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Completely mind-shifting tips for treasuring the teen years instead of “surviving” them | Spawned Ep 145
Did you know that when you Google "how to talk to my teen" the number one word that comes up with it is "survive?" Have you ever thought about how that language is impacting your kids as they grow into teens? What if, as a society, we were able to reframe our mindset...
What the heck is a Spinal CSF Leak? with author Andi Buchanan | Spawned Episode 144
So, imagine this: You've had the flu but you're feeling much better, so you leave your house to go grab some food, but suddenly start coughing. You think nothing of it until you suddenly get the worst headache you've ever had in your life, one that will take over nine...
The 5 biggest sleep-training mistakes that parents make and how to fix them | Spawned episode 141
Is there anything new parent topic that generates more controversy than sleep training? Arguably...no way. But can we finally stop fighting about what's right and wrong? Yes! Maybe? Certified sleep training expert Tamiko Kelly, owner of Sleep Well Wake Happy, has...
Activism 101: How to get involved with issues you care about when you don’t see yourself as the activist type | Spawned 140
We talk a lot about being the change you want to see in the world, but how do you do that? How do you get started? What if you're like us, crazy-busy parents who are already juggling a lot of stuff? What if the word "activist" doesn't seem to really apply to you? On...
Talking about a feminine revolution, with author Catherine Connors | Spawned Episode 139
We've talked at length about how the future is female, hey, it's even on shirts now, but the jury is still out on how female power impacts femininity and the associated stereotypes. That's where our guest (and dear friend) Catherine Connors comes in, who is addressing...
So much coolness. Where to start…
The US Negro Nurses of WWII | Women’s History Month Stories to share with your kids.
I believe if Women's History Month gives you an opportunity to learn even even one single new story about important women in history who you didn't know before -- and then share that story with your kids -- then that would be fantastic. So I decided to put together a...
These 3 high-tech smart sleepers for babies are naptime saviors
Let's talk about smart sleepers, those high-tech baby beds that are designed to help babies -- and parents -- get more sleep. As we know,,a good night's sleep for the baby is important for the entire family, and during those early months, I'd have given an arm and a...
Shopping at Etsy now helps saves the environment in a big way.
We've been huge supporters of the incredible makers over at Etsy for years. In fact, they started right around when we did, which was a great overlap with our mission to support indie makers, and particularly, women-run companies. Our readers know we've featured their...
The coolest Funko Pop figures coming in 2019, including the one that made me cry
We have quite the growing collection of Funko Pop figurines, and last week at Toy Fair, there was one that actually made me tear up: A beautiful patina Stan Lee Funko Pop. Maybe because it feels less like a fun figurine and more like he's being preserved forever as a...
These personalized children’s books are offering a new gender-neutral option, and it’s fantastic
I'm already a fan of Kabook personalized children's books, because they allow you to insert your own child into the story -- name, characteristics, favorite stuffed animal, even a photo. What better way to get kids excited about reading than seeing themselves...
The awesome Spiderverse t-shirt that reminds us anyone, even Hello Kitty, can wear the mask.
Last week I discovered this fantastic Into the Spiderverse t-shirt on Woot! by comic illustrator Adam Koford (A.K.A. ApeLad), I figured it would be blow up. But now that Into the Spiderverse won the 2019 Oscar for Best Animated Feature last night (and deservedly so!)...
If you’re going to watch Green Book, read these articles first. Or, after.
Last night's 2019's Best Picture award at the Oscars went to Green Book, a film based (ever so loosely) on a real relationship between prominent Black jazz pianist and classically trained musician Dr. Don Shirley, and his hired driver, Frank "Tony Lip" Vallelonga, an...
Hot new accessory alert: 7 cool barrettes for adults, from fun to super chic
Last week, Elle magazine reported that the hottest accessory new stealing the show at NY Fashion week was barrettes...for adults. And despite some of the totally bizarre fashion trends we've seen lately, this is one we can totally get behind. Because, anyone can pull...
We tried Hairstory New Wash shampoo: Here’s what we thought | Damn You, Facebook Ads series
I typically fly right past most of the ads in my Facebook and Instagram feeds, but recently the Hairstory New Wash shampoo ad caught my eye. This sulfate-free shampoo is supposed to change the way you wash your hair, and with 4/5 stars and more than 5,000 reviews, I...
The new clothing line that lets kids protect endangered species in style.
As an animal lover and toddler mom, I am so taken with the new line of animal-adorned clothing in the new collection from Art & Eden and Animal Planet. Not only are the tees and dresses adorable, they help support Project CAT, a World Wildlife Fund initiative...
These edgy-cool craft kits let kids make their own handmade gifts
One of the great new trends at Toy Fair 2019 this week was the explosion of really thoughtful, creative craft kits. As you all well know, we're big fans of craft kits as gifts for kids, especially when craft kits enable kids to make their own gifts for friends and...
3 great printable sleep logs. Because we’ll try anything, you know?
Recently, we've seen more and more doctors recommending sleep logs and sleep journals for those of us who regularly wake during the night, or have trouble falling asleep in the first place. It makes sense. Especially for parents. One of our problems, which KJ...
How to raise creative, imaginative kids in a digital world with Peter McNerney and Beth Newell | Spawned Ep 142
We're always looking for ways to foster imagination and creativity in our kids, and who better than to help us with that than Peter McNerney from Story Pirates, and his wife Beth Newell, co-host of the We Knows Parenting podcast, both of whom are popular improvisers...
Attention knitters: This new yarn is transforming plastic into gorgeous sweaters and scarves
We all know that knitting is a fantastic way to soothe anxiety, but this Wool and the Gang New Wave yarn delivers even more peace of mind, because it's helping rid the oceans of discarded plastic -- each ball of yarn is upcycled from three entire plastic bottles. So...
5 ideas for cool coffee bar carts for your home, whatever your decorating style. Barista not included.
I'm thinking of taking my coffee obsession to the next level, with one of these cool coffee bar carts. Kind of like bar carts, only...for coffee. I'm seeing them absolutely everywhere, and I love the idea of a dedicated space for my coffee supplies -- but one that's...
The new Spanx maternity line: totally unnecessary or total godsend?
I admit, when I heard that about the new Spanx maternity line, I was skeptical. After all, isn't pregnancy the one time we don't have to worry about sucking in our guts? Or "smoothing?" CMP is an rstyle affiliate But after getting a closer look at the Spanx maternity...
What Does it Mean to Be American? This picture book says it better than any TV pundit or long-winded article.
Kids are smart. And observant. Even our littlest children know that right now, there's a lot of talk about what it means to be American, who's a "real" American, and what kinds of values America stand for. And it's complicated, but that doesn't mean we should avoid...
Home decor inspiration: How to hang fabric on your walls instead of wallpaper
It's that time a year that I start to get a little stir crazy at home and have this major urge to redecorate. The newest home decor trend that caught my eye: fabric walls instead of wallpaper. Okay, so it kind of hit the internets about six or seven years ago, but...
Valentine’s Day nails: 7 fun, fairly easy ideas to get your fingers feeling the love
Here's a fun way to get festive for Valentine's Day this year: Valentine's Day nails. These are blowing up social media, and the creative designs we're seeing are making us so happy to go beyond switching up your favorite color for red or pink. We've kept these...
5 ideas from LEGO Movie 2 to discuss with your kids : A guide for parents
Last week, I caught a press screening of the The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part with my kids and I have to admit, my expectations were...tempered. The genius of the first LEGO Movie (sorry for any spoilers but you know, 5 year statue of limitations and all) is that the...
The 5 biggest sleep-training mistakes that parents make and how to fix them | Spawned episode 141
Is there anything new parent topic that generates more controversy than sleep training? Arguably...no way. But can we finally stop fighting about what's right and wrong? Yes! Maybe? Certified sleep training expert Tamiko Kelly, owner of Sleep Well Wake Happy, has...