Spawned Parenting Podcast: Latest Episodes
The latest from Spawned, our award-winning parenting podcast
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....
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...
More coolness from recent weeks…
We need to talk about our alcohol use, parents: An honest review of Quit Like a Woman
This past December, I decided to stop drinking. While I've always had a complicated relationship with booze, I wouldn't consider myself an alcoholic. I've been drunk a handful of times in my life, and for the most part, just have a couple of glasses of something maybe...
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...
Forget Hot Girl Summer. It’s about to be a Hot Mom Summer.
We've heard the buzz about having a Hot Girl Summer, and we're totally on board for living your best life this summer (and well, all the time). But as moms, we can't just toss a bathing suit on, pack a cooler, and head to the beach on our very own. Because there are...
This non-profit creates absolutely free, Instagram-worthy room makeovers for adopted kids and foster families
Several months ago I stumbled on the work of the non-profit group Bloom Family Designs on a friend and fellow adoptive-mom's Instagram feed. This organization creates beautifully designed rooms for adopted and foster kids — at absolutely no cost to the families. In...
Are Ruggable rugs really washable and stain-resistant? We bought one to see. | “Damn you, Social Media ads” series
Those ads for Ruggable have been popping up in my Facebook and Instagram feeds for ages, but it wasn't until their Star Wars line of rugs debuted that I finally gave in and bought one. In my defense, the designs are super cool! And subtle enough that our house doesn't...
Yes, this celebrity-fave face peel is as good as they say it is. For a change.
I've been recommending Aloisia Beauty's Korean-inspired clean beauty products since they first launched. (Like, here for example!) The brand was co-created by a longtime colleague and to be honest, I've been so impressed by every product I've tried so far.Then, a...
How to wear a crop top in your 40s? However the heck you want!
After an emotional conversation with my 12-year old daughter about body image, I decided I needed to set the example of "heck yeah, you can wear anything!" by taking on my nemesis: the crop top. I shared it on Instagram, and so many people (including The Today Show),...
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...
We found 8 stylish beach coverups for summer. Let’s get out there, already!
After a year of extremely limited social outings, I'm ready to be at the pool all the time. But, last year I also had skin cancer (I'm okay!), so in order to be safe with my very fair skin I'll need to stay covered up. I've been searching around for some stylish pool...
50 screen-free activities for kids to do over summer break, indoors and out
So many parents are looking for fresh ideas for screen-free activities for kids now that we finally turned a corner. I know I'm not the only parent with kids whose screen time increased significantly over the quarantine. It was their primary way to connect with...
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...
10 fashionable beach totes we absolutely love this summer
Summer is officially here, and for those of you who are hoping to spend most of your time around the pool or at the beach...we've found some of the most fashionable beach totes to elevate your summer style. I know, you probably don't immediately think "pool bag" or...
Progressive 4th of July tees that you (and your kids) will love wearing long past Independence Day.
Let's talk progressive 4th of July tees. We feature cool flag tees and clothing of all kinds every summer, but each year, there are more and more of us looking to celebrate the best of what this country can be and should be. "Freedom for all" is not an ideal we're...
I switched to reusable bamboo paper towels to help alleviate my kids’ climate change anxiety. Here’s how it went
I committed to switching to reusable bamboo paper towels recently, in part at the urging of my teens. The realities of climate change — and the constant important conversations about it in the media — is a very real stressor for my kids. Especially since COVID, when...
7 terrific new YA books with LGBTQ+ main characters: They’re not just for Pride Month
Happy Pride! It's been such a joy finding so many terrific YA books with LGBTQ+ main characters for this post. I always turn to books when I am looking for resources to help more kids feel seen and understood -- and to help kids see and understand other kids who may...
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...
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...