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Rene Syler on speaking up and speaking out about racism and racial injustice | Spawned Ep 236
No sooner did we all feel the relief of the George Floyd verdict last week, that even more Black Americans were needlessly shot and killed by police officers. It's upsetting, it's infuriating, it's terrifying. And we all need speak up and work toward the long overdue,...
Empowering tweens and teens with books, with author Helena Dahlgren | Spawned Episode 235
By now, you know that we're pretty big book fans here at Cool Mom Picks, so we always jump at the chance to talk about them, and to their authors. This time, we're so thrilled to chat with an author of books for older kids like ours, and ones that have such an amazing...
Can you really be a feminist dad? Jordan Shapiro on fatherhood, masculinity, and gender roles in parenting. | Spawned 232
While we love all of our Spawned guests, there are some interviews that truly reshape our views on parenting. That's just how we feel about this chat with global education expert Jordan Shapiro. He changed our views on kids and technology thanks to his...
“Just embrace the Janet Jackson rule” and other tips for supporting women in the workplace.| Spawned Episode 231
What is the "Janet Jackson rule" exactly? Let's just say it could really help you succeed in your career (and has nothing to do with wardrobe malfunctions that were entirely the fault of a guy but that's another story). If you're a working woman -- or a man, frankly...
How to show up for yourself and your friends, especially during pandemic times | Spawned Episode 230
We've talked a lot about self care these days, and our need for our community and village (hello, We Time project), but... we haven't actually put the concepts together, even though they are most certainly intertwined. That's where our guest, Rachel Miller, comes in....
So much coolness. Where to start…
Can you really be a feminist dad? Jordan Shapiro on fatherhood, masculinity, and gender roles in parenting. | Spawned 232
While we love all of our Spawned guests, there are some interviews that truly reshape our views on parenting. That's just how we feel about this chat with global education expert Jordan Shapiro. He changed our views on kids and technology thanks to his...
Your tweens and teens will love this empowering book series
This is a sponsored message on behalf of Star Stable Entertainment What do you get when you combine magic, friendship, and horses? The answer is... Soul Riders, the popular trilogy from Star Stable Entertainment, the makers of the popular Star Stable Online that my...
8 stylish planters that totally zhuzh up your living space indoors
If you had'n't noticed, houseplants are having a real moment right now. I'm cracking up over friends who are naming their plants and calling themselves "plant parents." It's a serious obsession and considering the year we've had, I get the need to fix up your home in...
80+ creative Easter egg decorating ideas: Your ultimate egg decorating resource!
For more than a decade now, so many of our writers have searched the web to compile the most creative Easter egg decorating ideas, from simple to wow, from traditional to modern, from designs for toddlers to designs for teens -- and everything in between. And so, all...
Hey, it’s April 1! And you know what that means around here…
It means nothing. Absolutely nothing in 2021. &$#*# April Fool's Day! I mean, can't we just have one day when we are not terrified about something -- real or otherwise? So my April Fool's Day proposal is we just get rid of it. And that's not a meta April Fool's...
“Just embrace the Janet Jackson rule” and other tips for supporting women in the workplace.| Spawned Episode 231
What is the "Janet Jackson rule" exactly? Let's just say it could really help you succeed in your career (and has nothing to do with wardrobe malfunctions that were entirely the fault of a guy but that's another story). If you're a working woman -- or a man, frankly...
Create to Stop Hate: The online auction 100% supporting the work of Stop AAPI Hate.
We have all been just devastated by the increase in hate crimes against the AAPI community. Even if you've avoided the horrific videos, from Atlanta to San Francisco to NYC, surely by now you've seen the #StopAsianHate social media posts and hashtags. In 2020 alone,...
“Back in the Burbs” is self-care in the form of laughter
The world is a little overwhelming these days (understatement of the year, right?) and sometimes we just need to kick back, chill out, and as a wise songwriter once sang, forget about life for a while. Oh, and laugh. More laughing please! PLEASE. One way to do all of...
The Extraordinary Book that Eats Itself: the eco-forward book full of hands-on, earth-saving fun
It's a clear, gorgeous 65-degree day here today, and it's the perfect opportunity for me to send my 10-year-old to the back porch with a copy of The Extraordinary Book that Eats Itself -- along with permission to do any of the fun eco-friendly activities in this book...
50+ creative ideas for Easter Basket gifts from the drugstore. Easy!
With Easter around the corner, I'm thinking about how I'm going to fill three Easter baskets and dozens of plastic eggs safely and finding Easter gifts from the drugstore is a smart way to do it. First off, we love ordering Easter gifts from Etsy that helps support...
Why this long-range baby monitor is sure to be a registry favorite.
This is a sponsored message from Panasonic When you’re a new parent, you just want to know everything is okay with the baby. Pretty much, all the time of course, but especially when you're not in the room together. That's why the Panasonic Long Range Baby Monitor is...
How to show up for yourself and your friends, especially during pandemic times | Spawned Episode 230
We've talked a lot about self care these days, and our need for our community and village (hello, We Time project), but... we haven't actually put the concepts together, even though they are most certainly intertwined. That's where our guest, Rachel Miller, comes in....
5 clever and safer ways to blow out birthday candles during Covid-19
I saw a recent Twitter thread that asked about all the things we may never go back to since COVID-19: Eating from a buffet. Trying on makeup samples. Shaking hands. And one that comes up time and again is that time-honored tradition of blowing out the candles on a...
Hand sanitizer cute enough for an Easter Basket? Sign of the times.
A few years back, kids probably wouldn't have considered hand sanitizer as a "cool" Easter gift like they would a funky lip balm or a springy AirPods case. But this year, OLIKA, who makes the cool, natural -hand sanitizers shaped like cute birds, that we've shared...
How to decorate with tea lights: creating ambience, not a shrine
We've hit spring. So yay! But, that also means we've all been inside for a long time now. A year of quarantine has taught me this, at least: it's time to update my home decor. A new rug or dining set may not be in my budget, but do you know what is? Tea lights. And I...
21 cool Easter basket ideas under $20 for kids of all ages
We love finding affordable Easter basket ideas for kids that are still super cool. I mean, yes, there are always jellybeans and Peeps, but maybe consider some of these cool Easter basket ideas under $20 as something a little more special -- after all, we've made it to...
16 cool Easter gifts for teens that will make their second (ugh) Covid Easter a little more special
While our youngest kids may be content with a stuffed rabbit and a basket full of plastic eggs, I'm excited to spoil my three teens with some cool Easter gifts for teens that up the ante just a bit. After all, they've had one hell of a year trying to manage online...
3 powerful children’s books about grief, to help them process an unimaginable 12 months.
You know we often turn to books when we want to help our children through their struggles and feelings, and this month feels like the right time to share some excellent children's books on grief and loss. When I think back over the last twelve months of COVID-19, it's...
We love this jewelry supporting AAPI communities and helping to #StopAsianHate
For years, we've been covering the beautiful work of Peggy Li. I mean, we're talking years and years. I just adore her affordable jewelry, which always makes its way onto the arms of the rich, famous, and highly televised. I mean, who wouldn't take a second look at...
Here’s our 100% honest review of Green Ablutions bar shampoo: From cost to efficacy to environmental impact
Ready for a new shampoo that not only keeps your hair gorgeous but cuts back on all that bottle waste? Thanks to Liz's recommendation that I try out Green Ablutions Moroccan Argan Oil bar shampoo to see how it works, I think I've finally found my new favorite shampoo...
5 wonderful new books about spring for kids! YES, it’s finally here!
It's spring! Or as this homeschool mom thinks of it, spring book season! So many of us are relieved to have made it through the brutal pandemic winter, and reap the rewards of longer days, warmer weather, outdoor grilling, maybe some backyard camping, and of...