Spawned Parenting Podcast: Latest Episodes
The latest from Spawned, our award-winning parenting podcast
Making the most of your time when time has no meaning | Spawned Ep 212
These days, it's like we blink and it's dinner time and we think, "what the heck happened to this day?" As we looked around our feeds to see what else parents are discussing -- you know, beyond school, school and school -- turns out we're not alone. Seems like a lot...
Should you send your kids back to school? 14 considerations parents are talking about to help guide you | Spawned 211
This week on the Spawned with Kristen + Liz Parenting Podcast, we knew there was only one topic we could possibly cover: Sending our kids back to school As in, should we send our kids back to school? When should we send our kids back to school? Ack! It seems to be...
Kids and birthdays in the age of Covid: The loss is real. | Spawned Ep 210
One of our most popular posts of the past few months has been this list of social distancing birthday ideas for kids during COVID-19. And the more it's been clear that Covid isn't just a few-weeks-and-it's-over-kind of thing, we're now at the point where we're seeing...
More coolness from recent weeks…
4 funny novels for summer giving us the comic relief we desperately need right now
I don't know about you, but I'm either needing to project my primal scream into Iceland or get a really good, belly-aching laugh in with a funny new summer novel. We're in the final stretch of summer at my house before school starts (whatever that looks like these...
5 of my favorite cute, comfy shoes on sale at Nordstrom right now.
Retail therapy is real these days for me, no apologies. But I'm not quite focused on what's "in" right now -- or not as much as usual. Just what's comfy, cute, and will make me feel a little more put-together when I grab my get outside in my Brooklyn neighborhood for...
The new LEGO Brick Sketch kits are 3D puzzles made for framing. Fun!
Our house needs more tiny LEGO pieces like it needs a hole in the roof, but then the new LEGO Brick Sketches were finally released on the LEGO site. They're so cute, I find myself actually wanting one.For me. The new kits are part building set, part puzzle, part 3D...
Should you send your kids back to school? 14 considerations parents are talking about to help guide you | Spawned 211
This week on the Spawned with Kristen + Liz Parenting Podcast, we knew there was only one topic we could possibly cover: Sending our kids back to school As in, should we send our kids back to school? When should we send our kids back to school? Ack! It seems to be...
10 arguments to help you convince your friends and neighbors to wear a damn mask in public already.
I just read that nearly 30% of Americans sometimes, rarely, or never wear a mask in public and it makes me want to bang my head on something. Nothing too hard though, because our hospitals have been through enough and don't need the likes of a self-inflicted head...
When can your teen register to vote? Here are the rules, state by state.
Some of us have older teens who are really excited to vote this year. But because each state manages their own voting policies, it can be confusing as to how, when, and where to register to vote. We all know that if you're 18 on or before election day — November 3,...
If you’ve ever wished you could buy a single shoe…this new line of adaptive shoes from Zappos is here for you
I've been so happy to see clothing brands expanding their offerings to meet the diverse needs of their customers, whether it's Halloween costumes for kids with special needs or adaptive clothing for kids with sensory issues. And this new Zappo's "Single and Different...
Scrambling for summer activities? These fun, affordable online coding camps for kids just got even more affordable.
This is a sponsored message from Coding with Kids With all the gaming kids are doing this summer, it's pretty cool that there's a way parents can help turn their love for say, Roblox or Minecraft, into an educational STEM opportunity -- all at an exclusive discount...
Kids and birthdays in the age of Covid: The loss is real. | Spawned Ep 210
One of our most popular posts of the past few months has been this list of social distancing birthday ideas for kids during COVID-19. And the more it's been clear that Covid isn't just a few-weeks-and-it's-over-kind of thing, we're now at the point where we're seeing...
This brilliant mask self-portrait art project is one every teacher needs to assign before school starts.
This back to school season will be different from any we've seen, because no one knows what the heck fall will look like regarding COVID. Let alone next week. What we do know however, is that kids will be (and should be!) wearing masks in public, whether they're...
Stop everything and watch Bill Nye’s super-simple explanation of how face masks protect us right now
By now, we should not need to be "arguing" the need for mask-wearing in public. The science out there is abundant! But when it comes to my own kids (who get a little more leeway than obstinate adults), I have found that providing a solid reason for something they need...
Check out these 4 fun games that my older and younger kids like playing together.
For my kids, their siblings have been their only playmates for months. And hey! Now that we're heading into yet another weekend during Covid, that means finding a few more family activities. Our default is to sit around the table and play card games or board games...
HandlePop: Because we don’t want to touch those supermarket cart handles much either.
Update: Unfortunately this Kickstarter was cancelled in mid-July. We'll be out shortly with some great alternatives! Anyone else feel like they're playing high-stakes poker every time they grab a shopping cart by the handle? I know I can wipe the handle down, try not...
Should you think about homeschooling this fall due to COVID-19? Spawned Episode 209
Over the last couple of weeks, many schools have been releasing their plans for fall, and not surprisingly, it's all the parents in our social media feed are talking about. We recently featured a post about things to consider if you're thinking about homeschooling...
4 cool mask accessories to make wearing a face mask a little more comfortable
If your ears ache like crazy right now, you're doing something right, mask-wise. But good news! With these accessories, you can make wearing a face mask a whole lot more comfortable, and for glasses wearers, a whole lot less foggy. Plus, if your state is like mine and...
Transparent face masks: They’re coming, and we’re ready!
I'm so thrilled to see all the transparent faces masks that are starting to come out, especially considering the incredible technology some of them are delivering. For background, I am one of those WEAR YOUR MASK, PEOPLE! people, passionately and without apology....
Why we need play, levity, and romance, even in a pandemic | Spawned Episode 208
As we continue to navigate through this unchartered pandemic territory, it's easy for us to think that this isn't the time for play, levity, or romance. But as it turns out, those experiences are even more important now than ever, which is something we chat about with...
8 things to think about if you’re considering homeschool because of COVID-19 this fall, from a homeschool mom
With school districts all over the country releasing their preliminary plans for school this fall, I'm hearing so many parents trying to determine whether or not their kids are going back full-time. The requirement between states and districts varies greatly, with...
The antiracist baby board book everyone’s talking about right now
When I first saw Antiracist Baby, the new board book everyone's talking about right now, I thought, Oh, cute, a very cool companion to Feminist Baby! But whereas Feminist Baby was full of punny jokes about napping, Antiracist Baby actually aims to educate about...
The GenX midlife crisis: It’s real, you’re not alone, and it’s not your fault. | Spawned Ep 207
This week on Spawned, I have a fantastic, encouraging conversation with Ada Calhoun, prolific author and writer, who's always got her finger on the pulse of culture. Her latest book, Why We Can't Sleep: Women's New Midlife Crisis (from Amazon, Indiebound, or on...
The twin quarantine baby onesies making us giggle
I love a funny pregnancy announcement, and these days I'm particularly happy to see them pop up since most of my social media is full of pretty heavy stuff, and I love any excuse to wish someone congratulations. If you're one of the lucky few moms who is expecting...