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These parenting tips from James Breakwell are lifesavers. Literally. | Spawned Ep 244
On this week's Spawned parenting podcast, we're bringing back a vintage episode with one of our very favorite guests on a very serious subject. Lifesaving, even. Because even though we made it through the pandemic, what are we supposed to do about unprincipled...
Parenting teens: Expert answers to some of the toughest questions | Spawned Episode 243
When it comes to parenting teens, we've got lots of questions, which is why we were so thrilled to chat with Dr. Ken Ginsburg. Along with being a parent himself, Dr. Ginsburg has many years of experience from his work at the The Center for Parent and Teen...
So… about that whole mental load thing. A chat with Fair Play author Eve Rodsky | Spawned Episode 240
If you're like, "oh hey, how did Kristen and Liz get a photo of me?" you need this. The issue of division of labor and mental load are not new problems in relationships, but the pandemic has certainly exacerbated them. There's been no shortage of articles, like this...
Broadway’s Ali Stroker on helping kids be proud of their disabilities | Spawned Ep 239
When we talk about diversity and inclusion, people with disabilities are often left out of the conversation. We think about gender, race, sexuality, cultural heritage -- but not always disabilities. So was I a wee bit excited to talk to Tony award-winner Ali Stroker...
Manicures are not self-care: Why moms need to recenter ourselves in our own lives | Spawned Ep 237
This week on Spawned, I loved chatting with Nina Restieri. entrepreneur and MomAgenda founder, and author of the new book Overcoming the Mom-Life Crisis: Ditch the Guilt, Put Yourself on the To-Do List, and Create A Life You Love. The book is filled with terrific,...
So much coolness. Where to start…
11 of the best Prime Day 2021 Deals from brands we trust. No “ACKHYDRO” or “PROFORL7” or whatever.
Each year, we try to go through all the clutter and crap, and put together the best Amazon Prime Day deals for you. I mean, with all due respect to the "flash deals" on Amazon Prime Day that look like your Great Aunt Hilda just cleaned out her attic, This year, I'm...
Finally, a genius hybrid baby bottle: The benefits of glass with the convenience of plastic
The number of innovative baby products today that make us say, where was that when I had a baby?! seems to be growing by the second. And now there's a genius new baby bottle that answers every concern we had (and even wrote about here) when our kids were on bottles....
Elected leaders need to do more than just “recognize” Juneteenth. Tell them to act on these 5 issues.
Today marks the very first Juneteenth since the US Senate unanimously passed a resolution to make Juneteenth a national holiday this week and it was quickly signed into law by President Biden on Thursday. It's amazing! So many of us grew up never having heard of...
Parenting your kids towards their passions: A special Father’s Day episode with Christopher and Pepper Persley | Spawned Episode 242
We love seeing kids who are thriving and living their passions, which is exactly how we'd describe 10-year old Camilla "Pepper" Persley, a podcaster and journalist who specializes in professional sports (especially women's basketball). You might have seen her recent...
14 brilliant last-minute gifts for Dad. So many ideas! | Father’s Day Gifts 2021
We always love helping you all out with great last minute gifts for Dad, Grandpa, your stepdad, or anyone you're celebrating this Father's Day. Because it helps us out too! While Father's Day gifts have been on our minds -- and our shopping lists -- for weeks now,...
We tried the first LED string lights with mosquito repellent built right in. How did we live without these?
I'm all about outdoor entertaining in the summertime -- especially this year -- except the one thing that hasn't gone away are the mosquitos. Nothing kills a mood quite like your guests all slapping at themselves while trying to talk one another. So I had to run here...
We found a new bike for kids 5-12 that’s made to grow with them — in smarter and safer ways than just raising a seat
We've reached peak bike-riding season, but if you've been trying to buy a quality kids' bicycle, they aren't as easy to find in stock right now as you might thing. (Maybe because it's peak bike-riding season?) That's why a new line of bikes from leading bike...
Inspirational quote art for your home office which may be your forever office: 14 amazing quotes to encourage amazing women
She believed she could so she did. My very favorite inspirational quote. The first time I saw it, not long after I had graduated college, it was printed on a funky wooden brooch by an artist at a craft fair. I pinned it to a jacket, and wore it for ages. From then on,...
Step away from the Hydroflask! We found the best water bottles and they’re not $50 a pop either.
When my daughter needed a new water bottle for school two years ago -- or 20 years ago in pandemic time -- she had mentioned something about a Hydroflask. So I looked and...holy sticker shock. 50 bucks for a 32-oz bottle with a straw lid! I'm all for spending money on...
The coolest safe bike helmets for kids. As in, ones they’ll actually want to wear.
The best kids' bike helmet in the world won't do any good if your kid doesn't want to put it on, which is why yes, it matters if they think they have a "cool" bike helmet. We're here to help! I've spent hours searching the inventory from our favorite helmet brands (so...
The single most important thing your kids can do after they’ve been vaccinated from Covid-19
I can hardly express the relief and utter joy we've felt over the past few weeks, since my teens got their first Pfizer vaccines against Covid-19. The feelings increased substantially since their second shot -- knowing they can safely see friends, go to the movies,...
The power of influence in parenting, with Kelly Rippon | Spawned Episode 241
We read a fair amount of parenting books, and lately we've seen the idea of "influence" popping up when it comes to the role we play with our children. That's why we were so excited to welcome author Kelly Rippon as a guest on Spawned with Kristen and Liz this week....
The coolest pool floats, from yachts and butterflies, to rainbow clouds for two (for all that safe social un-distancing we’ll be doing!)
When I saw the FUNBOY pool floats my pool envy grew three sizes, because, a flamingo? Flaming lips? A rainbow unicorn? I need to have these in my life right now. And not just because they're freaking cool. They actually give back in an amazing way too. These fancy...
In the Heights movie is a celebration of love, dreams, community, family, and the melting pot that makes New York the greatest city in the world
Fair warning: This is not so much a review of the new In the Heights Movie, opening tonight, as it is a love letter. I am a movie person, as any longtime reader here knows. I'm also a Broadway person, a Lin Manuel person, and a proud native New Yorker. Put them all...
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 2021
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...
NYC is back and these baby gifts celebrate it.
A friend of mine recently asked for a good, affordable baby gift idea fo ra "very NYC couple." I often recommend the NYC ABC book that's featured in our list of the coolest birthday gifts for 2 year olds, and has appeared in our annual Best Baby Gift Guide, but now I...
A cool Father’s Day gift idea that celebrates the dad in your life, all year long.
We love the idea of gifts that keep on giving, long after the celebration is over, which is why we're so fond of photo gifts for Father's Day. Sure, it's not golf t-shirt or pair of cufflinks (no offense to either, of course), but we think there's something so special...
7 cool tie-dye pattern tutorials to help you DIY your own trendy tee
My 15-year-old son recently came home after a camp planning meeting with his friends and announced that they have decided to tie-dye their camp shirts this year. I kind of love this idea, so I wanted to look up some tie-dye pattern tutorials on You Tube to help them...
So… about that whole mental load thing. A chat with Fair Play author Eve Rodsky | Spawned Episode 240
If you're like, "oh hey, how did Kristen and Liz get a photo of me?" you need this. The issue of division of labor and mental load are not new problems in relationships, but the pandemic has certainly exacerbated them. There's been no shortage of articles, like this...
Why I’m supporting these brands and their cool Pride month products and collaborations.
I had a long talk with my (avidly LGBTQ+ supporting) teens this week about the overlap between Pride Month and brands. On one hand, there's an argument about the "corporatization" of Pride Month, and the rainbow washing of products. On the other hand, I'm old enough...
Download this free, printable summer reading list challenge for kids of all ages. (Yes, summer is here!)
When I saw this printable diverse summer reading list challenge for kids over at the Oaxacaborn homeschool group on Facebook, I immediately had to share it. Schools here in Nashville have already dismissed for summer break —I know the rest of the country is...