Spawned Parenting Podcast: Latest Episodes
The latest from Spawned, our award-winning parenting podcast
How to raise kids who aren’t assholes (aka kind, empathic, awesome grown-ups) | Spawned Episode 247
We often ask ourselves what it takes to raise strong, wonderful kids who are kind, empathic (aka not assholes), which is why we were so excited to chat with Melinda Wenner Moyer, author of the new book How to Raise Kids Who Aren't Assholes. She's a science journalist...
Should we send our kids back to school? AKA The deja vu episode | Spawned Episode 246
Just when we thought back to school 2021 would be less stressful than 2020, the Delta variant decided to throw a huge, dangerous wrench into our decision. As so many parents struggle once again with sending their kids back to school, especially as many school...
On modeling body positivity for our kids: Where we succeed, where we can do better | Spawned Ep 245
When Kristen wrote a viral post last week about wearing crop tops over 40, in response to a conversation with her daughter, the comments from our readers were so inspiring, we knew we wanted to discuss body positivity further on Spawned. Interestingly, we each have...
More coolness from recent weeks…
The Hamilton Funko Pop figures are here, shipping, and we’re helpless to resist them.
Hamilton fans! Drop everything because I've just discovered that the Hamilton Funko Pop figures and keychains -- you know, the ones that super fans have been eagerly awaiting -- are now available and starting to ship earlier than expected. How lucky we are to be alive...
3 new books for kids about climate change that inform, uplift, and help us move forward
I know I'm not the only parent struggling with how to talk with their kids about climate change. So I was thrilled to discover these hopeful kids' books about climate change, each of which educates without inducing panic or despair. A tall order if you ask me! It...
When we say we need this Dolly Parton advent calendar, we mean WE NEED THIS DOLLY PARTON ADVENT CALENDAR!
Whether the Christmas season is a stressful time for you or a glorious season of joy, I believe with all my heart that it will be infinitely improved with this Dolly Parton Advent calendar Yes, a Dolly Parton Advent calendar! The very thing we didn't know we needed...
The ECOVACS Deebot N7 robotic vacuum cleans and mops your floors with the press of a button. Amazing!
This is a sponsored message on behalf of ECOVACS In our own pretty vast experience with robotic vacuum cleaners, we can say with certainty that not they are not created equal. So, if you're looking for a one-stop robot that mops and vacuums your floors without it...
Navigating step-parenting with Coach Naja Hall | Spawned Episode 250
We keep saying that we often get our best parenting podcast topic ideas from our readers, and a lot of you have asked for support navigating step-parenting. And that's just what we're talking about, in this dynamic, wonderful chat with Certified Parenting Coach and...
The new Queer Eye LEGO set is not just about building, but building people up.
I could not be more excited that LEGO just announced a new LEGO Queer Eye set featuring The Fab 5 Loft that's coming out October 1. - Update: It's here! - (No pun intended. Seriously I just caught that on the re-read.) haven't been this excited since they came out...
9 things we wish we knew when our kids were babies. Oh, do we ever.
There's so much we wish we had known when our kids were babies, and we were stressed, anxious, or just entirely clueless. All normal feelings when you're juggling a new baby or toddler! But hey, maybe we can help you out a little here. So in addition to the hilarious...
The one trick to make sure your child’s face mask fits properly, to comply with the brand new CDC recommendations.
After 18 months (sigh) it's now clear that we're past the point of "any mask is better than nothing" for preventing Covid spread, especially with the Delta variant here. In fact, just this weekend, the CDC issued new, specific recommendation about proper masking that...
Fall fashion must-have: Gorgeous pieces from the Alivia clothing line created by adults with autism
When I recently spotted the Alivia clothing line on a friend's Instagram, and learned all the clothes were created by adults with autism, I knew I had to share it here. We've always been thrilled to spread the news about big brands creating inclusive clothing and...
Raising resilient kids in a world gone sideways, with Dr. Madeline Levine | Spawned Episode 249
We've had a slew of amazing guests on our Spawned podcast recently, who have offered helpful advice on how to raise our kids. This week, we add another one to the list: Dr. Madeline Levine, a New York Times bestselling author, whose book Ready or Not: Preparing Our...
7 cute rain jackets for little kids…all under $30
This school year, I'm not spending a lot of money on rain jackets for kids. Who's with me? I don't know what it is about rain jackets specifically, but my kids misplace them with abandon. Soccer practice, play dates, the Y...you name it, one of my kids' jackets is...
Cool sneaker makeovers that leave the white shoes behind after Labor Day
If you stand by the old "no white after Labor Day" fashion imperative, we want to point you to this fantastic post with 9 cool DIY sneaker makeover ideas to help you -- or your kids -- turn those plain white shoes into something that looks great all fall long. From...
Tips to resolve sibling conflict from a psychologist and family counselor | Spawned Ep 248
With everything going on in the world right now, kids are extra-stressed, they're extra-restless, they're extra-anxious, and, if they have siblings, they're fighting. Yay! So what's a parent to do to help manage it all? After a few listeners asked us to take on this...
If you’re having trouble sleeping, Dream Powder helps naturally.
This is a sponsored message from Beam If there's one thing parents can unify around it's that we could all use a lot more sleep. (Well, we all pretty unanimously like Ted Lasso too. But that's another story.) The one issue: It's hard! Our minds are busy with the...
Mask mandates, the Delta variant, and back to school: Who will protect our children?
I thought this back to school year was going to be different than last year. I think everyone did. Last year, I took all of my kids out of school and placed them in a cyber school. A couple did well. A couple did not. But we all had the hope that with vaccines, we'd...
10 ways to make the most out of the last weekend of summer, most of them free
With the final unofficial days of summer so close (wah!), we've got one more long weekend to milk the most out of the late sunsets with the family. So we're bringing back this post from a few years back, when our editor Liz offered up 10 wonderful little things that...
A clever back to school gift for young women and menstruators: A DIY locker kit
My daughter came home this morning with a sweet little gift from her friend's mom: An adorable DIY locker kit full of essentials for young women and menstruators. So brilliant, right? I had actually considered putting together a little bin with some snacks, tampons,...
How to raise kids who aren’t assholes (aka kind, empathic, awesome grown-ups) | Spawned Episode 247
We often ask ourselves what it takes to raise strong, wonderful kids who are kind, empathic (aka not assholes), which is why we were so excited to chat with Melinda Wenner Moyer, author of the new book How to Raise Kids Who Aren't Assholes. She's a science journalist...
Parents are broken. Here are 5 things a therapist says we can do right now to manage our stress.
Over the last 24 hours, this pandemic has caught up to me. I'd been doing pretty well, navigating cyber school with my kids last year along with work adjustments and managing my mental health through it all. But this back to school season has officially taken its...
Where to find at-home rapid Covid tests, kid-sized KN95s, and other essentials you may need
At-home rapid Covid tests isn't the only thing we've been on the hunt for lately. With cold and flu and yes, yet another Covid-19 season upon us, I've been making a list of a few essentials so that my family isn't scrambling if we do come down with something. And...
Here’s the one brilliant tip that got my reluctant teen reading more. And, the books that helped.
My kids devoured books when they were little. Now that they're teens, the stars of YouTube and Discord seem to be a bigger draw than the classic characters of literature I wish they would spend their time with. (Of course, calling them "classic characters of...