Spawned Parenting Podcast: Latest Episodes
The latest from Spawned, our award-winning parenting podcast
Making peace with A Very Pandemic Holiday ™ | Spawned Ep 221
Liz has cancelled Thanksgiving. Kristen is staying in her bubble. We've worried, we've cried, we've reconciled with it, and then sometimes we're not quite so reconciled. We're being honest about what we're missing and what sucks and what the problems are and who we're...
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....
More coolness from recent weeks…
Target’s early Black Friday sale, week 2: We pared it down to the good stuff!
Target rolled out their Black Friday deals way early this month, and we've been scouring the deals here. If you missed our post on last week's Black Friday deals, don't worry! Several of them are still marked down this week, like the Beats Studio 3 over-ear...
This truly special keepsake Advent calendar helps you countdown in a year like no other.
After rounding up 11 of our favorite new Advent calendars for kids and the best food Advent calendars of 2020 (seriously, amazing finds there so be sure to look!), I found just one more gorgeous keepsake Advent calendar. And I love it so much, it deserves its own...
8 easy gratitude activities for kids this Thanksgiving
With Thanksgiving looking so different this year, we're really trying to focus on gratitude and gratitude activities, so that we're spending more time feeling, well, thankful, instead of resentful. With my own Thanksgiving family plans cancelled -- though though that...
Presenting the It ornament of 2020
Oh, what a year 2020 has been. And since it's only mid-November, that means we've still got a good seven, eight years left of it! Which gives you plenty of time to get a hold of this 2020 toilet paper ornament while you can. Perhaps when you think back on 2020 in...
Target dropped their Black Friday deals early! We pared it down to the good stuff.
Target has rolled out their Black Friday deals way early this month, so there's no need to wait until after Thanksgiving to do your holiday shopping. Which is good, considering we are so down with the retail therapy right now. So we've put together the very best of...
We love these election reactions from some of our favorite moms: History is happening.
This morning, as we wake up on our first Monday with President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris heading to the White House, I'm passing the mic. Although yes, of course, we had some things to say as well. I'm sharing just a few of the thoughts...
11 of our favorite new Advent calendars for kids to help countdown to Christmas
Every year (since 2008!) we've scoured the internet to find the coolest Advent calendars to help you -- and your excited kids -- count down to Christmas. In spite of all the hardships this year has thrown our way, or maybe because of them, I am determined to squeeze...
My favorite essential oil for all your de-stressing needs. And mine.
I tweeted this week that I've become the person who carries essential oils in my bag for stress and anxiety, and wow, it turns out I'm not alone! A lot of people asked what I like, the best essential oils I've found so far, hail from Aura Cacia. I've been sent a lot...
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...
Voting help and Election Day resources: All the help you need to find your voting place, watch the polls, report voter intimidation and more.
You might have heard, but there's this election coming up in the US on Tuesday, November 3 and it's kind of a big deal. Not just because we'll be electing the next president, but a lot of Senators, Members of Congress, and important local and state candidates that...
Roald Dahl’s The Witches is great campy fun, and don’t believe anyone who says differently.
As a movie buff, I tend to be skeptical of reboots. Especially reboots of movies like Roald Dahl's The Witches which became an instant Halloween classic in the 90s. But the 2020 version, now on HBO Max, is more of a reimagining than a reboot. And a needed one, at...
The best mascaras for short lashes. Because it’s a mask mask mask mask world.
I've myself spending a lot of time lately searching for terms like the best mascara for short lashes, the best mascara for thin lashes, the best mascara for volume...you get the deal. Partly it has to do with hitting the other side of 40 (and beyond). Partly it has to...
Tim Burton and diaper bag: Two phrases we never thought we’d hear together.
For some of us fans, the Tim Burton cult favorite The Nightmare Before Christmas is not just a movie you watch around Halloween. And then some of those people grow up to become moms. And when they do, now at last they will have access to the very diaper bag they never...
9 creepy, spooky, and scary board games for Halloween. IF YOU DARE.
The truth is, I don't need an excuse to play scary board games for Halloween with my. kids. We're full-fledged board game geeks at my house, and all games are an option for us, any time at all. But with so many families looking for safe trick-or-treat...
How to throw a Mandalorian watch party with your family that still feels like a party
I'm throwing everything into a Mandalorian watch party when season two launches on October 30th (whoo!). because to 2020, we haven't had many reasons to celebrate. Of course, I'm using the word "party" loosely here -- I'll be streaming the show with my immediate...
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....