The latest from Spawned: Our award-winning parenting podcast
How moms can find more holiday joy for themselves: Margaret Ables | Spawned Ep 300
It's been some year. To say the least. With the holiday season in full swing, it can be tough to find the joys in a tough world, let alone trying to make happy holiday memories for our kids. And in doing so, moms often put ourselves last. How can moms be part of the...
“Acceptance is Protection”: Kate Brookes on parenting a trans kid, or any child on their own path. | Spawned 299
I could not be more thrilled to share this wonderful interview with award-winning TV reporter/producer/mom Kate Brookes, author of the upcoming Transister: Raising Twins in a Gender-Bending World. While our conversation is super helpful for parents looking for advice...
Luvvie Ajayi Jones on raising “good troublemakers” | Spawned Ep 296
Sometimes kids get in trouble, not because they're doing bad, but because they want to do good, though they just haven't quite figured out all the boundaries yet. It's such a good reminder for parents. It also happens to be the premise of the wonderful new picture...
The ultimate guide to parenting teens, with Dr. Ken Ginsburg | Spawned Episode 295
Every single time I've interviewed Dr. Ken Ginsburg, my life has changed for the better. And well, the life of my kids, too. So, you can guess how excited I was to sit down with him and chat about his newest book about parenting teens: Congrats, You're Having a Teen....
The hard talks we need to have with our kids (and how to have them) | Spawned Episode 294
As parents, we know that there are going to be difficult conversations that we need to have — about sex, violence, relationships, substances — but it can be hard to know how to actually talk about them. That's where author Michelle Icard can help. Her book, Fourteen...
More coolness from recent weeks…
One Cool Thing: A thoughtful gift under $10 for an avid reader, teacher, or a new grad
For years we've loved sharing personalized bookmarks, and today I'm so happy to have stumbled on a new maker, right in time for graduation, end-of-year teacher gifts, Mother's Day...any day, really. What's more, the price is incredible, especially if you have a lot...
Here are 3 eco-friendly plastic wrap alternatives we can recommend for more sustainable food storage
In an effort be more eco-friendly, we've all been using more plastic wrap alternatives. After all, being eco-friendly also means cutting back on food waste by wrapping up leftovers; and making the most of pre-made staples like pre-cooked pasta and rice or diced...
One Cool Thing: An allergy-friendly chocolate bunny
While we were putting together our Guide to Easter Gifts for Teens + Tweens, we came across this awesome Allergy-Friendly Chocolate Bunny from a longtime favorite of ours, No Whey! Foods. It's a long list of gift ideas, so I wanted to be sure it didn't get buried in...
One Cool Thing: Fiesta towels add a splash of color to your kitchen
Sometimes it's fun just sharing one cool thing I've found, and because I'm online basically all day, you know...looking for cool things, I'm excited to do more of this here. Today I stumbled on Fiesta Kitchen Towels and I couldn't wait to share them. For under $15 at...
Preppy is back, only better! Get the modern prep look for less with these hot spring deals
If you haven't heard, modern prep has taken over, reinvigorating the classic preppy staples of the 80s. So we found some incredible modern prep staples for your spring and summer wardrobe, all updated beautifully for 2024 -- and even better, they're all on sale. Like...
Easter Baskets for Teens and Tweens: Look no further than these 28 amazing ideas!
It can be hard putting together cool Easter baskets for teens and tweens. While our youngest kids may be content with a stuffed rabbit and a basket full of candy-filled plastic eggs, I'm excited to treat my three kids with some cool Easter gifts for teens that they'll...
Where to get your hands on the new Betsey Johnson x Peeps handbag
If you have a Peeps obsession like so many of us, you have to peep (sorry) the new Betsey Johnson x Peeps rhinestone bunny bag that's out just in time for Easter. In classic yellow, hot pink, or baby blue, this crossbody bag is tricked out in a bevy of rhinestones,...
Lovevery Baby: the beautifully curated developmental toy box subscription that parents adore
Pretend for a moment you have a personal shopper for your baby or young child -- who also happens to have amazing taste and a degree in developmental psychology. Well, that's basically what you get with Lovevery Baby, a wonderful subscription service that curates and...
The cant-miss women’s clothing sales to look for right now
We've been sharing plenty of sales and cool finds for updating your home for spring, but if it's your wardrobe that needs a refresh, we've got you covered there too! Here are just 9 shops you should be browsing if you want to find something you love for less. Find...
Revamp your spring decor with these 8 shops you may not have considered
Are you excited about updating your home decor for spring? You're in luck because we have a list of 8 shops that you might not have considered for beautiful, affordable, lovely things. Whenever people think about refreshing their furniture, or home decor, or adding...
The new Etsy Gift Mode: Try it, it’s fun!
Over the past few weeks, Etsy has slowly rolled out a new tool called Etsy Gift Mode. It's essentially a "gift finder" search function that lets you look for gifts for a particular person (teacher, partner, baby, coworker), select the occasion, and then choose 3 or...
The Best End of Season Sales: We found deep discounts on beauty, fashion, tech, kids, home + more
I spent the last few days digging through 5 of the biggest retailers with the best end-of-season deals, just to help you all head right to the good stuff with the best discounts. And wow -- there's a whole lot that's raising my eyebrows right now. Whether you're...
Tween sports journalist Pepper Persley won’t let the bullies win.
"The most meaningful piece of advice...never change who I am because of what others say...know that there are people who will support me for being me." Isn't that a message we want all our kids to grow up with? If it needs a little reinforcement -- which is sometimes...
Acne Studio scarves alternatives: Get the “It Scarf” or just get the look for less
I feel like my entire social feed of fashionistas have been consumed with Acne Studio scarves as of late, with commenters wondering where to get them, why they're so expensive, and then of course, where to get them for less. Or at least how to reasonably steal the...
Protecting trans kids: We can do better. We must do better.
Reading about this week's tragic death of Nex Benedict has been simply devastating. Nex was a perfectly normal, happy, loving and loved 16-year-old child, who was beaten to death by three older students in their Oklahoma high school bathroom. This, after months of...
How to set up the perfect playroom for kids when you don’t have a lot of space: 8 expert tips
We love the idea of setting up a playroom for kids so that our children have their own space. But not all of us have an entire room to spare for play. Still, that doesn't mean you need to sacrifice half your living room or give up your dining room table. There are so...
Tons of creative last-minute Valentine’s Day gifts that won’t seem last minute at all
You’re almost out of time, lover. Good news: We’ve rounded up creative last-minute Valentine’s Day gifts that will remind your honey how much you love them every day. Even if you also have to love them enough to pay a ton for quick shipping or to run out and find a...
Black History Month for Kids: The best new Black history picture books they’ll love all year
We invite you to celebrate Black History Month for kids -- yours or any others! -- with our picks for the top books for kids that showcase the diverse and inspiring stories of African American heroes and leaders. Black history has never been a topic we discuss just...
Easy Last Minute Valentine’s Day Crafts That Kids Can Make
Even if Valentine's Day is coming up quick, there's still time for kids to make these last-minute craft ideas and printables to make anyone's February 14 extra special. (Even if their sweetheart is just Dad or Mom.) While a full school week left until Valentine's Day...
12 anti-Valentine’s gifts for people who hate Valentine’s Day (you know who you are!)
Each year, we love putting together Valentine's Day gift ideas, but I admittedly have had a love/hate relationship with Valentine's Day throughout my life. Love the opportunity to tell people in my life I love them, hate the pressure. Love helping my kids spread their...
40 of the Best Gifts for Girlfriends: Stylish, Sexy, Soulful + Smart
Finding the right gifts for girlfriends – romantic or otherwise – is so important. It's a way to say "I get you and you matter to me," whether you sleep in the same bed, or she’s your BFF from college who you catch up with once a year. What makes these particular...