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How writing thank you letters could totally change your life
You can probably hear your mom's voice right now. "Did you write a thank-you note, dear?" I can't be the only one whose mom was a stickler about thank-you notes. Well, as I learned from our recent Spawned podcast guest, author Nancy Davis Kho, there are more reasons...
On acting, activism, and taking action: A conversation with Alysia Reiner
Considering we're pretty passionate about activism and binge watching, it's probably no surprise that we're a big fan of Alysia Reiner, known best for her role as Natalie "Fig" Figueroa in Orange is the New Black, a show that might have been the first use-case for the...
How can we prioritize what we love when we’re so damn busy? | Spawned Ep 172
Back in January, we spoke with Jake Knapp about making time for the things we love. In other words, prioritizing.(Way better word than "balance," don't you think?) Jake offered outstanding tips for making sure your days and weeks and years are spent on more of the...
Should we be banning kids from restaurants? Spawned Episode 171
Just last week we read an article that said Japan Airlines would soon to be letting their customers know where children would be sitting on the plane. So what's next? Kid sections in restaurants? With Kristen's husband and Liz's ex in the restaurant industry (along...
Can we please stop freaking out about kids and social media? : How to raise responsible digital kids | Spawned Ep 170
After seeing so many discussions in our Out Tech Your Kids Facebook community filled with parents who seem panicked -- or at least very concerned -- about kids and texting and social media, we thought it would be helpful to devote this week's episode to that very...
So much coolness. Where to start…
Reader Q+A: What is a thoughtful gift for a friend who’s had a miscarriage?
Recently, we received a question on Facebook that hit me in the gut: Q: What is a really thoughtful gift to give someone who's suffered a miscarriage? This is so tough. And since October is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month, it's a topic I thought was...
These hand-knit animal scarves require no food, no water, but lots of love.
While a real pet requires food, water, and responsibility, the phenomenal hand-knitted animals scarves from Dutch Etsy artist Nina Fuehrer require...well, just enough responsibility that they come home with your kids at the end of the day. At a recent Etsy holiday...
8 cute pumpkin decorating ideas for kids that are not scary at all
It's time to decorate those pumpkins, parents! And it's always fun to look around for some of the cute, creative pumpkin decorating ideas. Especially for those of us with little kids who aren't quite into the super creepy pumpkin vomiting guts thing just...
11 new cookbooks parents should pick up now, from Suzy Chase of Cookery by the book
Cookbooks aren't just about recipes -- they open us up to new perspectives, new cultures, new ways of thinking about food. They can be funny, quirky or heartfelt., and they can even make our lives richer -- both at mealtime and beyond. Whether you're nodding along...
What is Indigenous People’s Day? Great resources for talking to your kids, because Native American history is American history.
Today is the day that's been traditionally celebrated as "Columbus Day" in the U.S., but knowing now what we know about Christopher Columbus, the holiday is fast transforming into Indigenous People's Day for many. If you're wondering what Indigenous People's Day is,...
Cards honoring women’s achievements beyond motherhood and marital status. (Shocking, I know.)
I just got wind of Statement Cards, a new line of greeting cards designed to honor women's successes beyond the traditional congratulatory occasions. You know, like engagements, weddings, pregnancy and childbirth. Not that there's anything wrong with any of those...
23 wildly cute baby Halloween costumes on Etsy that will make you want many babies to dress up this year.
When you're a new parent, it's not like you have a ton of time, energy or brain cells to carefully DIY an Insta-perfect baby costume. So to make it easier, I've put together the guaranteed cutest handmade baby Halloween costumes on Etsy from all kinds of talented...
Roll with It: The best full-of-heart read for kids since Wonder
I've been looking for that next great heartwarming book to read to my kids after having fallen in love with Augie in RJ Palacio's Wonder a couple years back. So when I saw my friend Jamie Sumner's new book Roll With It in stores this week -- complete with an...
New LEGO Replay lets you donate your used bricks to kids in need. And it’s so easy!
I think you're going to be as excited about LEGO Replay as I am. Because if your kids are like mine, they've accumulated a whoooole lot of LEGO bricks over the years. And there comes a point where maybe they don't need them. Or at least all of them. (Seriously, I'm...
How can we prioritize what we love when we’re so damn busy? | Spawned Ep 172
Back in January, we spoke with Jake Knapp about making time for the things we love. In other words, prioritizing.(Way better word than "balance," don't you think?) Jake offered outstanding tips for making sure your days and weeks and years are spent on more of the...
Our favorites from the new Harry Potter x Mini Boden collection: Magic for your muggles
I'm kind of yearning for the days that my kids were still Harry Potter obsessed, because I know that they would have totally loved the new Harry Potter collection for kids at Boden. CMP is an rstyle affiliate. It's a sizable collection for kids newborn through 16 --...
The absolute best wagon for families, from infant to big kid. And I’ve tried a lot of them.
I currently have...oh, probably 5 wagons in my garage. It's overkill, for sure. I have the awkward and bulky molded plastic wagons that don't fit easily in your car (sorry, sentimental Radio Flyer). I have the fold-down fabric wagons from the athletic store to carry...
2 great books about raising activist kids: Cool Mom Picks Book Club selection 10
This go round, we're going to change things up a bit in the Cool Mom Picks Virtual Book Club, because I'm going to be talking about two selections that I know are relevant to so many parents these days. In light of the recent Climate Strike marches around the world...
These new PLAE x Jasper Wong glow-in-the-dark sneakers are lit (ha)
Fall nights means it gets dark before our kids are done playing, but I may have found the most fashionable possible way to keep them going—and glowing—all night long. PLAE is already one of our favorite shoe brands for kids and adults. My husband wears his every...
New Johnson’s Hair Care: How to pick the one right for your child | Sponsored message
Before we agreed to partner with Johnson's on this series, we did our own research about their growth and evolution in terms of ingredients, practice, and transparency. As parents ourselves, we are incredibly conscientious about the brands we work with and we felt...
The new UNO Braille deck lets sighted and visually impaired families play together
Seems like Mattel is having a heck of a month in terms of innovation in inclusivity. Because they've just announced the release of UNO Braille, an UNO deck developed in partnership with the National Federation of the Blind that's going to allow more families to have...
Fur-trimmed booties for fall and winter: 5 of my favorite ways to get your tootsies up to trend
Fur trimmed booties are so hot right now (faux fur too, whatever works for you) and I'm so in love. It's the kind of look that comes back every few years are so, so you may already have something fab in the back of your closet Or if you're getting excited for fall and...
Should we be banning kids from restaurants? Spawned Episode 171
Just last week we read an article that said Japan Airlines would soon to be letting their customers know where children would be sitting on the plane. So what's next? Kid sections in restaurants? With Kristen's husband and Liz's ex in the restaurant industry (along...
My newest jewelry obsession: Amber Poitier
Browsing the Atlantic Antic yesterday, the beloved annual Brooklyn street fair, I stumbled across some amazing leather jewelry and accessories amidst the beer gardens and belly dancers and homemade spanakopitas. I was drawn. in by Amber Poitier's sculptural 3-D...
Ireland with kids: Great tips and secret spots from our 4-day adventure on the Wild Atlantic Way
This past summer, we spent four days of our British family vacation in Ireland. Because our trip was centered around a trip to London, we still wanted to experience all the green beauty and nature of Ireland that we could in a few days. So instead of heading to...
How to play Crokinole: The best game you’ve never played
After someone I follow on Instagram mentioned that her family had a blast playing the game Crokinole, I decided to Google it, having never heard of it myself. What kind of board game buff am I? Not a good one, apparently. Well, as I've learned over the last couple of...