun new apps for preschoolers that just may get you a little shower time
We love apps that let our younger kids explore, play, and get creative all in a safe, controlled environment. And recently, we shared two apps on Cool Mom Tech on behalf of our sponsor Kinsane Entertainment that do just that. Since the response has been so positive...
We’re obsessed with this poster featuring favorite self-saving heroines
Just when I thought I could never love another print as much as I love my Michelle Obama print, along comes this amazing She-Series collage poster from Karen Hallion featuring so many of my favorite self-saving, empowered female heroines from books, movies, and...
Look we’re loving: The new Spanx faux leather camo leggings
Just this week I started moving the fall and winter items to the front of the closet and saying goodbye (sniff) to my comfy, swingy cotton dresses. That's when I rediscovered my favorite faux leather leggings from last year and got all excited to wear them again....
17 of our favorite kid-friendly Halloween party printables to make your bash a smash
Let's talk Halloween party printables, parents! If you're not familiar with the wide world of free printables for holidays of all kinds, we've always got you covered. And with Halloween party season upon us, these free (free!) downloadable posters, decorations,...
How one mom’s viral #himtoo post led to the #metoo ending no one expected
We all talk a lot about "oversharenting," or what to post about our kids on social media, how much info is too much, and whether we might be embarrassing them...one day. Well it turns out these questions apply well beyond potty training photos, as evidenced by one...