The latest from Spawned: Our award-winning parenting podcast
The best digital photo organization tips with Casey von Stein, aka Miss Freddy
If you've got as many photos on your phone as we do, then you know how challenging it can be to find what you need when you need it. Holy smokes. But we are not alone! How do I know this? Well, this week's Spawned podcast guest, Casey von Stein, aka Miss Freddy, a...
Our favorite skincare products: Let’s talk about a self-care skin routine
If you're like us, then you're always quite curious about everyone else's self-care skin routine. So when author and podcaster Kate Spencer (you know her from Forever 35!) was a guest on Spawned a few weeks ago, we had to ask. Especially since she (along with co-host...
Who’s actually getting dressed these days? Or wearing makeup? Well… | Spawned Ep 220
Yes, yes we know what's going on in the world. But if you need a little break from watching the news, we've got a new Spawned podcast episode just for you, that all started from a post in our Spawned podcast community. (Yes, we are consistent with naming things, if...
Helping kids with reading: What we don’t know | Spawned ep 219
Parents have always played a huge part in kids' reading skills, but that's never been more true than it is now. It's not just our toddlers and preschoolers either. Yay, virtual school. (/scarcasm) So we were so happy to chat with ah absolutely fascinating guest, Dr....
One Good Thing a Day: A beautiful, easy exercise to help get you through these crazy days | Spawned ep 218
Last week, I stumbled into a wonderful idea thanks to a conversation with a friend about how tough these days re lately: Start the morning by naming "one good thing" you are going to do that day. Whatever that means to you. It inspired the most diverse, inspired array...
More coolness from recent weeks…
Safe trick-or-treat alternatives for a very 2020 Halloween. It can still be fun, promise!
It's official: I'm writing about safe trick-or-treat alternatives after weeks of putting it off. The CDC has even officially recommended against trick-or-treating during COVID-19, at least in the traditional way, and oof. I need some safe trick-or-treat alternatives...
If you’re smart, you’ll stock up on these things for winter before they run out. Again.
With winter around the corner, I know so many of us are in full prep mode. Or at least as close to full prep mode as we can be while also managing work, online school, and preventing a household COVID outbreak. Oof. So I've tried to take some of the leg work out of...
Voting activities for elementary students: 9 fun, meaningful, and non-partisan ideas to get young kids involved.
It's encouraging to see how many parents have asked us for voting activities for elementary students or any kids too young to vote this year. With the election just a few weeks away, our kids have surely heard us talking about different candidates, issues, and ballot...
How to trick or treat for UNICEF virtually this year
Raising money for UNICEF at Halloween has become a tradition for many of our readers and their kids, and it's a cause we've supported since the very beginning of our site. That's a long time! So we're thrilled to announce that this year, even with all lots of...
Free childcare on Election Day to help parents get to the polls. Here’s how to register.
Are you a parent or caregiver who plans to vote in person on Election Day? We have good news! Care.com and the Armed Services YMCA are teaming up to bring free childcare for parents who need to get to the polls on November 3rd. So brilliant. And considering all that...
Helping kids with reading: What we don’t know | Spawned ep 219
Parents have always played a huge part in kids' reading skills, but that's never been more true than it is now. It's not just our toddlers and preschoolers either. Yay, virtual school. (/scarcasm) So we were so happy to chat with ah absolutely fascinating guest, Dr....
The best 2020 Prime Day deals…while they last. Only good ones though, promise. (UPDATED)
Just can't quit Amazon? Especially on Prime Day? We get it. Here are some of the best Prime Day deals, as in not the stuff that looks like it was salvaged from your Great Grandma's tag sale. (Not like we wouldn't still look though.) And not the stuff that's 1% off...
7 wonderful I Voted stickers for those not voting at the polls this year
One of the proudest badges of participation in our democracy that we can wear is the little I Voted sticker after we walk away from the polls on Election Day. But this year, so many more of us are casting absentee ballots, voting by mail (which is safe!) or dropping...
Presenting the Dr. Fauci action figure. Because, 2020.
Stronger than an off-the-record anonymous White House source. More powerful than a mask worn under your nose. Able to get more Americans believing in science in a single press conference. It's epidemiologist Dr.Anthony S Fauci! And soon, he'll be available as your...
We found 5 great trick-or-treat signs for candy, for a safe and socially distant Halloween
We've had quite a few readers ask for some trick-or-treat-signs for candy to help keep a socially distanced Halloween. This is a time that we may want to hand out candy but uh, maybe in a less-contact way. And hey, we found some great ones, most of them affordable...
One Good Thing a Day: A beautiful, easy exercise to help get you through these crazy days | Spawned ep 218
Last week, I stumbled into a wonderful idea thanks to a conversation with a friend about how tough these days re lately: Start the morning by naming "one good thing" you are going to do that day. Whatever that means to you. It inspired the most diverse, inspired array...
7 reasons to get a flu shot for you and your family, especially during Covid.
Hi. Get your flu shots. Get your flu shots. Get your flu shots. Need some reasons to get your flu shots besides me telling you? Here you go. 1. A flu shot keeps you healthy. Flu vaccines are proven to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization and death, and...
Finally, a security camera that monitors the outside of your home securely from inside your home | Sponsored Message
This is a sponsored message from Panasonic With our families home a lot more these days, home security has become a lot more important. But have you thought about the security of your security camera? (Yes, really.) Now, for the first time, you can find a...
Lots of ways teens can get involved in this election when they’re too young to vote
I know that this year, a lot of teens, including my own 17 year old, are even more motivated to get out and do something to impact November's election. But for socially conscious teens under 18, it can be frustrating that they can't make a difference at the the ballot...
Clever ideas for Halloween costumes using face masks. I mean, as long as we’re all wearing them. (Right? Right?)
I imagine that searching for Halloween costumes using face masks is going to be a thing this year -- and I don't mean your typical Halloween masks that cover your whole face. You know how no kid wants their long-planned costume ruined by a heavy winter parka over top?...
8 fun Halloween face masks for kids…that aren’t too scary. (Because we’re all wearing face masks, right? Right?)
Getting my kid to keep his face mask on is a pretty tall order, but I'm hoping that introducing some new Halloween masks designed for kids will make it a little easier. I can just pass his off as a costume accessory that way, right? I found quite a few I thought were...
Stylish leggings you can wear as pants: 10 of my favorites to keep you feeling comfy and cool.
Welp, we've officially hit that point in the pandemic when we differentiate between our leggings and our nice, stylish leggings. Or is that just me? Answer: No way that's just me. You all went kind of wild for our team's recos for of our favorite sweatpants and...
Parenting lessons from the first debate: Teaching kids how to have a productive discussion, without bullying or name-calling.
My kids' eyes flew wide open when they stepped into the living room last night and caught some of the fiasco (or you know, Dana Bash's more colorful term) that passed for a presidential debate. This morning, our team discussed that while we're exhausted by all the...
No hate: A kids’ craft kit supporting a message we can all agree on.
Well. This certainly has been an interesting start to Anti-Bullying Month. After four years of strife, anger, division, hatred, bullying...I can safely say that parents are tired. I know I'm tired of apologizing to my kids that they have to grow up seeing the worst of...
Nike’s new maternity collection is made for mamas of all shapes and sizes.
We're always on the lookout for maternity clothing that honors woman, of more shapes and sizes than some of the designer labels. Not all of us look like all the size 2 models in maternity catalogs, ya know? As for me, I basically lived in athleisure while I was...
What you can and CAN’T wear to the polls: Don’t get turned away on Election Day!
I'm in several politically-minded Facebook groups, and lately, the women there have been asking what everyone is planning to wear to the polls this year so we can identify each other. Some said they'll be in all blue, others will be wearing their RBG earrings, and...