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The importance of gratitude right now | Spawned ep 32
We both have gratitude on our minds right now. At a time that there is so much abundance -- food, gifts, parties -- and conversely, so many of us struggling with holidays in general, it's so valuable for us to slow down and consider ways to help develop more gratitude...
Surviving the toddler years with Dr. Heather Wittenberg | Spawned Episode 131
The toddler years comes with quite a reputation for putting poor, unsuspecting parents through the ringer. Well, we're here to give you a little bit of your sanity back thanks to our special guest Dr. Heather Wittenberg aka The BabyShrink, who's an expert in all...
How much screen time is too much? Tech health expert Dr. Mike Brooks | Spawned ep 126
When work is online, communication is online, entertainment is online and it's all 24/7...it can be hard to get offline. We get it! So we're happy to share so much helpful info from from tech health expert, author, Austin-based dad, and Psychology Today columnist, Dr....
Kids and nutrition: Tips from pediatric expert Dr. Tanya Altmann | Spawned ep 125
This week on Spawned, we're talking kids and nutrition. Which, TBH, is one of those issues that nearly universally stresses out parents of all kinds, with kids of all ages. Fortunately, we've got an expert to help us out: Dr. Tanya Altmann, who you may better know as...
One brilliant, simple thing you can do right now to help end working mom guilt | Spawned ep 124
Working mom guilt is something every working mom has experienced in one way or another. And basically, it sucks. However, we've always heard that guilt is the most useless emotion -- and now, consider us schooled. On this week's episode of Spawned, we spoke with...
So much coolness. Where to start…
Representation FTW! Spawned Ep. 130
Whatever your feelings about what happened on November 6, 2018, we hope you can agree that it was an exciting, historic day for women. Over 100 women in Congress! YES! So, on this week's episode of Spawned with Kristen and Liz, we're talking about Election Day, the...
This weekend’s GameStop PRO DAYS sale can save you a ton on these hot holiday gifts | Sponsored Message
This is a sponsored message from GameStop If your family has video games, gaming systems, or pop culture tees and gifts (hey there, Fortnite fans!) on their holiday wish lists you're going to want to check out this weekend's huge GameStop PRO DAYS sale. The GameStop...
Get well soon Ruth Bader Ginsburg! We need you!
I just received a news alert that our strong, feisty, beloved SCOTUS Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, fell and fractured three ribs last night. It's happened before (she evidently "did not skip a beat" during that time, according to the court because, RBG), and I know...
This hip, indie kids’ magazine subscription is a fabulous gift for curious tweens
You may have heard of Aquila children's magazine, the cool indie kids publication from the UK, because they've been around for 25 years. And they've announced they're going to open their subscriptions up to the USA too, and I'm so excited. if you have a curious kid...
There are now more than 100 women in Congress. Here’s why it matters to our girl — and boys.
Last night's election was historic in so many ways, with representation that's starting to better reflect the actual composition of the country. We now have the first Black woman in Congress from Massachusetts: Ayanna Pressley. The first Black woman in Congress from...
Why every parent needs to see Boy Erased. Spoiler: The world desperately needs more understanding and compassion
It’s been over a week since I saw the brand new movie Boy Erased and I can’t get it out of my head. As an avid human-rights supporter and the mom of two activist teenagers, I spend a lot of time trying to be less angry these days than I have been. The world feels so...
Emily McDowell’s new “fantasy stones” offer self-care through laughter
Anyone else feeling stressed thee day? Frantically perusing self-care tips, devouring all the Halloween chocolate in the "donate" bag, or diving into every comedy on Netflix? We get it. And we've got the gift for you. While I've never been one to carry crystals or...
Here’s what you can do with your family on #TheLastWeekend before the Midterms, and why it (really!) matters.
Parents. We're not like other people who can just drop everything and fly out to a swing state to canvas, or host raucous fundraising cocktail nights, or even attend a GOTV concert on a whim. But there's a lot we can do -- with our families -- to help make a...
The coolest Halloween costumes from Garden Place Brooklyn, 2018
I'm reluctant to even tell any of you about Garden Place, because it is one of the most delightful things about living in Brooklyn -- and I don't want it suddenly flooded with Manhattan people who swoop in and steal all the candy! (J/K anyone is welcome). But...
How a 13-year-old Broadway fan created the coolest Halloween door decorations
So that 13-year-old Broadway-obsessed kid? That would be my daughter. And after last year's attempt to mashup Halloween with Broadway musicals, she improved on her artwork this year and taped it straight on our apartment door. So, proud mama that I am, I wanted to...
3 smoking black maternity dresses for fall and winter, even if you’re not on Meghan Markle’s budget
If you've been following the newly minted royal couple on their post-nuptial adventures (waving hands, here), you might have caught mom-to-be Meghan Markle in this little black dress and-trench maternity outfit. I'll admit that I've been coveting the look, too, and OF...
The blogging world loses one of our own. Here’s how to help.
Kristen and I are both old school bloggers, going back to 2006 when our kids were tiny. Back then, we were a small, passionate community of writers who shared our lives, our joys, our many challenges and even some painful losses. Many of us became IRL friends. Even if...
12 fantastic no-carve pumpkin ideas for a very last-minute Halloween
Who here's a fan of no-carve pumpkins for Halloween? As someone whose toddler definitely shouldn't be anywhere near sharp objects, I've become a staunch convert. And as someone who doesn't always get to my Halloween pumpkin until the last-minute, it beats spilling all...
12 year olds can be arrested for trick-or-treating and WHAT IS GOING ON | Spawned 129
So uh, yeah. Turns out that some American towns are now banning 12-year-old kids from trick-or-treating, under penalty of arrest. We think it's nuts, of course, so we had to talk about it this week on Spawned.There are even a lot of expert reasons that it's good and...
20 of the most amazing, must-see Halloween face paint video tutorials on YouTube.
My kids have spent hours in front of the mirror perfecting scars and simpler character makeup based off of YouTube face paint tutorials, but these Halloween themed face paint tutorials should put their growing skills to the test. From your classic Halloween ghouls to...
11 cool tween and teen Halloween craft ideas that don’t suck.
While we love sharing Halloween craft ideas for our preschoolers and little ones, our tweens and older kids want to get in on the fun too. So with my own Halloween-loving older kid in mind, I searched around for some cool Halloween craft projects and ideas just for...
Ever wanted to see your face in sequins? Here’s your chance.
We're always looking for personalized gifts you just don't see everywhere, and this year, the personalized flip sequin pillows from The Mermaid Pillow Co definitely makes my list of It Gifts. As if my kids weren't already crazy enough for the mermaid pillows we...
14 fun and easy Halloween crafts for prechoolers
We always love fun Halloween craft projects for our preschoolers and little kids, because it's one way to get them excited about Halloween that's (generally) non-caloric. And we're all about keeping it real with easy crafts because, hey, we're busy this time of year!...
Time to Parent: A non-judgy book helping you find more time to be the best parent you can be.
The toils of parenting can seem nebulous and never-ending, which is why Julie Morgenstern's new book, Time to Parent, came as such a breath of fresh air for me. A professional organizer by trade, she breaks down the overall job of parenting into manageable tasks, to...
Vote Like a Mother: In time for the mother of all midterms
If you haven't gotten word yet, we have a seriously important election coming up in November. We've asked you to check your registration, double and triple-check your registration, join Michelle Obama and Lin-Manuel Miranda to help new voters to register, and now...
Our top picks from this weekend’s Hanna Andersson 40% off flash sale — including fall and winter items!
As a mom of four, I love to buy clothes from Hanna Andersson for my kids because they last...forever. And this weekend they are having a massive sale: 40% off almost all children's clothes, including outerwear, fall/winter clothing, and holiday items. So like, not...